Make It Better’s Best of 2016 drew more than 168,000 votes across 11 categories. Share your thoughts with us on social media using the hashtag #Bestof2016.
Best Live Music Venue (Suburbs) | Most Beautiful Place to Hear Live Music
Ravinia
Ravinia is the go-to destination for live music under the stars. 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park
Best Live Music Venue (Chicago)
Grant Park
Grant Park hosts some of the city’s largest concerts, including Lollapalooza and the Chicago Jazz Festival. 337 E. Randolph St., Chicago
Best Live Theater (Suburbs)
Oil Lamp Theater
Quality theater aside, you’ll always find complimentary freshly baked cookies in the Oil Lamp lobby. 1723 Glenview Road, Glenview
Best Live Theater (Chicago)
Broadway in Chicago
Broadway in Chicago always brings the best of the best to town, including “Hamilton” this September.
Best Children’s Theater
Chicago Children’s Theatre
Kids love the theater too, and Chicago Children’s Theatre offers great shows for young audiences. 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago
Best Museum, Cultural Institution for Children
Kohl Children’s Museum
The museum’s interactive, hands-on exhibits are fun and educational (a win-win for kids and parents). 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview
Best Museum, Art Museum | Best Place to Go on a Rainy Day
The Art Institute of Chicago
Some of the world’s best (and most famous) pieces are housed on Michigan Avenue. 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Best Museum, Science Outing
Museum of Science and Industry
Around 1.5 million people visit MSI — the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere — every year. 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
Best Museum, Environment Exploration | Best Place to Go on a Sunny Day
Chicago Botanic Garden
The Garden features 26 gardens and four natural areas on 385 acres with nine islands and six miles of lake shoreline. 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
Best Family Outing | Best Chicago Sports Experience, Men’s Team
Cubs Game / Chicago Cubs
Fans both young and old love to root, root, root for the Cubbies. 1060 W. Addison St., Chicago
Best Comedy Venue
The Second City
This winner has introduced us to some of the best comedians in the world. Chicago Mainstage: 1616 N. Wells St., Chicago
Best Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo
This zoo is open 365 days a year — many filled with adults-only and family-friendly events — and admission is always free. 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago
Best Chicago Sports Experience, Women’s Team
Chicago Sky
Don’t miss 2015 WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne and the Chicago Sky at Allstate Arena this summer. 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont
Favorite Music Outing
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The CSO performs more than 100 concerts each year at the Symphony Center and Ravinia, and the ensemble has more Grammy Awards than any other. 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Place We’re Most Excited to Visit (Editor’s Pick)
Navy Pier
This institution is celebrating 100 years.
