Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel

Since its founding in 1851, Northwestern has grown into one of the nation’s premier research institutions. Northwestern University combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment. It provides students and faculty exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth. Located just 8 miles from the hotel, Northwestern attracts thousands of visitors each year not only for sports but academics as well.

Located just minutes from the hotel, Northbrook Court is a North Shore hub of shopping, dining and entertainment. Anchored by Neiman Marcus, Macy's, Lord & Taylor and Crate and Barrel, the court features popular stores like XXI Forever, Coach, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Ann Taylor, LensCrafters and the Apple Store. Restaurants here include P.F. Chang's and Di Pescara; there's also a food court and an AMC Theaters. Rest areas are scattered throughout -- kids love the area with the giant tree house. Come before the stores open to join the morning mall walkers for a workout. Hours: Mall: Mon - Sat, 10am - 9pm; Sun, 11am

Since 1904, Ravinia Festival Association has been Chicago's "sound of summer," a place where you can meet up with your friends, have a wonderful time and hear some of the greatest music in the world. We've got stars on the stage and stars in the sky, and it's all within your reach. But there's more to Ravinia than merely the world's greatest music. For as many people who walk through Ravinia's gate each summer, there are just as many ways to enjoy what they call "The Ravinia Experience." For some, it all starts with a picnic picked up along the way, followed by a hop on the train and greeting their friends at their favorite spot on the lawn. Gradually, day turns into evening, and from the comfort of your perfect lawn spot, it culminates in a great concert by candlelight as you gaze at the stars above. Located less than 2 miles from the hotel this venue is a "must experience".

Gurnee Mills is the largest outlet and value shopping destination in Illinois. Gurnee Mills provides the ultimate indoor, climate controlled shopping experience with more than 200 stores including Neiman Marcus Last Call, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, H&M, Bed Bath & Beyond/buybuy Baby and Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. Shoppers can dine at great restaurants including Rainforest Café and Ruby Tuesday. Catch a movie at Gurnee Marcus Cinema 20, enjoy indoor ice skating, miniature golf and laser tag at Rink Side Sports and Entertainment, or get up close and personal with the reptiles at Serpent Safari, the area's only indoor reptile zoo! Gurnee Mills is located at the intersection of Interstate 94 and Grand Avenue (IL 132) in Gurnee, IL, equidistant between Chicago and Milwaukee, and a 40-minute drive to either city.

The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center tells the story of the Holocaust through interactive exhibitions that will both move and inspire you. World-class special exhibitions explore broad themes which foster the promotion of human rights and the elimination of genocide. Located just 6 miles from the hotel this a educational must.

Six Flags Great America is a Six Flags theme park in the Chicago metropolitan area, located in Gurnee, Illinois. It first opened in 1976 as Marriott's Great America. Six Flags purchased the park from the Marriott Corporation in 1984, making it the seventh park in the chain. As of 2012, the park has nine themed sections, a 16-acre (65,000 m2) water park, two specially themed children's areas, and various other forms of entertainment.

The Chicago Botanic Garden opened a little more than 40 years ago as a beautiful place to visit, and it has matured into one of the world's great living museums and conservation science centers. Each year, nearly one million people visit the Garden's 26 gardens and four natural areas, uniquely situated on 385 acres of land on and around nine islands. Six miles of shoreline extend along 81 acres of water, including the Great Basin, North Lake, and Skokie River Corridor. The Garden also has a renowned Bonsai Collection. The Chicago Botanic Garden has 50,000 members—the largest membership of any U.S. botanic garden. People of all ages, interests, and abilities participate in programs, take classes, and stroll the grounds year-round. Within the nine laboratories of the Garden's Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center, scientists and graduate students conduct a wide array of plant research. The Garden is one of only 17 public gardens accredited by the American Association of Museums. Its Lenhardt Library contains 110,000 volumes — including one of the nation's best collections of rare botanical books. Located just 2 miles from the hotel this AMAZING venue tops the list as a "must see!"

The Loop is the center of Chicago and without a doubt the most iconic section of the city. If you've never been to Chicago, begin here. Whether on an official architecture cruise along the Chicago River, or an unofficial one along the veritable river of elevated trains, only the most jaded could shake that feeling of awe at the canyons of LaSalle and the cliffs of Michigan Avenue. Moreover, the Loop contains a world-class collection of public art, in the form of huge street-side statues by many of the 20th century's most famous sculptors.