Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Wood Dale

"Named for a former first lady of the city who passed away in 2011, Maggie Daley Park is one of Grant Park’s newest treasures. Laid out by landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh, the park opened in the northeast corner of Grant Park 2014 and shines for its recreation and family facilities. The whimsical Play Garden, for kids up to 12, is a playground like you’ve never seen, with six different zones like the Watering Hole which has a giant breaching whale, and the Enchanted Forest where you’ll walk under upside down trees ."

"Photo courtesy of Choose Chicago photo courtesy of Ranvestel Photographic. Located just east of Millennium Park, the new park recently opened the ribbon ice rink this winter. The rest of the 25-acre park, which will feature a playground for kids and many picnic tables and benches, is slated to open in 2015."

"Maggie Daley Park is THE park I take my toddler to when we have a good block of time for some serious fun. The 20-acre park really is a spectacular playground for toddlers. With plenty of green space to run around on, the best part of this park is the play garden."

"Located at the north end of Lincoln Park Zoo, the Lincoln Park Conservatory features four serene greenhouses (Orchid House, Fern Room, Palm House and Show House) all displaying fantastic arrays of flora. During summer, venture outdoors to find a lush, French garden filled with a large variety of plants and flowers, and a beautiful fountain. Many Chicago residents utilize this space to sit and read, toss a football around, let their kids run freely or just take in the beauty of nature."

"The Lincoln Park Conservatory is a conservatory and botanical garden in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. The conservatory is best known for its horticultural collections, community work, and educational programming. It is also housed in a glass house from the Victorian Era that is stunning to view on its own."

"Oz Park is an ode to author L Frank Baum’s most famous book, The Wizard of Oz. Baum was a resident of the surrounding Lincoln Park neighborhood back in the 1890s, before it became the established community it is today. Between 1995 and 2007, the Oz Park Advisory Council commissioned sculptures of the book’s characters including the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, and Dorothy and Toto."

"OZ Park is a community garden that celebrates a fun-filled “The Wizard of Oz” theme. The park features “Dorothy’s Playlot”, with play equipment for young children to climb, swing, and run. Families can then leisurely enjoy their afternoon among the beautiful flowers in the “Emerald Garden”."

"Le Macaron found on West Armitage Avenue invites guests to experience the best of French cuisine. The coffee shop’s website describes its macarons as the perfect delicacy, original and elegant, and we think they’re 100% correct. Le Macaron does offer some really fun flavors alongside the more traditional choices, though: including bubblegum, violet cassis, gingerbread, and strawberry key lime."

"I have been going here for as long as I can remember; it may be my original first favorite restaurant in Chicago. Fun fact, I posted that first picture to my feed back when I started my account back in 2014!. Eataly can only be described as an Italian food mecca… With several different restaurants, markets, wine bars, even a nutella bar, this place is a true destination and SO much fun."

"The first-floor market is a bustle of activity, with Italian groceries and housewares, coffee bars, gelato bars, and food counters, while the second floor hosts a number of Italian restaurants and counters for full meals and quick bites. The versatility of offerings to enjoy freshly made Italian cuisine is perfect for either short or long attention spans!"

"Well, Eataly’s takeout pies are purposefully under baked so that, once you throw one in the oven for a couple of minutes, it’ll taste just like you’re at the restaurant. You can order Eataly today off Caviar."

"Southport's main claim to fame is this 1929 movie house, which shows independent and classic films on its two screens. Live organ music…"

"For theatre lovers, check out a performance at The Chicago Theatre. If you feel like doing an activity, head to 10pin Bowling Lounge under the Marina Towers north of the Chicago River. They offer a selection of beers and upscale snacks."

"Among the 26 different gardens here are the three-island Malott Japanese Garden, the 5-acre Evening Island, and the Grunsfeld Children's…"

"This Andersonville neighborhood favorite is beloved for its new American-style breakfasts, fresh bakery, charming setting, and its use of locally sourced and organic food. While other breakfast menus are serving the obligatory eggs and avocado toast, spring and summer at m.henry brings a dandelion, shallot, and leek omelette; blackberry bliss cakes; Fannie's killer fried egg sandwich; "veritable vegan epiphany" with scrambled organic tofu, rapini, sweet onions served with tempeh strips or veggie sausage, sliced avocado, a petite fruit salad or house potatoes. The flavors of fall are revealed in items like Sweet Potato Flapjacks w/Apple Cider Syrup; Rustic Peasant Quiche; and Pumpkin Pecan Hotcakes w/maple mascarpone, among many others."

"m.henry is a well-known and trendy neighborhood gathering place on Clark Street for casual breakfast, lunch, and brunch. Hailed as one of the top spots for weekday breakfast and weekend brunch, the cozy café serves mainstay dishes such as “Fannie’s killer fried egg sandwich,” which is served with eggs, bacon, gorgonzola cheese, sliced plum tomatoes, and fresh thyme. Other comfort foods on the menu include homemade black bean cakes served with tortillas stacked with chorizo, eggs or scrambled tofu and adobo sauce, and vegan tofu scrambles with rapini, sweet onions, and tempeh strips."

"m.henry is an anchor for the Edgewater and Andersonville brunch bunch, but visitors to nearby Loyola University also descend on this comfy spot to dig in. There’s plenty of American comfort food to go around: filled-to-bursting omelets (sometimes with a twist: dandelion, shallot, and leek anyone?); heaving stacks of hotcakes; and brioche French toast layered with homemade lemon curd and raspberry coulis. The restaurant is committed to organic when possible, and there are lots of options for those on special diets."