We accidentally discovered this Tinley Park VOGT visual art center and we were sooooo glad we did!…read moreMy 9 years old was over the moon with all the trains, trains and more trains!!!!! They had multiple displays of trains all over the place. And it was FREE to visit. The staff was so nice and friendly and most of the trains belong to them where they put it on display for us to see and admire. I love the little details around the trains with Santa, reindeers and if you look closely, you'll see the back to the future car and even Batman and Robin! The young conductor showed us how to operate the toy trains and even let my 9 years old drive it. He had a blast. The thought, time and hard work they put into the display were simply amazing. It was soooo beautifully done and there were pictures of the old Tinley Park train stations hanging all over the place. If you're ever in the area, please stop by and check them out. They put in so much work so for all the little boys and girls in us who loves train can enjoy a wonderful time learning and seeing all the cool trains!

What a lovely space, I am so glad I got to discover it…read more My granddaughter's art teacher submitted a painting of hers for a "What I love" exhibit and the opening reception was today. It was a peak moment for me. The Arts Center is located in a gorgeous old home in the middle of downtown Tinley Park. It has been modernized with first floor bathrooms and a ramp from the back parking garage. There are benches and a coat rack to make things even more appealing for all the guests. I plan to visit much more often as the selected art on display changes on a monthly basis. Who knows, maybe I will even submit a piece for one of their open shows?

Amazing innovative art venue that i wish i was closer to! So many talented artists and exhibits…read morealong w other programs in technology or sound meditations in the gallery space that i fondly remember. Flutes & crystal bowls was one!

Union Street is a very cozy comfortable gallery and always has an array of unique art. You can also…read morevisit the artists workshops. I've been going there for years and really enjoy it, I even became a member.JoJo

Paul Henry's Art Gallery is an absolute gem of a place, a credit to northwest Indiana. Most…read morevisitors probably know it for the weekly acoustic open mic on Thursdays, but it also happens to be a wonderful gallery that hosts various artist receptions and other events pretty regularly. The collection is large, and changes frequently enough that if you come back in a month or so you're very likely to see a whole bunch of stuff you haven't seen before. The open mic night is $5 to get in, and also features a pot luck. Bringing food gets you a discount on entry, and being a performer yourself or an exhibiting artist in the gallery gets one, as well. Any combination of two of these criteria means free entry; I play music there fairly regularly, so I pay $3, and it is definitely worth it to support the gallery and enjoy the atmosphere. Coffee and non-alcoholic punch are provided, but it's also BYOB, so if you absolutely must imbibe, you can bring your goodies. Although I've been to the gallery roughly 50 times or so, I always notice something I hadn't seen before. More often than not, the piece had been there the whole time, but there's so much sensory overload going on that it is really easy to miss really wonderful pieces, which makes returning an adventure. The overall atmosphere of the place is perfect, as the building is about a hundred years old and has endless charm. It doesn't hurt that the owner, David Mueller, is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, with strong knowledge and love of art. I'm not actually from Indiana, but businesses like Paul Henry's really make the northwest Indiana region much more appealing. Definitely a huge feather in the cap of the area, and a must visit for anyone who loves art.

Interesting space in Hammond in an old hardware store. Do not let the remnants of the past in the…read morestore steer you away from taking a closer look at all the art throughout the gallery. Towards the back of the space is, what I consider to be the neatest area. There is a large open space in the back where there is a lot of art. Not only that, but every Thursday night there is an open mike jam that starts at 7:00 pm. It's a really rustic and comfy place. The owner is a real interesting fella and is really nice. It is a local owned business and it is a wonderful thing to support those!

Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park is a great hidden gem on Governors State University's campus…read more I can't even remember how I found out about it, but I was probably looking for outdoor activities that I wasn't already sick of. Either way, I'm glad I made my way here. We still haven't covered the full grounds because of the size, but we'll come back when we have more time to fully explore all of the sculptures and nature areas. The layout can be a little tricky, but if you're up for an afternoon of wandering, it's perfect. We even did our 2020 holiday card photo here.

Beauty in our own backyard..... so much nature to take in and the art is amazing each piece is so…read moredifferent from the next one....sits on GOVERNOR State University while walking and exploring you will feel like your a million miles away

Neat little railroad festival located in downtown Homewood Illinois. This festival runs every year…read morefor a single day during May. It is sponsored and run by the Village of Homewood. The fest has numerous train layouts and a healthy assortment of vendors selling train memorabilia. It is also a good place to get train modeling advice and ideas. This is a great fest for train buffs but even more so for kids. Bring them all for a nice day in Homewood. Tours through a real locomotive engine and caboose are also available for the whole family. Best of all..the fest and tours are free.

Great Homewood Farmers Market located Downtown Homewood on Dixie Hwy. I come here for the fresh…read moreveggies and Fruit. The salas and chips are good. I sampled a few vegan dishes. This is a great Saturday family outing, it's something for everyone. I try to come here at least twice a month up until they leave in October.

Its about the same every year , which is to say a great family atmosphere. Large food court and…read moremore vendors then I can count . The band is warming up and it's hot outside . Its the 56th time this event has been hosted in Frankfort . Don't miss it

$20 to park a mile away. Vendors selling junk they probably bought at Hobby Lobby. Very crowded…read more Nothing really there worth going to.

Frankfort Bluegrass on the green is a wonderfully laid back festival in a beautiful little space…read more Plus its free! You can't get 2 full days of free great music like that anywhere else nearby! Its great for families and bluegrass fans of all ages. Food and craft vendors are there selling things like gems and paintings. Outside alcohol is not permitted, there are a few beer gardens for your thirst quenching needs and Blue Island Brewery served up some suds this year! Yipee! Hint: Bring a chair or picnic blanket otherwise you will be standing in the back or sitting in the grass.

If you are a follower of the Consensus Blue Grass Band, you are in luck. They play here every year…read moreand they do have a following. We first heard them at Chicago fest many years ago in the Crystal Garden on Navy Pier. The great Bill Monroe was at Navy Pier also. There are restaurants in the area, parking may be hard to find. Many vintage stores to shop at. Food is available on the site of the fest. Mark your calendar for a great time. There are other folk and country bands that play here as well.

A cute, new plant and gift shop just off the square in Crown Point. Owners were very friendly and…read morehelpful. They even offer different classes including cake decorating classes. Very cute options!