Ravinia Park

Ravinia Park Review

If you enjoy music under the stars, the outdoor concerts at Ravinia are a stellar treat. The Ravinia Festival, a summerlong series of performances, is the hot-months home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, but the festival also features popular jazz, chamber music, rock, pop, and dance acts. (There are also indoor concerts in cold months as part of the Rising Stars concert series.) Pack a picnic—and don't skimp, concertgoers do it up with everything from fine china to candelabras—and a blanket or chairs and sit on the lawn for a little more than the cost of a movie ($10 to $38). Large screens are placed on the lawn at some concerts so you won't miss anything. Seats are also available in the pavilion for a significantly higher price ($25 to $115). Restaurants and snack bars are on park grounds, so if you forget your goodies you still won't go hungry. Concerts usually start at 7:30 or 8 pm; the park usually opens three to four hours ahead to let everyone score spots and get settled. Weekend-morning concerts are aimed at kids, and families can take advantage of the park while it is slightly less crowded.