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Suburban delights, Chicago

McDonald's First Store Museum - Chicago
McDonald's First Store Museum
by meteorologist1
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Suburban delights: Berwyn is an Interesting Town...
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  • deecat
  • Updated By deecat on August 13, 2005
  • Chicago Page by deecat
  • Arnie Salerno's Restaurant & Pizzeria, Berwyn - Chicago
    Arnie Salerno's Restaurant &
    Pizzeria, Berwyn
    by deecat
    Today, August 12, 2005, Allan and I visited Berwyn, Illinois for the first time. We went there to check out a neighborhood and house that a friend of ours just purchased.

    We had such a good time just walking around the neighborhoods and visiting the southern part of the city. After all that walking, we decided to eat lunch and make it our meal of the day.

    We did not know anything about the restaurants in the area, so we asked a gentleman that we met on the sidewalk. He suggested Arnie Salerno's Restaurant & Pizzeria We took him up on it, and decided to give it a try. It's the NEW Arnie Salerno's Restaurant, and Arnie is one of the original owners and founder of Salerno's Restaurant. It was first opened in 1966.

    Salerno's is a typical southern Italian restaurant that uses lots of red sauce and serves large portions. It is a great place inside with a large bar, TV's for sport's fans, and a smoking and non-smoking area.

    The menu includes specialties of the house, Veal dishes, Ribs, Seafood, Chicken dishes, Sandwiches, and Pizza.

    Allan ordered the Chicken Cacciatore and was quite pleased. It was a huge order; thus, he brought home 1/2 of it. I ordered Baked Mostaccioli and asked for a smaller order. I was not too pleased. It was unlike any other baked Mostaccioli I've ever had. We both ordered the house salad, which was quite good because of the delicious Italian dressing [homemade].

    If I ever go again, I'll probably try the pizza. It's supposed to be good.

    We then went to the next town, Oak Park, which we both really loved.

    Open Monday through Thursday from ten until eleven at night.
    Friday and Saturday ten to midnight.
    Sunday from Noon to ten at night.

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  • Phone: (847)484-3400
  • Other Contact: 3248 S. Grove, Berwyn, Illinois
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    Suburban delights: Way, Way, WAY off the beaten path....
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  • pedersdottir
  • Updated By pedersdottir on February 25, 2004
  • Chicago Page by pedersdottir
  • Lake Geneva pier - Chicago
    Lake Geneva pier
    by pedersdottir
    ...in fact it's in another State!
    Visitors with a vehicle and more than just a day or two on their hands might consider taking a day trip from Chicago to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, approx. 90 minutes north of the city via the I-94 (west on WI Hgwy 50).

    The town grew up as a refuge for Chicago's elite after the Great Fire. Today it is still the resort of choice for families like the Wrigley's of chewing gum fame. "Summer cottage" is not quite the word for these Victorian palaces-with-a-view. Circle the lake and view the homes waterside from the deck of a mailboat. In summer there are several daily runs from the downtown pier. Hike or drive along the Rustic Road that wends up through the hills just west of the town. It's at its most colorful in autumn, but charming bed and breakfasts welcome visitors year-round.

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  • Website: www.lakegeneva.com
  • Other Contact: www.foliagenetwork.com
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    Suburban delights: More than just Northwestern.....
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  • pedersdottir
  • Updated By pedersdottir on February 27, 2004
  • Chicago Page by pedersdottir
  • Evanston Art Center and Lighthouse - Chicago
    Evanston Art Center and
    Lighthouse
    by pedersdottir
    Evanston is a lovely Victorian-on-the -waterfront community with miles of lakefront paths and parks.
    Just west of the water a new downtown of glass and neo-prairie style highrise apartments puts a fresh twist on what Frank Lloyd Wright began in Oak Park.
    North of NWU main campus is the last remaining lighthouse in these parts. A few blocks further north the unfolding lotus-blossom of the Bahai Temple and the beauty of its gardens will transport you. Is it any surprise that locals refer to this town as HEAVENSTON?

    Come for a virtual stroll and window shop on my Evanston page.....

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    Suburban delights: The Leaning Tower of Niles
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  • pedersdottir
  • Updated By pedersdottir on May 24, 2004
  • Chicago Page by pedersdottir
  • Galileo never stayed here - Chicago
    Galileo never stayed here
    by pedersdottir
    The Italian influence is felt in pockets all over the city. Visual reminders of la bella Italia are especially prominent in the northern suburb of Niles.

    Here is a local replica of Pisa's best known structure. It is on view daily at 6250 Touhy Avenue (between Caldwell and Lehigh) directly in front of the Leaning Tower YMCA. A brass plate to the right of the entrance compares the history and dimensions of Pisa's Bell Tower with the Niles version, which is actually a 'disguised' water tower. The nicely landscaped piazza and reflecting pools make the Tower a nice spot for a picnic or a coffee break.

    To reach it from the city, drive north on I-94 Edens Expressway. Exit at westbound Touhy and continue west approx. 2 miles.

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    Suburban delights: The Leaning Tower
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  • dlandt
  • Updated By dlandt on October 27, 2003
  • Chicago Page by dlandt
  • Suburban delights - Chicago
    by dlandt
    Never been to Pisa? Don't worry, there's a replica Leaning Tower (about 3/4 the size of the real one) just off of Touhy. Needless to say, this one isn't totally jammed with tourists and you can get a good Italian Beef across the street for chunk change. Technically, its outside the city limits, but only about 20 meters or so. Its roughly at Touhy and Caldwell, a little bit east of the intersection, you'll see it. The tower was erected as a monument to science.

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    Suburban delights: Pierogi Fest
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  • Dabs
  • Updated By Dabs on April 26, 2009
  • Chicago Page by Dabs
  • Pierogi Fest - Chicago
    Pierogi Fest
    by Dabs
    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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  • Phone: 219-659-0292
  • Website: www.whitingindiana.com
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    Suburban delights: SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA
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  • Maggies
  • Updated By Maggies on October 10, 2002
  • Chicago Page by Maggies
  • Suburban delights - Chicago
    by Maggies
    The great amusement park with plenty of rollercoasters and thill rides. It's great fun and one day is not enough if you like it (but I'm sure you do).
    It's located in Gurnee,midway between Chicago and Milwaukee.
    To see more check out Six Flags travelogue.

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    Suburban delights: Exercise for you and your DOG!!!
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  • africateach
  • By africateach on February 11, 2005
  • Chicago Page by africateach
  • Pee anywhere!!! - Chicago
    Pee anywhere!!!
    by africateach
    About an hour or so north of the city, there is a town called Gurnee. As you head towards Great America theme park, you will be able to take your furry friend for a romp! This park is huge, but very easy to miss the entrance. It has a huge lake that the dogs can go swimming in, and hiking trails the wrap around and through the park. It is a great way to let your pooch get some exercise and you some stretchin of the legs and fresh air.

    It is run by the county, and if you don't live in it, you need to pay about $5 for the day. Or you can buy a pass from the office. It is just about 100 yards down from the park on Milwaukee Rd.

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  • Phone: 847-367-6649
  • Website: www.lcfpd.org
  • Other Contact: 2000 N. Milwaukee Ave.
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    Suburban delights: Daytrip Brookfield Zoo
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  • Dabs
  • Updated By Dabs on June 12, 2006
  • Chicago Page by Dabs
  • Papa Bear - Chicago
    Papa Bear
    by Dabs
    I'm putting this in Off the Beaten path merely because it is not inside the city limits and it takes a little work to get to. But it is a much nicer and larger zoo than the Lincoln Park Zoo however there is an admission charge which Lincoln Park doesn't have.

    Plan to spend a good portion of the day here, we spent 4 hours here today and that did not include the dolphin show, butterfly garden or any other add ons. Try to get there early in the morning when the animals are most active.

    The highlight for me was the bears-there are 3 polar bears, one of which is a cub named Payton (after Walter Payton, one of the Chicago Bears football players) and two enormous brown bears and the new Wolf Habitat which has at least 5 wolves. But the rest of the zoo is also great, well laid out and as natural of a setting as they could possibly construct with lots of interactive things for the kids.

    Please see my Brookfield page for more pics and information on how to get there.

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    Suburban delights: Northwestern University
  • Tip Rating:
  • meteorologist1
  • Updated By meteorologist1 on October 21, 2003
  • Chicago Page by meteorologist1
  • Northwestern University - Chicago
    Northwestern University
    by meteorologist1
    Northwestern University is located on the north side of Chicago in Evanston. It is considered one of the best universities in the United States. The campus is located right next to Lake Michigan. The campus is very beautiful. Metra and CTA stations are nearby as well as some stores and shopping opportunities in Evanston.

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