It's a wonderland of books, crafts and activities. The staff is top notch! Love this library!!!read more

This is a great library. Their online presence is outstanding. You know when the books arrive…read more The self checkout makes is super quick to pick up the hold and check out. I don't even have to pay the meter since it's so fast. You can renew the books online. I love it.

When I go here it is usually to get something in the Transportation Library - 5th Floor - and it is…read morea very nice setting. The people working the Transportation Library are very nice - and Roberto Sarmiento the Head Librarian is worth his weight in gold. While this library is owned and operated by a Big-10 University, it is open to the public. You simply sign in when you arrive, and they will extend to you all the necessary credentials and accommodations needed - whether you are a current student or an aged researcher. This place is top-notch. We were looking for a specific set of research materials that we knew were there from a cursory search of the University catalog. Besides the fact that the Transportation Library pretty much has everything one might look for in the transportation field, it is accessible and available to all. This is the place to begin your research in the transportation field. If this library doesn't have it, it probably isn't available to others. Five star research place.

This is the hardest review I will write…read more Because it's my favorite place and to adequately pay tribute through a review is a daunting task. The resources and experiences developed me intellectually, artistically, and personally so, as clay must love a good potter's hand, I love it. NU Library is the principle library of the Evanston campus with 6 floors, 4 wings, 4.6 million volumes, 2 computer labs, and inspiring views of the lake and skyline in the large windows. Some highlights are the Melville J. Herskovits Library, the largest Africana collection in existence, and the Charles Deering Library. The Deering Library is the original library, which holds the Government Publications Department, the Northwestern University Archives, the Music Library, the Map Collection, the Art and the Special Collections. Deering is gorgeous- really it looks like a old, ornate church. I spent the bulk of four years at the library, I lived off-campus without much furniture, so it was more prudent to do most work here. We operate on the quarter system, so during finals weeks they are open 24/7, and it was popularly crowded with people cramming or typing term papers. This is not a joke, several times I've spent well over twenty-four hours straight huddled up over a computer or at a desk pouring over texts and notes. When I'd finally finish and leave spent, it was the strangest mix of elation, exhaustion, and anticlimatic pride; as though I trounced a formidable opponent in battle, but already missed that foe who I invested so much in. One of the best memories- one day I absentmindedly decided to look up one of my favorite fiction writers, the late Sidney Sheldon. I found his shelf and tucked into one of his books was a handwritten letter. He related as a teen, he suffered from suicidal tendencies and he wrote that his father discovered his desire and said, "If you don't care about anything that happens to you and you've made up your mind to do it, well, there's always tomorrow." The next day, his father said the same thing, and so forth, until neither thought or mentioned it anymore. He went to Northwestern for a quarter, then enlisted in the military eventually fighting in WWII. He never attended a college after, instead becoming a successful author, but still loved NU. I put the priceless memorabilia back into his book for another to find. Northwestern University Library really is a nursery. We come to it as seeds. I like to think the knowledge contained casts a light onto the student's passions, allows them to nurture and strengthen their personal resources, and bloom when they leave.

My experience has been one of carelessness and inconsistency regarding exhibits and communication…read more Last year's group exhibit at EAC stipulated size guidelines which were ignored at the whim of the owner. The owner didn't want to climb the ladder to install my work, so I did but without supervision, and I fell. The owner tore my work when she took it down and without an apology, blithely stuffed it into a bag right in front of me. She offered me an exhibit at Ten Thousand Villages in December. When December came, I heard nothing and after calling and emailing four times, was informed Ten Thousand Villages was preparing for Xmas, so not exhibiting, but she then promised me I would exhibit in January. Crickets. I talked to one the managers at Ten Thousand Villages who said they had previously explicitly informed Evanston Made they would not be exhibiting in December. Careless, non communicative, Inconsistent.

Evanston Made is an organization that connects Evanston arts to the public. It is also one of the…read moreorganizers of a community-wide art exhibit called Art Connects Evanston. Art Connects is filled with homemade art, signs, banners, sculptures, installations, chalk art, performances, etc. to honor front line workers, spotlight community helpers, and celebrate graduates, and more! Though I only had time to see a portion of the exhibit around town today, I highly recommend you get out and explore the streets of Evanston and view various art projects hanging in windows of shop fronts. In the West Town Arts District, I spied with my little eyes...garage doors that were clearly painted by Amanda Evanston. I was able to peer in Ben Blount's art studio. A collection of art was hanging in the windows of Beth Adler's studio, and right out front in the grass was a tiny collection of painted birdhouses peeking out of the grass. In the windows of 1100 Florence, there was a super fun collection of bee paintings in the window. Moving on through the Main Dempster Mile along Chicago Avenue, you'll find fun art in the windows of Nice Lena, Space, and Soapie's Cleaners. And of course the huge painted banner on the wall of the Soapie's building is one of my favorite murals ever! Along Central Avenue, don't forget to support the Evanston Art Center and view some of the works of art in their windows. There is a map of all the artwork throughout Evanston here: https://evanstonmade.org/event/evanston-art-connects/ It was a hot one today, so I wasn't able to stay and see everything, but my attached pics will give you a little taste of how cool the Evanston community is overall. #Iheartevanston Evanston Made also puts on their own art tours of various art studios and holds shows and more to help support member artists.

I came here for the Haymarket Opera show: it was a unique venue that feels like a fusion between a…read morechurch (open space--decent roomy sound but more diffuse, hard bench seats--not the best, a little warm) and a concert hall (broad stage that is more shallow, rising seats in the back). It's not hard to get to and find parking, has a historic feel to it. The bathrooms are slightly difficult to navigate down the stairs with narrow in/out but that's how it is. It was nice to experience this space for variety and seeing more of the city.

Really bad administration. They never answer the phone or return voicemails, so you can't even pay…read moreyour bill if there are problems with the website, which there always are. But the worst thing is they don't monitor their teachers. Ours decided they had too many students and dropped my child in the middle of a term we had already paid for. No refund, no apology, no nothing. This place is expensive ($123 per lesson), and I am furious. Enter at your own risk.

My daughter and I saw a play here that we really enjoyed and it encouraged me to get on their…read moremailing list and follow them on social media to learn about future events. But what impressed me yesterday was that my cousin passed away and the venue where my family planned to have his celebration was booked for the date we wanted. His sister called around and learned that Noyes Cultural Center rents space for special events. We got a room that was perfect for our event. We were able to bring food, music and a slideshow and the staff there were very helpful. They have a small (metered) parking lot adjacent to the entrance and additional street parking nearby, plus a park on the side of the building. They have art classes, the theater, and a lot of other offerings that we weren't aware of, making this center even more impressive.

Sometimes you need to go out of your comfort zone. We bought tickets to Circus in Progress (part of…read morethe Actor's Gymnasium) and found ourselves in the Noyes Cultural Arts Center for the very intimate and impressive show. What we first noticed was the large space. The building is obviously older and has the wide halls and high ceilings you can only get in an older building like this. Upstairs there is an open art gallery which we enjoyed checking out before the show. It would actually be a cool place to host a party or two there as well. There is a small parking lot. I mean tiny considering how many people can be there. But it's literally a jump off of the L and you are there. And there is public parking just a block away. Classes abound in this local arts community. There were tons of flyers, brochures and post cards for upcoming shows, classes (for ALL ages), productions and art shows. Noyes Cultural Arts Center is located in Nothern Evanston and houses a number of art-related organizations, including The Actors Gymnasium, Evanston Children's Choir, Piven Theatre Workshop, Arlen Music / Ken Arlen Orchestra, Art Encounter, Evanston Art Center and the Next Theatre Company. Next time you're in the area, take a peek inside. Or check out what's playing. Tickets are ridiculously cheap and the production we saw was a lot of fun.

The recent buildout here is impressive, adding a large lobby & bar, a patio behind it, and modern,…read morefully accessible bathrooms. The main music room remains unchanged with its stage and its bar. They do have Woodford Reserve, a nice touch for my fancy Noble Bourbon Boozers. With the new setup, you can start one tab and its accessible from both bars, and from waitstaff, if the show is seated and they are present. Its a small room, great to see a show. Its also very ADA friendly, with a reserved space right up front for GA shows, and designated seats during seated space shows. Email the box office a couple days in advance with any questions.

My favorite concert venue on the North Shore of Chicago. It seats around 150 and most shows have an…read moreoption of table or general admission. The sound quality is fantastic and the staff is very friendly. It also gives off an intimate concert vibe because you feel like the artists are right there (they actually are!).

Enjoyable little store featuring a nice range of artist, mostly local in different mediums…read more Jewelry, scarfs, paintings, etc. Great place to pick up a gift for yourself or someone if you know their individual style. I did see a pair of earrings that I may go back and get, they were priced inexpensively and would be a cute vintage look for occasional wear. I have the tenancy to wear the same pieces everyday. Take a peek in if you're in the area you just may find a statement piece at a great price.

This charming consignment store is located on a busy stretch of Sherman Avenue. Among the artists…read moreselling their goods here are jewelers, fabric artists, photographers, ceramic artists, and more. I visited the store specifically because I used to work with one of the artists in a downtown office situation. While I enjoyed his display very much, I ended up buying a beautiful summer-light caped shirt produced by someone else -- don't tell him, please! I chatted with the owner, who sounds like an Englishman, and he was very pleasant and excited to tell me about the store. They'd only been open one week at the time of my visit. Just a good experience all around. I'm happy with my purchase -- which, by the way, did NOT put me into sticker shock! That was a big surprise, especially for such a unique article of clothing. I feel like I'm walking around in wearable art. Highly recommended for the selection of goods, the variety, pricing, and customer service. If I have any complaint, it's the road construction in the area, but that, of course, is out of the store's control. One thing you should know: the receipt has a note that says "Consignment items cannot be returned. All sales are final." This wasn't mentioned to me before the purchase, but I can't blame the owner for that. We were having such a pleasant chat, I'm sure he was distracted. Just be aware that you cannot return what you buy. Whether or not they'll exchange for store credit, I have no idea. Shop local! It does you and your community good.

I had an amazing experience! I went on May 31 and Ciara amazing! She went out of her way to help…read moreme find the perfect souvenir. She was knowledgeable, friendly and customer service was a 10 out of 10 she was what made the experience so great! If she wouldn't have gone on her way to assist me, I would've walked out without a souvenir!

Entry to the museum is only five dollars if you show them your ticket from the First Lady boat…read moretour. The ground floor has a short eight minute clip with information about the city. There is also a great display of the city as well as a Wrigley ballpark exhibit. Unfortunately, the upstairs is currently being renovated, so there was not a lot to see this trip. They have a great gift shop.

We really enjoyed our hotel room. It was fresh and clean. Staff were very helpful…read more There was a breakfast buffet one day. The rest of our visit we ordered from the small menu. My food was not hot enough the first day. I stayed with a yogurt parfait for the next few days. It was really nice. The waitress was very kind. She did a great job.

Had a fantastic brunch- eggs Florentine, lox, mimosas and more! Saw the rooms here - very nice…read moresuites.

I have been going to the Mosaic School since January 2025 and have taken 3 classes. The teachers…read moreare great, the atmosphere is welcoming, and I tell all of my friends and family about this place! Nowhere else in the U.S. is there an art school that has such a focus on mosaics. I've learned so much -- they provide the materials and the expertise. I've met some really wonderful people and friends and am already signed up for their stained glass class in September!

Just spent the most amazing weekend at the Chicago Mosaic School. I traveled over 500 miles to get…read morethere and it was well worth my time and effort. I felt the atmosphere to be warm and accepting, accommodating those with little experience and those who spend their lives being creative. It was a perfect balance of informational, historical and hands on Glass work. All my questions were thoroughly answered and I left feeling inspired and eager to utilize what I learned. I would recommend this school to any and all. An added bonus is the eclectic neighborhood, warm and charming teacher, Lydia, inclusive atmosphere and creative vibe that persisted throughout the class.