I live in Orland Park, about 25 miles southwest of Chicago. My parents are going to be visiting me for Christmas, so they will be here Monday, Dec. 21 - 28ish? Not sure on the departure date, since they're driving, but I'm fairly certain they're leaving before New Year's.

I'm looking for some sites, attractions, events, etc. going on in the suburbs during this week. A lot of information I already have are for places closed this week. It also seems to take me forever to track down a place. I'll look through tons of websites, brochures, books, etc. and not see a place mentioned, then stumble upon something in some obscure place, only mentioned there!!

Our local Village of Orland Park has a Winter Wonderfest w/ ice skating and sledding. Also, Naper Settlement is a new favorite and are open that week for audio tours. The Center in Palos has a few Christmas events, too. I think that's about it for my area that I can find!

I've looked up a few other items such as at Brookfield Zoo, the Botanic Garden, Cantigny Park, etc. that have some light fests going on. Has anybody been to these, and are they worth the drive? I've only visited the zoo to see the animals, so would like your advice on these.

We're ok with going into the city and driving a bit to get to things, I'd just like to consolidate those things to hit them all at once, instead of a million trips criss crossing back and forth. So please feel free to recommend stuff within a larger radius of all the suburbs if you know anything worth it - north suburbs or even Indiana!

We like tours, museums (been to all of the major city ones already), historical, parks, etc. Not really the shopping or mall scene.

Have you tried Galana, ILL? it would be a couple hrs drive but it is charming. http://www.galena.org/

If you're 'ok' with going into the city (and even if shopping isn't high on the list), taking the folks to see Michigan Avenue in the evening seems like a Chicago 'must.' You could time it to either start out in the late afternoon with tea at the Drake Hotel (one of the really great vintage hotels, and their lobby Christmas display is wonderful), and/or have an after-dark cocktail in the lounge atop the Hancock.

There's always Oak Park, which is a western suburb of Chicago. You can tour Frank Lloyd Wright's Home and Studio, Ernest Hemingway's Birth House (and the allied small museum down the street), and Unity Temple -- plus you can stroll in this immediate area to see some really attractive homes in both various Victorian styles and the Prairie School style.

In addition to Tuckerdc's suggestions, there, the tree in the Walnut Room at Macy's/Field's on State Street. There's the Christkindl Market on Daley Plaza, check www.christkindlmarket.com/.

One of my fav trees in the city is in the mall at 900 N Michigan. The Renaissance Hotel at 1 W Wacker traditionally has a gingerbread village in the lobby and several other hotels such as the Ritz and Palmer House have similar decorations in their lobbies.

You could combine a trip to Michigan Avenue with Zoo Lights at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Admission is free while I think Brookfield is around $12.

If you opt for the Botanic Garden, you should also stop to see the B'ahai Temple in Wilmette. The temple has parking available and admission is free. Check www.bahai.us/bahai-temple.

If you're looking for evening activities, there are plenty of shows around. The Joffrey Ballet is presenting Nutcracker through December 28 at the Auditorium Theatre and the Goodman Theatre has A Christmas Carol through December 31. Cirq du Soliel is doing its new show Banana Shpeel at the Chicago Theatre, there's the pre-Broadway Addams Family at the Oriental, The Snow Queen at Victory Gardens and Blue Man Group at Briar Street. For info on theatres, check www.chicagoplays.com/.

Wow, thanks for the ideas. Now I have more researching ahead!

We've been to the Frank Lloyd Wright studio, but I know there's other Wright buildings in the area we missed. Also did not know about the Hemingway attractions. I also think my mom would love the Victorian and Prairie homes, esp. decorated for Xmas.

Thanks for the theater suggestions, Citylights! I heard an ad on the radio for the Joffrey Ballet, but they only gave one date, so that's good to hear it's through the 28th!

Is Goodman still doing their Christmas Carol production? That was a family highlight for us for many years. (And I too like Citylights' ideas...except for Macy's. I'm one of those hard-liners (even though I no longer live in Chicago) who is not about to SET FOOT inside Macy's. (sorry!)

Just remembering, another enjoyable family tradition, was to take in the windows (are they STILL doing worthwhile windows?) and then have pizza at Uno or Due (or Heaven on Seven).

Goodman DOES have info. for Christmas Carol through the 31st! Thanks!

BF is the same way about Macy's -- I don't get it.