Carol Stream is a village in DuPage County, Illinois, and a suburb of Chicago. According to the 2020 census, its population was 39,854. Carol Stream boasts modern schools, extensive green spaces, a large park with modern amenities, a state-of-the-art library, a thriving industrial area, and churches of various denominations.
Cosley Zoo offers visitors the opportunity to interact closely with nature right in the heart of the suburbs. Spanning five acres, Cosley Zoo is home to both farm animals and native wildlife. Visitors can explore exhibits that immerse them in the natural habitats of white-tailed deer, red foxes, Blanding's tortoises, coyotes, and many more.
Enriching communities through fun and immersion in nature, Gurnee Park District is a leader in creating innovative and sustainable experiences for ALL. By providing excellent service, being responsible, having fun, embracing new ideas, and making friends, and striving for excellence in all areas, Gurnee Park District hopes to make a positive impact on its community and the world around it.
Gurnee is a village in Lake County, Illinois. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 30,706. Located within the Chicago metropolitan area, it borders the city of Waukegan. With attractions ranging from amusement parks to shopping malls, Gurnee welcomes millions of visitors to the community.
Six Flags Great America, a 300-acre park located between Chicago and Milwaukee, is dubbed the "Thrill Capital of the Midwest." It offers endless fun for the whole family with 17 heart-pounding roller coasters, spectacular shows featuring world-class artists, and three themed areas dedicated to children.
Lombard is a village in DuPage County, Illinois, and a suburb of Chicago, notable for its beautiful parks, rich historical sites and museums, and numerous shopping, dining, and entertainment options. The population was 44,476 according to the 2020 census.
The Enchanted Castle family entertainment center offers a variety of family-friendly indoor games, ensuring entertainment for all ages. Challenge your friends with the latest video games, skill games, and reward games! Explore new and exciting worlds in ways traditional video games can't match with virtual reality (VR) technology and high-quality graphics.
Wheaton is a city and the county seat of DuPage County, Illinois, known for its blend of small-town charm, historic downtown, top-rated schools, and significant religious institutions. The city is located in the townships of Milton and Winfield, approximately 25 miles (40 km) west of Chicago. According to the 2020 census, Wheaton had a population of 53,970.
Elmhurst is a city in DuPage and Cook counties, Illinois. It is a western suburb of Chicago. The population is 45,786 according to the 2020 census. Elmhurst is a vibrant, tree-lined community thriving with retail stores, upscale restaurants, excellent theater and arts, superb museums, and engaging events year-round.
Elevate your birthday party at the best kids' birthday party venue near you. Jumping, soaring, unforgettable parties, and fun like never before at any trampoline park. Sky Zone Trampoline Park will take care of everything so you and your children can focus on having fun.
Starved Rock State Park is a state park in Illinois, known for its numerous canyons within its 2,630-acre (1,064 ha) grounds. The park is located southeast of the village of Utica, in the town of Deer Park, LaSalle County, Illinois, along the southern bank of the Illinois River.
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is a renowned institution located in Springfield, Illinois. It documents the life of the 16th U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln, and the course of the American Civil War.
For over 35 years, the DuPage Children's Museum has inspired children and adults alike with its curiosity, creativity, and inquisitiveness. Designed for children aged 0-10, the museum invites families to explore interactive exhibits where learning takes place through play, attending events, celebrating birthdays, and much more!
The Anderson Japanese Gardens is a renowned Japanese-style garden located in Rockford, Illinois. It is considered one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in North America and is known for its serene and meticulously designed landscapes.
The Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens is a botanical garden and conservatory located in Rockford, Illinois, offering an 11,000-square-foot plant exhibition area.. It is a popular attraction that showcases a diverse collection of plant species from around the world in a beautiful and educational setting.
Blackberry Farm is a vibrant living history museum where the lives of pioneers are recreated through educational shows and hands-on fun activities. Admission to Blackberry Farm includes unlimited rides on the train, hay cart, pedal tractor, rowboat, carousel, and ponies.
As one of the oldest forest preserves in DuPage County, the 81-acre Maple Grove is the largest remaining vestige of the vast maple forest that once made up Downers Grove. The preserve is classified by ecologists as a "globally endangered ecosystem."
Downers Grove is a vibrant, historic suburb of Chicago, known for its charming, walkable downtown area in DuPage County, Illinois. It sits at an elevation of 709 ft (216 m). According to the 2020 census, the village had a population of 50,248.
South Shore is one of Chicago, Illinois' 77 defined community areas. Located in the south of the city, this area boasts a pristine stretch of lakeshore that includes one of the city's largest beaches. Take a stroll from the water and into the neighborhood to discover a wealth of vibrant cultural activities and eye-catching architecture. The area had a population of 53,971 in 2020.
Backroads Saloon is a popular local bar and hangout located in Bartonville, Illinois. It is known for its relaxed atmosphere, friendly service, and wide selection of drinks, including beer, wine, and cocktails.
Chicago's Little Saigon neighborhood is ripe with Vietnamese restaurants, bakeries, stores and markets. It's centered around the bustling intersection of Broadway and Argyle Streets.
Bartonville Diner is a popular local restaurant located in Bartonville, Illinois. It is known for its traditional American food, friendly atmosphere, and retro diner style. The menu typically includes breakfast items, burgers, sandwiches, fries, milkshakes, and other traditional dishes.
South Chicago is one of the 77 community areas of Chicago, Illinois. The population of this area was 29,381 as of 2023. With the Calumet River located on the southeast side of the area, South Chicago can be considered the gateway to the Calumet Region and is one of four Chicago neighborhoods (East Side, Hegewisch, and South Deering) considered by locals to be part of Chicago's Southeast Side.
El Jacalito is a popular Mexican restaurant located in Chicago, Illinois. The restaurant is known for its fresh, authentic Mexican cuisine, including traditional street tacos, guacamole, pozole, and churros. The restaurant has a family-friendly atmosphere and is praised for its homemade flavors and attentive service from the owners.
The Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site is an architectural gem located in Springfield, Illinois. The house is a prime example of the Prairie School architectural style and is considered one of the most significant works of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It was designed and built between 1902 and 1904 for socialite and philanthropist Susan Lawrence Dana.
The Chicago Riverwalk is a 1.25-mile public pathway along the Chicago River, offering a variety of dining, entertainment, and relaxation options. The Chicago Riverwalk is the centerpiece of summer entertainment in the Loop. Explore themed "rooms," each with its own unique scenery and activities.
Maggie Daley Park is a 20-acre (81,000 m2) public park located in Chicago's Loop community area. Maggie Daley Park connects to Millennium Park via the BP Pedestrian Bridge. Maggie Daley is a magnificent recreation center with a children's playground, a climbing wall, miniature golf, picnic areas, a roller skating rink, tennis courts, and a formal garden.
The Chicago History Museum is home to millions of artifacts that bring the city's storied past to life. Permanent attractions include an exhibit that traces the city's development from a trading outpost to a bustling metropolis, an exhibit about the idea of liberty and what it means, an Abraham Lincoln gallery, an interactive children's gallery, and a film that explores Chicago's key events.
The Joliet Area Historical Museum promotes awareness, understanding, and preservation of the diverse history of the Joliet area. The museum's main exhibit serves as a showcase for the many stories of the Joliet area and its people.
Butler Haynes Park is approximately 86 acres (about 36 hectares) and features walking/hiking trails, playgrounds, sports fields, and a special themed garden. The park has walking trails through wooded areas and open spaces, making it perfect for a leisurely stroll or nature exploration.
7323 Chicago Cafe is a seasonal outdoor eatery serving delicious, convenient meals and refreshing drinks to the Woodlawn community and Chicagoland area. Built from a shipping container, this unique mobile eatery offers an ever-changing menu of delicious dishes, including sun-dried tomato chicken paninis, delicious ice cream sandwiches, and refreshing lavender honey lemonade that will keep you coming back!
Woodlawn is a neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, near the shore of Lake Michigan 8.5 miles (13.7 km) south of the Loop. It is one of the city's 77 municipally recognized community areas. Its population was 24,425 in 2020.
The Field Museum of Natural History is a natural history museum in Chicago, Illinois, and is one of the largest such museums in the world. The museum is popular for the size and quality of its educational and scientific programs, and its extensive scientific specimen and artifact collections.
Hyde Park is a neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, located on and near the shores of Lake Michigan, 7 miles (11 km) south of the Loop. It is one of the city's 77 community areas. This culturally rich neighborhood is surrounded by two of the city's most important educational institutions—the University of Chicago to the west and the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry to the east.
Navy Pier is a 3,300-foot-long pier and is a popular tourist attraction located in Chicago, Illinois, along the shores of Lake Michigan. It has been a prominent landmark and entertainment destination in the city for many years.
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is a private, non-profit science museum located in Jackson Park, the Hyde Park neighborhood, Chicago, Illinois. The museum is housed in the Palace of Fine Arts. One of the largest science museums in the world, Griffin MSI has both an illustrious history and a focus on the future of science and science education.
The Adler Planetarium is part of the museum campus near the lakefront. The skyline walk near this historic planetarium can be combined with a visit to the museum, which features educational exhibits on space, astronomy, and environmental conservation.
Chinatown is a neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago, along S. Wentworth Avenue between Cermak Road and W. 26th Street. More than one-third of Chicago's Chinese population lives in this ethnic neighborhood, making it one of the largest concentrations of Chinese Americans in the United States.
The Chinese American Museum of Chicago seeks to promote appreciation of Chinese American culture through exhibitions, education, and research, and to preserve the past, present, and future of Chinese Americans, primarily in the Midwest.
Museum Campus is a 57-acre (23 ha) park in Chicago along Lake Michigan. It encompasses five of the city's major attractions: the Adler Planetarium, America's first planetarium; the Shedd Aquarium; the Field Museum of Natural History; Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears of the National Football League; and the Lakeside Center of McCormick Place.
Kane County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 516,522. The county seat is Geneva, and the largest city is Aurora. Kane County's most prominent natural feature is the Fox River.
The Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Aurora, Illinois, is a sacred place for devotees to experience the blessings and teachings of Sai Baba. Founded by the Sai Samsthan of America, the temple follows similar worship traditions to Shirdi, India, with aratis, bhajans, chanting of the Vishnu Sahasranama, and daily recitation of the Sai Satcharita.
Phillips Park Zoo is located on the grounds of Phillips Park, in Aurora, Illinois. It was originally established in 1915, and is still open year-round with no admission charge. It was once home to exotic animals such as giraffes and monkeys, but the zoo's focus changed to native animals after Brookfield Zoo opened in 1934.
Bartonville is a village in Peoria County, Illinois. The population was 5,945 as of the 2020 census. Bartonville is a suburb of Peoria. It is a small, quiet, and cozy place to live. The walkable Bartonville neighborhood offers small-town charm, affordable housing, and convenient airport access.
The Aura Haunted House is a haunted attraction located in Bartonville, Illinois, in the historic Old Peoria State Hospital District, in the Pollak Hospital Building. The building was part of a mental hospital operated by the State of Illinois from 1902 to 1973. The haunting capitalizes on the creepy history of the location, where many patients died and are said to have left behind spirits, adding to the spooky atmosphere.
Lake County is a county located in the northeastern corner of the U.S. state of Illinois, along the shores of Lake Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 714,342, making it the third most populous county in Illinois. The county seat is Waukegan.
Grant Park totals 312.98 acres and is a public park located in Chicago’s central business district in the Loop Community area. Grant Park’s most notable features include Maggie Daley Park, Buckingham Fountain, the Art Institute of Chicago, and a portion of the Museum Campus that includes the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium.
Drawn by its beauty and the fabulous free public events, hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the Chicago Cultural Center every year, making it one of the most visited attractions in Chicago. The stunning landmark building is home to two magnificent stained–glass domes, as well as free music, dance and theater events, films, lectures, art exhibitions and family events.
Opened on July 16, 2004, Millennium Park spans 24.5 acres (about 10.7 ha) in the heart of the Loop, built over parking lots, train tracks, and Millennium Station—making it the world’s largest rooftop garden. By 2017, it had become a top tourist destination in the Midwest. The park transformed undeveloped land into one of Chicago’s most vibrant public spaces—a proud achievement for the city.
The Wrigley Building is a skyscraper located on Chicago's Near North Side. It is located on the Magnificent Mile directly across Michigan Avenue from the Tribune Tower. Its two towers in an elaborate style were built between 1920 and 1924 to house the corporate headquarters of the Wrigley Company.
