Think Spring!

OK - so it’s common knowledge that Spring on the North Shore is just a wee bit different than we picture it in our heads – it stays chillier just a little bit longer, the trees and flowers bloom just a little bit later, and the water is just a little bit colder than it is in our fantasies. Let’s face it – those warm spring breezes are saved for a one week period in late May just before the blazing hot summer begins.
All that said, there’s no good reason NOT to shelve the sleds and put away the skates for spring’s pursuits – so get outdoors! Here’s a few great ideas:

Parks and Nature

The Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe): Check out the Model Railroad Garden, opening May 10!
It’s a 7,500-square-foot adventure with 1,600 feet of track. This year, the Garden has expanded the “western” landmarks portion, to include San Francisco area features depictions of Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower, a California mission-style church, cable cars, Lombard Street (America's most crooked street), and the Golden Gate Bridge. The Pacific Northwest area features Mt. Saint Helens and Seattle's waterfront, including Pike's Place Market and the Seattle Space Needle. Other western landmarks include Napa Valley; Yosemite, Yellow Stone, and Mesa Verde national parks; and Hollywood. It’s open daily until October 26, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., with extended evening hours during the summer. There is an admission charge of $5 for adults and $3 for kids.

Kids may also enjoy the Malott Japanese Garden Children’s Festival, scheduled for May 17 - 18 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Kids will enjoy musical performances and folktales, learn how to make suminagashi prints, kimono paper dolls, carp kites and samurai helmets!

Also? Spring Bingo is underway – kids can participate in a favorite Garden activity simply by picking up a card at the visitor center!

The Chicago Botanic Garden:
100 Lake Cook Rd,
847.835.5440

The Grove (Glenview): Take the kids into yesteryear at The Grove, where they can explore nature trails, a Native American village, a one-room schoolhouse and a log cabin. There are events scheduled throughout the Spring, including trail walks and restoration work days, where kids can get grubby and close-up to nature as spring blooms before us! Check out the plant sale May 17 - 18!

The Grove:
1421 Milwaukee Ave.
847.299.6096

Wagner Farm (Glenview): Here’s an opportunity to show kids how a farm really works, on Cook County’s only remaining working farm – especially if you head on over for “Springtime On The Farm,” scheduled for May 17, from 12 - 3 p.m. You can visit with the livestock, decorate a pot and plant a plant, help the farmers in the fields, participate in spring chores, and join a hayride. Admission is just $3 a person.

Wagner Farm
1510 Wagner Road Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9 am-5 pm, Sun. 9 am-3 pm
847.657.1506

Heller Nature Center (Highland Park): Here’s just one of Highland Park’s nature offerings, where there are plenty of special activities to get your kids engaged in the world around them. Check out the Arbor Day activities on April 25 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Heller Nature Center
2821 Ridge Road
847.433.6901

Lockhart Family Nature Center (Lake Forest): A Lake Forest treasure, families can enjoy a wide variety of springtime activities at Lockhart – there’s even a Parent / Child Nature class running on Saturdays, April 19 - May 17. Other activities include nature walks, prairie plantings and River Day on May 10.

Lockhart Family Nature Center
350 N. Waukegan Road

Beaches:

It’s not swimming season yet, but you can still enjoy Lake Michigan...

In Wilmette, Gillson Beach opens May 10 for sailing season!

In Highland Park, you don’t want to miss the annual SmeltFest on April 25 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. at the Park Ave. Beach. It’s a North Shore tradition, where you can catch your own smelt and even try a taste or two! The Park District will be on hand with nets to borrow – it’s just $5 a car or $2 a person.

Park Avenue Boating/Fishing Beach
31 Park Avenue, Park Avenue and Lakefront

Get Gardening:

In Wilmette, check out The Chalet’s Garden Faire April 25 - 27. There’s free soil testing, hands-on demonstrations, lectures, raffle prizes and children’s activities!

The Chalet
Lake Ave at Skokie Rd.
Wilmette
847.256.0561

Biking:

Get those bikes out of storage! We’ve a few great places to put them to use!

In Deerfield, there’s a Family Bike or Hike planned for Sunday, April 27 from 1:30 - 3 p.m. at Jewett Park. There’s a scavenger hunt and prizes for families celebrating Earth Day!

Jewett Park
836 Jewett Park Dr.
Deerfield

In Northbrook, Chicagoland’s velodrome the 2008 racing season kicks off in May – spectators can enjoy cyclists moving faster than 40 miles per hour for just $2 a person. And you can even try out the velodrome yourself when no other events are scheduled!

Ed Rudolph Velodrome
Located off Waukegan Rd. just north of Techny Rd.
Northbrook
847.291.2980