Stage: Second City, because of its constantly changing shows and often (seemingly) impromptu humor.
Go: Attending television show tapings, such as “Oprah,” because you can see the behind-the-scenes television production while having some laughs.
Dining: Dim sum in Chinatown, because you can share large portions, allowing you to try a “little bit of everything.”
–Eileen Soltes
Music: Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, because nothing says summer more than sitting on the lawn with a glass of sparkling grape juice listening to Gershwin on a candlelit evening.
Go: Riverwalk in Naperville, because it has everything you need: trendy stores, great restaurants and beautiful views. During the afternoon it’s a great place to go with friends; during the evening it can make for a great first date.
Movies: The Tivoli in Downers Grove, because it looks exactly as it did when it was built in 1929.
–Christopher Angelica
Music: House of Blues, because it’s big enough to draw bigger bands, but small enough to maintain an intimate feel.
Dining: Billy Goat Tavern, because their motto is “enter at your own risk” and every time I go in they tell me what to order: “Cheezborger . . . Pepsi, no Coke . . . chips, no fries.” Nothing beats Chicago hospitality.
Go: In the summer, anywhere on the lake or beach. In the winter, anywhere inside.
Movies: Century 12 in Evanston, because anything you would want to see is guaranteed to be playing. It’s surrounded by ice-cream parlors and restaurants. And it has huge bins of candy for sale.
–Emily Bremer
Go: Chicago Cubs game, because of Mark Prior. Enough said.
–Alaina Kaczmarski
Go: Any museum in Chicago, because you can learn so much from every artifact.
Dining: Vive La Crepe in Evanston, because it’s an intimate dining experience, and you’re bound to find something delicious.
Movies: Rent some movies. A small gathering gives you the best of both worlds: catching up with friends on how their summers have gone and watching a movie you’ve wanted to see.
–Dan K. Kurland
