Best Arts and Culture Places in Villa Park

"Play and learning are bridged together at this museum, where kids can: tackle the Cloud Buster, a 30-ton, 37-foot-tall steel dreamscape that celebrates adventure and risk-taking — qualities that are inherent to childhood — excavate dinosaur bones, explore the way water moves through pulleys and pipes, pretend to fight fires, and discover how our skyline full of buildings is created through architecture and engineering."

"As one of the most visited tourist spots in Chicago, Navy Pier offers a variety of activities and attractions designed just for kids, including:. With so many things to do in one spot, plan to spend at least half a day at Navy Pier to get the full experience and give your toddler a chance to explore. Navy Pier also hosts an assortment of events and festivals year-round."

"Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art, just off the Magnificent Mile, explores, exhibits, and collects art created since 1945. The museum is dedicated to allowing the public "to directly experience the work and ideas of living artists and understand the historical, social, and cultural context of the art of our time." It also puts a major emphasis on diverse voices that communicate through art. Continue to 5 of 10 below."

"Children under 18, members of the military and police and fire departments, and veterans are always free. Illinois residents are admitted free every Tuesday. Proof of residency is required."

"Ongoing weekend programs at the museum include workshops for kids to learn about identifying rocks and minerals or learning how to make jewelry. Collections include gemstones, fossils and an ornate castle. Online activities include virtual jewelry classes and rock identification classes."

"The eponymous founder of the Monique Meloche Gallery worked at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, the Rhona Hoffman Gallery and the Kavi Gupta Gallery before hosting her first exhibition in her home, which she called Homewrecker. Since then, Meloche’s established space in West Town has featured work by hundreds of emerging artists from across the globe. The gallery focuses on conceptually challenging installations, with an emphasis on curatorial and institutional outreach."

"The founder of Monique Meloche gallery focuses on emerging artists, and prides its foundation on conceptually challenging installations with an emphasis on curatorial and institutional outreach. The founder herself Monique Meloche worked at many other major museums, exhibitions and galleries before hosting her first exhibition in her own home, aptly titled Homewrecker."

"Monique Meloche Gallery built its reputation on spotting young talent that others overlooked. The gallery worked with Amy Sherald long before the artist painted Michelle Obama's official portrait. Founded in 2000, the gallery moved to its current location in the West Town arts district in 2018."

"Walk by the cashier and pass through two bars with old-school charm. Find a deep beer selection, classic cocktails, and even beer from the owners’ brewery, Marz. Food comes from Kimski, the Ko-Po fusion spot the meshes Korean and Polish, and Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream."

"Maria's has been in operation for years as what they call a 'slashie' - half tavern, half liquor store. Recently remodeled with recycled and refurbished hardwood floor-to-ceiling, this joint has been shaking up the Chicago suburbs ever since.[Learn more]"

"Don’t even bother coming to this homey Bridgeport staple if you’re not interested in making new friends and toasting to warm Chicago nights. There’s also outdoor seating at Kimski next door if you need a food-filled break from the bar."

"Vertical Gallery, billed as “Chicago’s premier urban-contemporary art gallery,” features monthly exhibits that spotlight work influenced by street art, graffiti, urban environments, graphic design, pop culture and illustration. Patrick Hull, a Bay Area marketing executive who dreamed of fostering a street-art scene in Chicago that rivaled those on the East and West Coasts, founded the art space. The gallery has helped launch the careers of many urban-contemporary artists who have gone on to exhibit at renowned museums and galleries across the globe."

"Often referred to as "Chicago's premier urban-contemporary art gallery," Patrick Hull founded a street art scene in Chicago that rivalled those on the East and West Coasts. The Gallery features monthly exhibits that focus on work influenced by urban environments, graphic design, street art, graffiti, pop culture, and illustration. It has helped launch the careers of many urban-contemporary artists who have gone on to exhibit at renowned museums and galleries across the globe."

"Located in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood on the near west side of Chicago, Vertical Gallery is the city's premier urban-contemporary gallery. Founded in 2013, the space has established a reputation for its consistent programming of significant emerging and established local, national and international artists. Their main focus is on the works influenced by street art, urban environments, graffiti, pop culture, graphic design and illustration."

"Restaurants American Lincoln Park. No matter what the forecast looks like outside, this Lincoln Park restaurant from Lettuce Entertain You transports diners to sunny California through a bright and spacious dining room that's dotted with greenery. Choose from avocado toast loaded with tomatoes and scallion mascarpone, chicken tinga tacos with guac, or the charred summer corn elotes that's imbued with jalapeños and queso fresco."

"How important are cookies to the ethos of this Lettuce Entertain You Lincoln Park favorite?. The huge display case is the first thing you see when you walk in the door. That is no accident, my friends."

"Get a taste of California without leaving the city or even having to sit down through dinner. These cookies are always available alongside other sweets at their Market counter."

"If you’re looking for the perfect wedding cake, consider Alliance Bakery & Cafe in Chicago. Their team will work with you to select the ideal combination of fillings, flavors, and designs to suit your specific wedding vision. In addition to (or in lieu of) a wedding cake, they offer a variety of mini desserts, French and American, to create a mouthwatering sweet table."

"Located on N State St, Alliance Patisserie offers a range of contemporary twists on classic European desserts. Its assorted range of macarons changes with the seasons, meaning you can simply never tire of those on offer. Our favorites, however, are strawberry (served with strawberry white chocolate ganache) and rose (with rosewater buttercream)."

"Their stunning desserts are each crafted by hand using traditional techniques. You’ll find macarons, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and fine pastries that are (almost) too pretty to eat."

"North Center/Bowmanville Founded in 2006 well before the current craft beer craze took hold of America, Half Acre is one of the OGs of Chicago brewing and is regarded by many experts as the finest craft brewer in the city. With not one, but two breweries on the North Side (within a 10-minute drive of each other), Half Acre recently opened its massive 60,000-square-foot Balmoral facility as a testament to its increasing popularity and thirst for experimentation. Daisy Cutter (one of five year-round ales) is the beer that put Half Acre on the map, but the new digs have carved out more room for so-called “wyld beers” marked by experimentation and mixed fermentation."

"Half Acre Beer Company offers a substantial food menu along with a rotating selection of seasonal brews|© Serhii Chrucky / Alamy Stock Photo. When Half Acre’s original location – a 13,000-square-foot warehouse in Lincoln – became too cramped, it opened a second, even more cavernous space in Balmoral with a huge production facility. The brewery, which was founded by a couple of friends – one an artist, the other an engineer – is known for two year-round staples: the Daisy Cutter Pale Ale and German-style Pony Pilsner, but also offers a rotating selection of seasonal brews."

"Lights sit above the beer garden at the Half Acre taproom and kitchen at the Balmoral Street production brewery. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune). What was once the larger, but younger of Half Acre’s two taprooms is now the sole location, after the Chicago brewery recently sold its original Lincoln Avenue taproom to Hop Butcher for the World."

"A gorgeous brick warehouse with garage doors that open in the summertime, Spiteful Brewing is anything but. In fact, they’re more likely benevolent to their loyal customers, producing a delicious, new beer every season. Communal seating rounds out the welcoming atmosphere that comes with a visit to Spiteful Brewing."