Ravinia Park

• Ravinia Park in Highland Park hosts outdoor summer concerts of world renown and popular bands, orchestras and singers. Concert-goers with lawn seats are encouraged to arrive early and bring their own picnic food and alcohol to enjoy throughout the concert, although smoking is not allowed. Food and drinks are also available for purchase. Parking is available but most concert goers choose to arrive via the MetraRail's Union Pacific Rail Line, which drops passengers off in front of the park gates. Ravinia's website has information on each season's schedule, prices and links to MetraRail.
  
  200 Ravinia Park Road
  Highland Park, IL 60035
  http://www.ravinia.org/
  
  

Chicago Botanic Garden

• The Chicago Botanic Garden is north of the city of Chicago in nearby Glencoe. The Garden is situated on 385 acres and includes 23 display gardens and three native habitats, nine islands bordered by lakes. The garden, like many museums, features new exhibits and houses permanent gardens as well. The website has information on activities for all types of people, including adults and children such as Nature Nights and Family Sundays. Included on the grounds are a cafe, bike trails and a shop.
  
  Chicago Botanic Garden
  1000 Lake Cook Rd.
  Glencoe, IL 60022
  www.chicago-botanic.org/
  
  

Frank Lloyd Wright Tours

• Frank Lloyd Wright is "widely regarded as America's most influential architect," according to the tour website. Wright's home is located in the charming suburb of Oak Park, which is due west of Chicago and accessible by public transportation. His house is open to tours and there are also tours of other homes he has designed. Oak Park is a walking-friendly suburb with a downtown full of shops and restaurants to visit before or after the tour.
  
  Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust
  www.wrightplus.org
  
  

Brookfield Zoo

• The Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield, Illinois, has rotating and permanent exhibits enough to fill an entire day. The exhibits available include water animals, butterflies, desert animals, the jungle. If there is a particular exhibit you'd like to see, check the "plan your day" section of the website to be sure it is not experiencing any temporary closures. Most days the zoo opens at 9 a.m. and stays open until 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., depending on the day of the week and the season. Prices vary based on age, time of year and if you or your traveling companions are interested in any special exhibits. The Zoo is only 14 miles west from Chicago and offers parking.
  
  8400 31st St.
  Brookfield, IL 60513-1064
  www.brookfieldzoo.org
  
  

Six Flags Great America

• Six Flags Great America is an amusement park and water park located in Gurnee, Illinois. The park offers a number of roller coasters, water slides, musical acts, food and other amusement park favorites, including two special portions of the park dedicated to children which are known as Wiggles World and Bugs Bunny National Park. As of 2009, general admission tickets for adults are $54.99 and $34.99 for children under 48 inches tall. However, the website offers a $20 discount if tickets are purchased online. Parking is an additional cost at $15.
  
  1 Great America Parkway
  Gurnee, IL 60031
  www.sixflags.com