The Chicago area is blessed with intriguing greenspaces threaded throughout. I have visited nearly a hundred of them during my years here and each is quite unique. Skokie's Emily Oaks Nature Center represents one of these beautiful nature oases featuring hiking trails, a pond, a playground, and a nature center. On a cold winter day, we needed a little nature adventure and Emily Oaks Nature Center definitely fulfilled our desire for the day.
.png "Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs February 25-26, 2023")
We are gearing up for the weekend! Here are my picks for family fun in the Chicago suburbs this weekend:
Late Winter Ramble at Greene Valley Forest Preserve in Naperville, IL
Greene Valley Forest Preserve in Naperville, IL beckons visitors to explore 12 miles of trails. The 1,388-acre preserve is home to over 540 native species and protects woodlands, wetlands, and meadows. During our visit this past weekend, we admired Greene Valley Forest Preserve in winter while enjoying a 3-mile hike.
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Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs February 18-19, 2023
Thursday is here so it is time to think about the weekend! Here are my picks for local fun this weekend:
The Orchid Show: Magnified Encourages Viewing Orchids at Many Different Angles
Each year The Orchid Show at Chicago Botanic Garden heralds our march to the end of winter with brilliant, stunning blooms. This year's show, The Orchid Show: Magnified, once again dazzles with delicate yet bold and intriguing blooms while adding the ability to look at an array of blooms under the magnifying glass. Viewing the blooms from different angles truly engages curiosity and opens new worlds.
Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs February 11-12, 2023
The weekend is nearly here and this one is full of some really special events, so take a peek at my picks for Valentine's Day weekend:
A winter adventure to Niles, Michigan brought us to the delightful trails of Brandywine Creek Nature Park. An unseasonably warm February afternoon beckoned us to explore this beautiful preserve. After rambling along the creek and hiking a rolling trail, Brandywine Creek Nature Park emerged as one of our favorite Michigan preserves.
.png "Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs February 3-5, 2023")
Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs February 3-5, 2023
Happy almost weekend! There are some really great ice festivals this weekend, so hopefully you can check them out. Here are my picks for this weekend:
Chicago suburban chocolate shops tempt with an array of inventive and old school favorite chocolate treats. I love exploring the chocolate shops the suburbs have to offer and am pretty impressed by how many unique spots I have discovered. I already have a list for a few more, too! If you are looking for a new chocolate discovery, check out one or two or three of these fantastic local chocolate shops: