Entertainment & Experiences in Evanston, IL

Sandy Lake Michigan beach 15 minutes walk from downtown — lifeguards and volleyball

Sandy Lake Michigan beach closest to downtown Evanston with a designated swimming area, volleyball nets, and clean facilities. Lifeguards on duty in summer. The water is Lake Michigan cold but the sand is real and the views are free. Walk from Davis Street in 15 minutes.

1811 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60201 · Daily 11am-7pm (summer) · outdoor · Jun-Sep

Beach next to an 1873 lighthouse — more scenic, fewer crowds

Beach at the northern edge of Northwestern's campus next to the Grosse Point Lighthouse. More scenic and less crowded than Clark Street. The lighthouse itself dates to 1873 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Great for sunsets.

2601 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60201 · Daily 11am-7pm (summer) · outdoor · Jun-Sep

Walk the Lakefill — a man-made peninsula jutting into Lake Michigan

240-acre lakefront campus that's open to walk year-round. The Lakefill is a man-made peninsula jutting into Lake Michigan — locals jog, read, and watch sunrises there. Beautiful Gothic and modern architecture, the Deering Library courtyard, and Shakespeare Garden are all free to wander.

633 Clark St, Evanston, IL 60208 · Campus open daily · outdoor

Free, small, and consistently excellent — Northwestern's own art museum

Northwestern's free art museum with rotating exhibitions spanning contemporary art, photography, and multimedia installations. Small but consistently excellent curation. The kind of museum where you go in for 20 minutes and stay for an hour.

40 Arts Circle Dr, Evanston, IL 60208 · Tue-Sun 10am-5pm, Thu until 8pm · indoor

Climb an 1873 lighthouse for Lake Michigan views — tours weekends in summer

1873 lighthouse on the National Register of Historic Places. Tours available on weekends in summer — climb to the top for Lake Michigan views. The grounds and nature center are accessible year-round. Pair with a visit to Lighthouse Beach next door.

2601 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60201 · Grounds open daily; tours Sat-Sun 2-4pm (summer) · outdoor · Tours Jun-Sep weekends

Free gallery shows and art classes for every skill level since 1929

Nonprofit art center since 1929 with rotating gallery exhibitions, adult and youth art classes, and community events. The gallery shows are free and rotate monthly. Classes range from ceramics to printmaking to painting.

1717 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201 · Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12-4pm · indoor

10,000 years of Native American history — one of the only dedicated museums in the Midwest

Small but excellent museum dedicated to Native American and First Nations history and art. Rotating exhibitions, educational programs, and a permanent collection spanning 10,000 years. One of only a few museums in the Midwest exclusively focused on Native peoples.

3001 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201 · Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-4pm · indoor

Prohibition started in Evanston. Now there's an award-winning whiskey distillery.

Craft distillery making award-winning bourbon, rye, and gin — in the town that literally launched the temperance movement. Tours and tastings in the old-world industrial taproom. The irony is the best part. The whiskey is the second best part.

918 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60202 · Thu-Fri 4-10pm, Sat 12-10pm, Sun 12-6pm · indoor

Cozy neighborhood brewery two minutes from FEW Spirits — dog-friendly, kid-friendly

Community-focused brewery with a cozy, expanded taproom. Founded in 2014 by homebrewers. Family-friendly, dog-friendly, and the kind of neighborhood spot where you recognize the bartender. Rotating taps with a focus on approachable styles. Walk from FEW Spirits in two minutes.

821 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60202 · Wed-Thu 4-9pm, Fri 3-10pm, Sat 12-10pm, Sun 12-7pm

Venezuelan arepas and jalapeno-cucumber margaritas — nothing else like it in Evanston

Venezuelan street food — arepas, empanadas, and cachapas — plus a full bar with jalapeno-cucumber margaritas. Casual, affordable, and packed on weekends. One of the most unique dining options in Evanston.

1625 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60201 · Tue-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 11am-8pm · indoor

Davis Street's go-to for sushi and Asian fusion — always packed for a reason

Asian fusion restaurant on Davis Street serving sushi, Thai, and Japanese dishes in a modern space. Consistently one of the most popular restaurants in downtown Evanston. The sushi is reliable and the atmosphere is date-night ready.

1018 Davis St, Evanston, IL 60201 · Mon-Thu 11:30am-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-10pm, Sun 12-9pm · indoor

French-Moroccan brasserie from Amy Morton — North Shore's best new restaurant

Amy Morton's French-Moroccan brasserie bringing contemporary cuisine to downtown Evanston. Warm lighting, great wine list, and dishes that feel like they belong in Lincoln Park. One of the best new restaurants on the North Shore.

1571 Sherman Ave, Evanston, IL 60201 · Tue-Thu 5-9pm, Fri-Sat 5-10pm, Sun 5-9pm · indoor

Evanston's only rooftop bar — cocktails above the Davis Street crowd

Evanston's only rooftop bar and restaurant with sunset views above the Davis Street bustle. Cocktails, shareable plates, and a vibe that's more urban than suburban. Pair with dinner at one of the Davis Street spots below and you've got a full evening.

1026 Davis St, Evanston, IL 60201 · Wed-Sat 5-11pm, Sun 5-9pm

Hand-pulled noodles and Sichuan heat on Davis Street — always busy at lunch

Highly-rated Chinese restaurant on Davis Street with hand-pulled noodles and Sichuan dishes. The dan dan noodles and mapo tofu are the move. Casual, affordable, and always busy at lunch.

608 Davis St, Evanston, IL 60201 · Mon-Sun 11am-9:30pm · indoor

Chef-driven Chinese that goes way beyond takeout — creative cocktails too

Chef-driven contemporary Chinese restaurant with a menu that goes beyond the usual takeout fare. Beautifully plated dishes, creative cocktails, and a space that feels like a real restaurant, not a college-town Chinese spot.

620 Davis St, Evanston, IL 60201 · Tue-Sun 11:30am-9:30pm · indoor