Day 1

From upscale to eclectic, the boutiques and stores in Downtown Frankfort offer unique selections and personal service that you won't find at the shopping malls. Your group will enjoy a relaxing shopping experience in the small-town setting of downtown Frankfort. They will discover quality children's clothing, art, women's shoes and accessories. Frankfort also boasts home decor, dollhouse and garden accessories, products for pampered pets, counters lined with penny candy, a butcher shop and more. The old-fashioned The Family Hearth General Store specializes in nostalgia. They carry candies from yesteryear, soy candles, ornaments, gifts, sauces, dips, popcorn and much more!

After a morning of shopping, it’s time for a siesta while lunching at Fat Rosie’s, located in Downtown Frankfort. Fat Rosie’s is a fun, hip and festive family-friendly Mexican Taqueria featuring a modern take on traditional Mexican fare with small plates, shareable “street foods” and endless tequila. House specialties include an array of mouthwatering handmade margaritas and sangrias. At Fat Rosie’s, you’ll enjoy the vibrant food and festive atmosphere.

Next, travel to Crete, where you'll be welcomed to Lotton Glass, the studios of Charles Lotton and his son Daniel. The studio artists are Jerry Heer and Scott Bayless. The business began in 1970 with prayers and dreams when Charles began in his backyard teaching himself the art of glassblowing. Today you can find Charles experimenting with some of the most breathtaking colors in the world. The chemistry of Charles is unique to Lotton Glass. They are one of the very few studios in the world to start with sand. Each artist has found his own style or niche you might say that produces some of the finest glass made in the world today. Few could foresee that Charles' works today would permanently grace hundreds of museum collections. His honored collectors have followed him through 40 years of glassmaking watching the incredible progression of design in his work.

Want more hands-on activities? Come in and play...shop, paint ceramic, create with mosaic, knit or take a class! Art 4 Soul features original art, contemporary crafts, jewelry, home decor items, purses, accessories and gifts. They are also home to the WEAR I AM line of inspirational items, empowering women, local artists, fair trade and making generous donations through your purchases! The boutique features many hand crafted items from local artists, recycled products, fair trade imports, and much more. Accessories for her, baby, clothing, home decor and great gifts! They are also the home of Art 4 Soul Studio...an all inclusive contemporary art studio.

What better way than to end the day with pizza and a private group dance lesson?

Little Joe’s Pizza: The same original recipe that was used over 60 years ago is still causing customers to say, ”WOW! That’s a great tasting pizza!” Whether your choice is a stuffed fresh pepperoni, mushroom and onion or a simple thin crust cheese mini 8” personal size, every pizza is made with the freshest ingredients and love.

Heart & Sole Dance: No partner needed. No experience required. No rhythm? No problem! Choose from traditional dance to dance fitness. Dance fitness is made up of easy to follow dance steps and infectious music...fitness in a fun and party-like atmosphere. It is a fantastic core workout and consists of moves that target the abs and back to increase agility and strength while toning and sculpting the torso. Dance fitness is a great fat burning workout, with interval training (the BEST cardio for burning fat). Traditional dance instruction can include one of the following: American Tango, Argentine Tango, Bolero, Cha Cha, Country Two Step, East Coast Swing, Foxtrot, Hustle, Lindy Hop, Mambo, Meringue, Nightclub Two Step, Polka, Rumba, Salsa, Samba, Triple Two-Step, Waltz, West Coast Swing or Viennese Waltz. 

Day 2

Shop, explore and dine at one of the unique downtown areas in the Chicago Southland! Choose between Orland Park or Homewood:

Orland Park

The Orland Park Historic District is home to Antique Row, where there are antique and specialty shops nestled in an 1800s neighborhood of historic churches, charming houses and colorful gardens.

There are many places to lunch in Orland Park. Let your group choose their favorite cuisine!

Orland Square and Orland Park Place is the place for your group! They are the largest, most upscale shopping malls in Chicago's south suburbs. Orland Square is home to Macy's, Apple, A/X Armani, Coach, J. Crew and Williams-Sonoma. A variety of other specialty shops and restaurants help to create a delightful shopping experience. Orland Park Place features an exceptional line-up of retailers including Old Navy, Marshalls, Nordstrom Rack, DSW, Jared Jewelers and many other fine stores. Come enjoy a day of fun and shopping!

For dinner, food and wine is combined to delight your group's senses. Let them experience Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, a modern casual restaurant with a menu created with their own handcrafted wines in mind. The group can start in the Napa-style tasting room, where they can view the wineries and sample the winemaker's latest creations. Next a stop in the gift store, to shop for a unique food or wine related gift. Finish in the bar and restaurant to enjoy a delectable dish designed to pair with Cooper's Hawk's own award-winning wine for a dining experience your group won't soon forget.

Homewood

Visit a unique and quaint downtown area: Homewood, home to the largest collection of Richard Haas murals anywhere in the world. Haas, a world-renowned painter specializing in large, illusion murals, was first invited to Homewood in the early 1980s. Your group will be able to experience all 14 of the large, hyper-realistic three-dimensional murals. This style is called trompe-l’œil, which means “deceive the eye” in French. The murals are scattered throughout downtown Homewood and along the historic Dixie Highway.

Also in downtown Homewood, you will find fun, unique boutiques selling everything from antiques to hand-crafted pieces at shops like Loulou Belle and The Villager Gift Shop. Looking for sparkle? Visit the family-owned Van Sipma Jewelers, in business for over 120 years. Try a hands-on experience and paint a wine glass at Bottle & Bottega.

Hungry for an awesome meal? Enjoy healthful and delightfully rich menu items at Redbird Cafe, including vegetarian and vegan options. You can also stroll around the corner to Cajun fair at the Maple Tree Inn, a Louisiana Brasserie, for dinner. Don’t forget dessert at Cold Stone Creamery!

Other Homewood activities include the Homewood Railroad Viewing Platform and the Dorband Howe House Museum and Homewood Historical Society.

**Please note: Itinerary may be modified to meet your group’s specific needs. Locations and selections are subject to availability. Please contact Tobie at Tobie@VisitChicagoSouthland.com or 708-895-8200 to obtain current pricing and confirmation of dates and locations.