Hawthorne Race Course is a venue that offers both live racing and simulcasting. It is a thoroughbred horse racetrack with a one-mile dirt oval and a seven-furlong turf oval. The homestretch on the main track is 1,320 feet long, making it one of the longest in the country. Founded in 1891, Hawthorne Race Course is the oldest sporting venue in Illinois for horse racing, considered America's original sport. The business is family-owned and operated, now in its 4th generation, and has been hosting racing events on the City's border for over a century. The track is famously known as "Chicago's hometown track." Hawthorne is also the only race course in the nation that hosts both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing. Additionally, they have the largest network of off-track betting bars in Illinois and offer two PointsBet Sportsbooks and a sportsbook at the track.
City Winery is a unique venue that offers live entertainment and a wide selection of wine in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. With a working winery on site, guests can enjoy up to 18 varieties of wine while being entertained. The venue can accommodate up to 300 guests, and each location offers a distinctive culinary and cultural experience for wine enthusiasts. City Winery has expanded to provide intimate concerts, food and wine seminars, private event spaces, upscale dining, and a fully functioning winery. Experience the charm of wine country with modern comfort and convenience in an urban setting. The performance venues are equipped with state-of-the-art acoustics provided by Meyer Sound. Before the concert, you can visit the tasting room to try a flight of wines. After the show, stop by the bar for more drinks. City Winery offers a range of functional spaces that can host a memorable night out for two or an unforgettable private event. There is something for everyone at City Winery, whether it's discovering new wines while enjoying an intimate concert or celebrating your wedding in the wine garden followed by an epic party.
If you're searching for a zoo knowledgeable about its animals, you should visit the Lincoln Park Zoo. It is one of the oldest zoos in the country and houses over 1,250 animals within its exhibits and attractions. During your visit, you will witness various animals, such as zebras, big cats, polar bears, penguins, gorillas, reptiles, monkeys, and more. Established in 1868, the Lincoln Park Zoo is rich in history. It is situated in Chicago's Lincoln Park and covers an area of 35 acres. One of the zoo's most unique features is a burr oak tree that goes back to 1830. For younger guests, the Children's Zoo and the Farm-in-the-Zoo exhibits offer hands-on experiences. Children will also enjoy the indoor play structure, while the Farm exhibit allows guests to pet animals like goats and feed the cows.
The Chicago Children's Museum offers endless opportunities for children to engage in play. They can explore a schooner, hide in a treehouse, construct a towering skyscraper, experiment with essential tools, fish in a river, create art to take home, and much more. Play is a powerful tool that promotes learning, creativity, and development. The museum is dedicated to creating a community where play and learning intersect and enhancing children's lives through these experiences. The Chicago Children's Museum has grown significantly over the last thirty years. Once located in just a few hallways of the Chicago Cultural Center, it now provides arts programs, STEM experiments, imaginative play, and other activities to more than 11 million children, parents, and caregivers.