You will not run out of things to do in the Downers Grove/Chicago area. There are fun activities for kids of all ages, and an exceptional variety of world-class museums and attractions. Take a Chicago Architecture Tour on the Chicago River, or see the expanse of the midwestern plains area (at least it seems like it, on a clear day) by heading up to the observation towers of some of the tallest skyscrapers in the country.
For a peek into the local history of the area, make sure to visit the Downers Grove Park District Museum. In a historic home and barn building of village founders, this small museum highlights what life was like before modern technology and conveniences, and showcases many exhibits giving you insight into the founders of the community. There are pretty picnic grounds, and this is a great place to spend a little time before you explore the great Downers Grove/Chicagoland area.
The Chicago area boasts two amazing zoos. Brookfield Zoo is just a 25-minutes drive from Downers Grove, and is famous for its ape and chimpanzee exhibit, as well as its realistic and comfortable environs for the animals from around the world. The Lincoln Park Zoo, just north of downtown Chicago, is adjacent to the lovely and large Lincoln Park, home of music and food festivals that are first-rate.
Art lovers can spend days at the Chicago Art Institute, located on the shores of Lake Michigan, and boasting an immense collection of modern, Renaissance, Impressionist, and abstract art including pieces by Monet, O’Keeffe, Picasso, Rembrandt, Lautrec, Gauguin and many, many more. Make sure to visit the furniture gallery, with historic and contemporary art as furniture, and the hallway of medieval armor.
On the south side of Chicago, kids of all ages just love the Museum of Science and Industry. Take a ride into a “real” underground coal mine, or walk through a human heart, imagine the future in space or learn about how the human body works. This museum has rotating exhibits, so there’s always something new to see and experience. Just 50 minutes from Downers Grove, the Museum of Science and Industry is a favorite. Other fun museums include Adler Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium, located virtually next to each other, right on the shores of Lake Michigan.
If you are a music lover, check out the Ravinia Festival each summer, located in the northern suburb of
Highland Park
. From classical to modern dance, and from jazz to folk, artists from all over the world enjoy performing at Ravinia Festival, a relaxed outdoor venue where folks curl up around their blanket with dinner and wine, or a full table setting including crystal and china.
