Fermilab Ramsey Auditorium

The mission of the Fermilab Arts and Lecture Series is to celebrate the artistic and intellectual vision of Fermilab by actively fostering an appreciation of science and the performing arts in neighboring communities.

CITY: Batavia

Opera House of Sandwich

The Opera House functions as a community oriented facility. It brings to its stage: theatre, lectures, recitals, weddings and a wide variety of outstanding performers, ranging from country to classical.

CITY: Sandwich

Circle Theatre of Oak Park

Circle Theatre is an artist-based company whose mission is to produce exciting and innovative theatre accessible to our widely diversified suburban and city audience. Through variety-filled seasons including drama, comedy, musicals, and new works, Circle Theatre challenges, entertains, and educates audiences and artists of all ages.

CITY: Oak Park

Hutsonville Cabins

Six log cabins recreate life as it had been in Illinois back in 1812. Visit the homestead belonging to the Hutson family before a fatal Indian attack killed Isaac Hutson's entire family.

CITY: Hutsonville

Bottomley-Ruffing-Schalk Baseball Museum

This small museum honors professional baseball players from the surrounding area, including Cooperstown Hall of Famers Sunny Jim Bottomley, Charlie "Red" Ruffing and Ray "Kraker" Shalk.

CITY: Nokomis

The Jesus Tree

The life-size image of Jesus Christ holding a lamb in his arms has brought visitors from all over the world to see this birch tree.

CITY: Quincy

McDonough County Courthouse

This historical courthouse, built in 1872 for $155,000 and still in use today, features its original stone, brick and walnut detail.

CITY: Macomb

Loveland Museum

Step back in time in the Loveland Museum and get a glimpse of Dixon and Lee County history. With exhibits from the life of "Father" John Dixon, the Blackhawk War, Civil War and other conflicts, local industry and attractions, the Truesdell Bridge disaster and President Ronald Reagan.

CITY: Dixon

DuPage County Historical Museum

Housed in an 1891 Richardsonian Romanesque building, the museum highlights 150 years of DuPage County history with participatory activities, changing exhibits and extensive model railroad display.

CITY: Wheaton

The Country Barn Shoppe

Featuring juried craft and antiques in a fully restored curved roof barn.

CITY: Noble

Phat Quarters, Inc.

A quilt shop offering more than 2,000 bolts of fabric, patterns, notions, classes, Horn cabinets and Bernina sewing machines/products.

CITY: Galena

Country Mill Square - Waterman

Gifts and antiques. Cards, gifts, and country furniture built and hand-painted by local artisans. Christmas room, baskets, candles, throws, collectible dolls, pottery, and more. We buy antiques.

CITY: Waterman

Country Faire

Afghans, books, baby quilts, birdhouses and feeders, ceramics, goose clothes and geese, southwest artifacts, lawn and garden decor and more.

CITY: Hampshire

Midwest Museum of Natural History

The mission of the Midwest Museum of Natural History is to encourage an appreciation of the world's diverse natural environment and human culture through exhibits and interactive learning experiences for children and adults. Offering a kid's play area with hands-on learning fun, a gift shop, national traveling exhibits, and world-renowned celebrities Ruud Kleinpaste, Jack Hanna and Jeff Corwin.

CITY: Sycamore

Lyons School

Lyons school is the host to the Glenview Art Fair that showcases over 110 jewelers, printmakers, stain and fused glass artists, representational and abstract artists, photographers, potters, ceramists and more.

CITY: Glenview

National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame

The NIASHF is a museum and educational institution whose mission is to preserving honorable values through sports by honoring and promoting the history and heritage of Italian Americans who have made significant contributions to sports and society.

CITY: Chicago

Artists' Annex

Pottery demonstrations Saturday, 2-4 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-noon. Watch the magic of throwing.

CITY: Galena

KidsWork Children's Museum

KidsWork Children's Museum is a cultural institution that brings children, families and the community together to engage in fun, hands-on interactive play.

CITY: Frankfort

Gladys Fox Museum

The Gladys Fox Museum is located in the beautifully restored Old Congregational Church, which is the oldest surviving building of its type in Illinois. The building was constructed in 1840 of native limestone on land donated by the Illinois & Michigan.

CITY: Lockport

M.J. Hogan Grain Elevator and Visitor Center

The earliest remaining elevator along the canal that was fully operational during the canal's heyday. Built in 1862, the grain elevator allowed farmers to unload their grain locally instead of hauling it to the Chicago market by wagon.

CITY: Seneca

Woodstock Opera House

Built in 1889 as City Hall, the Woodstock Opera House has long been one of the top performing arts centers in the Midwest. Its illustrious history also includes a cameo in Groundhog Day.

CITY: Woodstock

Challenger Learning Center

The Challenger Learning Center at Heartland Community College offers interactive, simulated space and science experiences through scheduled team missions for students and the public.

CITY: Normal

Sunshine & Shadow Quilt Shoppe

Specializing in reproduction fabrics, vintage patterns & vintage pattern books. Located on historic Green St. shopping district adjacent to the McHenry Riverwalk.

CITY: McHenry

Blue Connection Gallery

The "Art of Entrepreneurship" program (of which the Blue Connection Gallery is an integral part) has been developed to unite the strengths of two of Millikin's Professional Schools: the Tabor School of Business and the College of Fine Arts. This novel combination of two programs enables business students to gain insight into the creative aspects of entrepreneurship while art students of Millikin’s College of Fine Arts learn the importance of marketing their own artwork. You will find all types of art displayed at The Blue Connection. Be sure to stop in and browse -- who knows... a promising student’s work purchased today could turn out to be a valuable masterpiece tomorrow! The gallery participates in the “First Friday” art walks by hosting receptions that trademark the arts community in Decatur’s quaint and historic downtown.

CITY: Decatur

Jambalya Night Club/Pheasant Run Resort

Jambalya Night Club has entertainment Thursday, 8PM; Friday and Saturday nights 10PM.

CITY: St. Charles

Gallery 28 Fine & Functional Art

Tucked away in the quaint historic district of downtown Geneva, in an historic Victorian home is where you'll discover Gallery 28, an art gallery for both fine and functional art. Featuring a fresh mix of breath-taking paintings, exquisite jewelry, sculpture, photography, pottery and unique works in wood and metal along with music by premier musicians. The variety of art will interest serious fine art collectors as well as fine craft enthusiasts.

CITY: Geneva

Grayslake Heritage Center

A state-of-the-art history museum dedicated to collecting and sharing the history of the greater Grayslake area. The Grayslake Heritage Center offers programs, exhibitions and special events all year round and includes two galleries, a community room, and a classroom.

CITY: Grayslake

Griggs Street Potters

Come see some of the best pottery in the Midwest and East Central Illinois at Griggs Street. Either just browse around, or purchase what you like and enjoy it all the time as apart of your lives.

CITY: Champaign

High Cross Art Studio

The primary purpose is to provide an environment which fosters artistic excellence and creative growth of the individual artists working there.

CITY: Urbana

Contagion - Central Elementary School

An international team of doctors is contracted by the CDC to deal with the outbreak of a deadly disease.

CITY: Wilmette

The Dilemma - Dodge Automotive HQ

A man wrestles with the dilemma of whether or not to tell his best friend that his wife is having an affair.

CITY: Naperville

Marie Olmstead Museum

Described as "a hidden gem" of local cultural, natural and prehistoric history for lower DeKalb and upper LaSalle Counties. Three rooms comprising some 5,000 square feet packed full of artifacts and antiques that could be featured on "Antiques Raodshow". One of the "must-sees" is a 32-round flitlock rifle reportedly presented to Chief Shabbona at the signing of the peace treaty at Prairie du Chien in 1829. A favorite of the youngsters to see while visiting the museum is a stuffed, two-headed calf.

CITY: Somonauk

Civic Center Authority Visitor Center

The Bedford Park Heritage Corridor Visitor Center is full of information and literature of exciting things to do and see throughout the Heritage Corridor. The Visitor Center provides National Heritage Corridor promotional literature and I&M Canal related resources to the public. It is operated by the Civic Center Authority in partnership with Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Village of Willow Springs. The Center is staffed by volunteers recruited and managed by the Civic Center Authority. Open Saturday 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM and Sunday 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM.

CITY: Bedford Park

Velvet Rope Ultra Lounge

This gay and lesbian Oak Park lounge features a dance floor, martini bar and a menu of small plates. Catch live DJs, drag shows and dancers on the weekends.

CITY: Oak Park

Geneva Underground Playhouse

Producing mainstage productions throughout the year, and also hosting performances by comedy groups, musicians, playwrights and any number of other entertainers.

CITY: Geneva

Douglas County Museum

The award-winning museum features short-term exhibits about a wide range of topics pertinent to the history of Douglas County and East Central Illinois. The museum’s collections include clothing and textiles, military and medical equipment, decorative arts, archives and more! Plus, it’s also host to the Rural Life Antique Show held in March and November of each year

CITY: Tuscola

Porthole Barn Trail

After the Civil War, Confederate shipbuilder Joe Minch was looking for a fresh start. He made his way back to the Rockbridge area and traded his building expertise for a set of tools. That first project of building a barn set into motion a new trend in barn design. Joe placed round windows, now know as portholes, in the barn. Travel through Greene County today to view the highest concentration of Porthole Barns in the country.

CITY: Carrollton

Kirkland Fine Arts Center

A full-scale, live performance theater, with art galleries, on the campus of Millikin University.

CITY: Decatur

Moraine Valley Fine & Performing Arts Ctr John and Angeline Oremus

The FPAC presents quality cultural programs and popular entertainment in the 600-seat Dorothy Menker Theater, 150-seat Oremus Theater and the Robert F DeCaprio art gallery.

CITY: Palos Hills

Ronald Reagan Birthplace & Museum

This quaint apartment, featuring the bedroom where the President was born, restored and decorated to its original 1900's style, sits on the second floor at the site of the First National Bank which has also been restored. Next door is a gift store and museum of Reagan memorabilia.

CITY: Tampico

Rustic River Finds, Inc.

Rustic River is a collection of handcrafted jewelry, specialty beads, Vintaj & unique finds. Our shop is inspired by nature.

CITY: Galena

Ridgeland Historic District Tour

This self-guided audio tour takes you through one of the "Prettiest Painted Places in America," the Ridgeland Historic District, to view great architecture and hear stories of famous Oak Lawn natives.

CITY: Oak Lawn

Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center

Built in 1861, the house and brick barn were constructed for local farmer and barbed wire inventor Joseph Glidden. The Illinois State Historical Society has commemorated the barn as the birthplace of barbed wire.

CITY: DeKalb

ISU Galleries

ISU Galleries consists of three galleries that exhibit nationally known works and the latest projects from ISU students. Call for summer hours.

CITY: Normal

Kankakee Model Railroad Club and Museum

See displays of running model trains and railroad memorabilia.

CITY: Kankakee

Illinois State University Farms

Open for group tours only, this farm includes a dairy operation, animals fed and monitored by computer, Crops of the World seen during growing season and the Aqua-Culture Center.

CITY: Normal

River Forest Methodist Church

First stop of the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trusts' River Forest Walking Tour.

CITY: River Forest

Flora Theatre

This two-screen theater shows new releases every weekend.

CITY: Flora

Mendota Hills Wind Farm

The largest commercial wind farm in Illinois features 63 towering windmills that are an awesome sight to see, and generate an alternative source of electric power.

CITY: Paw Paw

Lewis University Phillip Lynch Theatre

Watch an array of plays in this intimate theater on the campus of Lewis University. The Phillip Lynch Theatre presents a diverse selection of productions from comedy, to tragedy, and everything in between.

CITY: Romeoville

English Farm

As you drive by this farm, your eye is drawn upward to a towering brick structure located near the modern home. The structure, erected around 1913, is one of a dozen brick water towers still standing in Illinois.

CITY: Paris

Burns House

The first brick home built in Polo is now a tourist information center and home of the local Convention and Visitors Bureau.

CITY: Polo

Charles Gates Dawes House Museum

The Dawes House, a magnificent Chateauesque Mansion overlooking Lake Michigan, was the home of the former United States vice president under Calvin Coolidge and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Charles Gates Dawes.

CITY: Evanston

Indian Treaty Site

A marker commemorates the point where two important trails intersected on the prairie: Detroit to St. Louis and Peoria to Terre Haute. In 1765, the British and the Illinois Indians signed a peace treaty here.

CITY: Paris

Hemmens Cultural Center

Home of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, this facility contains a 1200-seat theatre and an 11,340 square foot exhibition hall with fully equipped banquet kitchen. Host to many well-known artists.

CITY: Elgin

Heartland Antique Auto Museum

Walk among early cars from the turn-of-the-century through the early 1950s. This museum is also the site of a restoration shop for classic V12 and V16 Cadillacs and Duesenbergs, as well as custom-built vintage Indy cars.

CITY: Paris

Mann's Chapel

Mann's Chapel, located just south of Rossville, is the oldest church in Vermilion County, constructed in 1857.

CITY: Rossville

Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery

Features rotating, theme-based exhibitions of works created by past and contemporary Illinois artists and artisans. Exhibits are given added dimension through educational activities and tours for all ages.

CITY: Lockport

White Pines Inn Gift Shop

Charming country gift shop that's chock full of jellies, jams, quilts, and country decor. Located in log building in White Pine Forest State Park.

CITY: Mount Morris

Stamp Thyme

Art rubber stamps and accessories, brass stencils, ink pads, markers, books, magazines and videos. Free demonstrations.

CITY: Lockport

Rammelkamp Chapel - Illinois College

Rammelkamp Chapel is the home of religious life on campus as well as the site for various events ranging from weekly chapel services, mass, convocations, concerts and ceremonies.

CITY: Jacksonville

Camp Butler National Cemetery

Camp Butler is one of the 120 national cemeteries that served as a Civil War training camp, as well as a POW camp for Confederate soldiers. Call the cemetery office to schedule a tour.

CITY: Springfield

Veterans Educational Museum

Items on display are from the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm along with flags from 45 countries.

CITY: Vandalia

Wonder Works

Wonder Works is 6,400 square feet of fun, a place of creative play for kids birth to age eight. Located in Oak Park, Illinois at 6445 West North Avenue, the children's museum helps kids, their parents and caregivers unleash their imaginations through art, performance, design, building and more.

CITY: Oak Park

Pierre Menard Home

(TEMPORARILY CLOSED beginning 10/08 except for special events.) Pierre Menard, an important political figure in 1818, built this home. It is furnished with many of the Menard family's personal possessions and other period pieces. The surrounding grounds and outbuildings include an herb garden, smokehouse, springhouse, and adjoining kitchen.

CITY: Ellis Grove

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

McConnell Area Historical Society & Museum

Items on display in this local town museum include a mill stone, ox yoke, McConnell telephone switchboard, and other items relating to the history of McConnell and Waddams Township. There is a large collection of family histories, obituaries, and genealogical materials. Special activities and exhibits are planned for each of the open dates.

CITY: McConnell

Winslow Historical Society Museum

Discover the history of Winslow. Featuring displays relating to discovery of cream cheese, which had its beginnings in Winslow and later made famous as Philadelphia Cream Cheese. Also see the history of Doc Carver's Wild West Show.

CITY: Winslow

Gretchen Charlton Art Gallery

This not-for-profit Gallery acts as an advocate for local and visiting artists from a variety of genres. It also offers an opportunity to people of all ages to learn about and appreciate the visual arts through our exhibits, tours, workshops, and programs offered. The Gallery is uniquely located with Provena Heritage Village senior facility, and continues to enrich the daily lives of the residents here. Admission into the gallery is free and donations are accepted.

CITY: Kankakee

Crocker & Springer

Early American folk pottery is the specialty of nationally known potters Jan & Jonathan Wright. They create pie birds, butter crocks, Pennsylvania wide mouth jars and whimsical chicken banks among other items using a salt glaze to impart a distinctive orange peel-texture finish on these early-American style pieces. Visit the studio to watch the duo fashion clay into brilliant pieces of art. Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

CITY: Elsah

Bead In Hand

An incredible selection of beads and beading supplies in a charming shop with knowledgeable staff. Everything for the beginner to the expert -- new and vintage beads, charms, chain, wire, findings, stringing materials and books. Beaded jewelry repair. Special events include birthday parties, celebrations for adults, classes, and activities for youth groups. Visit website for details.

CITY: Oak Park

DuPage Heritage Gallery

DuPage County, Chicago’s Western Suburbs - Located in a three-story atrium, renovated in 2000, visitors learn of the stories, accomplishments and lives of famous DuPage citizens portrayed through memorabilia and photo panels.

CITY: Wheaton

Yesterday's Farm Museum

A historic 1800s family farm that is maintained in its original location. Programs depict settlers' lives with period accuracy.

CITY: Wood Dale

Elk Grove Farmhouse Museum

The oldest farmhouse in Elk Grove Village. Restored to reflect life during the civil war. The home of Heinrich and Maria Schuette. School and scout programs available. Open year-round.

CITY: Elk Grove Village

McHenry County Historical Society Museum

Preserved buildings include an 1847 log cabin, an 1885 town hall, an 1895 one-room school house, and a 20th Century modern tourist cabin.

CITY: Union

Elizabeth History Museum

Tour the Elizabeth History Museum and view more than four thousand local history artifacts on lead mining; the Apple River Fort; Elizabeth businesses, schools and veterans.

CITY: Elizabeth

Dickson Mounds Museum

The premier on-site archaeological museum, located 45 miles southwest of Peoria, interprets the 12,000 year history of American Indian cultures in Illinois through artifacts, interpretive exhibits, major multi-image productions, hands-on activities and a variety of public events in a rural setting.

CITY: Lewistown

North Gallery - Rock Springs Nature Center

This gallery showcases the works of local artists in various media.

CITY: Decatur

Lincoln Highway Interpretive Mural - Cortland

The Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition has produced many Interpretive Murals along the Illinois Lincoln Highway National Scenic Byway and its corridor in northern Illinois. The Cortland mural depicts the history, heritage, and events of the highway and its impact on Cortland and the other communities along the Illinois route.

CITY: Cortland

Windmill Cultural Center

The Windmill Cultural Center houses an extensive collection of 21 European windmills representing ten European countries. Interpretive exhibits provide unique information on the products produced by windmills, country of origin, windmill specifications, and the cultural impact of windmills. The Education Area features video presentations of the windmill countries and an education area contains children's activities including coloring, puzzles, and toys promoting scientific concepts. The gift shop sells fresh stone-ground flour, Delft pottery, and souvenirs of Fulton, the Windmill Cultural Center and the windmill.

CITY: Fulton

Farnsworth House

Master architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created the ultimate minimalist masterpiece, the Farnsworth House, in pastoral Plano in 1951. The stellar structure of floor-to-ceiling glass seemingly "floats" above the rambling Fox River.

CITY: Plano

John Deere Home

John Deere's home still stands with a working replica of his blacksmith shop and a preserved archeological dig that unearthed Deere's original shop.

CITY: Grand Detour

With Honors - University of Illinois

This dramatic comedy centers on a Harvard student who befriends a homeless man and learns some valuable life lessons. The graduation scenes were filmed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus, with U of I students playing many of the graduates. The college's turn-of-the-century Foellinger Auditorium was disguised to look like Harvard for the movie shoot.

CITY: Urbana

Sixteen Candles - New Trier High School

A fifteen-year-old girl has a crush on the most popular boy in school, the geekiest boy in school has a crush on her, her sister's getting married, and with all the excitement, her family forgets her 16th birthday! This 1980s teen-angst classic was filmed in several Chicagoland suburbs, including Highland Park, Evanston, Glencoe and Winnetka.

CITY: Winnetka

Groundhog Day - Woodstock Square

This hilarious comedy concerns a crabby weatherman who finds himself reliving Groundhog Day over and over. Filmed in the quaint town of Woodstock, the bell tower that the weatherman leaps from is actually the Woodstock Opera House (which today presents concerts and plays). A small plaque in Woodstock's historic town square marks the spot where the character repeatedly stepped into a puddle in the movie.

CITY: Woodstock

Irene’s Cabaret

Open since 1976, Irene’s features dancing to live DJs, drag shows and live entertainment.

CITY: Quincy

The Carving Shop

The Carving Shop features the work of Joe Dillet, Master Craftsman, and specializes in custom hand carved heirlooms for the family, church and architectural carvings. We work from your designs, or ours, to create an awesome look that only hand carving can achieve. All wood is seasoned. All work is protected with a finish that will last many years. All work is guaranteed.

CITY: Somonauk

The Nehring Gallery

The Nehring Gallery is a space within DeKalb dedicated to promoting arts and culture. It is currently the home of the DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association, an organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the storied history of agriculture in northern Illinois, through exhibits, educational programs and community outreach. Visit their website to see what exhibit is on display today!

CITY: DeKalb

The Yarn Exchange

Bring your needle work and share, or get inspiration on your current or next project! The Yarn Exchange offers "Yarn Geeks Round Table", open knitting/crocheting every Saturday from 10:30am-5:30pm. They also carry a variety of yarns available for purchase such as: acrylic, alpaca, cotton, wool, worsted, and more. The Yarn Exchange also has a variety of needles and tools for the beginner or professional knitter/crocheter. Gift Certificates available.

CITY: DeKalb

Emerson Creek Pottery

It happens the moment you turn onto the long, gravel road; it might be the charm of the converted century-old farmhouse filled with handcrafted pottery, homemade candles and other unique finds. It might be savoring the last bite of Blackberry Peach Cobbler after a delicious, freshly prepared lunch in the tearoom. Or it might be the peaceful serenity found only in the countryside. Whatever “it” is, friends young and old, male and female, have been coming back to Emerson Creek to experience it again and again.

CITY: Oswego

Elijah Iles House: Springfield's History Museum

Experience the historic Greek Revial-style house once owned by a founder of Springfield: Elijah Iles. It houses a permanent exhibit, Springfield as Urban Frontier 1818-1836.

CITY: Smithfield

Red Mask Players

This 75 year-old community theater group stages three productions each season at the comfortable and cozy historic Kathryn Randolph Theater.

CITY: Danville

Jeanette Lloyd Theater

Large theater with seating for 850

CITY: Freeport

Moraine Valley Fine & Performing Arts Center Dorothy Menker Theater

Founded in 1967, MVCC offers a variety of educational programs and services to residents of the southwest suburban area. This includes customized training solutions.

CITY: Palos Hills

Carrie's Country Faire

Discover an array of hand-crafted merchandise created by local artists and craft creators in our gallery. After shopping, step into our rustic barn and let us take you back in time for a vintage photo in one of four settings.

CITY: Galena

Effingham Performance Center

Arts Connection of Central Illinois has been established for the citizens of Effingham County and beyond to showcase arts and entertainment, to encourage interaction with and appreciation of live performance, to endorse the educational process and to enhance the quality of life and cultural vitality of the region.

CITY: Effingham