Relax & Recharge on Chicago’s North Shore

Hustle and bustle wearing you down? You deserve a break. And the North Shore provides every perk you need for cultivating more rest and relaxation in your life. Recharge with quality time outside, book a restorative treatment session, or treat yourself to something special. Whatever therapeutic flavor you favor, you’ve got Things to Do on Chicago’s North Shore.

 

River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook

Begin Your Day with Inner Peace
Take to the Forest Preserves early for calm connecting. Self-guiding trails through Sugar Maple woods surround the River Trail Nature Center (Northbrook) where you can greet an owl or attend an illuminating free workshop. Fortify your fresh-air morning with the warm, delightful community space at Soul Good Coffee (Skokie) for tasty, ethically-sourced coffee and tea and a tempting pastry or savory snack. Best to maximize your wellbeing and get centered with a bliss-activating class or private yoga therapy experience at Heaven Meets Earth Yoga (Evanston).
 

Backlot Coffee, Evanston

Chill with Fresh Flavors and Fresh Air
Bright and breezy Backlot Coffee (Evanston) sits across from a pretty park so you can enjoy freshly-brewed coffee and pastries made in-house (vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options) out under the trees. Curative sustenance secured, head north to chill out in 145 acres of woodland, prairie and natural wetlands across the Grove National Historic Landmark (Glenview). Trails and an Interpretive Center offer sightings and info about native animals while the historic Kennicott house takes your mind back in time to imagine the family who settled there in 1836.
 

Skokie Lagoons, Winnetka

Time for Playtime
Skokie Lagoons (Winnetka) celebrate all the refreshing aspects of water. Pick any point of the 894-acre prime destination for some R&R on or around these gorgeous waterways. You can BYO-boat, rent a kayak or canoe, fish, bike, hike or hang out at one of the many pretty picnic spots. After fun in the sun, bring a buddy or three to Pinstripes (Northbrook) and compare bowling or bocce skills in this lively, cosmopolitan playground. Their full-service, from-scratch Italian/American bistro and bar brightens your bunch from brunch to Happy Hour.
 

Glencoe Beach, Glencoe

Get a Healthy Glow Going
Precious little lifts our spirits better than beach time. Lake Michigan sets the stage beautifully along the string of beaches restorative for strolling along a lakeside path or swimming among gentle waves admiring that magnificent view. Fresh from basking in the sunshine, schedule a session at Skinflection (Lincolnwood) for glowing skin treatments like their rejuvenating facials, specialty Hydrafacials or the invigorating IV Happy Hour treatment. It’ll boost your energy level, as well as restore mucho hydration.
 

Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe

Pretty is as Pretty Does
As your senses take in the vast beauty of Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe), experience all the glorious colors, exotic textures and heavenly scents. You’ll forget all your worries when you meet a friend for an enjoyable workshop, stroll or bike ride to explore this extraordinary landmark. The tastebuds can catch up with lunch at Convito Café & Market (Wilmette) with a delicious entrée salad or daily crepes, paninis and flatbreads. Set in rejuvenated Plaza del Lago, the popular Spanish-style shopping haven, soothes with its the scenic lakefront-adjacent setting.