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Skokie is a village of about 67,000 people in Cook County, Illinois, bordering the north side of Chicago. Founded as Niles Center, it took the name Skokie in 1940 and boomed after World War II, when many families, including a large Jewish community with many Holocaust survivors, moved north from the city. Today it is one of the most diverse suburbs in the Chicago area.
The village is home to the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, one of the most powerful museums of its kind in the United States. The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts hosts theater and concerts, the Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park lines the North Shore Channel with large outdoor works, and Westfield Old Orchard is a popular open-air shopping center.
Skokie also has many neighborhood parks, the Emily Oaks Nature Center and a compact downtown around Oakton Street and Lincoln Avenue. The CTA Yellow Line connects to Chicago's rail system, putting the Loop, Evanston and Northwestern University within easy reach.
A major museum opened in 2009 that tells the story of the Holocaust through artifacts, survivor testimony, a German railcar and holographic interviews with survivors, then turns to human rights today. Plan at least three hours. Exhibits are intense; the Youth Exhibition suits younger visitors.
A free outdoor sculpture park along the North Shore Channel and McCormick Boulevard, with dozens of large contemporary sculptures set along a paved path. It links to the North Shore Channel Trail for walking or cycling. Download the park map or app to learn about each piece as you walk.
A modern performing arts center in downtown Skokie that is home to Northlight Theatre and hosts touring shows, orchestras, comedy and family performances in two theaters. It is the area's main venue for an evening out. Parking is free in the garage next door; book popular shows early.
A large open-air shopping center opened in 1956, with landscaped walkways, fountains and gardens between department stores, brand shops, restaurants and a movie theater. Walking between stores outdoors feels pleasant in summer. Expect heavy traffic on weekends and around the holidays.
A small nature preserve run by the Skokie Park District, with oak woodland, a pond, prairie plantings and short trails that feel far from the busy streets around it. A visitor center offers nature programs for children and families. Free to visit; good for birding in spring migration.
A hands-on science and play space run by the Skokie Park District, with exhibits on air, water, building and sound designed for young children. It is a good rainy-day stop for families with kids up to about age ten. Check opening times and buy admission at the door.
A small local history museum run by the Skokie Park District in a historic former firehouse building, with exhibits on Niles Center farm days, the growth of the village and its many immigrant communities. Admission is free or low cost. Check limited opening hours before going.
The village center around Oakton Street and Lincoln Avenue, with the Village Hall, the North Shore Center, Skokie Public Library and a mix of restaurants serving food from many cultures. The Skokie Farmers Market runs here on summer Sundays. Easy to explore on foot after a show.
A highly regarded public library on Oakton Street with bright reading spaces, a large collection in many languages, a makerspace and busy programs for all ages. Visitors are welcome to browse and use Wi-Fi. It sits in downtown Skokie, a short walk from the North Shore Center.
Walter J. Lauth Park is one of Skokie's many well-kept neighborhood parks, with lawns, mature trees, playgrounds and sports fields used by local families. It is a calm place to stretch your legs. Skokie Park District runs more than 30 parks, so there is usually green space close by wherever you stay.
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