Things to Do in Huntley

The Racine Civic Centre's campus sprawls along the shores of Lake Michigan, its three venues bustling with nearly every kind of celebration throughout the year. The strains of symphony concerts often resound through Festival Hall; the neoclassical 1920s-era Memorial Hall conceals eight different spaces behind its imposing stone façade; and warm weather scatters the merriment of assorted festivals and seagull family reunions across the lawn of Festival Park.

Chicago Savvy Tours’ knowledgeable guides unearth the Windy City’s gritty and occasionally hilarious history as they lead groups in and out of architectural landmarks during walking tours heralded by CBS Chicago as one of the city’s best. Tours wind past distinctive architectural works such as Adler and Sullivan's Auditorium building, the Mies van der Rohe–designed Federal Plaza, and the John Hancock building, named after the inventor of autographs. Year-round tour dates are available, with the heaviest rotation of times in the summer. Children are welcome, though like politics and prescription-drug ads, most of the content appeals to adults.

Led by a team of knowledge-packed guides, Joyce Walks Chicago introduces out-of-towners and natives alike to the Second City's historic hoods during a full schedule of weekly walking tours. Each unique jaunt showcases a variety of hidden gems and well-known attractions, such as the Lincoln Park and Old Town tour, which weaves along the lakefront, or the Loop Art & Architecture tour, which lets participants examine The Picasso and solicit autographs from famous skyscrapers. The company's well-researched repertoire also includes seasonal treks that unveil some of the city's most decorated dwellings, affording tour takers the chance to absorb winter's twinkling lights and summer's stickball games between neighborhood pigeons.

The bronze likeness of Michael Jordan—the Bulls' #23 and basketball's undisputed king—leaps into the air in front of the United Center, ascending into the annals of sports history. Across town, the sound of Babe Ruth's most famous homer rebounds off of the iconic walls of Wrigley Field. The Roman-meets-modern architecture of Soldier Field—where Walter Payton, Mike Ditka, and "The Fridge" grew to larger-than-life—straddles Chicago's lakefront. The resounding Black Sox scandal clashes with the victorious 2005 World Series Champs banners at U.S. Cellular Field, where the White Sox's famous exploding scoreboard towers above the Bridgeport neighborhood.

During an air-conditioned bus ride, local comedians wax historic as tourists are brought within earshot and camera-shot of Chicago's proudest pro-sports franchises. The Chicago Sports Tour parades from the North to the South side, brushing shoulders with famous ballparks and weaving through more than a century of athletic anecdotes and civic pride. Augmented by laughs and entertainment, it reveals more than the brick-and-mortar façades of the famous stadiums. The guides bring each building to life with fascinating anecdotes, and rides from one stadium to the next cover neighborhoods such as Wrigleyville, Bridgeport, and Little Italy—where fans and players alike eat, drink, and argue about their favorite peanut vendors.:m]]

Creativity, collaboration, and carbs. The owners of Bespoke Cuisine advocate all three. According to their company manifesto, they also believe “eating well is a life skill,” “a little fat never hurt anyone,” and “anyone can cook delicious food.” The staff expounds on these and other company principles at public and private cooking parties, which give visitors a glimpse inside Bespoke’s commercial kitchen on Randolph Street's Restaurant Row without stowing away in a gravy vat. During these BYOB events, chefs help guests construct their own meals and teach basic cooking skills before the group retires to the dining room to eat the fruits of their labor. For those who prefer a hands-off experience, Bespoke also caters events or hosts them in a chic private-event space.

Use today’s Groupon for a "try 'n' buy": attend a wine tasting and sample six wines (normally $12), decide on a favorite, then purchase a bottle (normally $17). Or skip the tasting and simply put your Groupon toward wine. Vintner’s offers a broad selection of wines in all colors of the winebow to perfectly suit your moods and needs: