Girlfriends’ Getaway on Chicago’s North Shore

Face it: Girls just wanna have fun! Fire up that text chain, compare schedules, and mix and match these inspiring ideas to choose your own adventure and make memories with your besties. Chicago’s North Shore is packed with flavor, fashion and plenty of places to party for a day, a weekend or more. Get ready for prime shopping, peerless dining, and exciting activities from spa luxuries to concerts to classes. You’ll find even more Things to Do on the North Shore. 

 

Artem Pop Up Gallery, Evanston

Adventure Pack 1: Exciting Evanston
All cozied up to Lake Michigan, this pretty city’s got everything you need for a glorious girls’ tour. Swing by Great Harvest Bread Co. for espressos and dreamy Cinnamon Rolls (everything baked fresh from freshly-milled 100% whole grain flour). You’ll be powered up to hit Downtown Evanston’s shopping district to catch fabulous finds at favorites like Gracie’s for fresh dresses and a new pair of earrings and cloth + home for small-batch and one-of-a-kind décor to die for. Pick an artsy, hands-on workshop at Artem Pop Up Gallery to paint porcelain mugs or make suncatchers. You’ll be ready for happy hour with tasty shareables at Le Tour Brasserie in their stylish Rose room bar and lounge.
 

Pescadero Seafood & Oyster Bar, Wilmette

Adventure Pack 2: Wonderful Wilmette
Eden’s Plaza is a terrific place to kick off a day of play where you can wander Wayfair to compare styles and score gorgeous accoutrement for your home. Nearby Chalet seconds that emotion with nature-inspired home and garden wares plus oodles of pretty bath, body and apparel goodies. Head toward the lake to One Magnificent Med Spa for restorative Hydrafacials or massages all ‘round. Fresh faces enjoy fresh seafood with lunch at Pescadero in their industrial chic oyster bar or slide into a cozy booth at Valley Lodge Tavern. Hubba-Hubba will be a perfect spot to spend an afternoon trying on the latest trends in blouses and party dresses or updating your jeans. Cap it off with the an evening at the Wilmette Theatre a movie theater that also features live comedy and music.
 

Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe

Adventure Pack 3: More of the North Shore
Picture immersing yourselves among 385 acres of beautifully lanscaped and artfully crafted gardens. Or get in a stretchy workout in one of the most beautiful places on Chicago’s North Shore. Bring your team to Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe) to enjoy a walk almong nature or a morning yoga class. Pretty mornings call for pretty lunching. Luckily close-by Guildhall (Glencoe) serves up sophisticated American fair like a red pepper gazpacho with quiche or a summer bowl bursting with flavor. Hubbard Woods Design District (Winnetka) is a must-do with more than a mile of walkable shopping tucked into this charming and historic downtown with fashion jackpots, unique art pieces and more. Wrap it all up with a wine pairing meal at Rosebud Steakhouse (Wheeling) for a true Chicago steakhouse experience with expertly-aged Black Angus cuts, along with salads, pastas and sensational sides for sharing.

Puttshack, Westfield Old Orchard, Skokie

Adventure 4: Sensational Skokie
If your team loves to shop ‘til they drop, Westfield Old Orchard (Skokie) is a must-do. Gear up and get adventurous at Puttshack, the world’s first and only upscale, tech-infused mini golf experience accented by globally-inspired food and drink with an elevated nightclub vibe. Have lunch at yummy-lively Bar Siena, fine dining steakhouse The Capital Grille, or Maggiano’s to savor Italian-American dishes inspired by Nonna’s traditional recipes. Feeling inspired, elevate your kitchen skills with a cooking class at Sur La Table. Pampering doesn’t get any better than a premier mani/pedi or restorative spa treatment at Mario Triccoci before heading to a show for drama, laughs or music at the North Shore Center for Performing Arts, the dynamic two-theater complex.
 

Fat Rosie's Taco & Tequila Bar, Lincolnwood

Adventure 5: Bookend Lincolnwood with Glenview
Jazz up an afternoon with lunchtime margaritas (House, Mango or Strawberry Jalapeño style) at Fat Rosie’s Taco & Tequila Bar (Lincolnwood). Your crew may crave the need for Skinflection’s (Lincolnwood) IV Therapy, a medical technique to boost health and wellbeing with fluids, vitamins and minerals intravenously — or with one of their restorative skincare treatments. Rejuvenated, proceed to The Glen Town Center (Glenview) for a bit of retail therapy in the specialty boutiques and favorite anchor stores situated like a quaint European town. The Grove (Glenview) deserves a spot on your itinerary to relish the fresh air as you stroll around historic landmarks or hike 180 acres of trails and history. The workout will definitely give you an appetize for classics and creative takes at Hangar Two (Glenview) with their winning combo of local craft beers and a stunning glass atrium.