If you want a unique and educational experience, visit Morton Arboretum. Known as the classroom with no walls, Morton Arboretum offers various exhibits, activities, events, and programs that allow you to explore and learn about its impressive collection of trees, shrubs, and other plants worldwide. Morton Arboretum is a magnificent oasis of beautiful landscapes and trees that cater to everyone. You can take a quiet stroll or go on an active family adventure by exploring the 16 miles of hiking trails, award-winning Children's Garden, and Maze Garden. Additionally, Morton Arboretum strives to provide an excellent visitor experience, ensuring optimal entry when you arrive on-site. The exhibitions connect guests and trees through art, sensory experiences, and education, making it a great place to visit for all ages.
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.
The Christkindlmarket Chicago is a traditional holiday market that offers a unique shopping experience, family-friendly events, and intercultural activities. It is considered the most authentic of its kind outside of Europe. The market combines beloved German and European traditions with local charm and international flair. It draws inspiration from the 16th-century Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, which was one of the first outdoor markets of its kind. The Christkindlmarket is well-known for its high-quality gifts and food, holiday cheer, and ability to create lasting family memories. The German-style outdoor market has become so popular that it has expanded to several locations in Illinois and Wisconsin. The Christkindlmarket offers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, lively entertainment, and a variety of original food and beverages, such as imported mulled wine from Germany called Glühwein. In 2022, it was ranked number three worldwide and number one outside of Europe by Big 7 Travel, and it has been recognized as one of the best Christmas markets. The Chicago Tribune, Choose Chicago, and Chicago Magazine have all mentioned the Christkindlmarket as a popular and preferred destination.
If you're interested in print photography's art, beauty, and cultural importance, the Museum of Contemporary Photography is a must-visit destination. It is the only photography museum in the Midwest, and it boasts a collection of over 7,000 pieces from renowned photographers such as Ansel Adams, Harry Callahan, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Irving Penn, and Julia Margaret Cameron. Founded in 1984 by Columbia College Chicago, the museum's collection showcases American photography from the 20th century and beyond. The collection features prints in various formats, including gelatin-silver prints, color work, digital pieces, photograms, and other processes.