Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra

The 75-member orchestra is the largest performing arts organization in the Chicago Southland providing professional, orchestral music of beauty and excellence. The IPO performs at Lincoln-Way North High School,19900 South Harlem Avenue, Frankfort and Lincoln-Way East High School, 201 Colorado Avenue, Frankfort.

CITY: Park Forest

Inn at Lincoln Park

This European-style boutique hotel features 71 guest rooms and three suites. Located on the border of Lincoln Park and Lakeview, the Inn is within walking distance of hip shops, bars and restaurants, and close to Boystown.

CITY: Chicago

Goodman Theatre

The Goodman Theatre is Chicago’s oldest and largest not-for-profit theater, winning international renown for the quality of productions, the depth and diversity of artistic leadership, and the excellence of its many community and educational programs.

CITY: Chicago

Garfield Park Conservatory

Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the largest gardens under glass in the world. Opened in 1908, this landmark building was the vision of celebrated landscape architect Jens Jensen. The eight exhibit halls feature plants from around the world.

CITY: Chicago

Lyric Opera Of Chicago

Lyric Opera of Chicago is one of the world’s great opera companies. It is renowned internationally for its artistic excellence and financial strength. Founded in 1954, since its earliest years Lyric has distinguished itself by presenting the finest international singers, directors, and designers in classic and less-familiar operatic repertoire and in world-premiere productions. Opera performances are from September through March.

CITY: Chicago

Chicago Savvy Tours

Chicago Savvy Tours specializes in architectural and historical tours of Chicago, and offers a variety of services for both private and group tours.

CITY: Chicago

Windy City Thunderbolts

The Windy City ThunderBolts baseball brings affordable family entertainment all summer long at Standard Bank Stadium. 2007 & 2008 Frontier League Champions! Call to reserve groups or parties today!

CITY: Crestwood

Forest View Farms

Trail rides, hayrides, pony parties, petting zoo, corporate, convention, private picnic, party & cookout facilities. Horse-drawn vehicles for all occasions. Horse sales, boarding, lessons and tack shop.

CITY: Tinley Park

The Black Ensemble Theater

The Black Ensemble Theater is a dynamic organization described as a local cornerstone, a national treasure and an international success. It has launched over 100 productions and employed over 5,000 artists since its inception. Annually 50,000 patrons experience its musical theater and it has become one of the most prominant African-American theater companies in the nation.

CITY: Chicago

Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus

More than 150 singers make up this chorus that presents choral, cabaret and musical theater all rolled into one. The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus performs at various venues and special events throughout the city.

CITY: Chicago

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant

Handcrafted Wine. Modern Casual Dining. Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant opened in 2005 in Orland Park, a south suburb of Chicago. The concept was unique. They created a signature menu with a selection of dishes designed to pair perfectly with their own Cooper’s Hawk wines, made in their own private winery. With sophisticated food and exceptional wines, the concept was born.The Cooper’s Hawk concept includes four distinct components: an upscale casual dining restaurant, full-service bar, private barrel-aging room, and Napa-style tasting room and retail gift store…all under one roof. Each Cooper’s Hawk location is distinctive in layout and décor, but carries the same warmth and elegance that guests have come to expect.

CITY: Orland Park

Riverside Walking Tours

Take a walk through Riverside's history by spending the afternoon with the Frederick Law Olmsted Society, your guide to learning more about the village's unique community and landscape design. Riverside was designed in 1869 by famous landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux.

CITY: Riverside

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant

Experience Cooper's Hawk... a modern, casual restaurant with a menu created with their own handcrafted wines in mind. Start in their Napa-style tasting room, where you can view their wineries and sample the winemaker's latest creations. Shop in the gift store for unique food or wine-related gifts.

CITY: Burr Ridge

Goose Island Brewpub - Wrigleyville

Chicago's best known brewpub, brewing fine beer with passion since 1988. Lively atmosphere, perfect for all celebrations and family outings.

CITY: Chicago

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center - Willow Springs

Forest preserve nature center designed to educate the public about the importance of wildlife and our environment.

CITY: Willow Springs

Athenaeum Theatre

The Athenaeum hosts theatrical and dance performances throughout the year.

CITY: Chicago

Hershey's Chicago

This engaging retail experience features the full line of Hershey's products, as well as one-of-a-kind gifts and souvenirs Be entertained by the singing baker at the bake shoppe, offering cupcakes, cookies and brownies all topped with Hershey's products.

CITY: Chicago

Noble Horse Carriage Ride

Let Noble Horse make your day or evening special. See the city from a lovely antique horse carriage ride. Noble Horse Carriages are available at 2 locations: Michigan Avenue: 820 N. Michigan Avenue, the corner of Michigan Avenue and Chicago Avenue and Old Town: 1410 N. Orleans Street, the corner of Schiller and Orleans.

CITY: Chicago

Hot Tix

Conveniently located in the Loop and along the Magnificent Mile, Hot Tix theater geniuses offer half price theater tickets up to six days in advance. View this week's list of 1/2 price shows at HotTix.org.

CITY: Chicago

U.S. Cellular Field

President-elect Barack Obama is an avowed fan of the Chicago White Sox, and is often seen wearing a White Sox baseball cap. U.S. Cellular features an exploding scoreboard, an old-time facade, complete with arches and over 40,000 unobstructed-view seats.

CITY: Chicago

Diversey River Bowl

Find open bowling every night, rock music, a light show and a restaurant.

CITY: Chicago

Museum of Contemporary Art

One of the nation’s largest facilities devoted to the art of our time, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA) offers exhibitions of the most thought-provoking art created since 1945. The MCA documents contemporary visual culture through painting, sculpture, photography, video and film, and performance. Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, the MCA boasts a gift store, bookstore, restaurant, 300-seat theater, and a terraced sculpture garden with a great view of Lake Michigan. The MCA aspires to engage a broad and diverse audience, create a sense of community and be a place for contemplation, stimulation, and discussion about contemporary art and culture.

CITY: Chicago

Green Mill

This Art Deco-style jazz club in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood has a storied speakeasy past from the days of prohibition. Sit back and listen to some of the best jazz and cabaret music in the city at this elegant club that served as one of the locations for the hit film, High Fidelity. The Green Mill was patterned after Clark Monroe's Uptown House in Harlem (as it was during the 40's). Uniquely comfortable to all audiences, the magic of the Mill is that the audience co-mingles in its mutual respect for the music.

CITY: Chicago

Mercury's Urban Adventure Cruise

Board this 90-minute river and lakefront cruise, complete with live commentary detailing over 50 downtown Chicago buildings and bridges. Cruises depart daily, May through October.

CITY: Chicago

EagleRider Motorcycle Rentals and Tours

EagleRider is the largest motorcycle rental and tour company in the world. Rent a Harley Davidson for a day or a week and experience the open road!

CITY: Countryside

Chicago Opera Theater

This opera company specializes in a unique repertoire that focuses on works from the 17th, 18th and 20th centuries, performed beautifully in a small venue.

CITY: Chicago

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Chicago's internationally acclaimed professional theater dedicated to presenting the works of William Shakespeare.

CITY: Chicago

UP Comedy

UP Comedy Club presents an eclectic mix of comedy seven days a week featuring the best in Chicago stand-up, sketch and improv comedy. The club also features a full service kitchen and bar with a no drink minimum.

CITY: Chicago

Sluggers World Class Sports Bar and Grill

Since 1985 Sluggers World Class Sports Bar and Grill has been giving the Wrigleyville area a place to go for much more than just a drink. We have 6-12 foot big screens and over 30 TV's to see your all of your favorite sports teams in glorious HD! Upstairs we have a full indoor sports complex with batting cages, trampoline basketball, electronic football, basketball, ski simulator, golf, Skee ball, virtual driving games, air hockey and much much more. We have a full menu that includes Burgers, Pizza, Salads and a bunch of Appetizers. We even have an outdoor patio for those beautiful Chicago summer days. Come and visit us here at Sluggers and we promise you will not be bored!

CITY: Chicago

Flossmoor Sculpture Gardens

The Flossmoor Sculpture Gardens is an outdoor arts program that places sculptures in the village square, along charming residental streets, and in the Flossmoor Sculpture and Garden Park.

CITY: Flossmoor

Charnley-Persky House Museum

Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan designed this Gold Coast residence, now the home of the Society of Architectural Historians. Open for tours.

CITY: Chicago

Bronzeville Children's Museum

First and only African American children's museum in the country for children ages 3-9. Interactive exhibits, unique programs. Focus on culture, history and contributions of African Americans.

CITY: Chicago

The Second City's de Maat Studio Theater

Named for the late improvising guru Martin de Maat, this 49-seat theater is dedicated to presenting productions that are rooted in the crafts of theatrical improvisation and sketch comedy as taught by The Second City Training Center.

CITY: Chicago

Hyde Park Neighborhood

Barack Obama lived in the Hyde Park neighborhood during the late 1980s, when he worked as a community organizer. For the inside scoop on Hyde Park, tour the area with a local volunteer from Chicago Greeter, a free service offered by the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture.

CITY: Chicago

American Girl Cafe

Chicago’s American Girl Cafe is the place for brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and parties. For reservations and seating times, call toll-free 877-247-5223.

CITY: Chicago

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

Architect Frank Gehry designed this spectacular outdoor concert venue in Millennium Park that is home to the Grant Park Music Festival, along with other free concerts and events.

CITY: Chicago

Wrigley Building

Located in the center of the Magnificent Mile, and steps from the Michigan Avenue Bridge, The Wrigley Building has been a hallmark of Chicago’s skyline since 1920. Designed as the headquarters for the successful chewing gum, the building was modeled after the Seville Cathedral’s Giralda Tower in Spain. Today, it is still home to Wm Wrigley Jr. Company, and is perhaps best known for its dazzling white towers that illuminate the city at night.

CITY: Chicago

Merle Reskin Theatre

1325 seat proscenium theatre provides performance space for the nearly 200 public performances of the DePaul Theatre School.

CITY: Chicago

Theater on the Lake

Set in a red brick building beneath the towering trees of Lincoln Park, Theater on the Lake offers a great view of Lake Michigan and low ticket prices.

CITY: Chicago

Howl at the Moon

It's a singing, clapping, stomping, dance on the piano, rock 'n' roll show. It's part concert, part piano bar and all centered around audience participation.

CITY: Chicago

Chicago Detours

Experience history and culture through educated commentary and multimedia on iPads while exploring stories and places even locals don't know about. Highly trained guides share forgotten stories from the past on regularly scheduled tours.

CITY: Chicago

Adobo Grill Old Town

Adobo Grill, one of the top Mexican restaurants in the city, is best known for table-side guacamole, margaritas and a collection of over 80 tequilas.

CITY: Chicago

The Chicago Heights Drama Group

Bringing Broadway to the South Suburbs since 1931, The Drama Group is one of the oldest volunteer community theatres in the country. This drama group is a not-for-profit community theater.

CITY: Chicago Heights

National Shrine of St. Therese

DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - The National Shrine of St. Therese sits peacefully on a 50-acre estate owned and operated by the Carmelites. The Shrine is home to the most wonderful collection of relics, personal effects and memorabilia of Therese, "the little flower," outside of France. Religious shop/bookstore.

CITY: Darien

Chicago Fire

Catch the excitement of Major League Soccer during a Chicago Fire home game at Toyota Park in Bridgeview.

CITY: Bridgeview

IO Theater

Home of the best long-form improv comedy in Chicago, iO offers two theatre spaces with performances by some of the best comedians around.

CITY: Chicago

Chicago Cut Steakhouse

Located on the Chicago River with butcher and dry-aging room in-house, experience Chicago Cut specializing in steaks, seafood and an extensive wine list.

CITY: Chicago

Lincoln Mall

Retail stores anchored by Carson Pirie Scott & Sears. Free standing JCPenney and Target. Variety of dining establishments. Perfect for tour operators. Close to hotels and Interstate 57.

CITY: Matteson

First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre

Beautiful outdoor music theatre open May through September with a capacity of just under 30,000 people. Concessions and private catering available; tour buses welcome.

CITY: Tinley Park

Chicago at Sunset Tour - Wendella Sightseeing Boats

The setting sun gives way to the city's nightly light show as each building begins to shine. For two hours you'll be treated to what's been called the world's most beautiful skyline.

CITY: Chicago

Aon Center

The city’s second-tallest building, located at 200 E. Randolph St., rises 82 floors. Interestingly, the structure was first clad entirely in marble, but the slabs turned out to be too thin and were later replaced with thicker slabs of white granite.

CITY: Chicago

Richard J. Daley Center & Plaza

This powerful, 31-story tower was designed by Jacques Brownson (b. 1923) of C. F. Murphy Associates. Composed of three massive structural bays, each an unprecedented 87-feet wide and nearly 48-feet deep, and supported by warren trusses at every floor, the building achieves incredible structural integrity and interior flexibility. The exterior wall plane consists of 12-foot-high windows with amber-tinted glass and 6-foot-high panels of self-weathering Cor-Ten steel, which has aged to a rich brown color. The large public plaza features a 50-foot-tall Cor-Ten sculpture of 1967 by Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), gifted by him to the city of Chicago. The Daley Center plaza is one in a line of three important public plazas in the heart of the Loop (see also the Federal Center and Chase Bank Plaza). Photo courtesy of AIA Chicago, Wes Urschel. Copy and descriptions courtesy of AIA Illinois and the 150 Great Places in Illinois www.illinoisgreatplaces.com

CITY: Chicago

Siegel's Cottonwood Farms

Siegel's Cottonwood farm is a 100 year centennial fourth generation working farm established in 1909. In the spring and early summer the farm is open with a garden center featuring flowers, shrubs, and plants. From June 1st thru October the farm is available for company picnics, group outings, corporate events and fundraisers. In the summer when the crop is ready its Xtra Sweet Corn. In the fall its Pumpkinfest time on the farm with playlands, cornfield mazes, new fun attractions, climbing wall, gem mining and much more. And then there is the award winning haunted prison STATESVILLE.

CITY: Lockport

Mexican Folklore Dance Company of Chicago

As Chicago's oldest Mexican dance institution, MFDC has received countless recognitions and awards, performed for three presidents and represented Mexico in the 1994 USA World Cup opening ceremony, as well as numerous national television performances, most recently at the 2009 Latin Grammy Awards. MFDC's performances reflect Mexico's rich history which shapes its traditional arts, culture, and values. The historical periods revealed in the dances include pre-Columbian indigenous times, the Spanish Colonial Period, the Struggle for Independence and the 1910 Mexican Revolution.

CITY: Chicago

Avenues at The Peninsula

Awarded Four Stars from Chicago magazine, Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune, Avenues serves contemporary cuisine. A discriminating wine list and meticulous service round out the Avenues experience, making it one of Chicago's greatest dining triumphs.

CITY: Chicago

Ramada Inn Lake Shore

Designed for business and leisure travelers. Clean, comfortable, and large rooms with a magnificent view of the Chicago skyline from the shore of Lake Michigan.

CITY: Chicago

Beverly Art Center

Located in Chicago's historic Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood, the Beverly Art Center is a multidisciplinary, cultural center offering classes in art, music, dance, and theater. Offers rotating exhibitions of contemporary art and performing art.

CITY: Chicago

Tour Black Chicago

This city tour travels in luxury coaches and highlights African-American social, cultural and historical events.

CITY: Chicago

Diversey River Bowl

Diversey River Bowl features a phenomenal light show, great sound system, video arcade and bowling fun. Open lanes every night.

CITY: Chicago

Balmoral Woods Country Club

An 18-hole championship course cut thru 10,000 oak trees, with water hazards on 9 of 18 holes, complete clubhouse bar and restaurant. Chicagoland Golf 5 Star rated facility.

CITY: Crete

Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center

The Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center is a joint project of the Homewood-Flossmoor (HF Parks.com) and Olympia Fields (OF Parks.com) park districts. The near 40-acre nature preserve is home to a diversity of wildlife and habitat types. See beautiful woods, wildflowers, birds and furry friends along the way. There are trails along both sides of the park which is located at Vollmer and Western Avenues in Olympia Fields. Please be careful when crossing Vollmer Road. The Park is open to the public daily, sunrise to sunset

CITY: Olympia Fields

Performing Arts Chicago

Performing Arts Chicago is dedicated to the presentation of new work by local, national and international artists.

CITY: Chicago

Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago

The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago is the city's leading presenter of contemporary dance, showcasing artists of regional, national and international acclaim.

CITY: Chicago

Music of the Baroque

Music of the Baroque performs classical pieces in venues around Chicago.

CITY: Chicago

Chicago Park District

Come out and play with the Chicago Park District. Founded in 1934, the Chicago Park District is the largest municipal park manager in the nation and owner of more than 8,100 acres of green space. We invite you to take in a concert or a movie at one of our 580 parks.

CITY: Chicago

The Plaza Shopping Center

The Plaza has upheld the position as a cornerstone of the community for 50 years. The Plaza offers a family-focused selection of merchandise with emphasis on fashion, quality and value.

CITY: Chicago

Big Star

This stylin’ roadhouse serves up organic tacos and tostadas, along with small batch whiskey and tequilas, under the watchful eye of James Beard Award-winning executive chef, Paul Kahan.

CITY: Chicago

Carson Pirie Scott & Company

Carson Pirie Scott & Company’s former flagship store, designed by Louis H. Sullivan (1856-1924) was also built in stages, beginning in 1899, 1903, augmented by an addition by D. H. Burnham & Co. in 1906, and ending with a 1961 addition by Holabird and Root. Although Carson’s wide windows and narrow piers are expressive of the internal steel frame, the building is more famous for its exquisite ornament by Sullivan. The embellished storefronts, newly restored decorative cornice, and ornate columns capitals on the interior all bear Sullivan’s personal style of ornament. It was both named a Chicago Landmark and listed in the National Register in 1970. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1975. Copy and descriptions courtesy of AIA Illinois and the 150 Great Places in Illinois www.illinoisgreatplaces.com

CITY: Chicago

Roscoe’s

A long-time Boystown favorite, Roscoe’s features live events (including live band karaoke on Monday nights and Sin Thursdays with burlesque performers), a huge dance floor and a sidewalk cafe that serves a full menu in the summer months.

CITY: Chicago

Cook County Cheetahs Minor League Baseball Season

Come out and join us for an old-fashioned favorite - baseball!

CITY: Crestwood

Round Barn Farm and Museum

This 94-acre farm features picnic and recreational areas, antique farm equipment, a petting zoo, pony rides and barrel train rides. In fall find a pumpkin patch, haunted barn and pig races.

CITY: Manhattan

Kenwood Neighborhood

Located along Lake Michigan on the South Side of the City of Chicago, Illinois, is one of the 77 well-defined Chicago community areas. Kenwood was part of Hyde Park Township, which was annexed by the City of Chicago in 1889. Kenwood was once one of the most elite neighborhoods in Chicago and contains some of the largest homes in the city. It includes two Chicago Landmark districts, Kenwood and North Kenwood. Burnham Park runs along Kenwood's lakefront. A large part of the southern part of this region is in the Hyde Park-Kenwood Historic District. In recent years, the neighborhood has received national attention as the home of United States President Barack Obama.

CITY: Chicago

Andy's Jazz Club

A spacious, sophisticated saloon atmosphere, a deliciously varied menu and Chicago's finest Live Jazz! Dining is delightfully casual, served with Live Jazz steps from Michigan Avenue, rub shoulders with celebs and jazz buffs from around the world. Andy's renown is international.

CITY: Chicago

Bloomingdales

The Chicago flagship store features six levels of merchandise, home furnishings, shoes, and cosmetics. Stop by the Visitors Center on level one for information and in-store promotions.

CITY: Chicago

JBar at the James Hotel

Get your night started at our lounge, JBar. Anchoring the south end of Rush Street's nightlife, JBar offers signature cocktails in a modern environment. The James is a new hotel group that effortlessly blends a sense of modern, residential comfort with state-of-the-art technology and exceptional service.

CITY: Chicago

Chocolate at the Pen

On Friday and Saturday evenings the Peninsula Chicago hotel presents a decadent chocolate buffet in its lobby. Reservations are recommended.

CITY: Chicago

Avec

Located in the West Loop neighborhood, the cedar-lined dining room is as rustic as the menu. With seasonal menus that include sharable choices, they also have a cheese cave with a collection of artisan cheeses from Spain, Italy, France and Portugal.

CITY: Chicago

The Plaza

For your shopping needs, including stores such as Carson Pirie Scott and Circuit City.

CITY: Evergreen Park

Baymont Inn & Suites - Harvey

Newley renovated hotel rooms with excellent location & resonable price. All rooms with microwave & refrigerator, coffee maker & internet.

CITY: Harvey

Lakeview Baseball Club

Groups of any size can rent this rooftop club space across from Wrigley Field. It's a great place to catch a bird's-eye view of a Cubs baseball game and enjoy a meal.

CITY: Chicago

Silver Lake Country Club

Golf the two championship 18-hole courses, one nine-hole executive course, or play in the racquetball courts.

CITY: Orland Park

North Riverside Park Mall

Over 130 fabulous stores featuring the latest fashions and trends, including Carson's, JC Penney, Sears and Forever 21. A new Classic Cinemas opened in 2008 showing great movies. Conveniently located on Cermak Rd., west of Harlem Ave.

CITY: Riverside

Kanan Cruises

Chicago's newest and largest cruise ship located at Navy Pier. Cruises are available for group and private charters along Chicago's lakefront for groups of 50 to 400 passengers.

CITY: Chicago

Science Storms at the Museum of Science & Industry

The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago presents Science Storms, an unprecedented and dramatic permanent exhibit in the Allstate Court that reveals the extraordinary science behind some of nature’s most powerful and compelling phenomena—tornadoes, lightning, fire, tsunamis, sunlight, avalanches and atoms in motion. Inside the 24,000-square-foot exhibit, you’ll investigate the basic scientific principles responsible for nature’s biggest wonders while you get a hands-on, up-close look at these wonders themselves. Science Storms puts you in the middle of the action and lets you search for answers as to how and why things happen in nature.

CITY: Chicago

Ralph Lauren

This stunning flagship store features the designer’s complete lines of All-American fashions for men and women, home furnishings and the swank RL restaurant.

CITY: Chicago

Chicago Historic Water Tower

One of the few buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire, the Historic Water Tower is an icon on North Michigan Avenue and houses the City Gallery, which showcases Chicago photography. The tower was built in 1869 by architect William W. Boyington.

CITY: Chicago

The Three Musketeers

In pursuit of his dream of becoming a Musketeer, young d’Artagnan travels to Paris, where he befriends the legendary Three Inseparables: Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. His acts of bravery catch the eye of King Louis XIII, but ensnare d’Artagnan in the deadly schemes of Cardinal Richelieu and the beautiful, yet depraved, Milady Clarik. When Constance, the love of his life, is kidnapped on the eve of war, d’Artagnan must weigh his loyalties to king and country, comrades-in-arms, and the callings of his heart. Journey from Paris to London, from countryside taverns to glittering palaces, from a humble Gascon farm to the siege of La Rochelle, in an epic tale of passion, intrigue, and adventure.

CITY: Chicago