Northbrook is about 25 miles north of downtown Chicago. Feel free to take the train, drive or Uber downtown. We recommend checking out the Chicago Architecture boat tour, going to a Cubs game (they are playing the Pirates the weekend of our wedding), or checking out the food scene! Millenium Park is also great neighborhood to visit; there you can find the Bean, The Art Institute of Chicago, and can grab a drink at the famous rooftop bar Cindy's.
The Chicago botanical garden is about a 10 minute drive from the Sheraton in Northbrook.
This is a local beach about 6 miles from the wedding venue/ Sheraton hotel so if you want to stay close to the venue and checkout Lake Michigan this a great spot to checkout.
Kyle is from Evanston (a northern suburb between the venue and the city) and there is a ton of stuff to do in town! A few ideas: visit the Northwestern Rocks (near Clark Street Beach), go swimming in Lake Michigan, get some sushi at Kansaku, and walk to Cold Stone creamery.