Wrigleyville fun without baseball

👋 Hey, it's Monica. I live in Wrigleyville, where tens of thousands of fans will gather to watch the Cubs play the Diamondbacks over the next four days.

What's happening: As the devoted partner of a baseball fanatic, I know what it's like to tag along to games when I secretly would rather be exploring the neighborhood.

• So for anyone else in my shoes, I've compiled some fun stuff to do around Wrigley before, after or during the game.

😻 Fraternize with furry friends at The Catcade on Belmont, where cat lounge visits go for $17 an hour.

🐇 Or hang with the rabbits at Cuddle Bunny on Clark for $12 an hour.

📚 Browse new and vintage comics at Graham Crackers Comics on Broadway, or comb through the old vinyl at Reckless Records or Dave's Records.

🏌️‍♂️ Stroll a few blocks to the lakefront for a peek at the new AIDS Garden, a jog through the exercise course, or golf practice at the Diversey Driving Range.

Visit the dead at history-filled Wunder's Cemetery or Graceland Cemetery on Clark, where architects Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Louis Sullivan are laid to rest.

📽 Catch an art flick at Landmark Century Centre Cinema on Clark or Music Box Theatre on Southport. Both offer discount matinees.

🦪 Slurp bargain bivalves at Swift & Sons Tavern across Clark.

• Select oysters go for $1.50 from the first pitch to the last out during games and from 4:30 to 6pm Tuesday through Friday.