Hamilton Lakes

Hamilton Lakes is home to Chicagoland's largest fireworks display synced to music as well as an annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games. The lakes also offers several fields good for soccer tournaments and other outdoor activities.

CITY: Itasca

Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center offers a total 840,000 square feet of flexible exhibition space. Configure it any way you like. You may need a 500-booth to 800-booth area, or 100 to 200 booths. If you’re planning a larger show, you’ll appreciate our continuous 250,000 square-foot space for 1,225 booths. Or you can create a multiple hall layout for up to 3,566 booths. Customized floor plans are our specialty, so just ask.

CITY: Rosemont

Quarry Ridge Hunt Club

The premiere, upland-hunting experience in Northern Illinois. Quarry Ridge offers hunting (member or non-member) for rooster pheasant, dove, turkey, deer and moor. Dogs and guides can be provided if needed.

CITY: Lena

Grayslake's Fall/Winter Farmers Market

Come out to downtown Grayslake on Saturdays for the Fall Farmers Market. The market will offer seasonal produce, baked goods, wine and cheeses, spices, organic selections, ready-to-eat food, live entertainment and much more. The fall market is located at Centennial Park 147 Center Street in downtown Grayslake. For details and vendors please visit the website.

CITY: Grayslake

Lithia Cabin Rentals

For an enjoyable stay, choose from one of four cabins, a two-bedroom or three-bedroom house. There are campfire rings, grills, picnic tables and a playground. Parking with electric hook-ups for boats. Fishing guide service is also available. Close to Lake Shelbyville and Lithia Springs Marina. Open April-October.

CITY: Shelbyville

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

The urban gateway to nature and science. The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is a place where city dwellers can reconnect with the wonder of the natural world. From a hands-on water lab to a wilderness walk to the only international, year-round butterfly haven, science comes alive.

CITY: Chicago

Quality Inn - Woodstock

Fifty-room hotel. Minutes from downtown Woodstock.

CITY: Woodstock

Bobber's River Tap

Bobber's is an open, outdoor, deck bar and picnic area, along the banks of the Pecatonica River. A relaxing stop for travelers by road or river. Bobber's is a converted 95 year old lumberyard. Bring your own pole and boat, or just sit and relax with a cold drink and watch the river flow by.

CITY: Winslow

Miller Nursery

Choose and cut your own scotch pine, white pine, Austrian pine and other nursery trees. Shrubs, flowering trees and evergreens are also sold.

CITY: Atwater

Alton Hauntings Tours

Based on the book Haunted Alton by Troy Taylor, Alton Hauntings Tours offers an entertaining and spine-tingling trip into the unknown, taking visitors to the most authentic haunted places in Alton. Uncover the eerie folklore, ghostly tales and documented haunted spots on a three-hour walking tour of the city’s most haunted sites. Visitors will see sites that have become nationally known, like the old Alton penitentiary, First Unitarian Church, Enos Sanitarium and many others. The tours have been proven to be popular with ghost enthusiasts and history buffs alike, and nowhere else can you learn as much about the real, haunted history of Alton. Walking tours and bus tours are offered during two touring seasons – Spring & Summer and the Haunted Fall Season. Private tours are also available for groups of 20 or more. Reservations must be made in advance for all tours.

CITY: Alton

Meadow View Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch & More

In addition to a corn maze, Meadow View includes a two-acre pumpkin patch, hay rides, moon walks, a hay maze for younger children, food and fall decor.

CITY: Harvard

Camelot Christmas Tree Farm

Camelot offers a wide variety of Christmas trees, including balsam, frasier fir, scotch and white pine. Be sure to sample Camelot's famous homemade oatmeal cookies and hot chocolate.

CITY: DeKalb

Goshen Market

Saturdays, May through October, experience the Land of Goshen Community Market! The Market is your best source for locally grown, fresh, naturally ripened farm products; tasty baked goods with locally grown ingredients; and wonderful art and gift ideas.The selection changes weekly so plan to visit more than once to fully appreciate the wide selection available. Live entertainment and free demonstrations add to the festive atmosphere. A safe, wholesome environment for kids, so bring the family and stop on by! From 8:00 a.m. till Noon.

CITY: Edwardsville

Garden Market at Elawa Farm

Seasonal flowers and vegetable crops will be supplemented from the kitchen with soups, jams, pestos, breads and muffins. Please visit our market, kitchen and garden when you come to shop, it's a lovely trip worthy of time spent in a most beautiful place. Open June through October.

CITY: Lake Forest

Deerpath Golf Course

Deerpath Golf Course in Lake Forest opens for play in March and closes for the season on or about December 15. This 18-hole public course, measures 6,255 yards with a par 70 and 5,487 yards with a par 72 for women. The course has spectacular mature trees, high quality naturalized areas and beautiful water features including ponds and streams. The Deerpath Golf Academy offers the finest golf instruction on the North Shore. Golfers of all abilities will realize immediate and sustainable improvement for a lifetime of better golf.

CITY: Lake Forest

Kilbuck Creek

Located in the heart of the mid-west in Monroe Center, Illinois, just a 20 minute drive south from Rockford, a quiet, majestic dwelling sits among the trees that seclude Kilbuck Creek from sight of even its closest neighbors. This secluded sanctuary in the wilderness could be the location of your upcoming wedding, family reunion, church or business retreat or romantic getaway.

CITY: Monroe Center

Crab Orchard Lake

Campground, fishing, boating, beach, picnic areas, country store, fishing tournaments.

CITY: Marion

Elmhurst Farmer's Market

Olives, olive oil and pickles - along with the usual fruits and vegetables - will be among the items for sale at the Elmhurst Farmer's Market. Items sold will include plants; baked goods; produce; consumable items; and arts and crafts. Open June through October.

CITY: Elmhurst

Fergedaboudit Vineyard and Winery

A boutique winery located in a scenic valley in Hanover specializing in dry-red-bold wines from our vineyard.

CITY: Hanover

Friends Forever Humane Society Dog Park

Take your dog to this special 10 acre fenced dog park with a pond (for dog swimming ony). The park also offers a separate fenced area for small dogs and a dog agility equipment area. Fee is $5.00 per dog per day.

CITY: Freeport

Chalet Hills Golf Club

This championship 18-hole golf course with 6,950 yards offers bent grass fairways, and beautiful rolling hills and vistas. Power carts are required Friday through Sunday and holidays.

CITY: Cary

Arlington Heights Farmers Market

Enjoy fresh produce, flowers, cheeses, bakery good, jams, jellies, and more from local farmers. Open June through October.

CITY: Arlington Heights

Read Park

Read Park offers many recreational opportunities and is highlighted by the Read Park Family Aquatic Center, which includes a zero depth pool, water slides and play area, and by a state of the art 11,000 square foot skate park, SK8 Park. This scenic park also features baseball and softball diamonds, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, an outdoor lighted hockey and ice staking rink, concession stand, picnic areas, shelters, and playgrounds. The Morgan Memorial, a charming statue of two children surrounded by fountains, is a serene spot to enjoy. Park attractions are open seasonally; please call ahead to confirm availability of specific attractions and costs.

CITY: Freeport

Urbana's Market at the Square

Join thousands of residents and visitors during Market season and connect with growers at Urbana's Market at the Square. Choose locally-raised foods and treasure-hunt among the art and craft vendor booths. Gather information about local non-profits, schools and other community groups on our Community Row. Catch up with friends, take in a set from local performers, and enjoy the public square atmosphere the Market has to offer. Saturday morning at Urbana's Market at the Square is one of our city’s signature institutions. It’s a great way to kick off your weekend! Open May through November.

CITY: Urbana

Lau-Nae Winery

This family-owned winery offers fruit wines and a shop selling homemade quilts, crafts and gifts.

CITY: Red Bud

Ferguson Fine Arts Theatre

Located on the campus of Highland Community College - features a variety of fine arts programming including vocal and music concerts, live theater, special performances, and the popular Summerset Theater Program, a community performing arts theater.

CITY: Freeport

Vernon Hills Golf Course

This golf course has been ranked as one of the top ten 9 hole golf courses in Chicagoland. Situated in Vernon Hills, this challenging 9-hole municipal course boasts small greens, rolling terrain, tight fairways and seven holes featuring water. Golfers of all skill levels will appreciate both the playability and the eye-catching views. The full-service clubhouse features a varied lunch menu, which is served all day and a full-service bar. Banquet facilities available for up to 80 people.

CITY: Vernon Hills

Catbridge Cellars

Wine Shop featuring Fine Wines from Earthly Vines.

CITY: Antioch

Berryville Vineyards

The winery harmonizes with nature to cultivate premium wine grapes. Walk through the oak forests, picnic in the vineyards or wade in the creek and stop in at the tasting room. The vineyard features fruit and grape wines from 20 varieties of grapes as well as raspberries, blackberries and gooseberries.

CITY: Claremont

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge

A wildlife refuge covering approximately 43,500 acres of forest, wetlands, and grasslands. Hunting, fishing & boating available.

CITY: Marion

Lindo Theater

This historic movie theater, built in 1922, features first-run movies presented in the latest 4K digital projection and sound on nine screens. Stadium seating, digital 3D and party room.

CITY: Freeport

Mary Michelle Winery

Mary Michelle has 60 acres of vineyards adjacent to the winery and grows most of the grapes that it uses for its wines. This Winery sells only through stores and restaurants. Mary Michelle’s winemaker is the award-winning Lucian Dressel, a fifth generation Greene County resident by way of Boston, New York, Augusta, Mo., and Davis, Ca. In 2003, inspired by the vision of the founders of Mary Michelle, Dressel returned to the Midwest to help make a contribution to the fulfillment of this dream.

CITY: Carrollton

Chicago Botanic Gardens Farmers' Market

The Garden welcomes local, sustainable farmers and producers to this public farmers' market on the first and third Sundays of the month from June through October. Admission to the market is free to Garden visitors and will be held rain or shine. Visitors may purchase a special market bag from the Garden Shop to carry their purchases home.

CITY: Glencoe

Lena Area Historical Museum

The Lena Historical Museum tells the history of Lena and the surrounding area, with galleries focusing on various historical topics. Highlights include a Civil War regimental flag and an extensive clothing collection. Also on the grounds are a summer kitchen, the first log schoolhouse built in Lena, an Illinois Central Railroad caboose, a general store, a recreated chapel, and a barn filled with antique vehicles and farm tools.

CITY: Lena

Fox Creek Vineyards

Situated on a farm settled by the proprietor's great grandmother, the vineyard sits amid low rolling hills. Enjoy sampling the wines and spend some quality time in the country.

CITY: Olney

Lyn-Nita Vineyards, LLC

Lyn-Nita Vineyards was established in 2010 with the planting of three acres of vineyards. The Wine Cellar was opened in November 2010 and features wines from Illinois grown grapes. Local wines produced and sold.

CITY: Elkville

Dahnke's Pine Patch

Located in Martinsville, this tree farm features Colorado Blue and Norway Spruce, Douglas and Fraser Fir, and White and Scotch Pine trees.

CITY: Martinsville

Jefferson County Historical Village

Authentic log structures. Historic memorabilia from the area are carefully preserved and displayed at the village. Open from the first weekend in May through the last weekend in October

CITY: Mount Vernon

Edwin Hardt

Buy jack-o-lanterns, decoratives guords, squash and mini pumpkins here.

CITY: Litchfield

Flint Hill Vineyard

Flint Hill Vineyards began growing grapes in the Mid 1990's with the efforts of brothers-in-law, Louis Bertino and John Molinarolo. Louis had a vineyard of Concord and Niagara at his home site some years earlier. After courses in the development of a vineyard, two acres of vines were planted from cuttings acquired from an established Southern Illinois vineyard. The varieties planted were Chambourcin and Vignoles, French hybrids proven to fare well in our climate and produce fruit that vinted into excellent wine. In the late 1990's another two acres of vines were planted adding the Seyval Blanc variety, a proven and hardy producer.

CITY: Muddy

Niemerg Family Winery

This father-son operation produces a wide variety of wines with grapes imported from throughout the U.S., including Illinois, Michigan and California. The winery features a tasting room and outdoor seating.

CITY: Findlay

MB Financial Park at Rosemont

MB Financial Park at Rosemont, the new entertainment district, features lively bars and restaurants with live music, casual dining, bowling, and outdoor patios. A seasonal courtyard is in the center of it all- perfect for farmers markets, movies under the stars, music festivals & ice skating. MB Financial Park at Rosemont is only a block from the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center and is anchored by Muvico 18- Movie Theater, a number of hotels and the vibrant Rosemont Theatre.

CITY: Rosemont

Orchard View Winery

Taste the tradition of over 100 years of quality grown fruit from the Mazanek family orchards. Even connoisseurs will appreciate a glass of John James, a delightful semi-sweet blend of Golden Delicious and Jonathan apples aged in American oak.

CITY: Alma

Goebbert's Pumpkin Patch - Hampshire

Ride the wagon to pick your own pumpkin, shop the Harvest Market and visit the Farmers Wife Cafe and Bakery. Goebbert's has a second location in South Barrington.

CITY: Hampshire

Silver Creek and Stephenson Railroad and Silvercreek Museum

All aboard, as a 36-ton, 1912 Heisler steam locomotive pulls three cabooses, including an antique red caboose reported to be the oldest in the state, for a four-mile ride through farmlands. Purchase your ticket at the Silver Creek Depot, a turn-of-the-century replica filled with railroad artifacts, and browse the Freight House Gift Shop and Silvercreek Museum that's filled with early Americana.

CITY: Freeport

Collver Family Winery

Family-owned winery that features unique wines, great food, and hilarious dinner theater productions.

CITY: Barry

Frank Farms

Find scotch and white pine, douglas and fraser fir trees, along with wreaths and farm-raised whole sausage.

CITY: Athens

Didier Farms

Didier Farms Pumpkin Festival features hay rides, corn maze, farm animal zoo, petting zoo, authentic Native American teepees, halloween shop, costume shop, animated figures and fall displays.

CITY: Prairie View

Righter's Christmas Tree Farm

Cut your own Christmas scotch and white pine trees here.

CITY: Sullivan

Crooked Creek Winery

Enjoy fine handcrafted Illinois wines served with a personal touch in a relaxing country atmosphere. Experience the outdoor beauty of Southwestern Illinois' rolling farmland or sip wine indoors by a cozy fire.

CITY: Centralia

Hawkins-Schwartz Orchards

This orchard features fresh-picked apples, peaches, a pumpkin patch, cider and special events for children during apple season.

CITY: Dix

Acorns Golf Links

Acorns Golf Links is located in Waterloo, Illinois featuring 6,701 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72 . The course rating is 72.3 and it has a slope rating of 125. You will not find subdivision golf at Acorns; just nature, beautiful scenery, challenging design, and you. Making Acorns the premier public course to test your game, have fun with good friends, or to get away from your daily hussle and bussle. Acorns features zoysia fairways, five tee boxes; matching every level of golf and large bent grass greens. Designed by William Ebeler, the Acorns golf course opened in 1997.

CITY: Waterloo

Lake Hill Winery

Lake Hill Winery was built, not only to be a winery, but to be a gathering place and have the ability to hold a wide variety of functions. Besides the wine production, there is a tasting room bar, a small gift shop, and two banquet rooms. The first is the barrel room, which holds 100 people. This room is typically booked for smaller events such as reunions, rehearsal dinners, showers, company parties, birthday parties, etc. The other banquet room is the main hall. With two levels, capacity for over 400 people, a 160" TV/projector, and two bars, this room is capable of accommodating almost any event.

CITY: Carthage

Monte Alegre Vineyard & Cellars

Monte Alegre is the first vineyard and winery within the Southern Illinois city of Carbondale. Come stroll down Ponce Wine Trail and taste the wines grown in this beautiful region of the heartland. Offering spectacular vineyard views and prime red and white wines that have made Southern Illinois a favorite tourist destination for wine lovers and their families throughout the Midwest. Southern Illinois residents and tourists alike flock to this wine trail to get immersed in the beauty of growing, bottling, and degustating wine. Monte Alegre Vineyard and Ponce Cellars form the perfect stop in Southern Illinois for learning how to cultivate grapes for white and red wine, touring the wine cellars, degustating wines. Come visit the Ponce Wine Trail and Monte Alegre Vineyard and Cellars in Carbondale, Southern Illinois!

CITY: Carbondale

Schulz Tree Farm

Cut your own scotch pine, white pine, Norway and blue spruce Christmas trees. Also visit the barn, where you'll find unique Christmas gifts and crafts, wreaths, swags and free cocoa.

CITY: Pontiac

Country Corner Farm Market

Country Corner is a full service AgriTourism farm market. Build a family farm tradition – offering a wide variety of farm experiences to enjoy. Locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables picked at the peak of ripeness, purchased right on the farm. Festival weekends May through October. Shaded picnic grounds with play animals and barnyard animals. In the fall, enjoy a U-pick Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze & Haunted Maze. Also offering a community supported agriculture (CSA) Program.

CITY: Alpha

Carl Sandburg State Historic Site

Author-poet Carl Sandburg was born in the the three-room cottage at 331 E. Third Street in Galesburg on January 6, 1878. The modest house relfects the typcial living conditions of a late-nineteenth-century working-class family and features many furnishings that once belonged to the Sandburg family. Behind the home stands a small wooded park which features the Quotation Walk, a celebration of the Prairie Poet's work and words. It is in this tranquil setting that the ashes of Carl Sandburg and his wife Lilian were liad to rest beneath Remberance Rock.

CITY: Galesburg

Country Corner Farm Market & Pumpkin Patch

Explore acres of pumpkins, a giant corn maze, farm-fresh produce, a petting zoo, craft barn, tree house and playground. Hayrack and pony rides, a carnival and concessions are also offered.

CITY: Alpha

Moon Dog Farm & Vineyard

This farm offers fine Illinois wine-making grapes, organic vegetables and a small selection of fruits.

CITY: Creal Springs

Homestead Orchard

This u-pick orchard features 14 varieties of apples, plus rhubarb and raspberries. The Homestead's store is located in a century-old horse barn, stocked with homemade honey, candles, dried flowers, dried apple chips and more.

CITY: Woodstock

Bella Terra Winery

Bella Terra Winery is nestled in the beautiful surroundings of Johnson County, Illinois. With a scenic view of ponds, trees, and our vineyard we provide the perfect setting for sipping wines or celebrating special occasions. Bella Terra Winery was not created just for wine connoisseurs, we offer food and activities for the whole family. You can play bocce ball, throw a game of washers, watch your favorite team on T.V., or just relax under a tree and enjoy the breeze.The manicured grounds of Bella T Winery combined with beautiful shade trees create a striking backdrop for any occasion.

CITY: Creal Springs

Bicycle Trails - Aurora

More than 35 miles of trails, from Aurora to Crystal Lake, pass through scenic landscapes. Routes include the Fox River, Virgil Gilman and Red Oak Trails, and the Illinois Prairie Path.

CITY: Aurora

Huron Farm Market

This multi-seasonal shop offers a garden center in the spring, a summer produce market, and fall and Halloween items in the autumn. From April thru October, also enjoy a flea market every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

CITY: Eleroy

Varvil Orchard

This orchard offers in-season peaches, apples, pears and pumpkins.

CITY: Wheeler

Brooms Orchard

Apples, peaches, strawberries, jam and a country store. Pick your own pumpkins, apples, peaches and strawberries. Special events in September and August.

CITY: Carlinville

Cache River Basin Vineyard and Winery

The winery is known for its white wine made from grapes grown in Southern Illinois. The winery and vineyard are located in a scenic setting just south of the Heron Pond turn-off.

CITY: Belknap

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts & Mitchell Museum

Exhibitions, a children's gallery, a permanent collection and special events. Grounds include 85 acres sculpture park, nature trails and bird sanctuary. Hosts annual Cedarhurst Craft Fair.

CITY: Mount Vernon

Bengston Pumpkin Farm

The fall fun here includes tractor-pulled hayrack rides, a haunted barn, pig races, train rides, a petting zoo, kiddie rides, a three-acre corn maze, a Halloween shop, food and pumpkins.

CITY: Homer Glen

Aerie's Riverview Winery

The view is incredible and the wine selection is unbeatable every season of the year on top of the bluffs at Aerie's Winery. During the spring and summer, the outdoor deck offers a breathtaking view of recreation on the river. As the temperatures cool, you can lounge inside next to the fireplace. Aerie's also offers cottages and a lodge to accommodate the needs of overnight guests, all within walking distance of the winery. Seasonally, check our calendar for live music on the decks Wine, cheese, sausages and pizza are available.

CITY: Grafton

Castle Finn Winery

Located among the rolling hills and farmland, this central Illinois winery offers more than just wines. The facility offers a stoned back patio, tree-lined pond, and a banquet hall. We welcome weddings, ceremonies, birthday parties, corporate retreats and other special events. Be sure to check our website for event dates for dinner theater productions and live music.

CITY: Marshall

Artesian Well at Paradise Cove

Nestled along Indian Creek is a natural artesian well where thousands of gallons of pure water flow each day - as it has since 1927. A ten foot water wheel is turned continually by the flowing water. The sire, which is accessed by Stephenson County's only covered bridge, includes a waterfall, large flower beds and gazebo to enjoy while sipping the bubbling water

CITY: Winslow

llinois River Wine Trail

Located two hours south of Chicagoland, this central Illinois wine trail features wineries dotted along the Illinois River Road Scenic Byway.

CITY: Pittsfield