My husband and I were in Elmhurst looking for something fun to do and the Elmhurst History Museum…read morefit that bill. This is a really neat museum. While detailing the past, it has some current innovations like a large movie screen where you can select different videos on the village's history to watch. The museum features many artifacts from the permanent collection as well as a timeline of village history. While we were there the rotating exhibits were being changed. For a fun day with history, I highly recommend the Elmhurst History Museum!

Ah memories! This is a fantastic exhibit located in the Elmhurst Museum of History…read more You will discover the evolution of the retail industry and brick and mortar stores going back to the 1800s with artifacts,images and memorabilia . Relive the days when people would get dressed up in their Sundays Best for lunch at the Walnut Room located in Marshall Fields. Look at the Sears or Montgomery Wards Holiday catalogs See a re-creation of a Holiday Window from Marshall Fields. The exhibit is open thru Jan 28,2024. Admission is free.

This was an interesting museum. I was looking for cultural things to do while visiting Lombard for…read morethe weekend. The large mill had several historical facts. There was a live demonstration of the stone wheel grinding corn into corn meal. There are three stories, with the top two being a museum and the basement floor part of the Underground Railroad station shop. Taking back into little known American History were relics of the slave trade. The museum entrance fee was $6 for adults. The outside grounds were kept nicely and there was a short trail along the river.

Wow! I have to get out of downtown more often!…read more I was car shopping with a friend and she brought me to the museum and the walking trail once she was finished purchasing a car. I was so surprised to see such history and beauty next to a big busy highway. There is a spacious parking lot tucked away as to not impede on the surrounding beauty. The beautifully elegant building looked so interesting. The age was apparent but it was in exquisite condition. We did not go in as it was not open. We walked around it and enjoyed it from the outside. I am looking forward to returning soon. We checked out the big water wheel and bridge and took some pretty photos that did not do justice to the natural beauty of the area. We then walked along the pretty trail inside all of the foliage along the water. It wasn't too crowded so we had space to take our time and enjoy. It was so nice to see the mix of families and singles enjoying nature and some fresh air. Once we were done with our lovely walk, we went next door to the nearby pub for a casual meal. What a great area that deserves another visit.

A hidden gem!…read more Located in Lincoln Park, this museum offers education, fun kids' activities, a ballroom you can rent for wedding or events, a cafe with good food, interactive exhibits, and tons of Chicago info, of course. + Affordable entrance fee + Complimentary coat check + Educational, thought provoking exhibits + Children's section with interactive exhibits + Cafe with good food + Friendly staff + Museum store with cool Chicago souvenirs + Beautiful architecture + Ballroom to rent for events overlooking Lincoln Park The only negative: - Street parking is hard to find. Approx time you'll spend here: 2 hrs Highly recommended!

To understand who we are we must look at our history. It's…read moreamazing how much creativity, protest and innovation came out of Chicago and continues to come out of Chicago. Start on the second floor and you will see the products, the protest and special exhibits including Al Capone stuff. On the bottom floor are some amazing dioramas from back in the day. Can easily spend three hours here. The person who checked me in and give me a great history lesson of the combination of San Francisco in Chicago.

We came to view the Hokusai & Ukiyo-E: The Floating World exhibit at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art…read moreat the College of DuPage. Ukiyo-e means "pictures of the floating world," and this art style features scenes from everyday 17th - 19th-century Japan, like entertainment, kabuki, geisha, etc. This style had an impact on the Impressionists like Van Gogh. This exhibition has the debut of the Chiossone Collection, 53 paintings and woodblock prints of ukiyo-e. Prior to this exhibit, the only ukiyo-e artwork that I would have been familiar with is the famous "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" by Hokusai. But this exhibit "rides the wave," creating an immersive and multifaceted experience. Not only do you learn about other artists and their works, you can see original paintings and prints, walk-through an Edo-era street, visit an immersive manga/anime exhibit in "2D", make your own print, visit a garden and more. It was a little confusing how to enter the the historical exhibit (we weren't the only ones), but the info is presented in a very approachable way. That Hokusai, what a character -- He changed his name 30 times, He hated to clean so when his living quarters were messy -- he moved -- 93 times! The manga/anime exhibit was very fun -- with the 2D artwork panels created by the 2D restauranteurs. I was also impressed by the many events planned throughout DuPage county -- so many towns participating. The gift shop items were great! The only thing -- we came on a weekday and only ramen and hotdogs were available -- other items available on the weekend. In any case, I was quite impressed with the exhibit -- and I would recommend it for all ages.

I've been here many times through the years for exhibitions. Andy Warhol, Frieda. This one was…read moreHokusai. Beautifully curated display. Many interactive stations. After each area, you stamped a booklet that corresponds with the art displayed. The staff are knowledgeable & friendly. We came on a Wednesday after 2:30 and the price was discounted.

A hidden gem! I was originally intending to stop here for a short nature walk before an event but…read moreended up doing a much longer visit once I realized the amount of different activities there are too do here. The Nature Center is a nice building with fun interactive displays as well as an assortment of different wildlife like fish and tortoises. It also provides indoor bathrooms and spaces for different activities. The nature trails are paved very well, providing a very easy walking path largely free of elevation changes and challenging terrain to walk on. Very easy in comparison to what you see at many forest preserves, and on par with nicer parks in terms of path maintenance and quality. Along the trail are also tons of fun stories about a seahorse and jellyfish named peanut butter and jellyfish. These are fun ways to incentivize walkers to walk the entire train and be entertained at the same time. There are also an assortment of birds such as barred owl, red-tailed hawks, and more to see in a variety of outdoor displays. I was very happy with how well spaced out these were and as a result, it was easy to casually watch these beautiful animals without feeling crowded at all. Overall a hidden gem and great free way to experience both nature and animals.

We absolutely love visiting the nature center--it's become one of our favorite spots to spend time…read moretogether. My daughters and I walk there often, and every visit feels a little different. There are always incredible birds to see: owls, hawks, falcons, even turkey vultures. which keeps things exciting and gives us something new to talk about each time. It's such a special place for kids to stay curious and engaged. My girls are always intrigued by what they might spot next, and I love how it naturally gets them interested in wildlife and the outdoors. No matter how many times we go, we never get bored. It's peaceful, educational, and just a really cool experience for the whole family.

First at Jack O'Lantern World in Lemont with my wife!…read more It wasn't too cold but we definitely needed the hot chocolate and popcorn from there! The displays were incredible -- so creative and detailed, you could tell how much work went into every pumpkin. The atmosphere was perfect with the lights, music, and fall vibes all around. It's definitely something you have to see in person! Great for families, friends, or even a cozy date night. Can't wait to go again next year!

Went to the Lake Zurich location again this year. It was a huge disappointment. It appears they…read moremoved all but two displays to their new location leaving little to be desired at Lake Zurich.

What a great neighborhood place! So much fun at the Matt Geer solo art show tonight!…read more The owner, Simon Lamb is incredibly supportive of local artists. He is heavily involved in the Chicago and Oak Park art communities. He brings new artists into the space frequently inviting all different types of art - sculpture, resin, acrylic - anything. There are shows to attend, both solo and collective shows and you can visit the gallery with an appointment. The artists are incredible, each has a unique view and are usually available for lively discussions. There is even a chocolatier that attends and has product for sale - try the bourbon chocolate, it's amazing. Included at the events: beer and wine. It makes for a really nice evening out. The gallery is close to other galleries and several restaurants, the location is perfect to bring a group and hang out.

Wonderful gallery in Oak Park showcasing local artists and musicians!read more

Updated Review: We…read morewanted to see the 1893 Columbian Exposition exhibits that are thru out the gardens paying tributes to the Architecture,Culture and Foods that debuted at the Worlds Fair. In the Summer,the gardens are full of color! We like to go on Wednesday as the parking is free as long as you pre-register online otherwise it is 6.00. This offer is available March thru October. A real Hidden Gem in the Western suburbs.

Cantigny Park is basically therapy with better landscaping…read more One of my favorite things about this place is that it somehow manages to be both incredibly family friendly and peaceful at the same time. There's tons of space for kids to run around, explore, and burn off energy without feeling crowded or chaotic. And if you need a little reset yourself, there's always a quiet corner waiting for you. Whether it's a walking path, a bench, or just a peaceful stretch of the gardens, it's one of those rare places where you can step away, clear your head, and just breathe for a while. Beautiful grounds, relaxing atmosphere, and something for everyone. I came for a walk and left feeling lighter. Cantigny really is a little escape hiding in plain sight.