5 Star Places To Visit in Northbrook, Illinois, United States (4)

1. 5.0 The Book Bin (2 reviews)
   - Eat. Sleep. Read.
   Speciality & Gift Shops
   How does this small store manage to display so much merchandise? As well as not one but two turtles (Lily and Hardcover) in their personal, spacious tanks There are stuffed animals and toys; greeting cards; note cards; a great selection of journals; puzzles; Solmate sox; seven different choices of coloured pencil sets; and, oh yes, books. You can track down the staff picks -- suggestions colour-coded with round stickers indicating individual employee choices. Or you can browse the shelves to your heart's content. Then top off your purchases with their $4 magnet that reads, "Eat. Sleep. Read". The complimentary gift wrap is quite lovely, but the store also carries clever book totes (starting at $3.99) that could both hold and supplement your present. This is simply a wonderful, wonderful store. What are you waiting for? Visit. See my earlier review (August 26, 2021) for more details about the Book Bin. See more..
   
2. 5.0 Techny Prairie Park and Fields (2 reviews)
   - recreational showpiece open from sunrise to sunset.
   Parks
   
   
   There are five colour-coded trails ranging from half a mile to 3.10 miles. The park is pet-friendly, so bring your leashed dog for company. The signage is excellent. I finally found the bike repair station. it is not on the map, but you'll find it across from the Activity Center, just off the parking lot. Sponsored by George Garner Cyclery, the station enables cyclists with problems to do minor repairs whilst out instead of having to walk their bikes home. The station has a tire rack, tire pump, tire lever, hex key, wrenches, and screw drivers. The hand-held tools are attached to the station with theft-proof cords. Bring your disinfecting wipes. See my earlier review (May 2, 2020) for more details about Techny Prairie Park and Fields. See more..
   
3. 5.0 Inn Shop (1 review)
   - high-end consignment shop
   Saturday: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Speciality & Gift Shops • Antique Shops
   
   
   Open Thursday - Saturday, 10 - 4; Sunday 2 - 4. A charming one-room shop crammed with fairly-priced nostalgic items: jewelry, books, knick-knacks, sewing notions, toys, kitchenware, serving pieces, china, etc. Everything is clearly labeled. 35% of each purchase benefits the local historical society and museum. On my last visit I picked up a Judy Garland coloring book and three darling mid-century dolls. The Inn Shop is attached to the History Museum, so I suggest you come on a Thursday or Sunday when the museum is open. Parking lot. Although this level of the building is ramp accessible, it might be difficult to navigate the narrow aisles of the shop. See more..
   
4. 5.0 Potawatomi Woods (1 review)
   - hiker and photographer's dream....
   Nature & Wildlife Areas
   This preserve is part of the Cook County system. Don't park in the first lot, but drive a little further north to Lake Potawatomi. The view is magnificent -- whether the lake is reflecting the sky or the foliage on the opposite bank. Tree removal is scheduled until the end of June -- victims of the Emerald Ash Borer, damaged/fallen trees on the trails, etc. Bring insect repellent. All that water -- the four-acre lake and the nearby Des Plaines river -- tends to breed mosquitoes. This preserve is a hiker and photographer's dream. See more..