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Beneath
glass-domed roofs, flora from around the world thrives in spacious
greenhouses. Information panels give the lowdown as you stroll through
the conservatory’s six indoor areas that include a Children’s Garden and
the Sweet House (containing plants such as cacao, sugar cane, etc).-
300 N. Central Park Ave.
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312 746 5100
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El station: Conservatory-Central Park Dr. (green line)
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Open 9am– 5pm daily, Thu 9am–8pm
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Free
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DA
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Chicago Botanic Garden
About
25 miles (40 km) north of Chicago, this attraction comprises 385 acres
(155 ha) of natural habitats and beautifully landscaped gardens. Some of
the most popular are the romantic Rose Garden, the tranquil
island-based Japanese Garden, and the charming English Walled Garden.-
1000 Lake Cook Rd. Glencoe
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1 847 835 5440
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Metra station: Glencoe
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Open 8am–sunset daily
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Adm.
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DA
Chicago Botanic Garden
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Historic Pullman District
This
industrial town was conceived in the 1880s by railroad magnate George
Pullman for his workers. The planned utopia had apartments, shops, a
hospital, and a hotel, but failed after a strike in 1894, when a
decrease in wages made rents unaffordable.-
Metra Station: Pullman/111th St.
Visitor Center
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11141 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
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open 11am–3pm Tue–Sun
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1 773 785 8901
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DA
Church window, Historic Pullman District
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Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)
In
1940, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe planned the campus of this new
university. He also designed around 20 of the buildings, which
demonstrate his design philosophies. Stop by the on-campus visitor
center for information and docent-guided or self-guided tours.-
3201 S. State St. (Visitor Center)
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312 567 3000
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El station: 35th-Bronzeville-IIT (green line)
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Tours $5
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DA
IIT
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Sheridan Road
This
lakefront road’s low speed limit is perfect for gawping at the
palatial, architecturally diverse homes that line it as you drive north
to Evanston and beyond. Art buffs might like to stop at the Evanston Art
Center at Harley Clarke House – one of the oldest and largest community
visual art centers in Illinois.-
From Rogers Park to Lake Bluff
Evanston Art Center
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2603 N. Sheridan Rd.
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847 475 5300
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open 10am–10pm Mon–Thu, 10am–1pm Fri & Sat, 1–4pm Sun
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Free
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Bronzeville
A
bronze memorial at Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and 35th Street honors
the journey many African-Americans made to this neighborhood as they
fled the oppression of the South in the early 20th century. Nearby,
sidewalk plaques celebrate local luminaries. Chicago’s answer to Harlem
offers jazz and blues in its clubs, graceful mansions aplenty, and lots
of fine soul food.-
El station: 35th-Bronzeville-IIT (green line)
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Baha’i Temple
This
exquisite white structure is one of eight temples of the Baha’i faith
worldwide. Its nine doors symbolize how people can come to God from any
direction. At night, spotlights enhance its ethereal beauty.-
100 Linden Ave, Wilmette
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El station: Linden Ave
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Visitors’ Center open 10am–8pm daily (Oct–May to 5pm); Temple open 7am–10pm daily
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1 847 853 2300
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Free
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DA
Baha’i Temple
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Brookfield Zoo
Over
5,900 animals live together in themed, naturalistic environments at
this popular zoo. Zones include Tropic World, where thunderstorms occur
regularly (you stay dry) and Habitat Africa, whose new Forest exhibit
has shy okapi and a recreated African village. In Be A Bird House, see
what kind of bird you’d be on a machine that measures your flapping
ability.-
3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield
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Metra station: Hollywood
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Open 10am–5pm daily
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1 708 485 2200
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Adm. (2 and under, free)
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DA
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Evanston
Just
north of Chicago, this dynamic suburb brims with acclaimed restaurants,
galleries, and independent shops. Northwestern University’s Mary and
Leigh Block Museum of Art and Sculpture Garden is well worth a visit, as
is the historic Grosse Point Lighthouse and Maritime Museum.-
Visitors Bureau 1 847 328 1500
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El station: Davis
Grosse Point Lighthouse, Evanston
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