Chicago’s wonderful Brookfield Zoo is right up there with the top zoos in the country, including the San Diego, the Smithsonian National Zoo in DC, Zoo Miami, the Columbus Zoo, and the St. Louis Zoo, frequently rated the best in the US. Not only is Brookfield one of the country’s best ...

Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm, a family-owned farm in the Chicago suburbs, holds a fun, festive annual fall event each autumn. This popular local favorite, which has been going strong for over 40 years, has been voted “Best Pumpkin Farm in Chicago” by viewers of My Fox Chicago. I ...

Little Red School House is one of my favorite places to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Located just 20 minutes outside of Chicago, this hiking and nature area is easily accessible for a weekday or weekend outing. There are 2 nicely shaded trails here: The White Oak Trail and the Black ...

Lake Katherine is a scenic nature preserve located in Palos Heights, just a half hour or so from downtown Chicago. This beautiful recreation area includes a walking path, gardens, an arboretum, and a waterfall. Mike & I got up early one morning during our Chicago trip as we knew crowds would ...