Things to Do in Highland Park

Inside his 1,100-square-foot studio, Yoga Bent's owner and registered yoga instructor, Miguel Latronica, guides his students through innovative classes that incorporate his patented Mighty Body Body Band stretching device. The Latronica Method is largely based on the principles of isolated active stretching, and it employs his inventive system of ropes and harnesses to support and stabilize students as they work though seven forms of flexibility- and strength-building exercises. The studio's more traditional classes enable students to borrow a mat and sink into the longer-held Yin yoga postures designed to loosen those particular connective tissues that, like the budgets of toddlers, are difficult to stretch.

Hidden Creek AquaPark's sprawling grounds swim with watery entertainment for guests of all ages, from kids waiting beneath the water playground's dumping bucket to grandparents reading a good book atop lounge chairs. Swimmers can slip down the winding slide or take the plunge from a drop slide, which spits them out into the deep end of a pool that gradually descends from its zero-depth entry. Meanwhile, kids can keep themselves busy building castles and multistory housing units in a sand area. After practicing swan dives and cannonballs off the diving board, guests can storm the concession stand or relax on the lawn.

Founded in 2011, the Chicago-based American Chamber Opera features an ensemble committed to singing full-length oratorios in English. Its productions resemble concerts more than traditional opera performances: the music takes center stage as the singers belt and emote in settings that evoke the world of the story with just a few well-placed details.

Hedgehog Hannah travels to birthday parties, scouting events, and family gatherings to regale audiences with her collection of animals, providing an experience that is equal parts exciting and edifying. The assortment comprises critters from all over the world, including an alligator, a snake, and sugar glider. Humans have the chance to pet and play with the animals and play trivia games for which they may win prizes. Party packages are also available, and they may include a personally wrapped birthday gift, cake and pizza, or the chance to dress Hedgehog Hannah's chihuahua, Pablo, in costumes and accessories. Concerned parents need not fret, as each animal is trained to stay as calm and well-behaved as a Pilgrim practicing yoga.

Since its birth in 1949, The Alley, or at least the North Shore ground on which The Alley resides, has come full circle. During its earliest years, it was known as Mary Jane Lanes, a 10-lane bowling center that buzzed with family-friendly competition throughout the 1950s and '60s. That buzzing continued at a much louder decibel level during the 1970s, when Mary Jane Lanes became Minstrel's Alley, a go-to music venue rocked by the riffs of bands such as REO Speedwagon and The Ramones. In the 1980s, after crews restored its lanes and dug out all the burnt electric guitars embedded into its gutters, the building returned to its origins as a family-first bowling center. Today, The Alley has been updated with automatic scoring, projection TVs, and pool tables ready to accommodate guests of all ages. Every Friday and Saturday, though, The Alley detours back through the '70s, as live bands revive the facility's glory days during Rock and Bowl.