Any interesting places in the North Chicago area?

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pssherman

pssherman

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My wife is attending a conference this saturday for her home-based business. We will be driving to north Chicago (near Ohare airport) Friday and leaving on Sunday. I will have most of saturday to do whatever while she attends the conference. Are there any good woodworking shops or other good places to visit for the day?

Thanks.

Paul in AR
 
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Forget the woodworking for the day and take the airport train/subway to the Loop. I would suggest Berghoff's until recently Chicago's oldest restaurant but now history.

Chuckie
 
I believe there is an owl lumber pretty close to the airport. They have a large selection of exotics in a lot of various sizes. I would say you could spend the day in my shop, but my wife is supposed to be having a baby on Friday.

Chris
 
My all time favorite place is Sawbridge Studioes. They have a store downtown and a store in Winnetka. They promote the artisans as much as their work. A whole store of hand-made furniture from small shops, that will absolutely blow you away. The downtown store has about twice the floor space and product. The last time I went downtown they had a lot of bowls and boxes downstairs.

http://www.sawbridge.com/

I also really enjoyed a visit to the Frank Lloyd Wright Studio in Oak Park. His home and studio have been completely restored. They have guided tours of the home and studio, and tours of the neighborhood. It might be too early in the year for the guided neighborhood tours, but a walk around is really nice.

The last time my wife went there to visit our son, they went on a downtown architechtural tour on a boat on the Chicago River. One tour is just downtown, the other goes on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Might also be too early in the year for that as well.

And of course, Uno's or Mangiano's deep dish Chicago style pizza. Oh yeah, the pizza!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our daughter lives in Schaumburg, our son downtown. We get there about everyother month.
 
Originally posted by Chuck Key
<br />Forget the woodworking for the day and take the airport train/subway to the Loop. I would suggest Berghoff's until recently Chicago's oldest restaurant but now history.

Chuckie
Click to expand...

Berghoff's gone? [:0] Yer right, it was a big part of Chicago history for many decades. Howzabout Cafe Bohemia? Still there? Most interesting menue anywhere. Really great. To answer the question, there is no end to the variety of attractions in and around Chicago. Pick up a guide and take yer pick.
 
Let's not forget Old Town-still has some artisans (last time I was there-7 yrs ago or so), Navy Pier-beautiful stained glass exhibit, the Museums-my favorite the museum of Science and Industry (at least a weekend full). If you get bored in Chicago, you're trying to be bored.
 
The closest thing to a good woodworking store near me is Lowes or HD and they don't carry anything lathe related. I don't get out to the shop very much (maybe 5 days/evenings each month) and since I only have 1 day available, woodworking stores/shops are my highest priority.

Paul in AR
 
Wood-Owl Lumber is a good suggestion, it is in Des Plaines and not far from Rosemont (is she at the Stephens center?-we do a Christmas show there).

Owl Lumber handles exotics-they are NOT cheap. But, you can easily kill a couple hours. Lathe related, Woodcraft in Palatine (easy access, but probably 20 miles) has a selection of lathes, mostly Jet. Going the other direction, do a Yahoo map to Sycamore Il, "The wood connection" I think-again, great selection of exotics and knowledgeable-also have a display area with turnings -Dick Sing teaches here a couple times a year. Bin Pho is also represented (I think) along with other Chicago Woodturner members.

If those who live closer can add anything, feel free-these are only random thoughts.
 
The store in Sycamore is The Hardwood Connection. They are North and a little west of Dekalb. They have a woodmizer and cut all there own domestics. Incredible selection!! That's where I used to buy all my "candy" until I started cutting for myself. One time they had some crotch slabs of ash that had to be strapped to the wall to keep from killing someone if it fell over. It could only be handled with a forklift! Pretty pricey though. Are you interested in coming through Peoria? It would probably be out of your way a little,(I am about 1 hour west of Bloomington if you are coming up I55), but the hours are good. I'll be home most of the weekend. I have as much stock on hand as some of the stores. And my prices are alot less!!!! I have a couple thousand pen blanks, and about 1500 board foot in the garage, shed, and basement. You could stop on the way back Sunday if you are interested, or have money left. Drive a truck though, I've got a lot of burl that is getting a little long in the tooth for staying outside. Everything under cover is full!!!

Their is another nice store in Waconda. It is called Woodwerks. It is pretty far north, and mostly cater to the "flat woodworkers". They don't have great Saturday hours, if at all, but they have a lot of nice industrial machinery and hardwoods. Check before making the travel.

I'll keep thinking, and let you know about anymore.
 
Originally posted by woodbutcher
<br />There's a cheese store a little farther north in Wisconsin.
Jim
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"A" cheese store? I thought the whole state was a cheese store. Wait a minute, there are a few fudge shops too[;)]

Rich
 
Dawn pointed out that I had missed a couple comments about "good ol' Wisconsin". We have a reputation, earned by portraying ourselves as cheeseheads, but not at all accurate.

Every small town in Wisconsin has ONE trait-the "main" corner is composed of 2 bars, a "diner" that serves "shot and a beer" and a restaurant, specializing in beer-battered fish. [:p][:p][:p]

Of course, the breweries have mostly moved out, but the ma&pa bar still strives to survive.

Oh, and cheese curds go great with, you guessed it, BEER!![:0][:0]
 
Originally posted by ed4copies
[br] We have a reputation, earned by portraying ourselves as cheeseheads, but not at all accurate.
Click to expand...

Ed,

Didnt you know that wisconsin you are no longer the number one dairy state. So you can no longer be called cheeseheads.
 
Dawn & I were just discussing that: When in Florida last, they claimed to have taken away the "dairy state" title.

When I came to Wis, decades ago, I was amazed at one of their signs, "Welcome to Wisconsin, come smell our dairy air"[8D][8D]

And, when I bought my first house, the next door neighbor raised pigs-brought tears to the "baby blues" some mornings![B)][B)]
 
Ed you forgot brawurst. Can't have cheesecurds and Leinies without a brat.

Richard, thanks for the tip on The Hardwood Connection in Sycamore. I have family in Aurora and I drive by there, will have to take the truck next time.

Oh and when in Chicago, don't miss Lou Malnatti's pizza (439 N Wells). Best deep dish. I'm dying thinking about it. Also great is Giordano's, many locations in Chicago.
 
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