2013 Travel Guide
Enjoy Illinois App
Showing 193-288 of 1,532 items found in Arts & Culture
St. James Cathedral
The St. James parish, featuring the oldest Episcopal church in Chicago, is one of the oldest in Illinois. The church's plaza is used for a variety of religious and community activities.
CITY: Chicago
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
Illinois Citizen Soldier Museum
See military memorabilia from the War of 1812 through Desert Storm.
CITY: Galesburg
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
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
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
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
Double Door
Find a lot of standing-room shows of predominantly rock bands that play to packed crowds. Play pool, watch the evening's performance on a video screen downstairs, or simply check out the music scene with beer in hand.
CITY: Chicago
Carolyn's Cottage
Carolyn's Cottage has a large collection of bird houses, Native American art, home and garden decor, and much more.
CITY: Coulterville
Globe Theater
The marquee dates back to the 1920s, but the audio-visual equipment is state-of-the-art. Three screens show first run movies on the ground floor, with a coffee shop and bistro upstairs.
CITY: Greenville
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
Putnam County Historical Society
Tours of the recently restored, redecorated 1844 Pulsifer House. Genealogical historical research facilities. Open Wed & Fri from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Agricultural Museum open by appointment.
CITY: Hennepin
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
Oak Park Art League
The Oak Park Art League believes in the freedom of expression and the importance of the creative voice. Since 1921 we have sustained an environment to develop, nurture, and exhibit the work of local artists, past and present. Our mission is to provide access to the disciplines and developmental processes so that artists of all ages, from amateur to hobbyist, enthusiast to professional may refine their unique creative voice in our studios and galleries. The Oak Park Art League fulfills this mission through weekly art classes, art exhibitions, studio rentals, lectures, space rentals for private parties, art consultation, and retail sales of artist-made items.
CITY: Oak Park
Chicago Dramatists
Since 1979, the playwright's theatre has devoted all of its resources and programming to developing new plays and nurturing playwrights. Celebrating our 30th year, please join us in creating the theatre of the future.
CITY: Chicago
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
The Pink Anchor Gift Store
A glorious and eclectic artisan gallery for both the heart and soul. Handmade cards, Southwestern pendants, nautical jewelry, pretzel necklaces, natural care products, crafts, paintings, candles, purses, and more unique, one-of-a-kind gifts.
CITY: Freeport
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
Magnolia Manor
Built in 1869, the brick mansion boasts 14 rooms featuring Italianate architecture and local river lore history. Tours offered daily. The Historical Society hosts special events & luncheons.
CITY: Cairo
The Unborn - Loyola University
In this supernatural flick, a young woman is haunted by the spirit of her unborn brother who tries to take over her body. Desperate to survive, the woman undergoes an exorcism to prevent her evil sibling from being born.
CITY: Chicago
Sin Bin - Irish American Heritage Center
This teen coming-of-age comedy centers around a high school senior who loans out his van, called the Sin Bin, to friends as a place to bring dates and serve as an apartment on wheels.
CITY: Chicago
Baby on Board - The Capital Grille
The busy life of a successful power couple (she’s an image-conscious business woman and he’s a divorce attorney) is turned upside down when they find out they are unexpectedly pregnant and the next nine months turn into an emotional roller coaster ride they never saw coming.
CITY: Chicago
Nothing Like The Holidays - Humboldt Park
A Puerto Rican family living in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood faces what may be their last Christmas together.
CITY: Chicago
The Unborn - Montrose Harbor
In this supernatural flick, a young woman is haunted by the spirit of her unborn brother who tries to take over her body. Desperate to survive, the woman undergoes an exorcism to prevent her evil sibling from being born.
CITY: Chicago
The Vow - Chicago Theatre
A newlywed couple is involved in a car crash that sends the wife into a coma. Once she awakens with severe memory loss, her husband finds that he has to win her heart all over again.
CITY: Chicago
Baby on Board - Tru
The busy life of a successful power couple (she’s an image-conscious business woman and he’s a divorce attorney) is turned upside down when they find out they are unexpectedly pregnant and the next nine months turn into an emotional roller coaster ride they never saw coming.
CITY: Chicago
The Dark Knight - Hotel 71
Batman raises the stakes in his war on crime in this sequel, as he sets out to rid the streets of the remaining criminal organizations that curse the city. He makes progress until finding himself as prey to a reign of chaos set free by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as The Joker.
CITY: Chicago
Federal Reserve Bank
A thirty story court house and a forty-five-story office building, the federal building was completed after Mies' death in 1969. The building's sober black and gray exterior expression, the steel mullion and glass model, counterpoints the curving forms and bright red paint of Alexander Calder's sculpture. Photo courtesy of AIA Chicago, Wes Urschel.
CITY: Chicago
Designers Choice
Vintage, antique, primitive and new furniture, home decor, jewelry and glassware. Located on the South side of the Carthage Square.
CITY: Carthage
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
Roberts Sewing Center
Illinois' largest sewing machine and quilting fabrics store. 7,000 bolts of cotton fabric, exciting classes, sewing, quilting, upholstery. Sales of Pfaff and Viking brand and industrial machines. Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM, Tues & Thurs 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM.
CITY: Crest Hill
The Yarn Studio
Visit our shop in downtown Casey and your creative spirit will soar. The newly renovated space provides a relaxed atmosphere for browsing. Our supplies include items for knit, crochet, spinning, and weaving. Many items are sold exclusively through independent retailers. We strive to help the beginner as well as motivated advanced knitter.
CITY: Casey
Porchlight Music Theatre
By uniting the arts of music, drama, dance, and design we transform stories into thrilling, passionate and relevant events, which affect the lives of artists and audiences alike.
CITY: Chicago
Writers' Theatre
Over the past twenty seasons, Writers' Theatre has become a major Chicagoland cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence. The company – known for the finest interpretations of classic and contemporary theatre – has garnered critical praise for the consistent high quality and intimacy of its artistry. Throughout the season Writers’ will be offering post-show discussions on select Wednesday evenings following the performance in our Tudor Court space. In the Books on Vernon space they will be offering post-show discussions every other Wednesday evening.
CITY: Glencoe
McLean County Arts Center
The McLean County Arts Center presents approximately twelve exhibitions yearly, including the annual Holiday Treasures exhibition and the annual Amateur Competition and Exhibition which for over 85 years has showcased the best amateur artists from the region. The Center also offers art classes, artist lectures, art workshops for children and adults and associated performing and literary arts presentations. Visitors can purchase or rent artwork through the Center's Sales & Rental Gift Gallery.
CITY: Bloomington
Friends of Community Public Art
Offering scheduled tours of the FCPA murals and mosaic sculpture studios. See art being made by professional and local artists, and learn the details of their work. Art classes available. Visit www.facebook.com/fcpajoliet for more information.
CITY: Joliet
Elgin Public Museum
In beautiful Lord's Park, this museum features over 15,000 specimens of natural history with newly expanded family focused hands-on exhibits.
CITY: Elgin
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
DuSable Museum of African American History
The nation's first independent museum dedicated to the history of African Americans.
CITY: Chicago
City Gallery at the Historic Water Tower
City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower presents exhibitions by Chicago Photographers. One of Chicago's most popular landmarks with the gallery curated by Chicago's public art program.
CITY: Chicago
Woodbine Glass Museum and Gift Shop
Museum displays 4,000 pieces of hand-blown glass, including contemporary and antique work from many countries. Glass blowing video. Gift shop.
CITY: Stockton
State Street Market Shops
Thirty-five unique gift, antique and specialty shops and cafe.
CITY: Elgin
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
Open Door Repertory Company
Open Door Repertory Company is a professional non-equity theater organization that produces plays and provides theater education to serve audiences and theater artists of all ages and backgrounds throughout the Chicagoland area. Their purpose is to inspire, entertain, and provoke emotional and intellectual responses.
CITY: Oak Park
Sophie Leschin Theater
Home to Jacksonville Theatre Guild Productions, large auditorium theatre
CITY: Jacksonville
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
Mesta's Musicals
Wholesome family entertainment with song, dance, and humor. Join us for lunch and dinner show packages.
CITY: New Lenox
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
International Museum of Surgical Science
Housed in a historic landmark mansion on the Gold Coast, the collections and exhibits portray the mysteries and milestones that have shaped modern surgical science. Of special interest to those in the medical field, our collection appeals to anyone interested in the history of surgery by means of art, surgical instruments, architecture, and books.
CITY: Chicago
Ukrainian National Museum
A collection of Ukrainian history and folk art is gathered under one roof and includes everything from festive costumes to colored eggs.
CITY: Chicago
Mighty Richland Players Dinner/Dessert Theater
Along the banks of the mighty Richland Creek, the first settlers founded the Village of Orangeville in 1851. Over the years, the town has always been a special place "where the women are fair, the men are strong and there's a story to be told around every corner." In the Mighty Richland Players Dinner/Dessert Theater, those fair and strong will treat attendees to a great meal or dessert and a humorous story with a smile and a wink. Performances are at the Mighty Richland Players Theater, an 1877 Italianate Victorian building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Theater season is September through March.
CITY: Orangeville
Ten Thousand Villages
Experience exquisite, handcrafted jewelry, clothing, home decor and gifts from around the world. Invest in education, housing and hope for villages in 33 countries. Each store operates as a cooperative with its own board of directors, and provides vital, fair income to people in developing countries by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories.
CITY: Oak Park
Private Home Tours of Quincy
Groups of 20 or more can now enjoy "Private Home Tours" of some of Quincy's finest mansions. Contact the Quincy Area Convention & Visitors Bureau to arrange a private tour at 217-214-3700 or 1-800-978-4748. Over 20 homeowners are participating in this unique venue that allows group tours inside magnificent homes and gardens throughout Quincy.
CITY: Quincy
Will County Historical Society
Incorporated in 1964, the Will County Historical Society exists to connect people and organizations to the county's rich history. The Society's museum is housed in the original headquarters of the I&M Canal. Built in 1837, the structure played a central role in the design, financing, and construction of the Canal and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Changing exhibits highlight the history of Will County and the Canal. The Society's extensive collection includes significant county and canal-related records, including maps, plats, land records, obituaries, photographs, newspapers, receipts, and correspondence.
CITY: Lockport
The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University
Chicago Southland's grandest performing arts center at Governors State University, in University Park, features a wide array of world class attractions, children and family programming
CITY: University Park
Lombard Historical Society Museum
This Victorian home features rooms furnished with artifacts exemplifying the lifestyle of the emerging middle-class during the 1870s. Group tours welcome seven days a week with reservations, based on availability. Admission free.
CITY: Lombard
Noble Fool Theatricals at Pheasant Run Resort
Brand new theater includes stadium seating for 320 people with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems.
CITY: St. Charles
Victorian Cottage Museum
DuPage County, Chicago’s Western Suburbs - This Victorian home features rooms furnished with artifacts exemplifying the lifestyle of the emerging middle-class during the 1870s. Group tours welcome seven days a week with advanced reservations. Walk-in hours Wednesdays & Sundays. Free admission.
CITY: Lombard
Hollywood Blvd Cinema
The 1st full service, fully integrated restaurant, bar and movie theater to open in the greater Chicagoland area. Each auditorium features terraced seating with high-back executive leather chairs.
CITY: Woodridge
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
Oak Park Arts District
A unique collection of galleries, boutiques and restaurants on Harrison Street from Austin Blvd. to Elmwood Ave. in Oak Park, Illinois. Find one of a kind apparel, art, jewelry, beads and home accessories. Have a meal or a snack or specialty coffee drinks at the Buzz Café, or a meal and a cocktail at Trattoria 225. Dance and exercise studios, healing arts businesses, and hair salons are among the district's offerings. The nine blocks feature painted artist benches and public art throughout. Convenient to the Austin Blvd. exit from the Eisenhower Expressway, the Austin stop on the CTA Blue Line and Stop 17 on the Free Shuttle. Gallery hours vary -- call or check website for more information.
CITY: Oak Park
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
Heartland Gallery
Heartland Gallery specializes in contemporary Irish art and Celtic art and crafts. As a small performance venue, Heartland Gallery has hosted many events including concerts by internationally-known musicians such as Dublin harpist/singer/songwriter Claire Roche, master of the Celtic harp and spoken-word artist Patrick Ball, legendary Irish piper Paddy Keenan, and Scottish singer/songwriter/guitarist Jim Malcolm. The gallery also hosts local and national storytellers, actors and other performing artists including Irish and Scottish dancers.
CITY: Champaign
The Laughing Kat
Located in the residence of local artist Frannie Thompson, this shop features all types of handmade creations. Her fine assortment of fused glass and beads, paintings, jewelry, sewing and purses awaits you.
CITY: Clinton
Tribune Tower
Home of the Chicago Tribune newspaper offices, this Gothic-Revival landmark features flying buttresses and gargoyles This is a result of New York architects John Mead Howells and Raymond M. Hood's design that was chosen as a winner out of 263 entries from twenty-three countries during an international architectural competition to immodestly "erect the most beautiful building in the world" in 1922.
CITY: Chicago
Sin Bin - Happy Foods
This teen coming-of-age comedy centers around a high school senior who loans out his van, called the Sin Bin, to friends as a place to bring dates and serve as an apartment on wheels.
CITY: Chicago
The Informant! - North Avenue Beach Chess Pavilion
The vice president of an agri-business giant is recruited by the FBI to uncover evidence of his company’s suspected illegal price-fixing. But in his zealous attempt to become the ultimate informant his lies begin to pile up and erode the secret agent world he has created for himself. Look for Alexander Calder’s giant red outdoor Flamingo sculpture as two of the movie’s main characters walk through downtown Chicago’s Federal Plaza.
CITY: Chicago
Horsemen - Cheney Mansion
A recently widowed detective discovers a shocking connection between himself and a serial killing spree linked to the biblical prophecies of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
CITY: Oak Park
The Break-Up - Wrigley Field
This comedy concerns a couple who decides to break up, despite the fact that neither of them is willing to move out of the Chicago condo they share. Numerous film locations around the city include the bike path that winds along Lake Michigan at North Avenue Beach, the funky Fireside Bowl in the Logan Square neighborhood, the Riviera Theatre in Uptown (site of some of the hippest concerts in Chicago) and historic Wrigley Field, home to the Chicago Cubs baseball team, in Wrigleyville.
CITY: Chicago
Bad Teacher - Kol Tuv Kosher Foods
Dumped by her sugar daddy, a foul-mouthed junior high school teacher pursues one of her new well-heeled colleagues, competing for his affections against a popular teacher.
CITY: Chicago
Transformers 3 - Tribune Tower
This latest high-tech “Transformers “ installment involves a race between the Autobots and Decepticons to find a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the moon. Highlights include amazing scenes of downtown Chicago being destroyed by the battling robots.
CITY: Chicago
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
Ferris Bueller's Day Off - The Art Institute
This classic Chicago teen comedy involves the wise-cracking title character who decides to cut school and see the city with his friends. Their romp around Chicago includes stops at The Art Institute (one of the world's leading art museums that's known for its important collection of French Impressionist paintings), Chicago Board of Trade (the world's oldest futures and options exchange that's housed in a magnificent Art Deco building), and the Sears Tower Skydeck (offering dizzying views of the city from atop one of the world's tallest buildings). The movie's famed Twist and Shout scene was filmed during the city's annual Von Steuben Day Parade.
CITY: Chicago
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
The Dilemma - United Center
A man wrestles with the dilemma of whether or not to tell his best friend that his wife is having an affair.
CITY: Chicago
Carthage Jail
The Carthage Jail was the site of the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum on June 27, 1844. Joseph and Hyrum with two companions were imprisoned here. A mob broke into the jail and killed them and injured severly one of their companions. Today the restored jail and visitors center and memorial gardens are open to visitors daily.
CITY: Carthage
NIU Anthropology Museum
The Anthropology Museum houses over 12,000 ethnographic and archaeological objects. The ethnographic collection has regional strengths in Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and the plains and southwest regions of North America. Ethnographic specimens from Africa, Mesoamerica, and South America are also represented.
CITY: DeKalb
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
Christopher Art Gallery
Located on the main campus of Prairie State College, the Christopher Art Gallery hosts six to eight shows annually, featuring local, regional and national artists, as well as student works. Programming varies by media, theme, and artists represented.
CITY: Chicago Heights
Schuyler Jail Museum and Genealogical Center
Visit the Schuyler Jail Museum to view a fascinating showcase of pioneer life on the Illinois frontier. A special section displays memorabilia from the Scripps family, early Rushville citizens who became nationally known in the worlds of newspapers and philanthropy, and who in 1926 donated their family farm to the city for use as a park. Displays showcase soldier's uniforms of many wars, Native American relics, pioneer furniture, farming implements, an early barber shop, and much more!
CITY: Rushville
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
Stage 773
Stage 773 acts to embody the vibrant spirit of Chicago off-loop theater: We celebrate the creative process, supporting the work of actors, directors, writers, composers, and designers. We nurture the artist, offering material, technical, organizational and emotional support. We honor our audience, presenting accessible, affordable and exceptional entertainment.
CITY: Chicago
InFusion Theatre Company
InFusion Theatre Company’s mission is to seek out new plays and organically “infuse” them with other elements of entertainment such as music, dance, and film. We strive to create dynamic performances by combining different forms of entertainment that will result in both exciting and thought-provoking work.
CITY: Chicago
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
St. Charles Heritage Center
Rotating exhibits of St. Charles history, including Civil War artifacts, local industry and other fascinating facts. Local history research archives available by appointment. Gift shop.
CITY: St. Charles
River Rockhouse
Restaurant. bar, and music venue features live music. food, drinks. Enjoy St. Charles' largest covered patio with a great view of downtown and the river. Live local and national music acts. Large outdoor patio. Banquet space for 500.
CITY: St. Charles
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
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
Irene’s Cabaret
Open since 1976, Irene’s features dancing to live DJs, drag shows and live entertainment.
CITY: Quincy
Country at Heart Quilt & Gift Shop
Don't miss this quaint and unique country quilt and gift shop! Featuring Bowe pottery, candles, quilts, doilies, framed art, country gifts and accessories. We offer a huge selection of antique and primitive furniture too! The quilt shop offers a wide variety of quilting fabrics, notions, patterns, books and so much more!
CITY: Sterling
