Cantigny Park is basically therapy with better landscaping…read more One of my favorite things about this place is that it somehow manages to be both incredibly family friendly and peaceful at the same time. There's tons of space for kids to run around, explore, and burn off energy without feeling crowded or chaotic. And if you need a little reset yourself, there's always a quiet corner waiting for you. Whether it's a walking path, a bench, or just a peaceful stretch of the gardens, it's one of those rare places where you can step away, clear your head, and just breathe for a while. Beautiful grounds, relaxing atmosphere, and something for everyone. I came for a walk and left feeling lighter. Cantigny really is a little escape hiding in plain sight.

A nice short trip from the city with family friendly atmosphere. Walking grounds, gardens and…read moremuseum to check out.

We came to view the Hokusai & Ukiyo-E: The Floating World exhibit at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art…read moreat the College of DuPage. Ukiyo-e means "pictures of the floating world," and this art style features scenes from everyday 17th - 19th-century Japan, like entertainment, kabuki, geisha, etc. This style had an impact on the Impressionists like Van Gogh. This exhibition has the debut of the Chiossone Collection, 53 paintings and woodblock prints of ukiyo-e. Prior to this exhibit, the only ukiyo-e artwork that I would have been familiar with is the famous "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" by Hokusai. But this exhibit "rides the wave," creating an immersive and multifaceted experience. Not only do you learn about other artists and their works, you can see original paintings and prints, walk-through an Edo-era street, visit an immersive manga/anime exhibit in "2D", make your own print, visit a garden and more. It was a little confusing how to enter the the historical exhibit (we weren't the only ones), but the info is presented in a very approachable way. That Hokusai, what a character -- He changed his name 30 times, He hated to clean so when his living quarters were messy -- he moved -- 93 times! The manga/anime exhibit was very fun -- with the 2D artwork panels created by the 2D restauranteurs. I was also impressed by the many events planned throughout DuPage county -- so many towns participating. The gift shop items were great! The only thing -- we came on a weekday and only ramen and hotdogs were available -- other items available on the weekend. In any case, I was quite impressed with the exhibit -- and I would recommend it for all ages.

I've been here many times through the years for exhibitions. Andy Warhol, Frieda. This one was…read moreHokusai. Beautifully curated display. Many interactive stations. After each area, you stamped a booklet that corresponds with the art displayed. The staff are knowledgeable & friendly. We came on a Wednesday after 2:30 and the price was discounted.

I wish I could give the Wade Center 10 stars on Yelp! It's an over-the-top experience to visit and…read moreget a full tour if you're a CS Lewis and/or JRR Tolkien fan! This museum and library is located right on the Wheaton College campus. Currently (September 2022), a meditation garden is being landscaped outside of the back exit, the design of which is inspired by "The Hobbit." My hubby and I have taken so many out-of-town guests here, and recently some local relatives who had never been! Each time I join a tour, I learn something new. The tour guides and staff are so learned!

I heard about this place through Roadside America and am so glad I went. It was amazing to see…read moreTolkien's desk (on which The Hobbit and parts of the Silmarillion were written), C.S. Lewis's desk, and his wardrobe... yes, THAT wardrobe. The staff are so friendly and were kind enough to take pictures of me with the objects. No admission cost!

The museum is free and a nice place to stop in if you have kids and are walking around downtown…read moreWheaton. They have a charming train display on the lower level that children tend to love! The main floor focuses on local Illinois history. It's a small place, and the upper level is currently under construction, but being free makes it well worthwhile even as they spruce things up.

All of you that took pictures inside should be ashamed of yourselves. It's clearly posted…read morethroughout, now go sit in the corner for 10 minutes and reflect on your rebellious nature. Ok, so first of all it's free. But, you can make donations ($4 is "suggested") I like places like this and was happy to make a donation. The building is cool, it was built by John Quincy Adams (distant relative to the former President) as a Library, he lived across the street and gifted this wonderful building to the community. Why only 3 stars you ask? I wanted to click 4 stars.. but when it said "Yay! I'm a fan." I just couldn't. I'm glad that I went once, but that was enough. Many of the displays are specific to only a few families that have made extensive donations of items, this is cool except that I was looking for more specific information on the formation of the towns throughout the county. Also, maybe some juicy gossip.. like the stuff about the how Wheaton became the County Seat.. or how the towns were named.. etc.. and maybe some founder's pictures. The first room on the left is the main exhibit (and to me most interesting) There are some nice period pieces of clothing and family pictures. Quite a bit of information about the trains (and the stations and architects) that run through DuPage County and the Illinois Prairie Path that took some of their places. I spent the most time in this room. It's easy to walk by, but when you first enter the museum, on the right is a display about the building worth looking at.. pictures of the museum going back to the horse and buggy days.. almost missed that because we were engaged with the people at the desk right away. (very friendly) I didn't get the train exhibit in the basement, it was operational (push the button) on the day we were there and held our interest for all of a few moments.. I think you have to know and understand about these things. I was distracted by the placement of the buildings/locations in relation to the tracks, things were out of whack. I know it's supposed to be impressive.. but I was kind of "meh" The second floor used to have a stage and seating. That's been removed but the room is still attractive with it's tall ceiling. It's worth a visit, but I wouldn't plan a day around it.

The McAninch Arts Center (MAC) at College of DuPage (COD) in Glen Ellyn, IL, is a vibrant hub for…read morethe performing and visual arts, offering an array of professional theater, music, dance, comedy, and family-friendly performances. While the MAC hosts a wide range of cultural programming year-round, what has drawn us back time and again, now three times, are their exceptional, large-scale art exhibitions, presented every two years. The most recent of these is the 2025 exhibition Hokusai and Ukiyo-e: The Floating World (on view from May 31 to September 21). This immersive experience transports visitors to the lively and refined world of 17th-century Edo-period Japan. The exhibit vividly captures a time when Edo (present-day Tokyo) thrived as the cultural and economic heart of the nation, defined by its devotion to the arts, nature, and the pleasures of daily life. A highlight of the exhibition is the U.S. debut of the Museum Galleries - Chiossone Collection, featuring a remarkable 70-piece selection of ukiyo-e masterpieces. Among these are 53 original paintings and woodblock prints by renowned artists such as Hokusai and Hiroshige, alongside 17 beautifully crafted objects. Together, they offer a captivating window into Japan's "floating world." The MAC consistently excels in delivering these world-class exhibitions. The experience is not only visually stunning but also engaging and educational. The staff are welcoming, knowledgeable, and always ready to enhance your visit. Last, but not the least, there is a very nice gift shop there. We bought some cute Japanese noodles and rice bowls with the "floating world" art theme from the gift shop. Attending an art exhibition there is truly a joy, and we look forward to each new one.

We came for the Hokusai exhibit on a Friday. It was a little hard to find, the address on the flyer…read moredidn't direct us to the right area. Saw some signs near campus but not enough. Was finally able to find it by searching McAninch Arts Center (MAC). The exhibit is cool, loved the eki (train station) stamps for the passport you're given. I wasn't expecting much and it lived up to expectations. After experiencing it do I think it was worth the $27/per person admission? Not for me. But it's still cool and definitely worth a visit if you're an art enthusiast.

We went to the museum expecting to see a few old photos and not much else. Instead we stepped…read moreseemingly back in time to an immersive experience of a founding Downers Grove family. The curator clearly pours her heart and soul into curating every aspect of the museum, from the objects in the house to information about the people who walked its walls. We even walked through the cellar where the family hid people for the Underground Railroad. The long history of the house is imbued with mysteries and surprising details about how people used to live... paintings hidden in the walls, a wife's letters kept from past suitors, a wreath of faux flowers made from feathers... we were absolutely floored. We spent over an hour learning so much about American history through the prism of this fascinating house. Bravo!

An interesting local museum with about half a Victorian house on display; special exhibits in the…read morebarn; and another building visible only from the outside. Small wildflower walk. It's free (donations happily accepted). This was perhaps a stop on the underground railroad, though there's no proof. Visit is on your own, and a couple of rooms are given over to administrative purposes. Check out a small selection of items that are marked "please touch" (notably some items in the kitchen, such as the irons heated on the stove during the period; a period corset; etc.). The stereopticons (they have 2) are not included in "please touch" and are positioned so you can't actually use them, which is frustrating (hoping they'll buy a stand). In a hallway upstairs are photos and capsule bios of some noted DG citizens; I had no idea noted Egyptologist Henry Breasted had a connection. Signage is somewhat lacking, though there are small cards in most rooms asking kids "can you find {list of items}?" which will help you find some things. The barn includes an early/midcentury fire truck lovingly restored, with displays on the 1976 Bicentennial painted fire hydrants; a beloved firefighter who dressed as a clown to teach kids about fire safety. The temporary exhibit on travel was interesting, and the staff was preparing for a "Victorian dinner." Overall, worth a look if you have an interest in local history or the lives and possessions of the Victorian well-to-do. Did I mention it's free?

This free, educational museum was a fun way for me family and me to spend an afternoon. Miss Grace…read moreis a personable, knowledgeable, and inspired interest in the exhibits. The model train set was an unexpected bonus!

Free, educational and fun. Great seasonal programs. A working blacksmith shop and a quaint little…read morestore. Lots to see and enjoy. Nearby Main st. offers good dining options

The website promotes the idea of having several things to do, which we didn't find to be the case…read more We arrived at 10am which is supposed to be tours of the farmhouse, didn't happen. One lady did say that, "someone probably looked outside and didn't immediately see anyone so they skipped it." We did walk around and see pigs, pet the sheep, saw cows. The horses were off under the sheds. A 30 min walk. Tha

Had a great visit at Kline Creek Farm, an 1890s working farm. We were lucky to be there during…read moretheir annual potato-picking event, where you can pick two bags of potatoes--one to keep and one to donate to a local food pantry. We also took a guided tour of the farmhouse and explored the rest of the farm, seeing the animals and learning about life on a farm in the 1890s. It's definitely a hidden gem in DuPage County, and I highly recommend visiting. Perfect outing for both kids and adults!

The Morton Arboretum is a great place to visit year-round. It is very family friendly with trails…read moreaccessible via stroller. Some of our favorite trails are on the east side, but we have so much more the explore! They have a variety of events that are included with admission as well as events that require an additional purchase. There is a small café that sells drinks and small bites. I have tried a few different lattes and they were good. They also have a restaurant and their food always smells delicious, but I have yet to try anything from there. The restaurant itself has a beautiful view of their lake. I definitely recommend a membership if you live nearby and plan to visit multiple times a year. Another great benefit of the membership is the reciprocity to other gardens throughout the country. A great value!

I haven't been to the arboretum since I was a kid and used to go frequently with my grandparents…read more Bored one Saturday, I decided to take my outdoorsy 4 year old daughter. We mainly just explored the Children's Garden area. Thankfully, there are bathrooms nearby. They were clean. And there was a vendor selling snacks outside (and yummy sangria) so I bought some there and didn't bother with the indoor restaurant. I would recommend if you're going with Young ones, to bring a stroller!! Children 3 and under are free admission. Tickets are a couple dollars cheaper if purchased online. I paid $25 for adult admission. We would have liked to take the tram around, but I didn't realize it only runs a couple of times and sells out quickly. So if you're interested in the tram ride, buy tickets when you first get there. My daughter loved the rope bridge/tree house area. Definitely a place to add into your rotation of places to go, especially if you have kids that love being outside in nature.