Free Museums in Woodridge

"The MCA is one of the city’s museums that’s in a near constant state of transition. With its relatively small permanent collection, it relies on special shows—from large scale installations to video, fashion, music, photography, and more—that showcase just as many rising local talents and underground, avant-garde renegades as recognizable names. Past exhibits include David Bowie Is, Takashi Murakami: The Octopus Eats Its Own Leg, and Virgil Abloh: Figures of Speech."

"Another great family-friendly art museum is the Museum of Contemporary Art. Their belief is that it’s never too early to enjoy contemporary art and they have two great programs to help accomplish their mission. On the second Saturday of the month, the museum hosts Family Day with open-ended activities inspired by current art exhibits."

"This child-friendly museum in Lincoln Park presents the natural history of the Chicago region in smart and interactive ways. As an institution the museum was founded back in 1857 and moved into a new home in the park in 1999. The old museum, now used by the zoo, was known for its detailed static dioramas, and while these are still here, they’re joined by spellbinding living environments like the astonishing Judy Istock Butterfly house, where 1,000 butterflies flutter in a 250-square-metre greenhouse."

"The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum has been a Chicago staple for more than 160 years!. Located in Lincoln Park, the museum is dedicated to educating visitors about our natural world, conservation, preservation, and restoration through hands-on fun. Toddlers love exhibits and museum areas such as:"

"The Arts Club of Chicago is an art museum with public exhibitions and private tours. The club's first floors are open to the public at no admission cost; private tours of the permanent collection can be arranged. The Arts Club, which opened in 1916, was home to the first United States showing of Pablo Picasso's work."

"Quality nigiri, sashimi, and maki selections are joined by an array of appetizers and hot entrees at Nabuki, a Hinsdale eatery known for its Latin-influenced take on Japanese cuisi..."

"Fans of Iliana Regan’s cooking will know they’re in the right place upon entering this cozy corner spot, which is brimming with some of the chef’s signature animal-inspired quirks including chopsticks that rest on a porcelain rabbit and red fox pitchers to hold broth and guard the kitchen pass. Kick things off with one of the team’s house made sodas (make it the Galangal ginger beer) before delving into texture-driven starters like green garlic chawanmushi and steamed scallop gyoza with charred turnips. A donabe hot pot is packed with mackerel and serves as the perfect accompaniment to an umami-rich bowl of ramp ramen noodles."

"Kitsune Restaurant and Pub is unpretentious by design, focusing in on Japanese flavors with touches of Midwestern. Pulling local ingredients, the restaurant aspires to not be a “fusion” of some sort but to just, well… be. Located within a quaint and modern haunt, Kitsune features Sake cocktails, Omakase dining, and a rotating menu of delicious eats that change along with the season."

"Restaurants Bakeries Albany Park. Upon entering this small but mighty Latin bakery, you'll grab a basket and a pair of tongs from the folks working the counter. Do a lap and plot out your order before opening the pastry cases and helping yourself to pillowy conchas, stuffed churros and colorful, candy-studded cookies—all made fresh daily."

"Markello's Baking Company produces tons of fresh Mexican, Guatemalan and Greek pastries every day.|© EvelynGiggles / Flickr. This bakery has been family-owned and operated since 1982 when Markellos Res decided to start making and selling Greek pastries. By 1991, Markellos was able to expand his namesake Baking Company to its current spot in Albany Park."

"Another cooling dessert worth highlighting is the gelato at Black Dog Gelato, which the brainchild of crafty pastry chef Jessie Oloroso. Her offbeat gelato flavors are fascinating, not only in surprising ingredient combinations, but in silken texture and illustrious hue. You really can't go wrong with any of the them, from the rich malted vanilla to the goat cheese-cashew-caramel."

"A former pastry chef, Black Dog Gelato founder Jessica Oloroso now uses her knack for flavors to make artisanal gelato. Choose from favorites like goat cheese cashew caramel, strawberry balsamic, and chocolate coffee toffee, all handmade in small batches each day."

"Black Dog offers some of the most unique gelato flavors in Chicago. If you’re feeling adventurous, this is the only gelato place to go."