Chicago’s North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau

City Life Elevated

Chicago’s North Shore is the perfect base for a trip to Chicago. Bordering the city along the shores of Lake Michigan, the North Shore is equally close to downtown Chicago and O’Hare International Airport. And baseball fans will be glad to hear that the North Shore’s Evanston and Skokie hotels are closer to Wrigley Field than downtown Chicago hotels, and is easily reached via CTA train. Wander through more than 27 beautiful gardens at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. Also check out the lovely gardens dotted with fountains at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette. It’s the oldest surviving Bahá’í temple in the world and the only one in North America. Welcoming people of all faiths, the Bahá’í is open daily for personal prayer.

Take a guided walking tour through the scenic campus of the world-renowned Northwestern University in Evanston. Or catch a Northwestern University Wildcats Big Ten football or basketball game. Northwestern University is located right on Lake Michigan, so be sure to explore the popular Evanston lakefront.

Music, comedy, and dance enthusiasts will want to see a show at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. The Center is also home to the award-winning Northlight Theatre. In the summer, catch a concert at Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, where shows featuring big name entertainers are best enjoyed with a picnic on the lawn.

The Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie is the third-largest Holocaust Museum in the world. Explore interactive exhibits that include the holographic Survivor Stories Experience. Kohl Children’s Museum in Glenview makes learning fun with hands-on exhibits that include a grocery store and veterinarian’s office. Children can also make music, create art, and much more.

The City of Evanston is also home to the Evanston History Center housed in the Charles Gates Dawes House, the Halim Time and Glass Museum showcasing a magnificent collection of 1,100 exquisite timepieces and more than 30 stained glass window masterpieces by renowned artists that include Tiffany and the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian. Evanston has a thriving Arts Community with year-round activations produced by Evanston Made.

Westfield Old Orchard in Skokie houses more than 140 brand name stores, as well as restaurants and a posh movie theaters. The Glen Town Center, a lifestyle mall in Glenview, features specialty shops and eateries unique to the North Shore. Or do some shopping in the charming towns of Evanston, Winnetka, Wilmette, Northfield and Glencoe. Spend the day strolling tree-lined streets that are home to one-of-a-kind boutiques and art galleries, along with locally owned restaurants.