Chicago Architecture Foundation

Conducts tours and programs on Chicago architecture for all ages. Call 312-922-TOURS for information on group tours. Large groups should book tours 4-6 weeks in advance. Small groups may participate in the regularly scheduled public tours.

Chicago History Museum 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60614

Galleries depict pioneer life, Chicago, and American history. Juliette Low's grandfather was one of the founding members of the society, and the building houses several artifacts from her family. Consult website for current hours and admission prices.

THEATRE

AlphaBet Soup Productions  P.O. Box 85 Lombard, IL 60148-0085

Traveling theatre group.Call (630) 932-1555 or E-mail info@absproductions.com

Chicago Center for the Performing Arts  777 N. Green St. Chicago, IL 60622

DePaul University Theatre School  60 East Balbo Dr., Chicago, IL

Call for 312-922-1999 current productions. Group rates available.

Drury Lane Oakbrook  100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Call (630) 530-8300 for current productions.

Goodman Theatre  200 S. Columbus, Chicago, IL

For current productions, call (312) 443-3800.

McAnich Arts Center, College of DuPage Fawell and Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL

Call (630) 942-4000 for current productions.

Paramount Arts Centre  23 E Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL.

Call 630-896-6666 for current productions. For Group Sales, please call (630) 896-7676.

ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS

Brookfield Zoo  First Avenue & 31st Street in Brookfield, IL 60513

Over 400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Dolphin Shows, tram ride, children's zoo, wetland restoration area. Free admission on Tuesdays and Thursdays October-March. Hours vary according to season. Call (708) 485-0263 for general information.

Lincoln Park Zoo  2001 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL 60614

Established in 1868. Free admission (fee for parking). Hours vary according to season. (312) 742-2000

Shedd Aquarium Lake Shore Drive at Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL

Located at the north end of the museum campus that includes the Field Museum and Adler Planetarium. Discount Days are available Mondays and Tuesdays October through February. Hours are subject to change, and vary according to season. Please call 312-939-2438 to verify hours on the day of your visit. Reservations for groups (15 people or more) must be made in advance by fax or online (phone reservations not accepted).

NATURE INTERPRETIVE FACILITIES

Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Exhibits & identification signs are changed seasonally. Staff naturalists are available to answer questions and to provide nature interpretation. Areas near each facility offer picnicking, hiking, and recreation. However, no picnicking is allowed at the facility proper. Visitors are restricted to leveled trails to protect and preserve the area's ecology. No concession stands are available. There is ample parking for cars & buses. All groups of 15 or more must arrange dates by telephoning the facility they wish to visit. For general information, call (773) 261-8400 or (708) 366-9420.

Crabtree Nature Center

Entrance is on Palatine Road, one mile west of Barrington Road, OR 1/2 mile east of Algonquin Road, in Barrington, IL. Exhibit building. Appropriate for all age groups. Exhibits of wild life and nature trails (from 20-90 minutes long), wildflowers, prairie and aquatic exhibits. Emphasis is on the native hickory-oak forest. 847-381-6592

Little Red Schoolhouse

Located on the west side of Willow Springs Road (104th Ave.), 1/2 mile south of 95th Street, in Willow Springs,IL. Exhibit building is an 1886 one-room schoolhouse which displays natural history, including live native animals. Outside displays include a garden, waterfowl feeding area, wildflowers, prairie restoration, and an orchard. Nature trails are 15, 30, or 60 minutes in length. 708-839-6897.

River Trail Nature Center

Located on the west side of Milwaukee Ave., 3/4 mile southeast of River Road in Northbrook, IL. Exhibits of native mammals, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Also Indian displays, and organic garden, herb garden, honeybee colony, an orchard & seasonal displays in the museum. Three self-guided nature trails each 1/2 mile in length emphasizing the ecology of local plant and animal communities. Sugar maple festival in March, honey festival in October. 847-824-8360.

Sand Ridge Nature Center

Located on Paxton Ave, 2 blocks north of 159th Street in South Holland, IL. Emphasizes the natural history of the Calumet region and its relation to the geological past. Located on a ridge of what was once the shoreline of Lake Chicago. Three nature trails the exhibit building, and pioneer exhibits show the physical, biological, social, and historical relationships of man and his environment. 708-868-0606.

Tyrell Trailside Museum

Located on the southwest corner at the intersection of Thatcher Avenue and Chicago Avenue, in River Forest, IL. Museum is suitable for short visits by small groups. There are no nature trails. Group reservations must be made by calling 708-366-6530.

Camp Sagawau

Located 100 yards east of Archer Avenue or four miles west of the Swallow Cliff Toboggan Slides of Rt. 83 near Lemont, IL. Environmental Education Center to promote the study of nature in a relaxed setting is open only for scheduled programs. The canyon is a unique area with unusual plants and rock formations. Visitation is permitted but some age and other restrictions have been established to protect the ecology of this fragile site. 630-257-2045.

OUT-OF-DOORS

Chicago Botanic Gardens 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glenco, IL. 60022.

Three hundred acres of beautiful gardens. Narrated tram tour daily. For information or to book a group tour, please call (847) 835-6949.

The Grove National Historic Landmark 1421 Milwaukee Avenue, Glenview, IL 60025

Operated by the Glenview Park District. Trails for hiking and Native American programs. Can provide different nature programs upon request.

The Children's Farm 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park, IL

Hayride and/or pony rides. Open year round. Public hours 1:00pm to 4:pm Saturday and Sunday. Groups of 12 or more can come on weekdays and receive a one hour tour. Call ahead. Reservations. 708-361-3650.

Lake Katherine Nature Preserve 7402 W. Lake Katherine Dr.,Palos Heights, IL 60463

Located at Route 83 and SW Highway, 158 acre preserve along the Cal-Sag channel with a large lake, prairie, wetlands, a waterfall garden, hiking trails and an Environmental Learning Center. Scout programs upon request (specify badge requirements) 708-361-1873.

Morton Arboretum 4100 Rt. 53, Lisle, IL 60532

Twenty-five miles of walking trails. Fifteen hundred acres planted with more than three thousand species. Fee charged for tour guide. Beautiful fall color. Reservations needed for group tours (630)-968-0074

Ryerson Conservation Area 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Deerfield, IL 60015

Provides education programs. Six miles of trails, demonstration farm, exhibit cabin, naturalist. 550 acres of plant and wildlife sanctuary. Open every day 8:30am- 5:00pm. For more information call (847) 968-3321 or email ryersonwoods@co.lake.il.us

Scouting File Cabinet