Here's a few fun places and restaurants in the area. Recommendations for downtown Chicago activities are just an hour train ride away, or forty minute drive.
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022, (847) 835-5440
Northbrook Court
1515 Lake Cook Road, Northbrook, IL 60062, (847) 498-8161
Walker Bros. Original Pancake House
200 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL 60069, (847) 634-2220
Shedd Aquarium
1200 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, (312) 939-2438
The Field Museum
1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, (312) 922-9410
Bob Chinn's Crab House
393 South Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling, IL 60090, (847) 520-3633
Macy's
111 North State Street, Chicago, IL 60602, (312) 781-1000
They have a beautiful Christmas tree in their restaurants as well as decorated store windows