Best Bets: Dino Safari - A Drive Thru Adventure roars into Aurora
Drive-by roars
Kids can appreciate the scale of prehistoric creatures with the Dino Safari - A Drive Thru Adventure. The socially distanced attraction begins a brief tour this weekend at Fox Valley Mall, 195 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora. $49.95 per vehicle (includes activity book for kids). dinosafari.com. Noon to 9 p.m. opening day Friday, May 7; noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; through Sunday, May 23
Crafty art
Find a handmade or one-of-a-kind gift for mom at the Mother's Day Craft Fair this weekend at Gurnee Mills, 6170 W. Grand Ave., Gurnee. Free. (847) 263-7500 or simon.com/mall/gurnee-mills. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday, May 7-9
Hellenic master
Take in the paintings and drawings of one of Greece's most celebrated 20th-century artists with "Yannis Tsarouchis: Dancing in Real Life." The exhibit starts this weekend at Wrightwood 659, 659 W. Wrightwood Ave., Chicago. $15. wrightwood659.org. Noon to 7:30 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday; through July 31
Funny Leon
Comedian Justin Leon returns to perform a series of standup shows this weekend at Zanies at Parkway Bank Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $30. (847) 813-0484 or rosemont.zanies.com. 8 p.m. Thursday, May 6; 7:30 and 9:15 p.m. Friday, May 7; and 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, May 8
On track
See flora blended with miniature trains when The Model Railroad Garden reopens to enchant kids and parents alike starting Saturday at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Free admission, but parking is $25-$30. (847) 835-6801 or chicagobotanic.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Saturday, May 8, to Sunday, Oct. 10
Christmas in May
Santa's Village Azoosment Park reopens for the 2021 season this weekend. Families can ride the rides, visit a petting zoo, play carnival games and more at 601 Dundee Ave., East Dundee. $27.99; $56.99 ultimate experience package; $21.99 seniors. (847) 426-6751 or santasvillagedundee.com. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through May 23; various hours through Sunday, Oct. 31
Amusement foods
Savor the fun of theme park snacks and more at the Taste of Six Flags Food Festival during select weekends in May. It's at Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee. $39.99-$79.99 weekend admission; $29.99 12-credit food and beverage punch card. (847) 249-1776 or sixflags.com/greatamerica. Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 8, 15 and 22, and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 9, 16 and 23
Theatrical grandeur
Historic Theatre Tours have resumed at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago. Marvel at the ornate 19th-century work of architects Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. $15; $250 private tour of at least six people. (312) 341-2310 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on select dates through Sunday, Aug. 22