Doing things in the Chicagoland area and beyond - links

[xanthvamp]

Been talking to different people about doing different things a lot lately... I kinda re-realized that I've lived in this area for a long time but I don't necessarily know all the fun things to do, you know? I've not explored much, not found those cute little shops or holes-in-the-wall to take people to and enjoy. Festivals or shows or anything, really...

I know I'm INSANELY busy right now, but I'm also in an exploring mood. Dunno what I'll do, or when, but I'm kinda itching to find new things, shows, places. Here are a BUNCH of links to help me do just that.

Chicago's Northwest Suburbs
Choose Chicago
Chicago Kids
Chicago Parent
Oaklee's Guide
Kid Winks
Metromix
Red Eye
Time Out Chicago
Chiago Cultural Affairs and Special Events
Chicagoland Travel
Chicago Traveler
Best of Chicago 2012
Science Chicago
Illinois Bureau of Tourism
The Local Tourist
Chicago Life, for Students
Frommers Chicago
Secret Chicago
Haunted Illinois
Chicago Citysearch
Chicago on About.com
Schaumburg
Schaumburg Park District
Schaumburg Library
Hoffman Estates Park District
Buffalo Grove
Buffalo Grove Park District
Trib Local Buffalo Grove
Vernon Area Public Library District
Yelp Buffalo Grove
Cook County Entertainment, Museums and Newspapers on Yahoo!
IL malls
Colleges and Universities in Chicago
Museums in IL
Free Chicago info here, here and here
Official Bellydance Chicago Facebook Group
Chicago Belly Dancers on Tribe.net
Chicago MECDA
Belly Dance Events on BHUZ
Yahoo! Movies
RTA Chicago
Chicago Parking Map

Buffalo Grove City Info:
City Data
Travel Math

Farmer's Markets and Farms:
IL Farmer's Markets Online
Local Harvest
Chicago Farmer's Markets
IL Dept. of Ag Farmer's Markets
Chicago Tribune List of Farmer's Markets
Trib Local List of Farmer's Markets
Thompson strawberry farm
Didier farms
Goebbert's
Stade's Farm & Market
Apple Barn Orchard and Winery

There are lists of bookstores in the Chicagoland area here and here. As for book signings, here are a few places to look, besides the above:
Anderson's Book Shop
Pages for all Ages in Savoy
Borders
Barnes and Noble

Here are some entertainment specific links:
Allstate Arena Calendar
Sears Centre Calendar
Chicago Improv
Cubby Bear North
Suburb Theater Directory
Chicago Concerts Schedule
Chicago Music Club Directory
Suburban Fests
Theatre in Chicago
Kids Theater
Metropolis Performing Arts Center

Halloween on the Mix and the Trib. Cause, you know, I love Halloween.

I want to go to the Improv or the Chicago Comedy Club. I want to go to a pumpkin patch and an apple orchard. I want to go to Tribal Revolution and Bellies for Life again next year. I want to go see the Zoolights again, or see Holiday Magic. I want to explore Long Grove more fully. I want to go to Bristol. I wanna visit the pet expo and the toy fair. I want to geek out at ACEN, Wizard World Chicago and GenCon. And Dragon*Con AND C2E2. There's a lot I want to do, now it's just all about the planning and coordinating... o_O Mrow.

What have YOU found lately??

Edit: See comments for more links!