The lineup of quintessential experiences in Chicago’s suburban destinations will intrigue groups interested in history, architecture, gardening, horse racing and more.
A historic hotel, an arboretum built in 1922 and a sprawling park are among the places where planners might arrange a visit or an off-site event to ensure attendees have a memorable time.
Following are several standout options that represent the best of what Chicago’s neighbors have to offer.
Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
www.chicagobotanic.org
One of metropolitan Chicago’s main tourist attractions, the Chicago Botanic Garden is open year-round and features 23 gardens and three native habitats set on 385 acres of rolling hills and lakes.
Highlights include three greenhouses, seasonal art exhibits, indoor meeting space and group tram tours of the gardens from May through October.
“The Chicago Botanic Garden is one of the country’s most visited public gardens and a preeminent center for learning and plant conservation science research,” says Harriet Resnick, the garden’s vice president of visitor experience and business development. “Special events and exhibitions, such as Wonderland Express over the holidays and Butterflies & Blooms in the summer, are ongoing throughout the year.”
The attraction first opened to the public in spring 1972 with one garden. Today, it welcomes about 950,000 people per year, making it one of the most visited public gardens in the country.
“From indoor meeting rooms with built-in audiovisual equipment to a lovely outdoor waterside tented pavilion, the Chicago Botanic Garden also has many options for private and corporate events,” Resnick says, adding that its spaces can accommodate up to 400 people. “An all-garden rental is available for exclusive buyouts.”
Groups can also add back-of-the-house tours of production greenhouses or workshops such as container gardening. PageBreak
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, Skokie
www.ilholocaustmuseum.org
The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center is housed in a new 65,000-square-foot building designed by architect Stanley Tigerman.
Dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Holocaust, the museum features an authentic early 20th century German rail car, a hall of remembrance and a permanent exhibit chronicling life before, during and after the Holocaust.
“The Illinois Holocaust Museum is a place we Holocaust survivors can call home,” says Fritzie Fritzshall, president of the museum. “It’s a place that welcomes us to remember our past and honor our families, a place that speaks out against hatred.”
The Karkomi Permanent Exhibition focuses on post-war life in Skokie, Ill., which has the largest per-capita population of Holocaust survivors outside of Israel and sparked the museum’s eventual creation.
The venue also features interior spaces for special events. Among the options are an after-hours private tour followed by a cocktail reception in the Pritzker Hall of Reflection; inviting a speaker to give a presentation in the Goodman Auditorium; or having an all-day conference in Museum Hall with breakout sessions in the six adjacent classrooms.
Cuneo Mansion and Gardens, Vernon Hills
www.cuneomansion.org
Situated on a beautiful 100-acre estate less than an hour from downtown Chicago, Cuneo Mansion and Gardens offers an unforgettable retreat-like setting for groups, according to Maureen Riedy, president of Visit Lake County.
Construction on the Italianate-style mansion was completed in 1918 as the home of Samuel Insull, an original founder of the General Electric Company. In 1937, John Cuneo Sr., who owned Hawthorne Mellody Farms Dairy, bought the home and raised his family there.
“He opened it to the public a number of years ago for tours and special events, and in 2009 his family foundation gifted the estate to Loyola University Chicago,” Riedy says. “The $50 million gift, the largest in Loyola’s history, included the museum’s extensive collection of art and furnishings.”
Loyola University has since renovated the mansion and added a meeting and event pavilion hosting up to 300 people for banquets. Other event venues are available, as well as group tours.
Prairie Center for the Arts, Schaumburg
www.ci.schaumburg.il.us
Set on the landscaped grounds of the Schaumburg Municipal Center, the Prairie Center for the Arts serves as the hub of cultural activity in the greater Schaumburg area, according to Betsy Armistead, director of the center.
“With the intimacy of just 442 seats, exceptional sightlines and incomparable acoustics, the Prairie Center offers an unparalleled viewing experience,” she says.
Performances by artists including David Sedaris, Gordon Lightfoot, Alvin Ailey Dance Ensemble and Lyric Opera Center are only a few among the many that have entertained audiences here since 1986.
The center is used extensively for meetings, receptions, performances and other events.
“In addition to the main theater, the Prairie Center also houses a 100-seat lecture hall, two meeting rooms and a video production studio,” Armistead says.PageBreak
Morton Arboretum, Lisle
www.mortonarb.org
The Morton Arboretum, established in 1922 by Joy Morton, founder of Morton Salt Company, encompasses 1,700 acres, including 500 acres of plant collections and gardens and 900 acres of woodlands, prairie, meadows, lakes and streams.
“There just isn’t any place else like this in Illinois,” says Kim Wilson, facility rental coordinator at Morton Arboretum, which is open 365 days a year. “There really is something for everyone here.”
She suggests groups get lost in the Hedge Maze or rent a bike to explore the grounds during the warmer months, and in the winter, snowshoe and cross-country ski rentals are available. With advance notice, groups can incorporate an educational program, tour or catering component into a visit.
Among the facilities available for private events are modern buildings like the Visitor Center and those that boast Old World charm, such as Thornhill Education Center.
“It still contains one wing of Joy Morton’s mansion, giving it the feel of an elegant estate in the early 1900s,” Wilson says of Thornhill, adding that the space accommodates up to 120 guests and is ideal for everything from intimate gatherings to corporate meetings. “Thornhill is surrounded by our Four Season’s Garden and Fragrance Garden. Both are ideal for an outdoor cocktail reception.”
The arboretum’s premier event space is the Ginkgo Room, which overlooks Meadow Lake and is only available for evening events of up to 300 guests.
Cantigny Park, Wheaton
www.cantigny.org
Established by Col. Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune, the 500-acre Cantigny Park features gardens, picnic grounds, a 27-hole championship golf course and two museums.
“We say it and our visitors say it too: Cantigny Park has something for everybody,” says Jeff Reiter, spokesman for Cantigny Park/Robert R. McCormick Foundations. “For garden lovers, for example, we have more than 30 acres of formal plantings designed by renowned architect Franz Lipp. There is nothing else like it in Chicago’s western suburbs. The plantings change with every season.”
Guests can tour McCormick’s historic mansion, now the Robert R. McCormick Museum.
“It’s full of innovations and quirks, just as the colonel left it,” Reiter says. “Military history buffs and veterans really enjoy the First Division Museum. It’s an interactive experience and a popular place for military reunions.”
Cantigny is a popular destination in the Chicago area for special events, concerts, lectures, workshops and other learning opportunities. Full-service banquet and dining facilities are available on-site.
Balmoral Park, Crete
www.balmoralpark.com
The 71,000-seat Barmoral Park, is the premier harness racing facility in Illinois.
“This is a great destination for groups, meetings or conferences,” says Jim Garrett, president and CEO of the Chicago Southland CVB. “A group could take a guided tour of the historic track, have a wonderful meal in their own suite, experience the excitement of live harness racing and have a group photo in the Winners’ Circle.”
Bamoral Park can host everything from a 10-person tour to a 1,000-person conference.
Carolyn Blackburn is a frequent contributor to Meetings Focus MidAmerica.
