Suburban delights, Chicago

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Willowbrook Park, a unit of the Forest Preserves of DuPage County is a wonderful oasis in this urban area. The rehabilitation center houses numerous animals

For more pictures see my marsh, and rehab center.

This is a hidden treasure! Located in Wilmette right off Sheridan Rd. This is one of 7 Bahai Temples in the world. One of seven!!!! Beautiful architecture and gardens, it is quite the sight to see...and no entrance fee!

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It is the "Yuppie" typified city with many of the median income level types that are commuters to downtown Chicago, in the nice homes in the burbs. They have a good city, and it continues to grow; now at around 150,000. When I came through here, it was 20,000 in 1990.
The main old town has had a lot of old buildings torn down and what is left were converted into shops and eateries and bars. It doers attract a lot of people.

The Morton Arboretum is a large park located in Lisle, off Interstate 88 on Illinois Route 53. The park has many types of trees and plants from all over the world. There are several flower gardens as well. The park is so large that it requires driving or biking. However, if you are a hiker, this park is perfect as it offers miles and miles of trails. Great place for an experience of nature and the outdoors, yet it is close to Chicago and its suburbs. An admission is charged.

2009 dates July 24-26

Located a mere 1/2 hour away from Chicago is the small town of Whiting Indiana. Held the last full weekend of July every year, Pierogi Fest is full of fun things to see and do-the Pierogi Parade, Eastern Bloc jeopardy, ethnic dancers, not to mention tons of pierogis! Pierogi Fest has received national attention appearing on cable on both the Food Network and the Travel Channel.

In 2003, fellow Vter Dave (dlandt) and his wife Miyuki came down for the festivities and in 2004 Julie (travelmad478), Sam (sambarnett) and Katja (pedersdottir) came to Whiting for the fun filled weekend! In 2005, Sam (sambarnett) dressed up as a babushka lady and marched in the parade with me and was quite a hit with the ladies ;-) 2006 brought the dynamic duo from Windsor, Hansi (Waalewiener) and Lori (LoriPori), plus Jen (Coair13) and her son Ethan (Coair19), Hansi and Ethan were a delight as babushka ladies!

Go have a look at my Whiting page for more info and some pics.

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This suburban park in Chicago is impressive. Despite its small size it is still a decent place to have family picnics, and enjoy water views plus meandering along its simple gardens. There are walking and jogging paths so it is a very pleasant place to enjoy nature without the cost and long distance travel from Chicago!

It is at : 320 Jackson Ave
Naperville, IL 60540, United States
+1 630-848-5000

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The Arboretum is a wonderful place, and I've only been there in early spring. Only a few of the spring wildflowers were making a show, trees were still bear. But a walk in the woods, a stroll around the lake, all were wonderful. The variety of life (plant life) is great. See my Lisle page, and my Morton Arboretum, Woods - east side and Labrynth - west side

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Train watching to Swedish historic community, Porter offers a variety of interest after a day of swimming and dune climbing. If you're not the picniking type, Porter has a variety of restaurants to meet you taste buds delight.

Porter Junction is the cross roads of six track lines. Here, you can watch trains passing through on an average of 1 every 6 minutes. At times, you'll find them waiting on each side of the junction, pending another train that has the right of way. Amtrak, Canadian National, Norfolk Southern, Burlington Northern & Santa Fe, and a dozen other names will pass by in a matter of an hour.

Augsburg Lutheren Church continues a tradition of Swedish memories and families in northern Indiana. The Hundren year old 'Skola', school and early cemetery area still here, as are the burial markers for the earliest families in the community.

Visit my Porter page for details and other things to do.

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Need a day away from the maddening crowds? Beverly Shores is a bedroom community for Chicago, well beyond the rush and furry of the city. Busy during the day, evening brings a quiet, solitude to the lake front. Here, you'll find small groups sitting in the sand, or splashing in the water, taking in the last hours of daylight. There will be lots of people along the beach, but plenty of space away from each other to relax and watch the sunset. This is a great sunset beach. On the right nights, you'll watch the sun set through the towers of downtown Chicago, over 20 miles (32 k) away, across the water.

Visit my Beverly Shores page for details and more things to do. Historic homes, floated across the lake from the 1933 Chicago Worlds Fair, restored wetlands, historic Lustron homes, and much more.

Described as the 'Center of the Dunes' or the Gateway to the Dunes; Chesterton, Indiana is the commecial center for the dune region. Unlike the sprawling suburbs west and north of Chicago, Chesterton is actually a small town. You'll find quaint shops and restaurants towards the historic downtown, and a modern shopping area just of the Interstate. It's a great place for picking up beach supplies or for finding something different for the kids after a busy day at the beach or climbing dunes.

For details, check out my VT page on Chesterton, Indiana.