My Best Friend's Wedding - Cuneo Museum

In this romantic comedy a food critic jealously tries to put a stop to her best buddy's wedding. The movie filmed extensively around Chicago, including the historic Drake Hotel on North Michigan Avenue; on a Mercury boat cruise as it sailed down the Chicago River; and at the suburban Cuneo Museum & Gardens, a Mediterranean-style mansion that features 75 acres of beautiful formal gardens. The gazebo featured in one of the wedding scenes was built for the film, but Cuneo's owners decided to keep it permanently.

CITY: Vernon Hills

Scandals Nightclub

This gay and lesbian show bar features drag shows, comedians, and dancing Wednesday through Saturday nights.

CITY: Springfield

The Playground Theater

When you think about Chicago you think Improv Comedy. And when Chicago improvisers think improv they think The Playground Theater. The Playground is the Chicago Improvisers improv theater. This performer run comedy club features the best in Chicago improv and sketch comedy. With shows 7 nights a week, The Playground is a perfect place to start your night with a friends and a laugh.

CITY: Chicago

Galena Main Street Walking Tours with General Grant

Partake in an one-hour tour with one of Galena's most notable citizens, General Ulysses S. Grant, and explore the historic highlights of this award-winning Main Street. The tour also features the 'Field of Dreams' movie locations that were captured in downtown Galena. Reservations are not required to join in the tour.

CITY: Galena

Wandell Sculpture Garden

This unique, free outdoor sculpture garden sits among 22 acres of re-created Illinois tallgrass prairie in a 130-acre community park. Works from local and national artists grace the gardens. New sculpture is rotated every second or third year.

CITY: Urbana

Downtown Jacksonville Walldog Murals

Completed in the Summer of 2006, these 10 murals depicting historic Jacksonville scenes and events were handpainted by more than 50 sign painters and graphic artists from as far away as Scotland and New Zealand.

CITY: Jacksonville

Phillips Park

Located on over 325 acres, popular attractions include the Mastodon Gallery, the gorgeous Sunken Garden, an 18-hole golf course/driving range, the zoo, a 28-acre fishing lake with a one-mile multiple use trail, war memorials and the Winter Recreation Area. Phillips Park Visitors Center & Mastodon Gallery showcases the mastodon bones that were unearthed in the park during a 1934 Civil Works Administration Project. The skull being the largest of the artifacts, weighs 188 pounds.

CITY: Aurora

Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center

Since 1884, the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center (MPAC) has been offering exciting, personal, interactive music experiences to the northern Illinois area. MPAC presents several exciting concert series with local, national and internationally-renowned performers, from genres including classical, jazz, folk and Broadway.

CITY: Rockford

Lookingglass Theatre

Housed in the historic Water Tower Water Works, this award-winning, local ensemble has offered dynamic, physical, intellectual theater since 1989. The main stage will allow Lookingglass to reconfigure the stage and audience seating as dictated by the needs of each production, allowing for a maximum capacity of 270 persons, 60 of whom may be seated at the balcony level.

CITY: Chicago

Merchandise Mart

Tour Chicago's legendary Merchandise Mart, which houses an estimated 1,800 contract and residential showrooms. Guides conduct 1 1/2-hour tours that highlight that Mart's fascinating history, showrooms and design floors. Two floors of stores.

CITY: Chicago

Route 66 Log Chapel

This hand-built chapel in Lincoln is open for prayer and meditation 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

CITY: Lincoln

Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament

Journey through time to the age of Chivalry and Knighthood. Feast upon a sumptous banquet and cheer your own knight to victory in the tournament of games.

CITY: Schaumburg

Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts

Built in 1922 to house the original American Passion Play, the former Scottish Rite Temple is the centerpiece of downtown Bloomington's Cultural District. The Performing Arts Center has a 1,200-seat theater and 1,000-person ballroom.

CITY: Bloomington

Second City e.t.c.

Celebrating 50 years as the home of Chicago-style improv and sketch comedy, The Second City has launched the careers of John Belushi, Mike Myers, Tina Fey, Bill Murray, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell and many others. Free improvisation after last show every day except Friday. Dinner/show packages available. Call or log on for specific show information.

CITY: Chicago

Illinois State Museum

Permanent and changing exhibits on Illinois' land, life, people and art. Hands on children's discovery room. The museum store contains high quality crafts created by Illinois artisans.

CITY: Springfield

Egyptian Theatre

The Egyptian Theatre hosts film festivals, special movie screenings, and live entertainment events. This theatre is a 1929, fully restored Egyptian Art Deco movie palace and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The Egyptian is also available for rentals, tours, weddings, graduations, parties and receptions. Capacity: 1,419 Raised stage with dressing room below; balcony and lobby space.

CITY: DeKalb

Elmhurst Art Museum

DuPage County, Chicago’s Western Suburbs - The museum's award-winning structure contains a dramatic glass entrance gallery, three museum galleries, an educational pavilion, and the Ludwig Mies van der Rohe-designed McCormick house.

CITY: Elmhurst

Zanies Comedy Club - St. Charles

Popular comedians perform at Zanies, providing an evening of laughter and fun. The "sister" of the legendary downtown Zanies has been making the western suburbs laugh with the same great talent for over 20 years.

CITY: St. Charles

Allstate Arena

This facility is home field to DePaul basketball, Chicago Wolves hockey and the Chicago Rush arena football. With a wide variety of events each year, the Allstate Arena is a place where everyone can enjoy quality family shows, riveting sports and mesmerizing musical performances.

CITY: Rosemont

Rockford Art Museum

Part of the Riverfront Museum Park, the Rockford Art Museum features an eclectic collection of 20th century American artworks. Discover pieces by self-taught African American artists, American Impressionist paintings and modern art glass. Changing exhibits feature regional and national artists.

CITY: Rockford

Frank Lloyd Wright's Home and Studio

Wright's Oak Park Home and Studio served as his primary residence and studio from 1889-1909. Offers guided interior tours, highlighting family life and Wright's use of this complex as a living laboratory developing his principles.

CITY: Oak Park

Ravinia Festival

Ravinia Festival is the oldest outdoor music festival in North America and is lauded for presenting world-class music in an inviting, natural environment. The festival attracts over 600,000 listeners to some 120 to 150 events that span all genres including classical, chamber music, jazz, pop, world, music theater, dance and kids programming every summer from June to September. Events are hosted in an open-air pavilion that seats 3,200 plus lawn; the 450-seat Bennett, Gordon Hall; and the Martin Theatre, an 850-seat prairie-style building that stands as the only building from the park's original 1904 construction.

CITY: Highland Park

Maneuvers

A Joliet staple for more than 30 years, this LGBT bar features dancing to live DJs on Friday and Saturday nights, Maneuvers Diva’s Den drag shows and live entertainment.

CITY: Joliet

Landmark Recreation Center

This recreation complex features 12 movie theaters, 50 bowling lanes, a racquet and health club, Peoria OTB, a sports bar, a barbershop and a bowling pro shop.

CITY: Peoria

Illinois Fire Museum

The museum is home to one of the nation's largest collections of firefighter patches, as well as antique fire service memorabilia, art works, equipment and sculptures.

CITY: Springfield

Beall Mansion Historic Tours

Tour the mansion built as a wedding present by railroad baron and riverboat magnate Z.B. Job for his son and bride Mary Drummond, heiress to the Drummond tobacco fortune. Today this three-story mansion serves as a bed and breakfast.

CITY: Alton

MetroWalkz Self-Guided Walking Tours

Our numerous self-guided walking tours with easy-to-use maps and insider narratives make sightseeing a breeze. Current tours include Loop Architecture, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Magnificent Mile, Museum Campus, Grant Park, Chinatown, Old Town, Gold Coast and the West Loop.

CITY: Chicago

Graue Mill and Museum

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Mill is the only operating waterwheel gristmill and one of three authenticated underground railroad stations in Illinois.

CITY: Oak Brook

Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago

Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano, this 264,000 sq. foot building provides a new home for the museum’s renowned collections of modern painting and sculpture, contemporary art, architecture and design, and photography. Be among the first to see this dramatic addition that makes the Art Institute of Chicago the second largest art museum in the United States.

CITY: Chicago

Marion Cultural and Civic Center

The Marion Cultural and Civic Center serves Southern Illinois as an outlet for cultural and artistic opportunities of all types. MCCC is a 1094 seat performing arts center located in the historic town square of Marion, IL. In addition to providing a state-of-the-art theatrical facility at a low rental cost, MCCC also provides a portion of the lobby to display paintings and artwork from Southern Illinois artists.

CITY: Marion

Illinois Art Gallery

The Illinois Art Gallery is the only gallery in Chicago whose purpose it is to exhibit Illinois art.

CITY: Chicago

ComedySportz Theatre - Chicago

ComedySportz is the longest running short-form improv show in Chicago. Now in our 25th year! It's not stand-up comedy about sports...it's improv comedy played as a sport! We're also known for corporate training and corporate entertainment, improv classes and as a great place for any group celebrating a special occasion. If you like great comedy improvisation, visit our theater, the ComedySportz Theatre.

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

ComedySportz Theatre - Rock Island

Improv comedy played as a sport! It's ComedySportz® - every Friday and Saturday night at The Establishment theatre in The District of Rock Island! Our matches feature competitive team vs. team improv comedy complete with a referee and fouls. All ComedySportz® matches are Rated E For Everyone. • 4-time World Comedy League Champions • 2-time Sooper Bowl of Comedy Champions • Voted 'Best Comedy Venue' & 'Best & Inexpensive Place to Bring a Date' in the River Cities' Reader Best of the Quad Cities For tickets to our matches, contact The Establishment Box Office at 309.786.1111 or purchase tickets online at EstablishmentTheatre.com.

CITY: Rock Island

Lincoln Park

Located across from the Statehouse in Vandalia, the park features a life-size, bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln. This is a favorite spot for photos with the 16th president.

CITY: Vandalia

Elmhurst Historical Museum

DuPage County, Chicago’s Western Suburbs - This prize-winning museum features changing interpretive exhibits on Elmhurst history as well as national touring exhibits. Programs for children, families and adults throughout the year.

CITY: Elmhurst

Conklin's Barn 2 Dinner Theatre

Your home for hospitality with a bountiful buffet and the funniest live dinner theatre in Central Illinois.

CITY: Goodfield

Donny's Skybox Theater

Donny’s Skybox Theatre and the de Maat Studio Theatre are dedicated to presenting productions that are rooted in the crafts of theatrical improvisation and sketch comedy as taught by The Second City Training Center. Alumni, faculty, students, and other members of the extended Second City family unite to develop new voices and points-of-view in a manner that honors the history of the work and seeks to propel it into the future. Donny’s Skybox is a studio environment where both emerging and established artists are encouraged to experiment, innovate, and grow.

CITY: Chicago

Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place

An intimate 549-seat performance space presenting contemporary plays and musicals as well as classics from Broadway and beyond.

CITY: Chicago

Colonel Davenport House

Located on the historic Rock Island Arsenal island -- an active military munitions base -- the home offers guided tours that highlight the famous people who have visited this historic home, the history of the island through various wars, and the events that took place when the Davenport family lived in this home. Learn about the river bandits that broke into the home during the 4th of July and what happened to Colonel Davenport. IMPORTANT: Because this is an active U.S. Army facility, a current ID is required for age 16 or older to enter the island. International visitors must register one week ahead by calling 309-782-2686 Monday through Friday between the hours of 6 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Central Time.

CITY: Rock Island

Redmoon Theater

Redmoon Theatre was founded in 1989 in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. Redmoon has won national acclaim as the country's leading creator of spectacle theatre -- a highly visual and inventive theatre style that embraces the act of transformation through pageantry, puppetry, contraption-type mechanical objects, robust physical movement, and surprising use of scale and special effects. Using this unique visual language, Redmoon transforms streets and stages into places of public celebration, capable of speaking across cultural, ethnic, and generational boundaries.

CITY: Chicago

Galena Clay Works

You'll find handmade functional wares and sculptural forms at Galena Clay Works. Pottery is made and sold at this funky two-story studio - from Cups to crazyware, sculpture and Galena pottery.

CITY: Galena

First Christian Church

First Christian Church served as the Reagan family church while they lived in Dixon and helped form Ronald Reagan's Christian-based work ethic, which included a short term as a Sunday School teacher.

CITY: Dixon

American Sightseeing / Gray Line Tours

Offers sightseeing tours in more than 150 destinations on six continents and is widely recognized as the world's leader in sightseeing tours, ground transportation, charter service, airport transfers, and convention services.

CITY: Chicago

The Old Blacksmith Shop

Authentic 1897 blacksmith shop with working forges. Original tools/equipment and an on-site historian. Gift shop: Galena-forged items.

CITY: Galena

Campground Cumberland Church

Presbyterian church in continuous operation since 1850 and the site of a winter encampment during the Trail of Tears. Only site certified by state of Illinois and Cherokee Nation.

CITY: Anna

Livingston County Courthouse

Located on the square in downtown Ponitac, the courthouse was built in 1875 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Abraham Lincoln tried some of his earlier cases here.

CITY: Pontiac

Jane Addams International Peace Garden

This peace garden honors Rockford College alumna and Nobel laureate Jane Addams. The garden is located at Fisher Chapel on the grounds of Rockford College.

CITY: Rockford

Chicago Cultural Center

Chicago's architectural showplace for the lively and visual arts. Daily programs and exhibitions covering a wide range of the performing, visual and literary arts are presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affiars. See the world's largest Tiffany stained-glass dome. It was initially built for dual purposes. It was the city's central library and a monument dedicated to the Civil War's Grand Army of the Republic. Since 1977 the building has housed cultural entities that included galleries, an auditorium, and the city's office of cultural affairs. The building architects are Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge.

CITY: Chicago

Fischer Theatre

Historic Fischer Theatre, owned by the Vermilion Heritage Foundation, was built as the Grand Opera House in 1884. From Lillian Russell to silent movies, this theater provided entertainment to the community until it's closing in 1982. As work continues toward the goal of complete restoration, the lobby is used for many public events. The theater also houses the "Stage Presents The Fischer Gift Shop" where you will find creations by local artists and artisans, as well as products highlighting the area's famous stage, movie and vocal artists.

CITY: Danville

Spice of Life

Shows and sells art from local and international artists.

CITY: Springfield

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

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

Dr. Poos Home - Heritage House Museum

Built in 1888, this home was occupied by Dr. Robert Poos, a local practitioner and druggist. Dr. Poos was also the staff physician at the Springs Hotel and Bath House, later known as the Okawville Original Springs Hotel.

CITY: Okawville

pH Comedy Theater

pH is a comedy theater in Chicago that has been putting on original comedic work since 2002. pH shows are a fully participatory experience and you will leave most every show having had a hand in its outcome. pH also strives to be an affordable alternative for your entertainment dollar, with most shows falling around $10 per ticket.

CITY: Chicago

The Streets of Woodfield

A lifestyle and entertainment center offering streetside shopping and dining in a suburban setting. A vibrant shopping alternative including Carson Pirie Scott, AMC-Loews Theater, GameWorks, Laugh Out Loud Improve Theater, and some of Chicago's top restaurants. Store, restaurant, and theater hours vary.

CITY: Schaumburg

Hoogland Center for the Arts

Home to many of Springfield's local arts orgnizations, Hoogland Center for the Arts has numerous local theatrical productions and gallery exhibits throughout the year. The venue also draws touring musical acts from all over the country.

CITY: Springfield

Custom House Museum

This renovated 1872 Romanesque-style structure houses historical artifacts from the surrounding area.

CITY: Cairo

Winchester's Galleries

Limited edition prints, framing and pictures.

CITY: Springfield

Lincoln Christening Site/Watermelon Statue

A life-size statue of a watermelon commemorates the day the City of Lincoln was christened by Abraham Lincoln on August 27, 1853. The town's founders, John D. Gillett, Virgil HIckox and Robert B. Latham, were all personal friends of Lincoln.

CITY: Lincoln

Odeum Sports and Expo Center

DuPage's largest sports and exposition facility, includes a 5,500-seat arena, meeting rooms for up to 5,000, food service from casual buffets to elegant sit-down dinners.

CITY: Villa Park

Billy Graham Center Museum

This museum located on the campus of Wheaton College is devoted to the history of Christian evangelism and its influences on society. View rare artifacts, art and displays that include a powerful 3-D presentation of the gospel message.

CITY: Wheaton

Old Town School of Folk Music

The Old Town School of Folk Music provides a wide range of music, dance, theater, and visual arts courses to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Whatever one's interest, the Old Town School provides broad access to more than 700 accredited class offerings, private lessons, and workshops that span an array of artistic genres.The school features a main stage where concerts are held year round, along with a great shop that sells music and instruments.

CITY: Chicago

Old Stockade on the Cobblestone Street

Used as a refuge for women and children of Galena area during the Blackhawk War of 1832, the Old Stockade brings Galena's earliest history to life in this 1820's log building. Come, share!

CITY: Galena

BlueLine Night Club

There's great bands and sophisticated atmosphere at the BlueLine Night Club in Downtown Bloomington!

CITY: Bloomington

Prairie Fire Glass

Blown glass - stained glass. Glass blown on site - Demos daily

CITY: Monticello

IMPROV Comedy Showcase & Restaurant

The World famous Improv Comedy Showcase and Restaurant will give you the ultimate comedy experience. We are the premiere destination for the country's top headliners and the best showcase for new talent.

CITY: Schaumburg

Rockford Symphony Orchestra

The Rockford Symphony Orchestra has been serving Northern Illinois for more than 75 years and has a strong tradition of presenting classical and contemporary orchestral music of the highest caliber in Rockford's beautiful and awe-inspiring Coronado Theatre. Nationally known guest artists frequently serve as soloists for RSO concerts, adding tremendous variety and diversity to each season. In addition to a wonderful array of Classics and Pops Concerts, each season the Rockford Symphony also presents The Nutcracker in collaboration with the Rockford Dance Company. The Rockford Symphony Orchestra also brings the joy of music to thousands of students each year through its comprehensive educational programming, including Youth Concerts and the Rockford Symphony Youth Orchestra. In 2007, the RSO was named the Illinois Orchestra of the Year.

CITY: Rockford

John Phillip Sousa Library and Museum

John Phillip Sousa's personal band music library, willed to the University of Illinois, is on display along with period band uniforms and musical instruments. Relive a time forgotten, when the sounds of marching band music filled a town on a lazy Sunday afternoon, when you step into this museum homoring a true "music man." FREE

CITY: Champaign

Elawa Farm

Built in 1917 for A. Watson Armour, Elawa Farm is a stunning example of estate farm architecture. Come and learn about Historic Elawa Farm and what it looked like way back when and what is happening today at the farm. This farm is a 16-acre parcel of land, including the original farm complex buildings that were part of an early 20th century gentleman's farm and has a unique combination of natural setting, designed landscapes and buildings of architectural and historic significance.

CITY: Lake Forest

Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War Museum

This museum features a complete set of the "War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies." The records might aid in your search for a missing link in your family history.

CITY: Springfield

Mt. Carroll Garden Walk

Stroll the brick streets and enjoy unique historic architecture while viewing beautiful flower, perennial and water gardens. Garden vendors and a farmer's market will be stationed in the Courthouse Square.

CITY: Mount Carroll

Nauvoo Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Nauvoo Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was recently rebuilt in Nauvoo, one of the early settlements of the Mormon people. The structure is 150 ft tall and overlooks the Mississippi River. The temple was reconstructed on the site of the original temple, which was built between 1841 and 1846. The temple is a beautiful building and a "must-see" when visiting Nauvoo.

CITY: Nauvoo

Sangamon Auditorium - University of Illinois Springfield

The auditorium presents a broad range of music, theater and dance performances.

CITY: Springfield

Light Opera Works

Light Opera Works presents a season of professional musical theater with full orchestra at Cahn Auditorium.

CITY: Evanston

Macon County History Museum

Imagine Abraham Lincoln, the 6'4" lawyer, ducking to avoid bumping his head on the entrance of Macon Country's first courthouse built in 1829, which was the only log courthouse where Lincoln practiced law. This and other period buildings, located in the Macon County History Museum, allow visitors to travel back to different historical periods of the county. The prairie village on the museum grounds is home to such historical buildings as the log court house where Abraham Lincoln practiced in the 1830s.

CITY: Decatur

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

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

Victory Gardens Biograph Theater

Located in the famed Biograph Theater, one of Chicago's most celebrated historic landmarks, Victory Gardens Theater was the recipient of the 2001 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. Victory Gardens is dedicated to presenting the work of great contemporary playwrights.

CITY: Chicago

My Kind of Town Tours & Events

This company offers group cultural and educational tours. Reservations are required.

CITY: Highland Park

Boomerang Bar & Grill

This laid back local bar has pool tables, great food and no cover charge except when bands play.

CITY: Urbana

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

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

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

Norris Cultural Arts Center, Theatre & Art Gallery

A 1,000 seat live theatre providing family entertainment for more than 20 years. Season tickets are available. Call for gallery hours and reservations.

CITY: St. Charles

York Theatre

Enjoy first run films in a renovated 1924 Spanish-style movie theater with five auditoriums all equipped with Dolby digital sound. Baby Barton Pipe Organ is played on Friday and Saturday nights.

CITY: Elmhurst

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

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

Merle Reskin Theatre

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

CITY: Chicago

China Towne

Decorate your own china -- classes.

CITY: Springfield

Howlin on Water...Dueling Pianos at the Waterhouse

The Waterhouse is a reception, rental and performance facility located in downtown Peoria along the beautiful Illinois River. Get crazy every Friday night at this hilariously entertaining show.

CITY: Peoria

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

Piasa Bird Mural at Piasa Park

Located on the edge of Alton, Piasa Park is an attractive stop for motorists, picnickers and bicyclists. The park is set at the base of the giant Piasa Bird mural that is painted on the side of a huge bluff. A large granite arrowhead tells the story of the Piasa Bird, which, according to legend, Chief Ouatoga and his 20 warriors killed with poison darts.

CITY: Alton

John Deere Historic Site

This historic site is where John Deere (1804-1886) first developed and produced his steel plow, changing the face of farming in the Midwest. Deere erected a simple, one-and-a-half-story clapboard house that resembles a type found in New England. Although the original Deere blacksmith shop was demolished, its archeological excavations and interpreted artifacts are open, sheltered by a pavilion. A reconstructed blacksmith shop located southwest of the original site is furnished with old tools, farm equipment, pioneer utensils, and a working forge. The John Deere Home in Grand Detour was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and placed on the Nation Register of Historic Places in 1966. Copy and descriptions courtesy of AIA Illinois and the 150 GreatPlaces in Illinois www.illinoisgreatplaces.com

CITY: Dixon

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

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