Find out how to Spend Those Indoor Weather Days
Embrace the pitter-pat of raindrops and the cold and snowy season, because you may still find cheer on a dreary-seeming day. Chase the grey away with an overdue visit to world-class museums and theatrical gems. You’ll be able to dig into some nifty (and covered) sections of Chicago Botanic Gardens, pick up a best-seller or try your hand at a brand new art project. The children have oodles to do, too, from rocks and turtles to movies and games. Encounter more ways to play indoors with events across the North Shore.
Illinois Holocaust Museum, Skokie
Discover Museum Treasures
Beautifully-curated exhibits are a North Shore specialty where you may experience the lives of others through history, art, and culture. A visit to the world-class Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center (9603 Woods Dr., Skokie) is a must. “Meet” a Survivor within the interactive holographic theater and ask them questions on what life was like before, during, and after the Holocaust. With 6,000+ artworks in its holdings at Northwestern University, Block Museum of Art (40 Arts Circle Dr., Evanston) stages terrific special exhibitions together with its in-house cinema. Mitchell Museum of the American Indian (3001 Central St., Evanston) shines a light-weight on the histories, cultures, and humanities of Indigenous people from the U. S. and Canada.
North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie
Enjoy Live Theater
One splendid distraction from soggy weather is letting storytellers whisk you away. Step into Oil Lamp Theater’s (1723 Glenview Rd., Glenview) homey lobby — which sports a full bar with complimentary cookies — and catch events corresponding to their Speak Easy Nights. Home to Northlight Theatre, Music Theater Works, Music of the Baroque, and more, the double theater complex at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts (9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie) showcases entertainment spanning quite a few genres and styles. Northlight Theater (9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie) stages tales from timely world premieres to refreshed classics as considered one of the biggest nonprofit theatres around. Writers Theatre (325 Tudor Ct., Glencoe) boasts a national popularity for excellence of their state-of-the-art architectural gem. The intimate surrounds of Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre (721 Howard St., Evanston) wow with cabaret revues and critically-acclaimed musicals from Jacques Brel to The Bridges of Madison County.
Booked, Evanston
Get Lost in a Book
Stormy days are also meant for curling up with a very good book. Rating a stack from Booked (506 Predominant St., Evanston) where youthful readers of all ages discover a curated choice of recent titles and classics. Weekly story times and meetup groups snuggle between creator and illustrator events, release parties, and movie or D&D nights. Nestled into their two-floor location, Bookends & Beginnings (1620 Orrington Ave., Evanston) stocks recent, used, and bargain books and unique gift items together with book launches, cookbook events, and informal book talks (benefit from the minibar Wed.-Sat., 5:00 to eight:00 pm). At The Book Stall (811 Elm St., Winnetka), acclaimed independent shopkeepers attract book lovers for a novel range of titles and subjects. Readings, signings, and discussions fill the calendar together with regular Saturday morning story time for the youngsters.
Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Nurture Your Creativity
Get your creative juices flowing with a stroll through The Greenhouses at Chicago Botanic Garden (1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe; double-check open dates/hours on the web site first). Their Learning Center has classes in art, crafts, and garden-related endeavors from Autumn Photography and Beeswax Crafting to weekly cooking events. Evanston Art Center (1717 Central St., Evanston) offers progressive instruction in broad areas of arts through classes, exhibitions, and interactive activities which are cozy for any skill level. Learn watercolors, pastels, etching, and more at North Shore Art League (620 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka) where you may evolve your process in many various media whether you might be a brand new or seasoned student.
Superdawg Drive-In, Wheeling
Keep the Kids Busy
Greater than just an awesome store, Dave’s Right down to Earth Rock Shop (711 Predominant St., Evanston) has a Pre-historic Life Museum with fossils from every geological time period going all the way in which back some three-billion years ago! Watch turtles at The Grove (1421 Milwaukee Ave., Glenview) within the engaging Interpretive Center stuffed with exhibits of native animals. Educational opportunities like Habitats and Life Cycles, Ecosystems, and Animal Adaptations compliment the 145 acres of nature preserve with trails. Make your stop for eats far more fun at Superdawg Drive-In (333 S. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling), the classic drive-in where automobile hops bring Chicago-style dogs, fries, and milkshakes right to your window.
Pinstripes, Northbrook
Bring Your A Game
Ignite Gaming Skokie (8125 Skokie Blvd., Skokie) is the premier modern gaming lounge with PC and console favorites to spar with family and friends. Book your lane at Pinstripes (1150 Willow Rd., Northbrook) within the bowling alley or bocce courts. Two-Fer Tuesday gets you a free hour of play for each hour purchased while kids love their Mac & Cheese, Buttered Noodles, Pizza, and Root Beer Floats. Read Aloud (Story Time), Science Sleuths, Art Adventures, and Tinkering captivate on the Kohl Children’s Museum (2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview) together with hands-on exhibits for kids as much as eight years old. Take a look at the movie schedule at Wilmette Theatre (1122 Central Ave., Wilmette) for the most recent recent releases and old favorites, corresponding to Frozen and Back to the Future.
