Play Golf
Head to Bloomingdale to play golf---or take a lesson---at the Hilton Chicago/Indian Lakes Resort. The resort's Blackhawk Trace Course offers 27 premier holes and a driving range. After golf, eat at your choice of resort restaurants, including Shiraz on the Water (American and European fare); Masters Clubhouse Restaurant (appetizers, salads and sandwiches); Izzy and Moes (drinks and light bites) and the Cave Bar (drinks and bar food).
Hilton Chicago/Indian Lakes Resort
250 W. Schick Road
Bloomingdale, Illinois 60108
(630) 529-0200
indianlakesresort.com
Shopper's Heaven
Shop 'til you drop at Oakbrook Center, just a half hour from downtown Chicago. The center features lovely garden areas as well as more than 150 stores and restaurants. You'll find jewelry at C.D. Peacock, Montblanc, Movado and Bailey Banks & Biddle; home accessories at Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma and Z Gallerie; and clothes at Brooks Brothers, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. When you've worked up an appetite, stop in at one of the center's eateries that include a sushi bar, pizzeria, deli and Thai restaurant.
Oakbrook Center
100 Oakbrook Center
Oak Brook, Illinois 60523
(630) 573-0700
oakbrookcenter.com
Garden Tour
Located 25 miles outside of Chicago, the Morton Arboretum features 1,700 acres of verdant beauty. The grounds include more than 4,000 types of trees and plants, interpretive stations, hiking trails and a children's garden. When you arrive, pick up a map at the visitor's center and buy a ticket if you want to take a tram tour. Otherwise, head out on a free walking tour of your own.
Morton Arboretum
4100 Illinois Route 53
Lisle, Illinois 60532
(630) 968-0074
mortonarb.org
Wild Rides
Take the family---or have a blast yourself---at Six Flags Great America. You can spend hours seeing the live shows, going on the rides or getting soaked in the Hurricane Harbor water park. You won't go hungry at Six Flags. For light and heavier bites, eateries range from Ben & Jerry's and Coldstone Creamery to Johnny Rockets and Papa John's Pizza.
Six Flags Great America
1 Great America Parkway
Gurnee, Illinois 60031
(847) 249-4636
sixflags.com
A Day at the Races
Another fun outing is Family Day at the Arlington Race Track. On Sundays during racing season, children and parents can watch the races, enjoy pony rides, pet horses, get their faces painted and place $2 bets.
Arlington Park Race Track
2200 W. Euclid Ave.
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005
(847) 385-7500
arlingtonpark.com
About The Author
Barbara Dunlap is a freelance writer in Oregon. She was a garden editor at "The San Francisco Chronicle," and she currently specializes in travel and active lifestyle topics like golf and fitness. She received a master's degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and has been a Knight Foundation Fellow.
