Chicago's suburban region may be frigid in January, but come spring when the snow begins to melt and residents come out of hibernation, everyone, including groups, starts looking for outdoor experiences.
Thankfully for planners, Chicago's many suburban communities offer a slew of great places for groups to breathe in fresh air, from gardens and zoos to concert venues and charter boats. Following are several standout options.
1. Chicago Botanic Garden
Located in the town of Glencoe, the Chicago Botanic Garden is an outdoor wonderland. The garden sprawls across 385 acres and is open year-round to the public and for private events, with 16 indoor and outdoor spaces.
"We have a lot of business groups come to the garden and conduct business meetings among the flowers," says Gina Speckman, executive director of Chicago's North Shore CVB. "If the weather doesn't cooperate, there are several beautiful spaces indoors as well."
According to Speckman, groups can also book a trolley tour of the garden or spend time with a docent and learn about the various types of on-site flora and fauna.
"We can also set up outdoor concerts for groups," she says. "There are so many things they can do to customize their experience."
2. Ravinia
Imagine a vast outdoor space surrounded by soaring trees and filled with twinkling lights, live music and hundreds of people enjoying extravagant picnics. Welcome to Ravinia.
Ravinia, a concert and event venue in Highland Park, is a must-see for groups. A visit is on every local's list and thankfully for meeting attendees, there are plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces to meet.
"Ravinia offers an incredibly unique experience," says Maureen Riedy, president of the Lake County Illinois CVB. "It isn't your typical concert and picnic venue. People come there to listen to music with candelabras, wine and full plate ware. It has been around for more than 100 years and is really convenient just off the train line."
Groups are welcome to plan events on the lawn under tents or under the stars. For those rainy days, the venue also offers inside space.
3. Elawa Farm
Built in 1917 for a distinguished family from Chicago, Elawa Farm, also in Lake County, is an elegantly restored collection of buildings and outdoor space, perfect for meetings and events.
"The setting is very picturesque," says Reidy of the Lake County Illinois CVB. "The buildings all look like beautiful barns. There are trails and gardens everywhere."
4. Brookfield Zoo
Opened in 1934, Brookfield Zoo is one of the most-visited zoos in the country. In addition to its exhibits, which run the gamut from lions and tigers to dolphins, kangaroos and camels, the zoo also features a variety of venues for groups.
"I couldn't recommend it more highly," says Thomas Lynch, president and CEO of Visit Oak Park. "It isn't the type of event you usually find at a conference."
Perfect for an off-site event, the zoo offers several open-air pavilions, all outfitted with different animal themes, for up to 2,000 guests.
"While a lot of the event venues are outdoors, groups can also have a reception next to an animal exhibit," Lynch says. "Regardless of where you meet, I recommend getting a tour of the zoo; it is incredible."
5. Morton Arboretum
"The Morton Arboretum is one of my favorite places in the world, and I have been all over the world," says Nicole Beykirch, senior sales manager for the DuPage CVB. "There is no place like it in the Midwest."
Located in Lisle, the Morton Arboretum consists of 1,700 acres and more than 4,000 kinds of trees. It was founded in 1922 by Joy Morton of Morton Salt fame. Today, visitors from all over the Midwest flock to its grounds to take in a hike, walk or scenic drive, regardless of the time of year.
Outdoor scavenger hunts and group programs such as planting trees are "great team-building activities," Beykirch says.
From May through September, planners can book outdoor events on a grassy area. In case of inclement weather, there are plenty of indoor spaces, including observatories with floor-to-ceiling windows.
6. Eaglewood Resort & Spa
Chicago's suburbs are peppered with world-class golf courses, but 106-acre Eaglewood Resort & Spa in Itasca stands in a class by itself. For starters, the 295-room resort is designed in a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired style. The property's golf course was built in 1989 and today is one of the most sought-after places to play.
"Eaglewood is a luxurious retreat; it is absolutely stunning," says Beykirch of the DuPage CVB. "The golf course is challenging and beautiful, and lots of groups book events there.
The 18-hole course is popular for group tournaments, team-building events and even night golf outings.
7. St. Charles Paddlewheel Riverboats
Groups keen on waterborne experiences can head over to Pottawatomie Park and board one of the St. Charles Paddlewheel Riverboats for a private cruise.
The boats, named St. Charles Belle II and Fox River Queen, float down the Fox River, allowing passengers to enjoy beautiful, tree-lined views.
"The company that does this has been around since the 1940s," says Amy Egolf, executive director of the St. Charles CVB. "It is a really unique experience. You can find other riverboats in the Chicagoland area, but this is the only one I know of that you can actually charter."
The 65-foot paddle wheelers are available for groups of up to 100 (minimum of 30) for receptions and dinners.
"Riding one of these paddle wheelers is very cool," Egolf says. "Groups love them and they have been in existence for so long, they are really iconic."
8. Irons Oaks
Outdoor adventure is on the agenda at Irons Oaks in Olympia Fields.
Irons Oaks is an environmental education center located on a 37-acre nature preserve, with high ropes courses and staff facilitators to guide participants through team-building activities.
"Irons Oaks is a very peaceful, tranquil outdoor setting," says Mary Patchin, director of sales for the Chicago Southland CVB. "They will work with you on internal communication by doing fun things like helping you walk blindfolded along a rope that is six inches off the ground. They also have indoor meeting space. Groups love it and always ask to come back in the future."
9. Toyota Park
For outdoor events with sports flair, groups can book Toyota Park in Bridgeview. Home to the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer
and the Chicago Red Stars of Women's Professional Soccer, the venue regularly hosts corporate events.
"Toyota Park just opened in 2006," says Patchin of the Chicago Southland CVB. "They have space for around 20,000 people for sporting events and space for 28,000 for concerts and other events. We've had large religious organizations book the venue for their events, but we've had small meetings enjoy it as well."
10. LaSalle Canal Boat
In the town of LaSalle, a one-of-a-kind outdoor opportunity awaits groups: the LaSalle Canal Boat.
The boat floats down the Illinois & Michigan (I&M for short) Canal, which was formed in 1848 to connect the Midwest to the Mississippi River. The vessel is a perfect, two-story replica of the boats of the times.
"A ride on the LaSalle Canal Boat is a really incredible experience," says June Anderson, sales manager for the Heritage Corridor CVB. "It travels down the I&M
Canal and is pulled by a mule, accompanied by a mule tender. On the boat, docents dress in period attire and give history lessons about the time when the canal was formed. Groups absolutely love it."
Groups are welcome to meet on the boat for a dinner or reception. They can also meet at the Lock 16 Visitor Center.
Katie Morell is a Chicago-based freelance writer and former Meetings Focus editor.
