Location: Evanston
Top Things to do in Evanston
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Top 10 Things to do in Evanston, United States
Evanston (/ˈɛvənˌstən/) is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States, 12 miles (19 km) north of downtown Chicago, bordered by Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north. It had a population of 74,486 as of 2010. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan and is the home of Northwestern University. The boundaries of the city of Evanston are coterminous with those of the former Evanston Township, which was dissolved in 2014 by voters with its functions being absorbed by the city of Evanston.
Restaurants in Evanston
1. Baha'i House of Worship
Overall Ratings
5 based on 379 reviews
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. Northwestern University
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 314 reviews
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.
3. Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 200 reviews
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.
4. Space
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
Reviewed By David20130609 - Waunakee, Wisconsin
Wonderful jazz night out for one of our favorites. Mostly sold out except for standing room only. The wait service was for drinks no food served. You can bring food in and some did but not at our table. Tables are shared unless you have 5 or more in your group. Good sound system and lighting.
5. Gillson Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
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.
6. Grosse Point Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By panama2000 - Providence, Rhode Island
The light house itself is lovely to look at, but the signage is terrible - non existent - and the buildings around are pretty dilapidated and there is nothing to explain why it is there and what it is doing.
7. Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By Allen21096 - Chicago, Illinois
Naturally, while driving you won't really be able to take in the sculptures, but some are really interesting. Let's be honest, for outdoor sculptures, they aren't bad. One day I'm going to stop and really look at each sculpture, but it is nice to just be able to walk by them and take each one in. Keep an eye out for the bicyclists, sometimes they can get a bit crazy.
8. Evanston History Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44 reviews
The Evanston History Center is located in the National Historic Landmark Charles Gates Dawes House. Dawes was a U.S. Vice President, World War I general, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Ambassador to the Court of St. James and philanthropist who lived in Evanston, Illinois. It is an intact house museum and includes exhibits on Evanston history and a research room. It is open Thursday through Sunday, for tours on the hour from 1 - 4pm.
Reviewed By John B - Evanston, Illinois
Part of U.S. culture and that of Evanston and Northwestern Univ. They offer annual membership to support yearly guided activities and speakers (well worth the money), and have annual ice-cream socials and free days. Still a beautiful home, well maintained in its original glory. Don't miss it. Walk through the history of Evanston and the North Shore!
9. Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Focusing exclusively on the history and culture of North American native civilizations, the collections range from the Paleo-Indian period through present day.
Reviewed By John M - Raleigh, North Carolina
We least expected to find a museum of this subject and quality on a small street in this north shore suburb of Chicago. It is an excellent place to spend a couple of hours learning a lot about the tribes and people of the North American continent. It has a broad collection of beautiful and informative pieces of Indian culture and art. We found it one of the best American Indian museums we've ever been to including those out west.
10. Block Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
The Block Museum of Art is a dynamic, imaginative, and innovative teaching and learning resource for Northwestern University and its surrounding communities, featuring a global exhibition program that crosses time periods and cultures and serves as a springboard for thought-provoking discussions. The Block mounts exhibitions; commissions new work; organizes lectures, symposia, and workshops; and screens classic and contemporary films at its in-house cinema. With over 5,000 artworks, the permanent collection of the Block Museum boasts rich and diverse holdings of prints, drawings, and photography and continues to expand its holdings of works in every medium that that support the museum’s global and interdisciplinary mission. Always free and open to all.
Reviewed By panama2000 - Providence, Rhode Island
THis is a free museum on the Northwestern University campus. THe building looks big, but it actually only has 3 exhibit rooms. All the shows rotate and they are all creative and engaging.
There is a coatroom and bathroom facilities. There is a nice view from the top of the stairs.
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