Travel Inspirations

The Chicago Southland: Just Beyond the City Limits
Just Beyond the City Limits of Chicago, rests the south and southwest suburbs known as the Chicago Southland. The Chicago Southland is a convenient and affordable destination bursting with outdoor recreation, major attractions, fine dining, lodging and shopping. With interst...

10 Hidden Gems of the Chicago Southland
There are absolutely a massive number of things to see and do in the Chicago Southland’s 60 communities. Many are well known and easy to spot, where you’ll join the crowd to get a look and explore. Others are quieter, less crowded or off the beaten path &nda...

12 Must Shop Sites
Looking forward to some retail therapy while spending time in the Chicago Southland? These are some places you won’t want to miss: Conservatory Vintage & Vinyl, Flossmoor (ConservatoryVintageandVinyl.com) If you’re a lover of all things vintage, you must ...

6 Downtowns You'll Dig
Many of the suburbs within the Chicago Southland have defined centers of town, with a significant structure as a focal point and/or main street of historic buildings, quaint shops and more that make for a pleasant destination to spend a day. Each one of our communities has s...

9 Kid-Friendly Must-Do Activities
1. BRAIN BUSTERS Learn what it was like growing up on a farm during the Great Depression and the early post-war period (1930-1955) when visiting Stellwagen Farm in Orland Park (OrlandPark.org). The 60 acres still has descendants from the Stellwagen family working on the f...

ABCs of Chicago Southland Family Fun
A is for Attractions - From family fun centers to horse shows to sporting venues, you’ll find a fun activity for anyone! B is for Bicycling - The Chicago Southland boasts miles of cycling trails and the Big Marsh Bike Park. C is for Carnival - Thro...

All Hands on Deck
There’s nothing more frustrating to a little one than being able to look at something cool and not be able to touch it or play with it. When you spend time in the Chicago Southland, you’ll find places where kids can get in and enjoy what’s in front of them ...

All Things Irish
If you want to feel Irish, but stay in the states, grab a Guinness in Chicago Southland at J.J. Kelley’s in Lansing, or The Carraig Irish Pub located next to Chicago Gaelic Park, an Irish athletic and cultural center in Oak Forest. St. Patrick’s Day is more than ...

Axe Throwing
Tap your inner warrior and try out the thrilling activity of axe throwing! There are a few places in the Chicago Southland that offer an opportunity to try it out, hone your skills or release some stress.   Axeplosion Axe Throwing Lounge, Orland Park This famil...

Be Kool & Bring the Gang to Celebrate These Anniversaries
2024 is an enormously special year for a variety of Chicago Southland communities, which will be celebrating milestone anniversaries. While each of these wonderful communities will have special celebrations, final details are still pending. Happy 75th anniversary to the V...

Celebrate the Diverse Heritages of the Chicago Southland
The Chicago Southland is a true melting pot of diverse ethnic backgrounds and loves to celebrate its history with parades and festivals. Here is a sample of the many ethnic celebrations in the Chicago Southland. Irish Heritage Everyone knows about the rich history of t...

Chicago Southland Bucket List
Did you know having a bucket list is mandatory in life? Yes, MANDATORY!! Okay, maybe we’re going a little overboard, but shouldn’t everyone dream about a bucket list and start living it? For those of you visiting the Chicago Southland or residents who haven&rsquo...

Chicago Southland International Film Festival
The sixth annual Chicago Southland International Film Festival (CSIFF) is taking place in April 2024 and will showcase independent filmmakers with diverse perspectives. With core values of inclusiveness, diversity and promoting quality of life, the CSIFF supports an atmosphe...

Chicago Southland, To-A-T
In 2020, the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau launched its “To a T” campaign to highlight some of the Chicago Southland’s most popular attractions in four categories: trails, trains, tunes and taprooms. A few clicks on our official “...

Clue or Red Herring?
Do you thrive under pressure? Do you enjoy playing games and solving puzzles? Do you think you’re wise enough to use your mind to break out of an escape room? Well, the Chicago Southland has plenty of places to bust your brain in hopes of escaping DANGER!! Crisis Ro...

Crete Art Trail
Ready to become a trailblazer? Explore the brand-new Crete Art Trail, a blend of art galleries, murals and businesses that showcase local artists and their creations. Sponsored by Evil Horse Brewing Company, the Crete Art Trail consists of the world-renowned Lotton Art ...

Crozehead Cooperage: A One-of-a-Kind Attraction in Monee, Illinois
Crozehead Cooperage and Whiskey Experience is one of only 26 cooperages in the country, the only one in Illinois and the only one in the U.S. that is veteran owned. Loren Buchmeier has worked toward building this business on his boyhood farm, offering a unique whiskey experi...

Embracing the Arts
Life is better when we surround ourselves with beautiful things that awaken and excite our senses. Sights and sounds uplift us and inspire us. In the Chicago Southland, the arts explode - bringing us elevated awareness and peaceful harmony in everything from performances to ...

Family Fun For All
When you're got a family full of varying ages to occupy, it can be hard to find activities to satisfy everyone. It’s not a problem in the Chicago Southland where we've got family fun galore at a number of family fun centers and cool venues. In fact, your bigges...

Four Seasons, Four Agendas
Looking to spend a weekend in the Chicago Southland? There’s so much to see and do no matter the season. We’ve done the work for you and put together a fun, weekend list of itinerary ideas for each season. IN THE WINTER Saturday: Rent snowshoes at Plu...

Free And Fun Family Things To Do
There’s family fun at every turn in the Chicago Southland, but planning an itinerary with the kiddos can get expensive. Here we offer ten fun family things to do that won’t cost you a dime. 1) Nature Centers Take time to visit one of the area nature centers t...

Free and Fun Things to Do in the Chicago Southland
1. EXPLORE the 42,169 acres of the Forest Preserves of Cook County, the largest forest preserve district in the country, that run throughout the Chicago Southland. 2. BIKE the 22-mile Old Plank Road Trail through the Chicago Southland. 3.EXPLORE&nbs...

Fun Times for the Family
When you’ve got a family full of varying ages to occupy, it can be hard to find activities to satisfy everyone. It’s not a problem in the Chicago Southland, where we’ve got family fun galore at a number of family fun centers and cool venues. In fact, your b...

Get Outside The Gallery!
When you think of artistic attractions, your mind may go toward art galleries and indoor exhibits, but the Chicago Southland has its share of art displayed in public places - sculptures and statues, murals and memorials in view to be admired. An eclectic and diverse colle...

Girls’ Weekend Getaway
We all know girls just want to have fun, but women also want choices when traveling together. Where to eat, drink, shop and unwind? Are you in an artsy mood or more of a scream-your-favorite-song-at-the-top-of-your-lungs kind of mood? Whether you want a fancy girls’ ge...

Hangout Spots For All
Keep Calm and Comic On: Comic Book and Retail Stores 3 Keys Comics, Crete All American Comic Shop, Evergreen Park Alternate Reality, Inc., Chicago Amazing Fantasy Books & Comics, Frankfort  Closet Collectibles, Crete Comic Asylum, Worth Elsewhere Comics &am...

Have a WILD time!
What makes a good trip a great trip? Seeing some beautiful animals along the way. The Chicago Southland is home to some animal-related attractions and hosts some pet-related events that will have you oohing and awwing at the cuteness. Brookfield Zoo Chicago is one sp...

Have Pet, Will Travel
Pet lovers can attest to how hard it is to leave their furry, scaled or feathered friends behind while traveling. With over 20 hotels in the Chicago Southland that allow owners to bring their pets along, traveling with your buddy is becoming much easier. Here are the area ho...

Hear It Live!
From big names to local acts, hear live music on stage at several venues in the Chicago Southland. SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview hosts a number of music festivals each season. The outdoor amphitheater in Country Club Hills is a great place to enjoy up-and-coming and...

Hidden Gems
Sometimes the most incredible experiences come not from visiting the largest, well-known tourist spots, but from some of the off-the-beaten path locales or smaller, more obscure venues. Such places aren’t as obvious and might be a little out of the way, but the extra e...

Holiday Markets
Is there anything more magical than the holiday season? Capture some of that magic at some of the annual holiday events in the Chicago Southland. Go to VisitChicagoSouthland.com/Events for dates and details. HOLIDAY CRAFT & VENDOR SHOW, Founders Community Center, Fran...

I Do Venues
Everyone has their own version of a “dream wedding.” The ideal place to say your vows and commemorate the occasion with a reception varies from couple to couple. For some, it’s on a beach in a tropical location. It might mean an outdoor setting with lots of...

Illinois Made
The Illinois Made program was created to recognize the makers, creators and artisans who help craft Illinois by hand. These makers inspire visitors and Illinois residents to discover more about the state by experiencing the passion that makes it thrive. The Chicago Southland...

Indoor Fun
In the Midwest, we never know what the weather is going to throw at us, so you need a good, short list of fun, indoor attractions to visit when outdoor fun isn’t in the cards. So, tuck this list away for a rainy, snowy or wintry day. Climb On Rock Gym, Homewood T...

Mancationing in the Chicago Southland
Men, it's time to ditch the thoughts of a romantic weekend getaway or antiquing and start planning your Mancation to the Chicago Southland with plenty of access to beer, golf and cigars! Grab your clubs, best caddy shack references and head to one of our 34 golf cours...

Need for Speed
Do you feel the need, the need for speed? Do you ever break into “Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer, GO!” while driving on the highway? Do you have the inability to drive 55? Do you like to live life in the fast lane (surely makes you lose your mind!...

Now That You're Here
No matter what brings you to the Chicago Southland, there are plenty of unique things to see and do that’ll maximize your visit. Now that you’re here, you can… Unplug for the weekend. Break away from the monotony by visiting one of the Chicago Sou...

Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Easily accessible by air, rail or expressway, the Chicago Southland also has attractions and events related to those modes of transportation. Aviation history, train viewing platforms and organized rides on some of America’s oldest roads can be part of your experience ...

Public Art is Everywhere in the Chicago Southland
Murals Richard Haas Mural Collection In addition to a unique and quaint downtown area, Homewood now boasts the largest collection of Richard Haas murals anywhere in the world. Haas, a world-renowned painter specializing in large, hyper-realistic art that creates the illu...

Railfanning in the Chicago Southland
Railfans love the Chicago Southland for its plurality of railfan spots! From double diamonds to the Pullman National Monument, a brewpub in an old Illinois Central rail station and one of the only places to see a double wye junction in the country, the Chicago Southland has ...

Road Trippin'
There’s nothing quite like a road trip. Whether you’re visiting from near or far, with friends or family, the Chicago Southland has the perfect road trip for you and your travel companions. Check out the incredible local restaurants and one-of-a-kind attractions,...

Seasonal Activities
Every season brings new opportunities for adventure in the Chicago Southland. Whether you like snow or sun, there is fun in your future. Here are some seasonal activities to try out: Winter Try out some snowshoes, watch an ice sculptor create winterart and enjo...

Serenity Will Find You If You Seek It
If practicing forgiveness isn’t your thing and you’re looking for the best places to find “serenity now,” don’t bottle up your emotions. Get out and take a deep breath at these places of Zen in the Chicago Southland. Lake Katherine Nature Cen...

Shop Til You Drop
Don’t ever let anyone tell you that shopping isn’t a legitimate hobby. There are plenty of communities with downtown business districts, malls and shops to peruse in search of that special something. So, put on your shopping shoes and get out there. Swap O Ram...

Something to love about each Chicago Southland community
Alsip – Shopping from hundreds of vendors at the huge Swap-O-Rama Flea Market that takes place on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays Beecher – Enjoying fine dining at a former stagecoach stop that dates back to 1863, The Princess Cafe Blue Island &ndash...

Supernatural Sites
The Chicago Southland is no stranger to haunted hot spots and local legends. With a long and colorful history, it’s no surprise that hitchhiking ghosts, abandoned cemeteries, historic haunts and other spine-chilling tales call the Chicago Southland region home. Here ar...

The Fun of STEM
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math sound like serious subjects, but they can also be quite entertaining. Kids with an interest in STEM subjects will find that in the Chicago Southland, we also bring a lot of fun to the table through hands-on exhibits, events and progr...

Time After Time
Whether it’s for their monetary value, additions to a personal collection or just plain old nostalgia, people of all ages love antiques. The Chicago Southland is home to several antique and vintage stores, perfect for satisfying the thrill of nabbing your next perfect ...

Top 20 Things To See & Do
Planning a getaway can be stressful. Where to go and what to do are pretty daunting questions that stump even the most seasoned traveler. Good thing we have compiled a list of the top 20 things to see and do to make your time in the Chicago Southland worthwhile. 1. Sit i...

Top Roadside Attractions
Roadside attractions are found throughout the Chicago Southland. These odd, and sometimes hilarious, travel destinations catch your eye and beg you to stop and Instagram your newest discovery. Next time you find yourself taking a selfie next to Frankenstein at Haunted Trails...

Train Towns
The Chicago Southland has a great advantage in offering public transportation via train for those commuting to the city, and it has produced great shopping and dining communities near its stations. Serving more than 100 northeast Illinois communities throughout six counties,...

YOLO: Thrill Seekers Welcome
Some travelers like to take it easy and find quiet and relaxing spots to spend their time on the road. For others who prefer the complete opposite, there are many ways in the Chicago Southland to tap into your inner adrenaline junkie. Get ready for the signature activity ...

You Can Drive 25
Visiting a new area always has a level of excitement. Around every corner there are new things to see and do, great festivals to attend and attractions to visit. Even though the Chicago Southland has all of that in spades, we still thought it might be nice to point out a few...