The 10 Best Things to Do in Winnetka, United States

March 6, 2018 Deane Carmody

Winnetka (/wɪˈnɛtkə/) is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States, located 16 miles north of downtown Chicago. The population was 12,187 at the 2010 census. The village is one of the wealthiest places in the nation in terms of household income, and the richest in Illinois.
Restaurants in Winnetka

1. Baha'i House of Worship

100 Linden Ave, At Sheridan Rd., Wilmette, IL 60091-2879 +1 847-853-2300
Excellent
79%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 379 reviews

Baha'i House of Worship

A special mix of quartz and white cement was developed for the intricate ornamentation on the nine-sided, domed structure.

Reviewed By aestheticangel - Winnetka, Illinois

This beautiful structure with its newly renovated gardens is an absolute gem. The view looking upward from the sanctuary is particularly spectacular, but be prepared to accommodate those who are there for worship. Hospitable members of the faith will welcome you and provide tours, including a film on temple construction in India, In a departure from practice that travelers to other houses of worship may be accustomed to,donations from non-Baha'i are declined. If a daytime visit won't work for you, even driving by at night is something worth doing.

2. Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center

9603 Woods Dr, Skokie, IL 60077-1095 +1 847-967-4800
Excellent
85%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 200 reviews

Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center

Designed by renowned architect Stanley Tigerman, the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center is one of Chicagoland's premier attractions. The Museum uses lessons from the Holocaust to focus attention on contemporary issues of genocide, intolerance, and inhumanity at home and worldwide.

Reviewed By binduAustralia - Melbourne, Australia

This collection of permanent and temporary exhibitions is not something you can -- or should -- allocate a couple of hours to, and do it any justice. Probably half a day, or four hours at the very least.

We had about three hours and what we really should have done was move quickly through the whole facility and get an overview, then go back and spend more time reading, watching the videos that are dotted around the displays, and inspecting the exhibits more closely.

As a result we really didn't get a chance to see the last exhibits much at all, as we had run out of time. But the material is compelling, the stories are well told and the events are explained in a way that means you really want to take your time. We have visited a number of Holocaust museums around the world and this one certainly is one of the most memorable.

We were advised by staff to make sure that we were in the auditorium area in time for the late afternoon Hologram feature, which is a new initiative. Take A Stand is a hologram program of holocaust survivors who share their experiences and stories and then "answer questions" from the audience. A moderator feeds the questions back and the questions are matched to the extensive recordings made, so the idea is that you feel like you are speaking directly with the presenter.

The concept is impressive, and the stories are, of course, dramatic and memorable, however the technology still needs work....various attempts at questions didn't work and several different questions triggered the same, repetitive response. In addition, the session didn't seem to have a cut-off time, or our moderator didn't handle the schedule properly. Once the doors closed, we were not able to leave until the whole question time was over. We were then rushed out, missing a craft market we would very much like to have visited, and having no time at all in the shop which also looked very interesting.

Given the lateness, and the fact we had skipped the final displays to attend the presentation, the 50 minutes we spent could have been productively divided into 20 or 25 minutes of the presentation and then an opportunity to finish seeing the main displays and the shop.

3. Chicago Botanic Garden

1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022-1169 +1 847-835-5440
Excellent
85%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 995 reviews

Chicago Botanic Garden

Just a short trip from Chicago, the Chicago Botanic Garden is a 385-acre complex of flora, footbridges and waterways.

Reviewed By nimi111 - Pune, India

Loved it, just loved it! It huge, beautiful, clean, well maintained and informative. The kind of flowers and trees we saw there we amazing! And the walk in the garden is so peaceful, air is so fresh, you just want to stay there!
Must visit place

4. Skokie Lagoons

Dundee Road, Winnetka, IL
Excellent
64%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Skokie Lagoons

Reviewed By fraink - USA

Check the actual operating times but you can very inexpensively rent a kayak for two and go out on the lagoons and Paddle it's a great experience my son who is five absolutely loved it!
One way in this metropolitan area to keep in touch with nature!

5. Northwestern University

633 Clark St, Evanston, IL 60208-0001 +1 847-491-3741
Excellent
74%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 314 reviews

Northwestern University

Reviewed By ELKW - United States

there are some attractions you can take a look inside the campus, but there is no clear indication where the Charles Deering library building is, yet the Alice Millar Chapel and the Levere memorial temple are quite beautiful.

6. Kohl Children's Museum

2100 Patriot Blvd, Glenview, IL 60026-8074 +1 847-832-6600
Excellent
60%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 176 reviews

Kohl Children's Museum

A bright and friendly place for children of all ages, featuring a life-sized train car and a water room.

Reviewed By Bjshanks

My 8 year old was bored with this museum but my 6 year old stayed busy. But both got bored after about 2 hours. All staff very interacting and interested in ensuring the kids were being entertained. Very crowded when I went. I don't know if we will be back though. But if my children were under 5 I think I would return.

7. Rosewood Beach

883 Sheridan Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035-4703 +1 847-831-3810
Excellent
63%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 58 reviews

Rosewood Beach

Reviewed By Hpmicks - Highland Park, Illinois

The new improvements to Rosewood beach are very nice. Love the three swimming coves and the cute wooden beach benches. They have one outdoor shower to rinse off the sand but would be nice if there were some indoor ones too.

Parking is still limited but the stairway down from the upper lot is much improved.

One thing that is missing are the grills that they used to have. Hope they are planning to put new ones in. It was nice to be able to bring your burgers and dogs down and eat them freshly grilled.

Very nice play area for the kids that is sheltered from the sun.

Staff could be friendlier.

8. Great Room Escape Chicago

8240 Austin Ave, Morton Grove, IL 60053-3207 +1 224-231-0249
Excellent
71%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
4%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 72 reviews

Great Room Escape Chicago

Great Room Escape is a fully interactive and immersive experience unlike anything else you can do in Tempe, Arizona. Up to 12 participants will be locked in a room, and they must use their minds and teamwork to figure out their escape. Clues and riddles hidden throughout the room provide the tools necessary to win the game and get out of the room. As the clock ticks down and the pressure mounts, can you stay calm, can you escape?

Reviewed By mcpK2943RG - Chicago, Illinois

The manager, Brian, kindly invited us to return to try the Houdini room after a couple of mishaps during our first visit for Terminal. This room was really different from any others we’ve done and very impressive. We weren’t sure how we’d feel about having an actor in the room with us, but it was fun and also nice to know there is someone who is fully engaged with what you’re doing and how you’re progressing. We ended up finishing with around 10 minutes left. Both rooms we’ve done here include very unique puzzle elements and great scenic design. Some members of my group are not interested in the zombie theme, but if they open up a fourth room we will definitely return.

9. Writers Theatre

325 Tudor Ct, Glencoe, IL 60022-1544 +1 847-242-6000
Excellent
88%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 49 reviews

In 1992, Writers Theatre was founded in order to create an environment where the written word and the nurturing of artists were the foundation of all productions. We opened our first venue that year in the ante-room of a newly opened bookstore in Glencoe on the North Shore of Chicago. The limited space available gave way to a new aesthetic that has been a company hallmark ever since-intimacy. Under the artistic leadership of Founding Artistic Director Michael Halberstam, who continues in that role to this day, Writers became a welcome addition to the already vibrant Chicago arts community. The Theatre quickly garnered significant critical acclaim and established a reputation as a home for world-class art and artists, opening a second performance space in 2003. Our inviting 108-seat Tudor Court space continued the company's trademark level of intimacy while allowing for a new scale of production and affording the opportunity to expand audiences, programming and educational outreach. Acclaimed by The Wall Street Journal as one of the top half-dozen regional theatres in the country, Writers has offered more than 90 productions, including 16 world premieres. We have garnered numerous awards and accolades, including 110 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and 25 Awards, as well as multiple citations of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam for excellence and contributions to the field, including The 2010 Zelda Fichandler Award. In 2007, Writers debuted nationally with a New York premiere of Crime and Punishment, followed in 2011 by a Lincoln Center production of A Minister's Wife-the musical adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's Candida, conceived and directed by Halberstam. In November 2013, Writers Theatre announced the launch of the $34 million On to a New Stage Campaign to establish the company's first permanent home in a new theatre center in downtown Glencoe, designed by the award-winning, internationally renowned Studio Gang Architects, led by Founder and Design Principal Jeanne Gang, FAIA, in collaboration with Theatre Consultant Auerbach Pollock Friedlander. This allows the Theatre to continue to grow to accommodate its audience, while maintaining its trademark intimacy. The new facility resonates with and complements the Theatre's neighboring Glencoe community, adding tremendous value to Chicagoland and helping to establish the North Shore as a premier cultural destination.

Reviewed By Erinn O - Indianapolis, Indiana

What a beautiful venue! We saw a show in the Alexander C. & John D. Nichols Theatre and it was amazing. From the show to the set to the comfort of the seats it was well worth it. The venue for the show was very intimate and made you feel like you were right there in the show. If this group comes back we will also be back.

10. Gillson Park

Michigan and Washington Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091 +1 847-256-9661
Excellent
68%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 50 reviews

Gillson Park

Reviewed By Erin M - Wilmette, Illinois

Wonderful place to relax, walk along the beach barbecue or fly a kite. There are tennis courts and free outdoor concerts in the Summer.

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