While the city of Chicago has countless world-renowned venues, what lies just outside town might surprise planners. Tucked into communities such as Arlington Heights, Glenview, Oak Park and Wheaton are a bevy of fascinating attractions, many with a historical flair that is sure to impress groups. Following are eight favorites for outstanding off-site events.
The Grove Redfield Estate
847.298.0095
www.glenviewparkdist.org/The-Grove/Redfield-Estate.htm
Located in the center of the bustling suburb of Glenview is a retreat center that gives visitors the feeling of being away from it all. The Grove Redfield Estate is a Tudor-style historic home that was constructed in 1929 and for a time housed authors Louise Redfield Peattie and Donald Culross Peattie. Built by George C. Elmslie of the Louis Sullivan School of Chicago Architecture, the house is surrounded by the 123-acre Grove National Historic Landmark.
"Elmslie was the chief architect that worked with Frank Lloyd Wright, so the house has a lot of that influence throughout it," says Carol DiLorenzo, rental coordinator.
The impressive home is surrounded by well-manicured grounds and gazebos and today welcomes meeting groups as well as weddings.
"Groups can rent the entire house for private use," DiLorenzo says. "The Great Room is a good place to have the main part of a meeting. There are three rooms on the main floor where you can have lunch, and then you can use the upstairs for breakouts.
"If it is a nice day, you can use the grounds around the house for team-building activities or even have a picnic on the lawn," she adds. "It is so different than having a meeting in banquet halls or meeting rooms. The location is serene and peaceful and people are charmed by it."
Gina Speckman, executive director of the Chicago Northshore CVB, agrees.
"Groups love being in a historic home that is architecturally interesting and has a history," she says. "It is only eight miles from O’Hare [International Airport], but the grove is very untouched by anything modern and you can see deer running in the backyard. It is very beautiful and people love going there."
The Arts Center of Oak Park
708.366.3981
www.artscenteroakpark.com
Built in 1914 as a church with lavish decor, The Arts Center of Oak Park is a suburban gem. Today, the center houses the Ernest Hemingway Museum, an attraction that lures visitors from all over the world.
For groups, The Arts Center offers a 700-seat auditorium, perfect for large-scale presentations, says Rich Carollo, president and CEO of the Oak Park CVB.
"The auditorium is perfect for lectures," he says. "It is hard to find a place that will seat several hundred people cost-effectively."
During breaks, attendees can visit the museum—something that Carollo says is a big selling point.
"When you have a traditional meeting and you go on break, you don’t have a lot of options," he says. "But when you go to The Arts Center, you have the opportunity to learn something about history and something about one of the greatest writers in modern history who was born steps away from where you are meeting."
Cantigny Gardens & Park
630.668.5161
www.cantigny.org
Located in Wheaton, the 500-acre Cantigny Gardens & Park is a favorite among groups. Once home to Colonel Robert R. McCormick, former editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune, McCormick willed Cantigny to his foundation, which established the park as a place for the public to enjoy.
Today Cantigny offers groups several banquet facilities accommodating up to 250 guests and retreat-style meeting space for up to 100 attendees.
"It is quite incredible, actually," says Lisa Landers, director of sales for the DuPage CVB. "The gardens on this site are incredible and very well maintained.
"There is also a museum where you can see interactive war exhibits," she adds. "Another part of the property has a building with open space, marble floors and archways. You can have events there. There are gardens all over the grounds where you can have events. It is really nice to have that outdoor/indoor-type feel. And you can schedule events there year-round."
The Arcada Theatre
847.795.1800
www.thearcada.com
Built in 1926 for $500,000, The Arcada Theatre was quite a sight in its time, rivaling theaters in downtown Chicago. Big-name stars flocked to the venue, including George Burns, Gracie Allen, Maria Von Trapp and the John Phillip Sousa Band.
Today, a full 84 years later, the venue is still a shining light in the community. Celebrities such as Martin Short and Mickey Rooney still come to the stage, but now groups can join in on the fun.
The theater’s 888-seat auditorium often hosts presentations and meetings. Groups can also schedule their events on stage, in the concession area and in the location’s grand lobby.
"It is an incredibly unique choice for planners," says Amy Egolf, executive director of the St. Charles CVB. "Most people walk in and say, ‘wow.’
"You can have a meeting in the theater and breaks in the concession area," she adds. "In addition to the theater seating, you can use the stage and screen for AV presentations, which makes it fun. If you want to break out of the monotony of everyday meetings, The Arcada is a marvelous choice."
Balmoral Park
708.672.1414
www.balmoralpark.com
Built in the early 1900s, Balmoral Park is a year-round horse racetrack in the Chicago Southland town of Crete. Specializing in harness racing, the location also caters to groups.
"Our facility holds from 12 people to 2,000 people," says Michelle Milligan, director of group sales. "We have suites on our first floor that seat up to 90 people, a dining room that seats up to 500 people, and third-floor suites that overlook the track for up to 230 people."
Milligan says groups have even had events in the venue’s grandstands and on the backside of the track.
The location offers a mix of business and pleasure.
"It is a perfect place to gather and talk, but you still have entertainment," Milligan says. "There is always something else to watch or do."
Even if you aren’t a gambler at heart, she says the venue still serves up tons of fun.
"You don’t have to bet," Milligan says. "But if you want to, it is only $2 to bet. It is affordable and fun. Most of our groups love it so much that they come back again. We have an 85 percent return rate."
The Morton Arboretum
630.968.0074
www.mortonarb.org
Founded in 1922 by Joy Morton (member of the family that started Morton Salt), The Morton Arboretum is 1,700 acres of natural beauty. Groups can enjoy meeting in four different venues.
The first option is Ginko Restaurant & Cafe, located inside the visitors center, which overlooks Meadow Lake. Another choice is Thornhill Education Center, housing an auditorium that seats 120 people. Also in the education center is Founders Room, the original location of the Morton family house, a space available for groups. Cadahy Auditorium is another space available for meetings of up to 100 people.
"People are always very impressed when they come here," says Margaret Martin, facility rental and food service manager. "It is more of an experience than a venue. When you drive in, the entryway is beautiful. For meetings, it is an inspiring place. It is a stress relief for people. We provide a tram tour of the arboretum and often groups will rent the trams for their own tours."
Genesee Theatre
847.782.2366
www.geneseetheatre.com
When it opened on Christmas Day 1927, The Genesee Theatre was a huge success and continued to be one of the top draws in the Chicago suburbs. Located in Waukegan, the venue showcased the city’s first talking picture, Lion and the Mouse, in 1928. After many years of entertaining movie lovers, the theater closed its doors in 1989.
It wasn’t until mid-2001 when the city of Waukegan began a $23 million renovation, aimed at restoring the building to its original splendor. In September 2004, it reopened with 115,000 square feet of space and more than 2,400 seats. In addition to seeing big-name stars perform, such as Bill Cosby and REO Speedwagon, groups can also rent out the space for events.
"There are a couple different meeting rooms upstairs," says Maureen Riedy, president of the Lake County CVB. "You can also do an event right on stage, which is a cool experience. Or you could use the full theater."
Riedy says the venue’s history is what makes it so fascinating.
"It is so neat to go in there and experience it like people did back in the 1930s," she says. "When people come here, their reaction is usually one of complete surprise. They are astounded that there is something as beautiful as that in northern Lake County. People aren’t aware that it is here."
Arlington Park
847.385.7500
www.arlingtonpark.com
Located in Arlington Heights, Arlington Park has stood as a legendary area venue for more than 80 years. Opened in October 1927, the park welcomed a crowd of 20,000 to witness its first race.
Now, many years later, the venue is part of Churchill Downs Inc., and welcomes races as well as groups for events.
"We are not a cookie-cutter venue," says Geraldine Grosspietsch, sales manager, adding that many groups like to have events and then watch a race.
Open year-round, the venue offers two small meeting rooms, two midsize rooms and space for expos.
"Groups can use our first-floor and second-floor expo space," Grosspietsch says. "This venue is unique and world class. It sets the tone for a winning event."
—Katie Morell is a Chicago-based freelance writer and former Meetings Media editor. This summer she plans to take a day to walk through the acres of gardens at the Morton Arboretum.
