1. Lincoln Zoo

This zoo is massive, as it is 35-acres, and it is quite old, as it was founded back in 1868. As of now, it is free to enter the zoo, and there is ice skating in the winter. This means you can go and have fun there anytime of the year.

2. Willis Tower

This tower is very tall, and it was once the tallest building in the world. You will love it here because it offers you amazing views of the city. All you have to do is get to the 103rd, and there you will find a sky-deck, which will leave you breathless due to the gorgeous views you will see of Chicago.

3. Downtown

All you have to do is head to downtown Chicago, and you will find that there are many things for you to do and see there. You can dine at one of the many highly rated restaurants, or check out some of the best retailers in the world or experience the Chicago nightlife. You might want to take in a play, and you can also do that while in Chicago. It doesn’t matter what you’re into, the chances are you will find something you will love to do or see when you are in downtown Chicago.

4. Navy Pier

This is a massive pier that is located right near Lake Michigan, and it is a must-see for families, as well as couples. The pier is 3,000+ feet long, and there is a lot to do there, such as visiting the gardens that can be found there, or you might be more interested in doing a little bit of shopping at some of the great places that are there. Also, make sure to go on the Ferris Wheel and other rides that can be found at Navy Pier, or just go and have a walk around and enjoy the sights that the pier has to offer.

5. Lakefront Trail

The trail runs 20 miles along the shores of Lake Michigan (south of Evanston) and is a must see for those who love walking, jogging or cycling. Grab yourself a bicycle and enjoy the views and surroundings as you cycle along the trail. You might enjoy a walk or jog instead, but regardless of what you choose to do, you will want to visit this trail. We’ve even had clients in Evanston take a wall while we clean their vehicle.

As you can see, there are a lot of things to do in Chicago. There are even more things that you can do and see there. However, make sure you visit and see the above places first, or at some point of your trip to Chicago.

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1. EVANSTON

This suburb is very big and is composed of diverse community that is located to city’s north near Lake Michigan. It has remained a very attractive place for every visitor who visit Chicago. The big Northwestern University is situated here and it also boasts of 61 registered historical places. It has cool and awesome sandy beaches too.
Most people expect more from this suburb as it is home to big companies and one big university. They have craft breweries but most people have never forgiven the Suburb for the allegation their actually lead to the prohibitions.

2. WILMETTE

This is another wonderful lakeside suburb that has a very famous old school cinema. Reviews that has been done, have placed the Wilmette as one of the top ten places you can best raise your family. It has also been registered as a desirable tourist attraction destination. Most visitors come to take long walks or enjoy bike rides with their family. You should also visit the Bahai Temple that is located on Linden Avenue.

3. WINNETKA

This community is very posh. This is evident to people who drive along this community with old cars and their get weird looks by the residents. It also very expensive to purchase land or an apartment in Winnetka.
Beside the pretension, the suburb is worth a visit. The downtown has a lot of independent and interesting shops. It also have 3 very cool beaches and a flagship bookstore. Reviews done places the book store as one of the best in the country.

4. Highland Park

This is another community that is worth a visit due to its unique downtown and magnificent mansions. It is the home of most expensive home that are located along 2700 Point Lane. There is a house that is located here that has 9 bedrooms and other 19 bedrooms. The mansion also have a garage that can accommodate 15 cars.

5. RIVER FOREST AND OAK PARK

Oak Park (East of the City of Naperville) is a very unique community that has been dubbed a learning community. This is the place that Wright started his successful career and his studio is open for visitors to see. When you are there you can see a number of houses he built in that place. This place is also known for its large population of FLW homes. Definitely check out Naperville and Orland Park if you’re in the area.

Spending time on most American suburbs can be very exciting especially to the visitors. Chicago is very different. It has a number of bed-roomed community and a number of historical sites that one can see while visiting the city. Statistics show that most visitors that come to the city do not leave the city. This is a shame because they miss out on a lot of beauty and a lot of places to visit. So if you find yourself in Chicago feel free to leave the city.

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The city continued to grow especially during the 1980s and 1990s when the East-West Tollway and Interstate 355 were constructed. During the past 20 years the town has quadrupled in size as the growth from Chicago brought wealth and jobs to the area.

The public library in Naperville has been named the number one library in the country each year frm 1999 through 2010 for cities with a population from 100,000 to 249,999. The library has three locations within the city limits.

Naperville, Illinois

North Central College is located in Downtown Naperville on a 59 acre campus and has been located there since 1870. Naperville could be called the “bedroom community for Chicago” as it is handy to live there if you work in Chicago proper. You can drive into downtown Chicago, but most commuters take the Metra, or do a drive and park to a closer Metra station. If you do drive to the down town, it’s about an hour’s drive in good traffic conditions. Naperville has its own charm, as it is about 30 miles or so from downtown Chicago, it has its own downtown that is very mature and provides all the shopping and social needs of a good sized community like Naperille. Although there is plenty to do through the rest of the chicago suburbs, Naperville has plenty for all! It has all of the charm of a small town, but it still continues to grow. Its current population of around 140,000 makes it the third largest city in the state of Illinois. One resident put it in terms of being a suburb that does all of the right things. Another put it into the perspective by saying that the city has a gracefulness that is missing from so many other suburbs. For the people living in Naperville, they would not care to live anywhere else as the city has all the sophistication anyone would need, while being able to maintain that small town feel. Another resident said that towns like Naperville don’t just occur by accident, as it takes hard work and planning, and good people to get it done by working together.

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Question: Isn’t rain a natural, cost-effective car wash?

Answer: No! Rain and snow contain dirt and pollutants from the air (commonly referred to as acid rain) and it can eat away at the finish on your car. After acid rain falls on your vehicle, the water evaporates, leaving a film of acid. Concentrated by sunlight, this acid can become so strong that it will “eat” through your car’s finish, ruining the vehicle’s paint and appearance. You’ll see a lot of this type of thing here is the suburbs.

Question: If my car has a high gloss clear coat finish, do I still need to wax it?

Answer: Yes. Most new cars have a clear coat finish which can be easily damaged by acid rain. Even with minimal time outdoors, any clear coat finish will begin to deteriorate after two years. The suns’ ultraviolet (UV) rays, salt and road wear also damage cars. Wax is an effective and efficient way to shine and protect your vehicle’s finish. It is recommended that a car receive a professional hand wax twice a year, along with a professional car wash once a week.

Question: Isn’t a hand wash in my driveway better for my car and safer for the environment?

Answer: No. Dirt that collects in wash water, sponges and chamois will scratch your vehicle’s finish. The technology used today in a professional car wash will not scratch or create “swirl” marks on your car. Not only is a professional car wash safer for your car, professional washes use only half as much water than a driveway wash and use biodegradable cleaning solutions to further protect the environment. Also, professional car washes are required to appropriately dispose of used, dirty water – not send it down a storm drain like you do in your driveway. I mean heck, we come to you, even if you live out in Plainfield or Geneva.

Question: What kind of car wash will do a good job cleaning my car?

Answer: Any professional car wash – full or self-service – can effectively clean a car without damage. There are several types of professional car washes using variations of touchless, semi touchless, cloth or brush methods of cleaning. In any of these operations, high pressure water and cleaning solutions are used to remove dirt and other potentially damaging particles from the finish, wheel wells and under carriage of your vehicle. A final fresh water rinse leaves your car spot free. Blowers or drying towels will remove excess water from the car.

Question: What if I don’t have the time or money to wash and wax
my car regularly?

Answer: To maintain the value of your vehicle, you can’t afford
not to professionally maintain the appearance of your car. And if you compare a professional car wash to a driveway wash – factoring in cleaners, waxes and water use – you will find that a professional car wash is not significantly more expensive than washing it yourself – and most professional car washes take less than half of the time of the typical driveway wash.

Basic Car Care Tips for Optimum Car Appearance:

• Wash your car once a week at a professional car wash.
• Always wash your car after a rain or snow to remove acid rain and road salt.
• Wax your car every six months. More frequent waxes may be needed if you live in a sunny climate or own a red, black or white car, as these colors are more susceptible to UV rays and need greater protection from the sun. (Don’t forget to wash after a day at the beach! Sea salt is also hard on your car.).
• Go to a car wash that is professionally managed, clean, well lit and displays their International Carwash Association member decal.

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“In our business we see all too many people with trouble that could have been avoided with good car maintenance habits”, he says. “Not only are these motorists inconvenienced, they also may be facing a pretty big … and unexpected .. repair bill.

“This kind of situation easily can be avoided by practicing preventive maintenance and paying attention to danger signals, like changes in the sound and feel of the vehicle. A periodic once-over of your car, as would be included in a professional lube and oil change service, can disclose a failing tire, a broken tail light, a leaking muffler or a long list of other possibilities.

“Ignoring symptoms won’t make them go away. Awareness, combined with good maintenance, not only can save time and money,” he concludes, “it can save lives.”

The C.A.R. Show airs each Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (EST) on stations across the country (That’s 8AM – 10AM here in Naperville). If the C.A.R. Show is not yet available in your listening area you can still call in your questions at 1-88-88-CAR-SHOW or e-mail your questions from their Web site (www.thecarshow.com).

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“Whether it’s bought from an individual or a car lot, purchasing a used vehicle requires extra steps,” explains Dale Collins, Car Care Council’s Director of Operations from Plainfield, IL. “But closer scrutiny helps ensure a better investment. We offer the following guidelines.”

First, know your budget and your needs. Until these are addressed every vehicle is a candidate. Because it’s so easy to “fall in love” with a car, one must be objective.

If there’s a trade-in, know approximately what it’s worth. Most libraries and banks have a used car appraisal guide, a valuable negotiating tool. If you’re not familiar with the business end of an auto-mobile, do your shopping with someone who is.

Assuming you’ll be looking at a number of possibilities, begin with a chart with which you can list each vehicle’s description, pros and cons, and owner’s phone number.

An evaluation could include a number of items, but don’t use one that’s too cumbersome. Your first look-over should include the following:
Visual Examination – Open all doors including the hood and trunk. Check for rust, weld marks, or a bent frame. Examine the muffler, tail pipe and exhaust pipe.

• Under The Hood – Check fluids. Examine hoses and belts for wear.
• Electrical System – Start the engine and check all accessories such as gauges, radio, wipers, etc. one at a time. Check the horn and all lights.
• Trunk – Is there a spare tire? Is it usable? Does it have a working jack?
• Interior – Badly worn upholstery and carpeting indicate neglect and heavy usage.
• Engine – Does it idle smoothly? Is its highway performance OK? Are there any unusual noises?
• Drive Train – During road test check smoothness of shifting or unusual noises.
• Suspension – Push down on the car’s corners, front and back. If it continues to bounce more than one and a half times the shocks may be worn.
• View the car from a distance; an unlevel car may indicate weak suspension.
• Steering – On a straight, level stretch be sure the steering wheel pulls neither to the left nor right. When rounding a corner it should return straight ahead smoothly.
• Tires – Examine tread and general condition. On the road test, listen for thumping or whining of faulty tires.
• Brakes – Driving between 30-40 mph, with no one behind you, apply the brakes. If they pull in either direction, there’s a problem. Apply slight pressure on the brake pedal at a speed of about 5 mph; check for an
  intermittent surge indicating drums or rotors that may be out of round.
• Another factor is odometer mileage, says the Council. Just because a car has high mileage doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be considered. It may be in better condition than one with fewer miles. Owner’s manuals emphasize that low mileage cars which have been victims of “stop and go driving” (several trips in one day of 10 miles or less) may fall into the “severe service” category. Not only is this type of driving tough on a vehicle, it requires special servicing the owner may have overlooked.
• Ask for service records. Many private owners proudly display their maintenance history books as a selling point. A new car dealer may provide this information if the vehicle originally was purchased and serviced there.
• Don’t Show ‘Em the Money Yet…
• When you’ve narrowed the field and made your final choice, invest in a comprehensive inspection by a qualified technician. If everything is A-OK, you have peace of mind. If there’s a problem and you still want the vehicle, you may be able to negotiate repairs and/or a discounted price.
• “Finally,” says Wagner, “involve your young driver in the entire procedure. Teenagers, especially girls, tend to get left out. They may be included in the looking stage, but when it comes to evaluating the strengths and weaknesses, having the car inspected, studying the warranty, arranging for credit, buying insurance, and signing all the papers, the parents tend to take over.”

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Many professions are governed by societies, even laws that guarantee experience, expertise and fair play, but the world of car repair is different. So how does the newcomer choose a service shop? The Car Care Council has several suggestions.

1. First, find a repair facility before you need one. It’s hard to be selective when you’re in a desperate situation.
2. Check with friends and associates. The shop that impresses them will probably impress you, too.
3. Consult the Better Business Bureau or local consumer groups. 
4. Look for a clean, orderly facility with modern equipment. Today’s cars usually require high tech machinery to diagnose problems.
5. Check on policies concerning labor rates, diagnostic fees, guarantees, payment methods, etc. Make sure they’re willing to provide everything in writing.
6. Any sign of professionalism such as civic, community, or customer service awards is a big plus. Even at the city level. Even Geneva out in the West Chicago suburbs has something along these lines.
7. Ask about the qualifications of the technicians. Especially important is certification by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. (ASE certifies technicians and collision specialists in 12 separate areas. Make sure your tech is certified in the appropriate area.)
8. Finding a reputable service shop is not only important when your car needs repair, it’s also vital for regular maintenance.
9. You can take advantage of a free offer from the Car Care Council. It’s an informative pamphlet about vehicle check procedures that you can take to your auto service shop.

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The lease contract calls for a lessee to have proper maintenance performed on the vehicle. If you’re taking over your own car when the lease expires, you already know how it’s been used and maintained.

Most off-lease vehicles have relatively low mileage with factory warranty remaining. Others, with the more appealing prices, may have been longer leases. Unless the lessee opted for an extended warranty, no coverage remains at turn-in time. This we learned from a friend that works at a dealer in Aurora, IL.

The higher the mileage the more important it is for the buyer to be sure what he or she is buying. While the new car dealer may sell the vehicle with his own warranty it is wise to examine carefully the terms. Many a used vehicle owner has discovered, to his dismay, that the needed repair is not covered.

For this reason, the Car Care Council suggests the buyer have a higher mileage lease car, as with any other used car, carefully inspected by a qualified technician.

Even a newer car, says the Council, may have undiscovered wear or damage that could show up after the car has been driven for a short time. One shining example is the vulnerable CV joint, a rubber boot that covers the flexing joint that delivers power from the transaxle to the wheels. Another is brake pads which, through abnormal use, could be worn.

The Council offers a pamphlet, entitled “AN ANNUAL PHYSICAL FOR YOUR CAR?” that lists some of the more important areas under the hood and around the car to be checked.

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“Our listeners most frequently ask us how to find a good mechanic,” says Dan Pietras, co-host of The C.A.R. (Consumer Automotive Repair) Show, produced in cooperation with Car Care Council. The syndicated radio program invites listeners to call in with automotive-related questions. National sponsors include: ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence), I-CAR (Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair), Dana, NAPA/Echlin, Prolong Super Lubricants, Raybestos, and Naperville Car Detailing (NCD).

Pietras and his co-hosts Roger Kwapich and Steve Stewart offer several recommendations to take the guesswork out of finding a good repair shop:
Shop for a repair facility before you need one.

• Ask for recommendations from friends, family, and other people you trust.
• Check with your local consumer organization about the shop in question.
• If possible, Pietras recommends you visit the facility and make the following observations:
• Is the shop clean and well organized?
• Is the staff courteous and helpful? They should be willing to take the time to explain their procedures with you.
• Look at the cars they are servicing. Are they comparable to your own?
• Visit with the shop manager. He should be willing to answer all of your questions.
• Look for signs of professionalism in the customer service area such as civic and community service citations, membership in the Better Business Bureau, or customer service awards.
• All policies (labor rates, guarantees, methods of payment, etc.) should be posted and/or explained to your satisfaction.
• Look for evidence of qualified technicians such as trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work, and ASE certifications – a national standard of technician competence.
• Make sure the shop will honor your vehicle’s warranty.
• Insist upon a written estimate before any work is done. This should identify the exact problem with the car, the parts needed, and the estimated labor charge. It should state that the shop would contact you for approval before the work is done or if they exceed the estimated charges.
• Find out if there is a diagnostic charge if you decide to have repairs done elsewhere.
• “Once you’ve begun patronizing a repair shop, stay with them and build a good relationship,” suggests Pietras. “Your technician can be like a family doctor for your vehicle. Then when a problem arises, the shop will have a repair history on your car.”
• After you have had your car repaired or serviced, it’s a good idea to keep good records and save all paperwork.
  If you are satisfied with the work on your car, reward the shop with repeat business. It is mutually beneficial to you and the shop owner to establish a relationship.
• If the service was not all you expected, don’t rush to another shop. Discuss the problem with the service manager or owner. Give the business a chance to resolve the problem. Reputable shops value customer feedback and will make a sincere effort to keep your business.
• A concluding recommendation from the Car Care Council: familiarize yourself with your vehicle by reading your owner’s manual and following your manufacturer’s service schedule.

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