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The Chicago Portage National Historic Site was an important crossroad for Native Americans, French fur traders, and early settlers. Before the Illinois & Michigan Canal’s existence, the portage was a short, low divide that travelers crossed to travel between Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. It was declared a National Historic Site in 1952. There is a monument to French explorers, Marquette and Joliet and their Indian guides. An interpretive facility is being developed that will include a museum, library, and other resources. The Chicago Portage National Historic Site is located at 536 North Harlem Avenue in River Forest. Call (708) 771-1330 for details.
The Cernan
Earth & Space Center is a space-age facility that entertains
as well as educates its visitors. The center offers planetarium shows,
laser shows, and children’s shows in the 44-foot diameter dome theater.
Visitors learn about astronomy, space exploration, earth sciences as well
as Apollo astronaut, Eugene Cernan. The Cernan Earth & Space Center
is located at Triton College in River Grove. For more details call (708)
456-0300.
The Brookfield Zoo
is one of the country’s largest zoos. The zoo is home to nearly
3,000 animals from 425 species. Visitors will want to see the dolphin
exhibit, the childrens’ zoo, the family play zoo, and the butterfly
exhibit. Black rhinos, penguins, polar bears, kangaroos, and giraffes
are just a few of the zoo residents one might see when visiting Brookfield
Zoo. The zoo is located in Brookfield at 3300 Golf Road. Call (800) 201-0784
for more specific information about the zoo.
Explore the life of one of the United State’s most famous award-winning authors at the Ernest Hemingway Museum in Oak Park. Temporary and permanent exhibits explore the life of Hemingway and the local influences on his life and writing. Museum tours showcase rare photographs, sample writings, letters, memorabilia, and artifacts. The museum is located at 200 North Park Avenue. Call (708) 524-5383 for more information about the Ernest Hemingway Museum.
The Arlington Heights Historical Museum complex contains several historically significant structures such as a 1906 soda pop factory, the 1908 Banta House, and a 1882 Victorian home and coach house. The museum is also home to a 1830's log cabin replica, similar to the log cabins used by 19th century settlers in Northern Illinois. Tours are available at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum where visitors can see a carpentry shop, blacksmith shop, a dollhouse collection, and much more. The museum is located at 110 West Fremont Street. Call (847) 255-1225 for more information.
A visit to Oak Park’s Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio is a must for architecture buffs. Wright, one of America’s most famous architects, developed and perfected his signature prairie-style architecture while living in Oak Park. Located on 931 Chicago Avenue, Wright’s private residence and workplace have been restored to their 1909 appearance. Exhibits include fine and decorative art collected by Catherine Tobin Wright, historical artifacts, Wright-designed furniture, and much more. This Oak Park neighborhood has an additional 25 Wright-designed buildings to see. For additional information call (708) 848-1976.
The Children’s Farm is a 65-acre, fully operational working farm. Located in Palos Park, the Children’s Farm offers farm tours, pony rides, and seasonal produce. Horses, cows, sheep, pigs, and chickens are some of the animals you will find at this farm. Hay, oats, and pumpkins are the major crops produced at the farm. To learn more about the Children’s Farm, call (708) 361-3650.
The Charles Gates Dawes House is located in Evanston on a 2-acre lakefront site. This 3 ½ story brick mansion was built in 1894 and has a French-style chateau appearance. It is also listed on the National Historic Landmark registry. The museum’s first two floors are filled with interactive exhibits, educational displays, and a research room. Call (847) 475-3410 for more information.
The Chicago Athenaeum was founded in 1988 as a museum of architecture and design dedicated to the art of design. The museum’s permanent collection includes exhibits covering architecture, product design, urban planning, and architectural artifacts. Visitors enjoy the museum’s walking tours, gallery walks, and special programs. The Chicago Athenaeum is located at 6 North Michigan Avenue. Call (847) 895-3950 for more details about this museum.
The Donald E. Stephens Museum of Hummels has more than 1,000 rare Hummel figurines, making it the world’s largest collection of M.I. Hummels. In 1984, Donald Stephens, the mayor of Rosemont, donated his private collection of Hummel figurines to the village of Rosemont. Admission is free and the museum has a gift shop on site. For more information call (847) 692-4000.
The Frances Willard House is a National Historic Landmark that tells the story of Frances Willard’s life and work. Willard served as president of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union for nearly 20 years and became one of the most prominent social reformers of the 19th century. Her home, The Frances Willard House, was constructed in 1865 by her father and is located at 1730 Chicago Avenue in Evanston. For more details call (847) 328-7500.
Barrington’s Health World Children’s Museum is a health education museum and learning center for kids and their families. Children experience hands-on learning with the museum’s exhibits and discovery zones. General health, substance abuse, nutrition, safety, and first aid are among the subjects covered here. The museum is located at 1301 South Grove Avenue. Call (847) 842-9100 for more information about this museum.
Located in the Old Village Hall, the Wilmette Historical Museum was established in 1951 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This museum promotes local history and Wilmette’s past is celebrated with a variety of permanent exhibits. The exhibits include photos, artifacts, and art. Call (847) 853-7666 for more information about the Wilmette Historical Museum.
The Holocaust Memorial Foundation of Illinois is the ideal place to learn about the Holocaust. Visitors learn about the rise of Nazism, the persecution of Jewish people in Europe, and the horrors of concentration camps. The Holocaust exhibit, “Voices Still Heard,” gives a chronological order to the Holocaust with eyewitness accounts and authentic artifacts. The Room of Remembrance memorializes Holocaust victims and their Chicago-area families. Photographs, letters, personal effects, and Holocaust-themed art are on permanent display. This museum is located at 4255 Main Street in Skokie. Call (847) 677-4640 for additional information.
The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian was established in 1977 when John and Betty Mitchell donated their Native American Indian Collection to Kendall College. The museum focuses on the history, culture, and art of the American Indian from the Paleo Indian period to the present day. The Mitchell’s original collection included 3,000 artifacts. Since 1977, the collection has grown to include more than 10,000 items from Indians all across North America. Each gallery at the Mitchell Museum has a table where visitors are allowed to touch actual artifacts. Call (847) 475-1030 for more information.
The Oak Park Conservatory was created in 1914 with plants that Oak Park residents brought back from their travels abroad. The conservatory has 8,000 square feet of growing areas, educational programs, special exhibits, and a walk-in plant clinic. Visitors are encouraged to participate in the personal CD audio tour that highlights the facility, its collections, and its history. The Oak Park Conservatory is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is owned and operated by the Park District of Oak Park. Call (708) 386-4700 for more details.
Founded in 1991, the Wonder
Works Children’s Museum is a place for kids to explore,
learn, and have fun. This 6,400 square foot museum has five permanent
exhibits: Farm to Market, Art Studio, Lights Camera Action, Outdoors,
and Construction. The museum’s hands-on environment make it a must-see
for kids of all ages. For more information about Wonder Works call (708)
383-4815.