Category: Attractions

Whatever you like to call it, many South Siders prefer to call the park where the White Sox play their home away from home during the baseball season. There’s no denying this ball park houses some winners, because if the fact that these guys won the World Series not too long ago escapes your memory, anyone driving by on the Dan Ryan or riding the Red Line can see that the home run fireworks never seem to stop! And of course, even though the original grounds are no more, it’s still the place that houses legends, including the landmark where Disco came to a bitter end.

Besides the fireworks, there are just so many cool features this modern park has to offer that really deserves mention. For one thing, you aren’t confined to either your seat or the bleacher spot you have to defend with dear life – you can actually move about! Go down to under the right field stands and grab a beer at the bar: you can sit down at a picnic table and watch the game! If you came with the kids and they’re starting to get antsy, take them down to see some of the attractions, like the Sox Hall of Fame, the baseball card booth, the speed pitch booths and the baseball skills area. Another thing that’s good is the food – no matter what you’re craving, this place probably has it, from dogs, to ribs and just about everything snacky. Even die hard vegans won’t go hungry here!

Now when the Sox play against the Cubs for the Cross Town Classic, fans can easily get to either park by simply riding the Red Line El. Believe me, this is one heck of a party train, so while it can get pretty crowded, it does so in a good way! Now it’s true Wrigley Field is a much prettier park with a lot more character (and is located in a much better neighborhood!), Sox Park is much less expensive, is much bigger, has more amenities and the bulk of the fans in attendance are genuinely there to see the game – the park is corporate, but the butts in the seats are certainly not. And hey – for $15, you can be rest assured you WILL find parking! To be honest, I like both ball parks about the same, but for the obviously very different reasons. I say, let the die hard fans duke it out for themselves, and let us fair weather fans have our cake and eat it, too!

Welcome to the Friendly Confines! This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful ball parks in the country, and probably also the smallest. And yeah, it has a tendency to fill up with a bunch of yuppies and suburbanites, but if you’re a longtime local like me, you know how to wing this place pretty well. After all, baseball is for everyone, and whether they win or lose (which is often), you can ensure you can have a great time here. While I prefer the Sox as a team, Wrigley Field is hands down a much better park!

The first rule of thumb is to leave the car at home! Seriously! There is hardly anywhere to park, and even if you *do* find parking, you’ll be sitting in traffic for an hour or two before you make your way out! The L train right behind the place is leads to just about anywhere you want to go, so do that instead.

Second – if you’re having trouble getting tickets before you go, there is always somebody selling theirs outside. While it’s true scalping is illegal, the cops tend to look the other way. Just walk around with your fingers in the air of how many you want and someone will approach you. Just keep it on the down low! That is of course, if you don’t want to hit the ticket brokers nearby so you can use a credit card.

Third – be a Bleacher Bum! Scoring pricey home plate seats are for corporate types trying to impress clients. And suburbanites. And basically all the people who go to be seen than to actually see the game, as well as transplants and other non locals. Besides, the real party is up by the score board anyway. Think the scene in “Titanic” and you’ll know where I’m going with this. Just remember anytime before mid June to dress for 40F weather, because that shade and lake breeze can be pretty brutal! However, in late August, you’ll be more than happy with the temperature difference!

The fourth rule is to never EVER keep a home run ball from the opposing team! Throw it back! I don’t care how much you can get off eBay with it – it just ain’t worth it! Also, never reach out for a ball! Have we not learned the Bartman lesson yet, people?

And finally – it’s Old Style or nuttin! There is just no replacing that taste of cheap domestic beer with those waxed paper cups. Is it a chemical thing? I don’t know, just if you want to party with the Big Boys, this is what you order – and plenty of it!

This is probably the worst time of year for most kids here in Chicago, whether they attend school or are home schooled. The weather is at its coldest now and the holidays have become a distant memory, so cabin fever has definitely set in by now. What’s worse is us moms and dads are feeling the winter blahs right along with them. With at least a month to go before regular outside play becomes a reality, it’s time to start hitting all those wonderful indoor activities the city has to offer!

The first thing that comes to mind are all the great museums we’re so fortunate to have! Besides the Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier, places kids beg to return to again and again include the Museum of Science and Industry, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and the Shedd Aquarium. The Shedd is especially wonderful at this time of year, since there are a lot less tourists than in the summer, and getting even a taste of a warmer climate is just so good for the soul. Just keep in mind each one of these places can run the average family up to and possibly over $100 a day, so hitting the local library for a museum pass can really help curb the sticker shock!

On those rare winter days where the weather provides a spring sneak peek, go play hookie and head down to the zoo or the park! We have two major zoos in the area, the Brookfield Zoo and the Lincoln Park Zoo, which just so happens to be free! Getting out and walking around with the kids is good for getting in some much needed exercise, is educational and yes, it’s an excellent way to bond. If we get REALLY lucky and we get one of those freakish 60 degree days, take full advantage of it and head up north to Indian Boundary. If you’ve never been there, let m assure you it’s truly one of the city’s biggest hidden treasures for kids and is just so worth discovering.

If you feel like packing up the wagon and taking a drive, jump on I-94 and head due north. No, I’m not talking about the giant outlet mall, and Bugs Bunny is still in deep hibernation, though discount shopping is always tempting! What I’m talking about is Lambs Farm out in Libertyville. Besides having a plethora of wonderful family oriented things to do and places to eat, you’ll leave with a sense of pride and satisfaction knowing that you directly contributed to helping a large group of special individuals.

So whatever it is you do, just be sure to get out there and have fun together!

Guys: if you REALLY want to make your date swoon, this is the numero uno place to do it, and wow – the price can’t be beat! It’s free to enter, with $15 to park your car. There is simply no shortage of time you can spend here, so be sure you dress for the weather and wear very comfy shoes – and don’t forget your camera! And, whether you plan to pack a picnic lunch or opt to dine inside, the only thing to remember is to go on a week day to avoid the crowds, because once you step inside, you’ll immediately know why this is one of the most raved about gardens in the country – probably the world!

When I say this place is HUGE, I mean it! You can spend an entire summer day here and still not see everything this place offers. The best times to go are either in late April to the middle of May or after Labor Day. The crowds are lighter, since the kids are back in school, and more importantly, that’s when the real magic happens with the foliage! The smells from all those flowers are simply enchanting!

You somewhat frisky folks may want to venture onto Spider Island. (Don’t let the name scare you!) Mega PDA time can be captured here, since unlike typical museum staff, the folks who work here really do keep to themselves! Just be sure to bring something to lie on! *wink* The other REAL hot spot is the Japanese gardens, where you can climb all the way to the top of the water fall! (Hopefully someone around can snap a picture for you!) The English walled garden is a personal favorite of mine, due to its simple serenity and charm.

If you get hungry, the café offers some pretty impressive food on top of the standard snacky fare. Kettle chips simply rock, and wow – who would have thought items like grilled salmon would be on the menu? Their corn on the cob is also really, really good!

Of course, you pedal pushers really need to make full use of the bike trails leading up here. The nearby Skokie lagoons are so pretty, and you can generally make your way up here from the Chicago border in about three hours’ time. Of course, you save on the parking cost as well as the environment, and you definitely get in some more PDA time to boot!

If you and your date are into bike riding, then this is probably the trail you two are going to want to tackle! It’s 17 miles start to finish, but so easy breezy that you won’t even feel it, even if you aren’t in the best of shape. And hey – the price can’t be beat (it’s all FREE!) And, it’s very secluded yet safe trails allow plenty of PDA and getting to know you time, too!

Make an entire day of it, preferably on a week day when the temperature is just right, from dawn up to dusk. Plan ahead by packing two packs of everything you’ll need for your journey: plenty of water, energy bars, non perishable lunch items, sun block, and a large blanket to lounge on. (Remember to drop some ice in your water bottles, too!) No glass is allowed. Be sure to start your day with a satisfying breakfast that is hearty but won’t make you sluggish: fruit, grains and yogurt are great choices. Also, be sure to print out a trail map from Cook County Forest Preserve web site, so you can be sure you get to visit as many great little scenic stops along the way. On that tangent, bringing a camera along isn’t a bad idea, either! There is just so much wild life to capture along the way, including deer!

Either load your car with your bikes or ride the buses or Metra train in, making your starting point at Caldwell woods. There is plenty of street parking in the surrounding neighborhood, which is very safe and pretty, so no fears there! Simply load up your gear, just on your bikes and go! If your bikes are built with a little gravel and dirt in mind and your bodies are up to it, go ahead and opt for the unpaved ones! You’ll get a much better view of the natural landscape, and yes, it’s much less used! In my opinion, the Yellow Trail is the best, because it tends to follow the river the most, and since other folks like it too, it’s more paved than the others. It also happens to go right through the Skokie Lagoon, it taps all the bathroom breaks, and it will lead you right to the Black (paved) Trail, heading right for Botanical Gardens. Now speaking of bath rooms, the last one until the gardens is a little before the overpass, so be sure to keep that in mind!

Once you get to the gardens, be sure to invest at least a couple hours there. There are plenty of spots to lock up your bikes, and hey – you can even ride a tram if don’t feel like walking! And yes, there is a snack shop and cafe inside as well, in case you’ve already depleted your food supply or want something a little different. Just remember to fill up your water bottles before you leave!

No matter what time of year it is, there is simply no better place to stop to smell the roses, or any other flower for that matter! And in February, there is no better place to kick start Valentine’s Day than to visit the conservatory for chocolate tasting! Of course, because this place is encapsulated within beautiful glass walls, any time of year is a great time to go, and its proximity to city dwellers makes it a great place to go!

If you go in winter, this can become a true oasis for you! There are prehistoric ferns, water falls to step over, and a large display of rare tropical plants and flowers. Self guided tours are more than welcome, which allows you to get in touch with your inner green thumb. While it’s certainly not nearly as vast as the Botanic Garden up north, just the fact you can escape the weather outdoors for a couple hours, perhaps before heading into downtown for a nice dinner, is a treat within itself. Also, since it’s only a quick bike ride from Millennium Park, you two can really take in some of the best the city has to offer without having to take the car out at all!

This place is surprisingly huge, and in the summer, the grounds it is held on is quite stunning in its own right, complete with its own lagoon. What’s nice about this place, unlike most other gardens, is there is free and ample parking available by the main entrance. Be sure to take advantage of it before entering by strolling through the park. And hey – why not pack up a picnic lunch to round off your trip? There’s nothing quite like tossing the Frisbee around while munching on some tasty nibbles!

Since many families also attend this beautiful indoor garden and includes many programs for them, the best time for couples to go is on Thursday evenings. Also, the Green Line train has a stop just for the Conservatory, for those who’d rather leave the car behind. Granted, the surrounding neighborhood still has its element, but with more and more folks rediscovering this beautiful garden, off experiences have dwindled to a bare minimum.

What a beautiful, beautiful park - a place children will beg to return to again and again! Not only does it have a giant playground and spray pool, but it also has a lagoon where ducks and geese swim in and has a neat little zoo to boot! There is also a charming Tudor style field house on the grounds, picnic tables and even a performing arts building. This is probably the most unique park in all of Chicago! In fact, one has to wonder if that song “Saturday in the Park” was partially inspired by this place!

When the kids first start making a bee line for the playground, their eyes will glaze over like saucers - this wooden construction lot is HUGE, with lots to climb on and explore! It’s decked out like an old fort, perhaps granting a nod to the land’s history. Of course, one thing that’s always important with the kiddos is there are enough slides and swings around so they don’t have to wait to get on one - Indian Boundary does not disappoint. They will surely find lots of other kids to play with, because this playground is so very popular with the locals. In fact, many families come here in the summer with the intention of having a barbecue and making a day of it. It’s little wonder why so many groups opt to hold their social gatherings here.

If (not when!) the kids get tired of the play lot, go as a family and explore the rest of the park. The beautiful lagoon has plenty of vantage points to view the ducks and geese merrily swimming around. At the other end is where the small zoo and field house are located. While it’s a given with most people these days, a gentle reminder is posted to please not feed any animals, enclosed or otherwise. On top of everything else, there is a performing arts building and field house to check out as well, where just about every interest is catered. Be sure to stop in and see what’s on the calendar!

Getting to Indian Boundary is pretty easy, though it’s somewhat off the beaten path. Granted, parking in the area can be a little on the sticky side, especially on weekends, but I have personally never had to spend more than ten minutes of circling the park to scope out a spot. Just be on the lookout for the permit only and street cleaning signs and you’ll do just fine.

Probably one of the most under rated locations in all of Chicago is the Cultural Center downtown. What was once the main library built back in the 19th century has been lovingly transformed into a free public building that is part museum, part visitor center and part landmark building. While tourists may come across this location as a place to pick up coupons and kitschy bric a brac, those who live and work in the area on a regular basis see it as a place to unwind, explore and yes, even just a nice place to relish their lunches!

Up the stairs to the main floor is where you will find the Corner Bakery, the visitors center, the large, open seating area and where the various art exhibits are located. Most locals wander in and discover this treasure while on their lunch breaks seeking a new spot to munch, which I personally think is the best time to go! Inside, they have these wonderful lunch break concerts, each day a new surprise. One day it’s jazz, the next classical, another folk and yes, even some contemporary and pop gets a nod! Of course, you don’t have to buy a Panini from the Bakery to enjoy the show - your brown bag will do just fine!

After that, wander through whatever exhibit they happen to be featuring. Don’t forget to look up - the giant domed ceiling is Tiffany stained glass! One of my favorite pieces is the old fashioned cigarette machine that they use for brochures - what a novel approach! And yes, you’re free to go up and downstairs as well, so don’t feel like you have to stick to the main floor. There is so much to see on the upper levels, with various styles of artwork gracing the walls. You may not personally like every single piece, but your company just might.

Looking to avoid the inclement weather? Ride the elevator from the Bakery to the underground pedway: it connects to the Metro train, Macy’s, the Daley Center, and the Red and Blue Line trains (when not being restructured!), as well as quite a few independent shops. Many office buildings are also connected to the pedway, making it that much more tempting. It doesn’t get any more convenient than that!

Where else in Chicago are you going to see fish that swim by and see you as dinner? Combine that with the fun dolphins, beluga whales, penguins and otters, on top of all those neat and bizarre fish from all over the world, and you will find yourselves at the Shedd Aquarium. It’s probably one of the best aquariums in the country, not to mention impressive, considering the nearest ocean is over a thousand miles away!

Besides what has already been mentioned, two other favorite spots include the delicate sea horses stingrays and the awe inspiring moon jellies. What I found to be particularly impressive is the tank with sturgeon, which are just now beginning to make a comeback to Lake Michigan, and watching scuba divers feed the animals is just plain cool, okay!

Free parking is available by the meters on Sundays, but since they’re in high demand, you need to get down there early to scoop one up! There is also a cash lot nearby, with cabs and public transportation always available. Oh and also, Chicago residents who have a library card can stop by the library and check out a museum pass at the counter! It’s good for 4 people, gets you in for free and lets you bypass the lines! Sunday mornings are probably the best bet if a weekday isn’t practical, since the tourists haven’t gotten into town yet.

Because the Shedd is undoubtedly the most visited museum in the city, the lines here can get worse than camping out for Cubs tickets, especially in summer. The place is also on the pricey side of things, but is understandable due to the sheer magnitude of running such a facility. The Surroundings restaurant, while absolutely delicious and remarkable, is also on the expensive side, but offers a wonderful view of the skyline that makes up for it, and yes, they take reservations. Of course, locals know parking at the museum campus is tricky at best, but I fail to see how $25 valet parking is justified. I say go in winter, get the pass, pack a lunch and ride the bus or trolley!

What an exciting place to take the kids! There is just so much for them to see and do, all with a gentle slant that will leave you all with a passion for wanting to take charge in caring for the environment! And yes, you just might learn a thing or two as well! And, because it’s right by the beach, you can certainly make a day of your visit!

The largest exhibit they offer is outdoors called the Greening Project, which is really pretty and shows just how much they care about the environment. It’s also a recycling center, so feel free to bring your glass, plastic and paper along for the kids to contribute. An exhibit geared towards little ones is two stories tall, called the Hands On Habitat. It gives an inside view of various animal homes, which is always a big hit with the kiddos - climb up into the tree house, play with the water, ride down the slide, whatever! Another exhibit kids gravitate towards is the Mysteries of the Marsh, with creepy crawlies and swampy plants. Then there’s the Riverworks exhibit, another place to play with the water while learning a little something along the way.

Of course, one of the museum’s best assets is the butterfly room. Hundreds of beautiful butterflies merrily flutter around, many times landing on you. Some say it is a kiss from Nature, others a sign of good luck, so telling the kids those little tidbits ahead of time will make them even more eager to head in there! Just please remember not to touch them - let them touch you!

As far as the food goes, while it may be on the pricer side of things, you can be rest assured every item on the menu is all natural and home made and provided from local businesses, many ingredients local as well. Brown bagging is perfectly fine as well, with a group seating area on the first level over by the marsh exhibit. Please remember to use the recycling facilities! Oh and also, Chicago residents who have a library card can stop by the library and check out a museum pass at the counter! It’s good for 4 people, gets you in for free and lets you bypass the lines!