Day 1:
Glencoe, Skokie
Start with breakfast at Hometown Coffee & Juice in downtown Glenview. Whether you fancy a Hometown Toast – Avocado, Garden Caprese or Apple Almond – or a Bagel Melt, Smoothie, Espresso or Cold Pressed Juice, you can find it all at the best spot for a modern breakfast.
After breakfast, head west in Glencoe to the Chicago Botanic Garden, the 5th largest public garden in the U.S., which has outdoor fun for the family! The Grand Tram Tour, open through late fall, lets you relax through a 2.3-mile narrated tour of the garden’s highlights including the Japanese Garden and spectacular views of the 81 acres of the water spaces. Don’t miss Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns where more than 1,000 hand-carved pumpkins—some as large as 150 pounds—will light up the night at this Halloween event. Lightscape returns mid-November to early January, a holiday event which sold out last year. Experience a captivating world of light, color, and sound. Walk through the sparkling Cathedral of Light, watch lights glimmer and dance, and tune in to the playful choir of singing trees.
Less than one mile away is Northbrook Court, a spectacular indoor shopping center boasting Neiman Marcus, H&M, Sephora and many favorite retailers. Tucked in the north end of the center is Di Pescara which specializes in fresh, meticulously selected seafood, hand rolled sushi, and a satisfying range of Italian and global specialties.
No visit to Chicago’s North Shore is complete without time spent at the Illinois Holocaust Museum, the largest in the Midwestern United States. The museum, located in Skokie, brings a unique cultural experience where visitors can explore important issues of tolerance. The groundbreaking Take a Stand Center allows visitors to experience interactive galleries, including The Survivor Stories Experience which utilizes three-dimensional interactive technology and allows guests to ask Holocaust survivors questions and receive personal responses. Check out the current exhibitions at the museum.
Harken back to an old school supper club, and near the museum relax with a cocktail and peruse EJ’s Place’s menu of prime aged steaks and chops, pristine seafood, and traditional homemade Italian specialties. It's a North Shore favorite with exemplary service. Skokie’s first brewery, Sketchbook Brewing Company, is worth the stop to see their new space in a reclaimed industrial building and taste one of their renowned ales with great names such as Honeybird Pale Ale, Pinky Sweater, Orange Door, Night Game and Snowy Owl, to name a few.
After your delicious and beyond filling – but in a good way – dinner and nightcap, it’s time to get some rest! You are just steps away from the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. A warm chocolate chip cookie welcomes you and an even warmer reception from an attentive staff following the strictest health and safety protocols. The spacious guest rooms feature comfortable Sweet Dreams beds, flat screen TVs and complimentary wireless Internet access. Brought your swimsuit and goggles? The hotel features an indoor-outdoor pool and fitness center. Stop by Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center for late night or early outdoor shopping the next day!