You don’t need to fly off to Vegas to get crazy.
If you need to shake life up a bit, there are plenty of ways to have mad fun right here on our gorgeous (and sometimes naughty) North Shore—everything from skydiving and motorcycle riding to shopping for haute couture and eating outrageously indulgent desserts. So drop your briefcases, shut your laptops, throw away your aprons, discard your diet, and go wild!
Jump Out Of A Plane
If the only wind you feel in your face is coming through a car window, it might be time for you to finally take a wild leap. Skydive Chicago is the premier skydiving school in the area. You can earn your license to jump from 13,500 feet in the air all by yourself in a week-long class. Or, if you’re not quite that brave, jump strapped to a professional and enjoy a 60-second free fall at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour followed by a 5-7 minute canopy flight.
Skydive Chicago
Ottawa
Get Tattooed And/Or Pierced
Behave like a rebellious teenager again and venture into Chicago for a little “body art” (that Chinese character you’ve always wanted on your inner thigh, the diamond-studded belly ring you’ve never been brave enough to get). Speaking of teenagers, it’d be a great way to bond with yours, securing you “cool mom” status while you stealthily steer them away from anything too outrageous. These parlors come highly recommended from Mibs contacts:
Tatu Tattoo
Chicago
Jade Dragon Tattoo & Exotic Body Piercing
Chicago
Trade in Your Minivan For A Pimped Out Convertible
Nothing lifts the spirits quite like a new set of wheels, and it doesn’t hurt that car dealerships are practically giving them away these days. If you’re not ready to commit, why not just take a test drive/joyride along the lake on a beautiful day?
Imperial Motors – Jaguar
Willamette
Bredemann Lexus
Glenview
Bentley Gold Coast
Chicago
Get A Crazy Sexy Cool Workout
Classes at the following gyms will give you an endorphin rush as you learn to move your body in ways you never have before. You might be surprised at the skills—hip roll, striptease—you’ll be able to bring home.
Flirty Girl Fitness
Chicago
Flirty Girl offers pole and lap dancing classes in a luxurious environment. You bring yourself and your girlfriends, and they provide the everything, including the poles and the feather boas.
Or, take a belly dancing class, where you’ll learn to gyrate your hips in ways that will make your friends jealous. Classes are offered at:
Or perhaps you’re interested in Zumba, aerobics set to sexy Latin dance music. You can also get a bit aggressive (jab-punch-hook-uppercut style) in a kickboxing class. Both are offered at:
Rhonda Gordon Fitness, Winnetka
Shake Your Booty And Belt Out Those Tunes
C.J. Arthur’s
Wilmette
It’s the hub of North Shore nightlife, a.k.a. the best place to get tipsy and dance the night away with your girlfriends. There’s karaoke every Thursday.
Not willing to embarrass yourself in front of strangers? Get a private room at Lincoln Karaoke in Rogers Park. The video consoles offer every song you could ever dream of, the drinks are cheap and—best of all—they pour ’em strong.
Lincoln Karaoke
Chicago
Haven’t been a drama queen since high school? In improv classes with Second City instructors Lisa Bany-Winters and Josh Andrews, you can really let it all hang out: Adult classes inevitably turn foul-mouthed and inappropriate.
Play On, Evanston
847-337-9614
Break The Bank On Some Haute (Or Not) Couture
Sometimes there’s nothing wilder than splurging on a fabulous handbag, an over-the-top piece of bling, or frilly, luxurious underthings. Visit these stores to get your fix:
Chalk
Evanston
This boutique in Evanston carries the likes of Jason Wu, Narciso Rodriguez and Stella McCartney.
Or head to the city to follow in the fashionable footsteps of the first lady and Oprah:
Ikram
Chicago
And if you want to go wild without breaking the bank, check out the trendy European shop Zara, now located in Old Orchard Center.
Zara
Skokie
For scandalous lingerie, head to these shops:
Betty Schwartz Intimate Boutique
Buffalo Grove, Deerfield and Highland Park
Schwartz Intimate Apparel
Wilmette
Bling bling! The jewels are calling …
Harry Winston
Chicago
Cartier
Chicago
Tiffany’s
Skokie
Elements
Chicago
Naughty Adult Fun
If you’re not jumping out of a plane, you can least jump start the action in your bedroom with a few accessories. G Boutique in Chicago also offers private parties in your home and classes to help you, um, improve your technique.
G Boutique
Chicago
Become A Biker Chick
Always wanted a Harley? You can find them right here on our North Shore. These retailers also offer classes to get you licensed, so you can call yourself a real biker babe.
Chicago Harley-Davidson
Glenview
Lakeshore Harley
Libertyville
Have A Wild Time With Your Kids
Let your inner child run free with your family as you play Whirly ball and laser tag, or get gloriously soaked at a water park. They’ll love it, and so will you.
Lazer Zone
Glenview
Whirlyball Vernon Hills
Vernon Hills
Key Lime Cove
Gurnee
Break Your Diet
With so many fabulous meals and decadent desserts all around us on the North Shore and in Chicago, it’s hard to choose where to splurge. Here are some Mibs favorites:
Three Tarts
Northfield
Go for banana cake and/or the mini-eclairs.
Bennison’s
Evanston
This bakery makes terrific breads, and now they have Parisian style sandwiches to go. Their miche, served on weekends, is a sourdough bread that’s a Parisian specialty.
Gerhard’s European Desserts
Lake Forest
You don’t have to go to Paris for some elegant, buttery goodnessójust go to Lake Forest. Gerhard’s offers beautiful European-style tarts and French macaroons in a rainbow of colors and flavors.
Leonida’s Cafe Chocolaterie
Wilmette
These Belgian chocolates are worth breaking any diet for.
