My husband and I visited the Wilmette Historical Museum on our tour of local historical museums…read more This building is the former town hall. There is a great permanent exhibit about the founding of Wilmette and the Ouilmette family that helped build the town. There is also an exhibit about the Native American contributions to the area. But the part that really sets this museum apart is the jail cells that are in the lower level of the museum. The exhibit describes what happened when you broke the law back then (a meal cooked by the wife of a jailer doesn't sound too bad). Definetly a fun place to check out! I highly recommend the Wilmette Historical Museum!

Exceptional local museum. When I visited, they had a beautiful exhibit up about Native Americans in…read morethe area. The building is beautifully preserved and restored. There's also some interesting stuff about the history of Wilmette and the famous people who grew up there. If you're in town and seeking to know the locale better, I recommend it.

Except for their events, most of the time there's nearly no on here. Easy parking to go check out…read morethese old trains and trolleys. We've been here for the Christmas trains, it was fantastic.

Went here for Father's Day since fathers were free and it was local plus my kids love trolleys and…read moretrains! It was cool too see what the area had to offer and the staff was very knowledgeable! I do love learning about transportation back in the day but wish that there was more to see and explore. There are 2 trains that you can ride and both take you to Blackhawk where you can hang out until the next train comes. It was a very relaxing ride! If you're looking for something different and local to do, come check them out!

I stopped by The Center for Native Futures (CfNF) last summer, however the space was closed that…read moreday, so I filed it away for a future visit. I was able to explore the space midweek, on a Wednesday. The gallery is compact, so I was able to walk around and take my time looking at the artworks in an unhurried manner. The timing was perfect, as I happened to be the only visitor and was able to talk with one of the co-founders, who was seated at a table in the middle of the exhibition space. Prior to my visit, I had limited knowledge of the Center, an Indigenous- led arts space. The gallery is a new entry on the art scene in downtown Chicago, having opened in September 2023 in the Marquette building. The Marquette is home to historic Tiffany murals that depict the life of the building's namesake, the French explorer Father Jacques Marquette. The center was founded by artists on a mission to make an epicenter of Native creativity and explore the history of the Potawatomi people in the area, providing a deeper look and going beyond their depictions within the murals. When I visited, the Center's inaugural exhibit Native Futures was on display. Showcasing the work of artists representing 19 Native tribes, the exhibition includes an audio installation and stunning works of ledger art. In addition to exhibits, the Center hosts community events throughout the year; these are promoted via social media with an option to sign up for the email list.

It has been opened since September 2023 according to the lady at the table near the middle of the…read moreroom. There is some artwork which I found interesting. also a tv showing some video near the window up front. I hope they have some events in the future. There is a table with some info and First American Art magazines near the front. I'll probably go back to see if they have new artwork. Not crowded at all.

Coming to Navy Pier in Chicago in summer? Cool off in the fountain at the start of the pier, in…read morePolk Brothers Park! We did :-) (Aug 2026)

This 13 acre green space serves as the entrance to Navy Pier. It is located at the west entrance to…read morethe pier. The park is a result of a gift by the Polk family, Chicago retailers who have made many gifts to the neighborhoods of Chicago. In 2014 they gave 20 million dollars to transform the park so it can offer art and cultural programs. it was the single largest gift ever made to Navy Pier. Many of the programs are paid for with grants from the Polk Bros. Foundation. In the summer, the highlight of the park is the plaza with a 12,500-square- foot fountain with more than 250 programmable jets that mimic the movements of waves, schools of fish, and flocks of birds. The fountain contains hundreds of LED lights. Kids can cool off by playing in the fountain. The Polk Bros Park Performance Lawns designed by landscape architect, James Corner Field Operations has two new performance spaces at the park's southern end that can host live cultural events. On Fridays in the summer, Wiggleworms is offered for children. Other events include Shakespeare in the Park, movies, sunset yoga, and live jazz. In the winter the park offers seasonal programs like a skating rink. Polk Bros. Park is also known for its beautiful views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline.

A free drive thru Holiday Light Festival held in Phillips Park in Aurora…read more This free event runs from late November thru late December daily from 5-9pm. You will have to check the website for exact dates. They advise you to pre register which is not required since no one checks you in . I wish the local authorities would have been assisting with the fllow of traffic entering and leaving the park . Especially for people not familiar with the area. It a fun family event during the holiday season.

Nice, free. park district drive through lights display for a cold winter night. Good for families…read moreand the young at heart. Traffic moved pretty well but signs to find the correct entrance are not as helpful as having someone live directing. Many people showed up to the wrong entrance and had to reroute..

My Niece had her wedding here on 8/15/2021 and what amazing owners.. it wasn't even the owner job…read moreto take care of our family.. But when I say Team work Mrs Linda knows how to handle business.. She and Staff are very professional and gets the job done.. If you're looking to rent a awesome place to have your event dnt hesitate to reach out to Mrs Linda you want be disappointed... I'm here visiting from Ms and was it worth it Yes yes yes .. Mrs Linda Thank You Thank You and Staff

My sister hosted my baby shower here over the weekend, and it was seriously PERFECT. Such a…read morebeautiful venue, very spacious inside, very reasonable pricing and everything was in pristine condition! (Picture perfect)! I believe booking was a breeze (according to my mother and sister) and the owner was incredibly helpful, friendly, answered all of their questions and checked in on us prior to when the event started and afterwards! I love how you're able to bring your own food and drinks (non alcoholic - but they do have a bar area that can be rented), and supply you with tables, chairs, tablecloths and black chair covers. This was such a beautiful experience and I know we will be renting this place in future for other events!

Home is where the art is, and there's few better places than Firecat…read more The unique approach the owners take is that every single month, there is a new installation, new premiere, new talkback with the artist(s). Although I'm not an avid art gallery visitor, I do pop in at least once a month to see what has taken over the space. Well worth a visit.

Firecat Projects is an independent art gallery in Wicker Park. A friend and I attended their…read more"Fourth Friday" monthly event, in which they have a reception (free admission) for a new and upcoming artist. There are complementary appetizers and alcohol (But you should tip, people. That child support can wait). So many studios take 40 - 50% of what the artist sells but Firecat Projects is unique because, like the artists' hair, they don't get a cut. This is a great, nonchalant crowd. Although most folks there are in the art scene, I didn't feel compelled to make profound, mind-numbing observations about the art. However, I did note that one piece was "transcendent" and another "really ties the room together." There were also a handful of freeloaders. They are the ones sucking down bottles of beer like piglets ferociously attacking their mom's teet. But overall it is a friendly place, and unlike the MCA Friday events, ladies don't need to worry about looking away and then discovering their drinks so bombarded with roofies, if you threw said drink at a charging rhinoceros, it would immediately collapse in its tracks. By the way dress code is way casual. The fashion bar is set so low even Stephen Hawking could jump over it. We are talking about artists after all. My friend and I spent 15 minutes talking to a guy wearing a tin foil sweater and shoes that would've gotten him kicked out of a bowling alley. The conversation about lake toxins and the city's antiquated tax code were interesting nonetheless. So get on out to this event and help local artists fulfill their dreams. Don't worry -- Starbucks will find someone else to make your mocha-cookie frappuccinos.

This is always one of my FAVORITE events of the year! I do with, as Sue L. wrote, it didn't have to…read moreinvolve a LONG walk to the end of the pier; maybe when the hotel opens, a shuttle bus will be available. I am sometimes lucky to get a free VIP Pre-view pass and go the Thursday evening before the opening. I brought no costume while walking the long snowy way. My first stop is usually Yvel,the Israeli pearl place, (beautiful, very expensive, rather standoffish) and local as well as faraway galleries. At the Preview, there's light bites and free wine and boxed water. Talking to the artists or gallery owner adds a nice personal touch that museums don't offer. This year they had a wine tasting, with option to buy, and cute little wine bags from Jadot! The preview is adults only, full but not super crowded like the weekends with the kids. Some of the work is not quite for the young-uns, so be warned. As Sue advised, if you're on a budget, eat first or go elsewhere. This are the kind of priced art where people don't really care about how much they spend on food, but I'm not 'those' people!

This is definitely a long walk at almost the end of the pier from the Navy Pier entrance. The…read moresmaller fair from past years is full of burgeoning and talented artists. I myself like pleasant, classic, and beautiful works of art. Parts of the Andy Warhol exhibit were interesting as well as an exhibit displaying the covers of classic celebrities of the 1950s to 1970s. There were a few pieces which I did enjoy. There were also many pieces which displayed the darkness and pain of our times. Its an interesting way to spend your afternoon. I would have lunch in other parts of Navy Pier. The lunch at this venue looks tasty but is expensive for a small selection. By the way wine is abundantly available for sale.