Hit the Road for a Nearcation on Chicago’s North Shore
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Hit the Road for a Chicago's North Shore Nearcation

Hit the road for a fresh perspective — you don’t need to go far for a change of pace. Grab someone special for a road trip to remember. Stay at a hotel on Chicago’s North Shore with amenities to pamper and refresh (free WiFi, of course!). Stretch your shopping muscles in stores and stretch your actual muscles in the great outdoors. Dine out or pick up delicious curbside meals for a feast in your cushy room from nifty spots showcased here.

Travel looks a little different right now, so check with your selected hotels, restaurants, shops, and other venues for specific openings/closings and other information before planning your trip. Please stay informed and healthy; see the Restore Illinois COVID-19 Recovery Commitment.

Family Road Trip

Skokie
Stay
A shopping and dining delight of Chicago’s North Shore, Skokie offers several exceptional lodging options — all conveniently accessible. The Holiday Inn North Shore (5300 W. Touhy Ave.) is outfitted with a refrigerator, microwave, and coffeemaker in every room. You could set up your base at the all suite Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago North Shore (5201 Old Orchard Rd.) or DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Conference Center (9599 Skokie Blvd.) located across the street from Westfield Old Orchard and near the Illinois Holocaust Museum.

Do/Eat
Westfield Old Orchard (Old Orchard Rd. & Skokie Blvd.) a beautifully landscaped shopping center and hub for fashion with spacious department stores Nordstrom’s and Macy’s or specialty shops: Madewell, Zara, J.Crew, Aritzia, Apple and more. Hit up Maggiano’s Little Italy for pasta and Italian classics. Pop down the street for fresh fish dishes at Bonefish Grill (9310 Skokie Blvd.), or indulge in aged, hand-cut in house Black Angus beef steaks at Jameson’s Charhouse (9525 N. Skokie Blvd.).

L: Westfield Old Orchard, Skokie; R: Bonefish Grill, Skokie
L: Westfield Old Orchard, Skokie; R: Bonefish Grill, Skokie

Evanston
Stay
Downtown Evanston puts everything you need at your doorstep where you can cherry-pick from top-notch hotels, restaurants, shopping, and the lakefront all in strolling distance. Book a room at Hilton Garden Inn Chicago North Shore/Evanston (1818 Maple Ave.) and you can use an app to turn your phone into your room key. At the renovated Holiday Inn Chicago North-Evanston (1501 Sherman Ave.) get ready, set and road trip. Stay in style with modern ambience at Hyatt House Chicago Evanston (1515 Chicago Ave.) or the historic architecture of The Margarita European Inn (1566 Oak Ave.).

Do/Eat
Area hotels cluster around the retail center of Downtown Evanston, yet a quick mile and a half in either direction will get you to even more unique shopping options along the Main Dempster Mile and Central Street. Take your meals al fresco at dozens of tasty joints, including fresh contemporary flavors at Five & Dime (1026 Davis St.), the art of food at Found (1631 Chicago Ave.), fresh Midwestern fare from Farmhouse Evanston (703 Church St.), pub grub at Celtic Knot Public House (626 Church St.), and true Italian cuisine at La Macchina Café (1620 Orrington Ave.).

L: Celtic Knot Public House, Evanston; R: Hyatt House Chicago Evanston
L: Celtic Knot Public House, Evanston; R: Hyatt House Chicago Evanston

Glenview
Stay
Bordered by 1,131 acres of forest preserve to the east and west, Glenview is an outstanding option for a summer staycation. Book a room at Renaissance Chicago Glenview Suites Hotel (1400 Milwaukee Ave.) where its “distinctive style flirts with touches of whimsy and local history”. Every room at Courtyard by Marriott Chicago/Glenview (1801 Milwaukee Ave.) features its own patio or balcony for your morning coffee or smoothie with the sunshine or glass of wine in the evening air.

Do/Eat
From lifestyle centers to boutique shops to one of the country's largest electronics retailers, Glenview has a lot to offer. The Glen Town Center (Patriot Blvd. at Navy Blvd.) covers all your shopping and dining needs. Practice your form with some bowling and chow at Pinstripes (1150 Willow Rd., Northbrook). Definitely visit Abt (1200 N. Milwaukee Ave.) the largest electronics store in the Midwest where you can spend ages investigating cell phone accessories, BBQ grills, and every indoor and outdoor living space amenity you can dream up. Relax amid the mature oak forests and hike the trails past wetland pools at The Grove National Historic Landmark (1421 Milwaukee Ave.).

L: The Grove National Historic Landmark, Glenview; C: Renaissance Chicago Glenview Suites Hotel, Glenview; R: The Glen Town Center, Glenview
L: The Grove National Historic Landmark, Glenview; C: Renaissance Chicago Glenview Suites Hotel, Glenview; R: The Glen Town Center, Glenview

Northbrook
Stay
Filled with trees and smooth access to many North Shore treasures, pretty Northbrook hosts well-appointed hotels like Sheraton Chicago/Northbrook (1110 Willow Rd.) with its complimentary shuttle to the nearby train station and the newly-renovated Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel (933 Skokie Blvd.). The lush bedding alone at these locations will make for a dreamy vacation. Head westward to find the Hilton Chicago/Northbrook (2855 N. Milwaukee Ave.¬) situated on the banks of the Des Plaines River, and Crowne Plaza Chicago/Northbrook (2875 N. Milwaukee Ave.) with its large outdoor poolside is practically inside Allison Woods Forest Preserve.

Do/Eat
Stretch your legs and update your summer wardrobe at Northbrook Court (1515 Lake Cook Rd.) with styles from H&M, Evereve, Sephora, and more. Work up an appetite kayaking in the nearby Skokie Lagoons or peddling along a bike trail. You’ve got your pick of a range of restaurants from the fancy fish experts at Di Pescara to the classically delicious deli delights at Max & Benny's Restaurant Deli and Bakery (461 Waukegan Rd.). Or grab dinner to go and head to nearby River Trails Nature Center (entrance at 3120 Milwaukee Ave.).

L: Crown Plaza Chicago/Northbrook; R: Di Pescara, Northbrook
L: Crowne Plaza Chicago/Northbrook; R: Di Pescara, Northbrook

Wheeling
Stay
Bustling Milwaukee Avenue runs through Wheeling and mirrors the path of the Des Plaines river. Opt for a bit of luxury and lay your head on the plush beds and bedding at Westin Chicago North Shore (601 N. Milwaukee Ave.). The Hawthorne Suites by Wyndham Northbrook Wheeling (8000 Capitol Dr., Wheeling) has the added bonus of its proximity to the Chicago Executive Airport. The pet-friendly policies at both locations means you can bring your furry best friend along.

Do/Eat
Take a mini vacation to Italy and feast from a selection of culinary gems like Saranello’s Restaurant (601 N. Milwaukee Ave.) for al fresco onsite or do curbside for a picnic at nearby Potawatomi Woods (entrance at E. Dundee Rd., just east of N Milwaukee Ave.). Get in a round of golf at Traditions at Chevy Chase Country Club (1000 N. Milwaukee Ave.; no membership required).

L: Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling; C: Chevy Chase Country Club, Wheeling; R: Lynfred Winery, Wheeling
L: Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling; C: Chevy Chase Country Club, Wheeling
 

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Let’s Get Shopping: Retail Returns on Chicago’s North Shore > < Prettiest Patios on the North Shore

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