I usually head straight downtown when I visit Chicago. This time, I spent two days exploring the south suburbs on a media trip with Visit Chicago Southland.
I love seeing how things are made, and it’s even more fun when I get to try it myself. I got to do both on this trip, and I learned why you have to pause partway through pouring a pint of Guinness. If you’re looking for things to do in Chicago Southland, here’s where I’d start.
I used Wind Creek Chicago Southland in East Hazel Crest as my home base for this trip and loved my two-night stay. Dinner at Alto Steakhouse was a highlight, and I didn’t place a single bet the whole time! Here’s my full Wind Creek Chicago Southland review.
Explore the Richard Haas Murals in Homewood
Homewood has 15 Richard Haas murals, the world’s largest collection. The murals use trompe l’oeil, or “fool the eye,” techniques to make flat walls look three-dimensional. They remind me of the Community Bridge mural in Frederick, Maryland, that I love so much, so these were right up my alley.
We saw about five murals, and Homewood Theatre was my favorite. No matter where I stood, that painted marquee looked like it stuck out from the building. I loved Historic Dixie Highway and The Greenhouse, too. It was fun learning a little about Homewood just by walking around and looking at the walls.
You can use the village’s Richard Haas mural map to find all 15 walls.
Find it
Homewood Theatre mural, 18062 Dixie Highway, Homewood, Illinois
Make Your Own Candle at Blue Pearl Candles
Making a candle at Blue Pearl Candles in Homewood was so much fun, much more than I expected! Owner Kim Rowe walked us through the process and kept us laughing along the way.
After attaching our wicks, we passed fragrance bottles around the table, writing down the ones we liked and putting hearts beside our favorites. We gradually narrowed down our choices, then tested how the scents smelled together before making our candles.
I chose grapefruit mint and added royal blue color and glitter. Kim encouraged us to think like five-year-olds and have fun with the colors, so there wasn’t any pressure to make things look perfect. My candle turned out super cute and definitely looks handmade, which I love!
Kim also shared how the business got its name. Blue is her favorite color, and Pearl is her daughter Terri’s nickname, so Blue Pearl is a combination of the two.
You can book your own candle-making experience, with all supplies included. As of this writing, it’s $45 for a 10-ounce single-wick candle or $60 for a 16-ounce three-wick candle.
Find it
Blue Pearl Candles, 2050 Ridge Road, Homewood, Illinois
Stop for Chocolate and Ice Cream at Gayety’s
Gayety’s Chocolates & Ice Cream in Lansing has been making sweet treats for over a century, still hand-dipping chocolates and sticking to their original recipes.
A candy and ice cream shop was operating next to South Chicago’s Gayety Theatre by 1918. James Papageorge, who stowed away on a ship from Greece when he was just nine years old, bought the business in 1920. It stayed in his family for decades until the current owner, Laurene Lemanski, bought it in 2019. She started working there in 1988 as a teenager and calls it her “1988 love affair.”
During my behind-the-scenes peek, I saw the copper kettle from the original shop. They still use it! I also watched one candy maker cut shiny, delicious-looking caramel into pieces while another hand-dipped them in chocolate, adding a signature flourish and a sprinkle of sea salt to each one.
Naturally, I couldn’t pass up the chance to try a fresh milk chocolate caramel right there in the kitchen. It was soft, smooth, and ultra-creamy. I think I’m having a love affair with Gayety’s now, too.
From there, we headed over to watch the ice cream being churned. I got to sample the vanilla right out of the machine before it headed to the freezer to firm up. They even make all their whipped cream in-house, and we sampled that on top of some ice cream sundaes! And that led me to buy a jar each of their homemade hot fudge and caramel toppings.
My tour was set up as part of my trip, but you can stop by for chocolates and ice cream during shop hours. If you want a full behind-the-scenes look yourself, just reach out to Gayety’s ahead of time to see if they can arrange a tour.
Find it
Gayety’s Chocolates & Ice Cream, 3306 Ridge Road, Lansing, Illinois
Explore Lotton Art Glass Gallery & Studios
I’ve always thought of Tiffany when it comes to beautiful art glass, but after visiting Lotton Art Glass in Crete, I’d say Tiffany has some competition. Charles Lotton taught himself to blow glass in 1970 after becoming fascinated with carnival glass and its iridescent colors. He passed away in 2021, but his family and glass artist Scott Bayless continue making extraordinary pieces here.
The most fascinating thing to me is that they make their own glass and develop their own color formulas. When I walked into the gallery to see their work, I was mesmerized. If you’re looking for one-of-a-kind showstopping decor, Lotton Art Glass is where you’ll find it.
There was everything from lamps and chandeliers to vases, perfume bottles, and paperweights. And the colors were absolutely gorgeous!
After browsing the gallery, we headed into the studio, which was incredibly hot. Scott did a demo for us and made a calla lily vase. He kept turning the rod as he worked, forming leaves and flowers and covering them with another layer of clear glass.
He pointed out that the colors would change as the glass cooled, so the bright orange leaves would eventually turn dark green. Some pieces take several days to cool before he can see how they turned out. Then he smooths and polishes the base, makes sure it sits flat, and signs and dates the piece. When someone asked what glassmaking had taught him, his answer was patience. I can see why!
I’ve seen glassblowing demos before, but the talent at Lotton Art Glass is on an entirely different level. Amazing!
Our demonstration was arranged for our group, but Lotton also holds open house events with glassmaking demonstrations. You can browse and shop in the gallery during regular opening hours.
Find it
Lotton Art Glass Gallery & Studios, 24760 South Country Lane, Crete, Illinois
Visit Chicago Gaelic Park and the Carraig Pub
Chicago Gaelic Park in Oak Forest has Gaelic sports, Irish music and dance events, and The Carraig Pub & Beer Garden, and you don’t have to be Irish or a member to visit.
We toured the grounds before going into The Carraig, where the woodwork was built in Derry, Ireland, shipped over, and reassembled here. There’s also a stunning stained-glass ceiling inside the pub.
We also watched how to pour a proper Guinness. They filled the glass partway, let it settle, then topped it off, aiming for a creamy head with a slight dome above the rim.
Our tour and Guinness pour were set up for our group, but anyone can stop by for a bite or a pint during regular pub hours. Plus, there’s live music on weekends. Keep in mind that the indoor pub closes when the beer garden is open for the season.
Find it
Chicago Gaelic Park and The Carraig Pub, 6119 West 147th Street, Oak Forest, Illinois
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