This section is intended as a repository of the many great things to do around here not covered in any other section.
Brookfield Zoo:
3300 Golf Rd., Brookfield, (708) 485-0263. Tickets are $8.00 ($4.00 senior/children; free Tuesday and Thursday in January, February, October, November, and December. Saturdays and Sundays are free in January and February. Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. all year. (http://www.brookfieldzoo.org).
Morton Arboretum:
Just off Rt. 88, north on Rt. 53 in Lisle, IL. A nice place to see lots of trees and gardens. Open 365 days a year from 7am to 7pm in daylight savings time and from 7am to 5pm central standard time. (630-968-0074). Admission fees are: $7 Adults, $5 Seniors, Children (3-12) $2 and Children 2 and under are free
Casinos:
Downtown Aurora houses a riverboat casino. This is no Vegas style gambling, but good for a hoot if you're loaded with dough. Unfortunately very few grad students are in that position. There is a casino in Joliet as well.
Riverwalk:
Starts in downtown Naperville (Ogden east to Washington and south to where you see water and parking space), which is in general pretty. Walk to your heart's content.
Naperville Astronomical Association:
Astronomy club for soutwhest suburban Chicagoland (http://www.stargazing.net/naa/) Free public meetings and stargazing from the observatory.
Frank Loys Wright Home & Studio:
951 Chicago Ave., Oak Park. (708) 848-1976. Tickets are around $8. Tours are available Monday through Friday (http://www.wrightplus.org/homestudio/).