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Ofman: I Love Boston - Sue Me

By George Ofman-

(CBS) Whenever Chicago teams get into a playoff series, we tend to take shots at the opposing city. I get it when it comes to Philadelphia where fans booed when the Hawks skated with the Stanley Cup three years ago. Detroit needs no further explanation.

But I love Boston. So sue me. This doesn't mean I like the Bruins, even though my brain is picking them to win the Stanley Cup.

This is about the city. And what a great city it is. It's been through hell in recent weeks, but like Chicago, it doesn't back down. It has some some pretty broad shoulders, too.

There will be many Blackhawks' fans who will make the trek to the Hub and not just to watch hockey, so I have a few suggestions.

Try the freedom trail for openers? It's a painted red path that starts in downtown and wends its way through 2.5 miles of historical landmarks, including Paul Revere's house. If you get adventurous, you can rent a horse and pretend you're doing the midnight ride. You might get arrested, but what the heck. I've done the path and its well worth it. You really get a flavor of what it was like during the revolution that created our country.

For architecture, you have to include Beacon Hill and the Back Bay. Remember, Boston is much smaller than Chicago, so you can see plenty in one day. And the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum is worth an hour.

I really should be writing for Frommers.

When it comes to food, you must stop at the Quincy Market in Faneuil Hall. It's a food emporium stocked with restaurants and food courts that will make your stomach do cartwheels. Just pak tha ca Havey and eat! And don't look for Vienna Hot Dogs. That's here, not there.  It has everything else, so you may not want to leave.

Forget Legal Seafood. It's overhyped and not all that good.

I should be writing for Food and Wine.

Fenway Park. You would be nuts not to see a game, and the Sawx are hosting Tampa in a day-night double header the day before Game 4. Check out what Theo Epstein wants to turn Wrigley Field into unless you're a White Sox fan. Then I would suggest a return trip to the Quincy Market. I had the distinct pleasure of covering a White Sox playoff game there in 2005 before the renovation. It was a pit then but they've done wonders to the joint and its the oldest park in baseball, preceding Wrigley by two years.

You simply have to do a walk in Boston Common. I last did it when the Bulls played a triple-overtime game there in 2009. Get your cameras and start snapping.

We have the Chicago River. They have the "Charles." It's a toss up, but I would take our town.

I should be writing for Travel and Leisure.

They have the T. We have the L. Again, a toss up though this time I'll go with the T.

They have rotaries. We have on-ramps. This is no contest. Rotaries are ridiculous.

They have Harvard, Cambridge and M.I.T. We have Northwestern, DePaul and... This is not a toss up.

And finally, I had my first date with my wife there nearly 25 years ago.

I was born in Chicago and still live in the city. There's no place like it. But if I had to pick one city to keep visiting, it would be Boston.

Boston strong. Now you know other reasons why.

George Ofman is a sports anchor and reporter for WBBM Newsradio 780 & 105.9FM. Look for him on Facebook and find him on Twitter at @georgeofman.

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