The thriving metropolis of Chicago is filled to the brim with activities for locals and tourists alike. Shopping, art, culture, nightlife and some of the best restaurants in the world are just some of the reasons Chicago hosts millions of visitors each year. Thanks to a diverse population that is rapidly growing, the suburbs of Chicago offer as much fun and entertainment as the city itself.
There is high-speed adventure waiting for you just outside of Chicago at Jet Karting, a go-kart race track in the suburb of Sheridan. With karts that go up to 45 mph, you will feel the wind in your hair as you whip around a track that is over a half-mile long. As of 2010, 15-minute rental racing sessions start at $30 and group tours with five racers start at just $95 per driver.
JET Karting
3674 East 2603 Rd.
Sheridan, IL 60551
815-496-9196
jetkarting.com
Take a nostalgic trip down memory land in one of the few remaining drive-in movie theaters in the United States. McHenry Drive-In Theater is located in the Chicago suburb of McHenry and provides an authentic drive-in experience for $7 per adult admission ticket, with children and seniors receiving a discount. Enjoy classics like Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Grease, The Shining and ET during the Fall Throwback Series, or get dressed up for regular showings of the Rocky Picture Horror Show.
The McHenry Outdoor Theater
1510 Chapel Hill Rd.
McHenry, IL 60050
815-385-0144
cyouatthemovies.com
Chicagoland Skydiving Center offers the ultimate adrenaline rush for thrill-seekers within less than an hour from downtown Chicago. First-time skydivers can get an exciting introduction to the world of skydiving with a tandem dive (accompanied by an experience skydiver) from 18,000 feet. Beginners who are interested in skydiving without being tandem can enroll in Freefall University at Chicagoland Skydiving Center, which is a United States Parachute Association (USPA) approved training program. If you are just looking for some fun or a new experience, they offer an “Arrive & Dive” policy, which means you can call ahead and skydive that same day.
Chicagoland Skydiving Center
12637 US Route 30 West
Hinckley, IL 60520
815-286-9200
skydivecsc.com
Renowned and delicious Eli’s Cheesecake has often been called “Chicago’s Most Famous Dessert” and has even supplied a 500-pound cheesecake for Barack Obama’s inaugural ball. You can see where the cheesecake magic happens by taking a tour of the Eli’s Cheesecake factory in the Chicago suburbs. Tours, also known as The Eli’s Cheesecake Experience, are done by reservation Monday through Friday; however, groups of nine or fewer can participate in the public tour, which is offered at 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Public tours for visitors are on a first-come first-serve basis.
Eli’s Cheesecake World
6701 W. Forest Preserve Dr.
Chicago, IL 60634
773-736-3417
elicheesecake.com
