Places to Go and Things To Do Farther Out

Blackberry Historical Farm and Pioneer Village: 591 Barnes Rd., Aurora. 892-1550. Features a replica steam train that runs through a pioneer town. Kids get unlimited pony, train, and carousel rides. Nice picnic area by the lake.

BloomingdaleOld Town: Lake St. and Bloomingdale-Roselle Rd. Unique shops in an old fashioned setting. Open 7 days a week.

Brookfield Zoo: Roosevelt Rd. east to First Ave. in Maywood, then south to the zoo, (708) 485-0263. A really great zoo! Acres and acres of open space with the animals in outdoor display areas. Free admission on certain days during the winter. See website.

DuPage Children's Museum: 301 N. Washington St, Naperville, IL 60540. Experience a museum where children and adults learn and play together in neighborhoods of hands-on exhibits designed to promtoe skill development in math, science and art.

Drury Lane: 100 Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace, (630) 530-8300. Box Office: (630) 530-0111 . Dinner theater in Oakbrook Terrace.

Fermilab: Batavia Rd west into Fermi. The world’s largest nuclear particle accelerator. Grounds contain large herd of American buffalo. Tours of the accelerator.

Fox River Trolley Museum: Rt. 31, South Elgin. (847) 357-4653 or (847) 697-4676. Ride the trolley on an authentic electric railway built in 1896. Large collection of vintage railcars on display. Special events are held throughout the year (i.e. ride the trolley to a pumpkin patch in October).

Geneva, Illinois: West of Wheaton on Roosevelt Rd. A quaint historical village along the Fox River with lots of fun shopping and quaint eateries. Check out The Little Traveler on 3rd St. for lunch and shopping.

Kane County Flea Market: : West on Rt. 64 on Randall Rd. in St. Charles. Open the first Saturday (12-5) and Sunday (7-4) of every month year round. Acres of antiques, collectibles, food and market are available in this large fairground. Admission charged, free parking.

Kohl Children's Museum: 2100 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, IL 60026, (847) 832-6600. A hands-on children's museum with changing exhibits for children ages birth to 8.

Kuipers Family Farm: Located in Maple Park. Open September-December. Over 220 acres with apple orchards, thriving pumpkin patch, a wide variety of Christmas trees, 2 gift shops and on-site bakery.

Long Grove: Rts. 83 and 53, Long Grove. Restored 19th century village settled by Germans in the 1840’s. Great shops and restaurants.

Mitchell Indian Museum: 2408 Orrington, Evanston. (847) 866-1395. American Indian art and artifacts on display.

Naper Settlement: 523 South Webster Street, Naperville. 420-6010. A living-history portrayal of 19th century community life in a museum village setting. (Near Naperville’s lovely river walk.) . Special events include a Heritage House Walk and Civil War Days in the month of May, the Circus in September, and Christmas memories featuring caroling, decoration and Charles Dickens characters in December.

Naperville Riverwalk: Located in downtown Naperville. The Riverwalk follows the DuPage River for quite a distance. A fun place to walk after shopping or dining in Naperville.

Ravinia Festival Park: Located in Highland Park. (312) 728-4642. The summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the park features outdoor concerts with pavilion and lawn seating for shows. Bring a picnic!

Six Flags Great America: I-94 at Grand Ave. Exit, Gurnee, IL. Five theme areas and dozens of thrill rides, live stage shows and shops. Special “Bugs Bunny Land” area for younger visitors with pint-sized rides and activities located within the park.

Sonny Acres: 29W310 North Ave., West Chicago, 231-3859. Farm store and seasonal activities. Features Fall Halloween Festival for children, Christmas trees in December and a flower and vegetable Farmer’s Market in the summer months. Garden planning also available.

St. Charles Paddlewheel Riverboats: 2 North Avenue, St. Charles, IL. Fifty minute sightseeing trip along the Fox River. Departs from Pottawatomie Park.

Volo Antique Auto Museum and Village: Rt. 120, Volo, IL. (815) 385-3644. Antique auto, motorcycle and carriage display. Pet farm and Street of Yester-year; free old- time comedy movies; antique auto rides on the weekends.

Wonder Works Children's Museum: 6445 W. North Ave., Oak Park 708-383-4815. Designed for kids ages 8 and younger, Wonder Works has six permanent exhibits that teach kids through play in areas like organic farming, nature, art and construction.

The Woodstock Opera House: Rt. 47, Woodstock, IL. (815) 338-5300. A 450-seat auditorium, built in 1889 and totally restored in 1977, is the home of the Woodstock Players. Concerts by subscription. Special features include the Mozart Summer Festival.