Community Education Travel Day Trips

Reservations for upcoming day trips open on Monday, May 5, 2025 

Our extremely popular day trips are a great way to visit exciting local sites and events with your friends or family while staying within your budget.

Travel is an essential part of lifelong learning, join us today to explore the sights and sounds of the greater Chicagoland area and expand your horizons!

Day trips often sell out in just a few days after opening, so don’t delay! Reserve your space now.

Reservations for upcoming 2025 day trips open Monday, May 5, 2025. 

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT WAITLISTS: Trips marked as ‘Waitlist’ are currently full, but may have additional spaces or departures added based upon demand. There is no charge to place your name on a waitlist and can be easily done by emailing cetravel@d214.org or calling 847-718-7709. If space opens up you will then be contacted by our staff.

Freeport & Little Cubs Field
Thursday, July 17, 2025

Enjoy a summer getaway to Stephenson County in northwest Illinois as we explore Freeport, “the Pretzel City”! Our narrated tour includes Lincoln-Douglas Debate Square, commemorating the famous 1858 debate. Visit Little Cubs Field, a replica of Wrigley Field, and tour the Stephenson County Historical Museum, featuring the Taylor Home and Gardens, a toy museum, and a one-room schoolhouse. Ride the Silver Creek and Stephenson Railroad and enjoy lunch at the Freeport Club with scenic golf course views. We’ll end our trip with a sweet treat at Union Dairy, serving hand-crafted ice cream since 1927! $139

Flyover Chicago & The Money Museum
Thursday, August 14, 2025

Enjoy a thrilling day at Flyover Chicago, Navy Pier’s newest attraction! This immersive experience lets you soar over the city’s iconic landmarks with motion seats, scents, and a 360-degree theater. Afterward, savor island-inspired dining at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Grill, overlooking Lake Michigan and the festive activities of Navy Pier. Then, visit the *Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Money Museum, where interactive exhibits let you spot counterfeit bills and see a million dollars up close! *Requires a government issued photo ID to enter. $135

Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Baseball fans: Travel to Wisconsin to see the Chicago Cubs battle the rival Milwaukee Brewers in an afternoon baseball game! A deluxe motorcoach will take us to Milwaukee’s beautiful American Family Field to see the Cubs in action in this state-of-the-art ballpark! Enjoy great loge box seats on the first base side, out of the direct sunlight. Each person will receive $25 in Brewers Bucks to use towards the park's distinct and delicious Wisconsin food items. $155

SC Johnson Global Headquarters & Racine
Thursday, August 28, 2025

Tour the SC Johnson Global Headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin, and explore the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Administration Building and Research Tower. At Fortaleza Hall, learn about the company’s history and see a replica Sikorsky S-38 plane from a 1935 expedition. Visit the Golden Rondelle Theatre, originally built for the 1964 World's Fair. Enjoy lunch at Reefpoint Brew House overlooking Racine Harbor, followed by a stop at O&H Bakery for some delicious Kringle shopping! *The SC Johnson tour requires walking, standing and navigating stairs. Picture ID required. $119

Cruisin’ on the Magnificent Illinois River
Thursday, September 25, 2025

Set sail on the Sainte Genevieve riverboat for a scenic cruise along the Illinois River between Starved Rock State Park and Ottawa, IL! This 3-hour journey takes you beneath legendary Starved Rock and through the locks, where you’ll witness an impressive engineering feat. Enjoy the natural beauty and rich history of the river along the way. Before boarding, savor a delicious lunch at the historic Starved Rock State Park Lodge, known for its iconic log walls and stone fireplace. $142

Lunch on the East Troy Dinner Train
Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Step back in time with a luxurious dining experience aboard beautifully restored Art Deco railroad cars in East Troy, WI. Enjoy a delicious lunch while riding the last remaining electric interurban dining car train in North America. Built in 1927, this historic train travels a scenic route to Phantom Lake before returning to the East Troy depot and museum. On the way back, stop at the landmark Elegant Farmer Farm Market, famous for its apple pie baked in a paper bag and featured on the Food Network! $150

“A Wonderful Life” at the Fireside Theatre
Friday, November 14, 2025

CET returns to the Fireside Theatre in Fort Atkinson, WI, for the holiday classic A Wonderful Life! This stunning live stage adaptation of Frank Capra’s beloved film captures the magic and spirit of Christmas. Before the matinee in the 700-seat theater-in-the-round, enjoy lunch in the Fireside’s lovely restaurant. You'll also have time to browse the theater’s popular gift shops, featuring a great selection of gifts and collectibles. $161

Christmas in Chicago & The Firehouse Restaurant
Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Explore Chicago’s holiday traditions with CET! Our first stop is the Museum of Science & Industry’s “Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light,” featuring a 45-foot tree and over 50 smaller trees representing countries and cultures worldwide. Each tree highlights unique decorations and customs of that country. Afterward, enjoy a late lunch at the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, housed in a 1905 Romanesque Revival firehouse. Then, shop for holiday gifts at the Christkindlmarket, Chicago’s festive holiday village. Finish the evening with a Christmas Lights drive along the Magnificent Mile, Macy’s holiday windows, and the official Christmas Tree at Millennium Park! $154

Sanfilippo Mansion Christmas Concert
Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Celebrate the holidays on CET’s popular tour at the Sanfilippo Estate in Barrington Hills. Enjoy a catered holiday meal in the Carousel Building, dining next to the “Eden Palais” carousel, the world’s only complete European salon carousel, featuring life-size carved horses and an 89-key gavioli band organ. After lunch, enjoy a 90-minute holiday organ concert performed by world-renowned Dave Wickerham. The day concludes with a self-guided tour of the mansion, where docents will showcase and demonstrate some of the world’s finest restored antique music machines. This elegant experience is the perfect holiday celebration! $153

Apples & Alpacas
Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Visit Magic Meadows Alpaca farm near Wonder Lake, IL, home to 12 alpacas, including the famous Rainier from WGN and Fox TV! Learn about their silky-soft fleece and enter the enclosure to feed these gentle animals. Browse alpaca fiber products like yarn and handmade items. Then, head to Royal Oak Farm Orchard near Harvard, IL, for a tractor-drawn wagon ride through the orchards, apple picking, and a lesson on farm history. Shop for treats like cider donuts and apple cider before enjoying a delicious lunch at the Country Kitchen Restaurant, featuring their famous chicken pot pie! $125

China Lights at Boerner Botanical Gardens
Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Experience the magic of China Lights, a beloved Milwaukee tradition celebrating the beauty of Chinese lantern festivals which has been celebrated across Asia for over 400 years! Held at Boerner Botanical Gardens, this after-dark event transforms the park into a glowing wonderland with illuminated dragons, pagodas, and more along a scenic walking path. Enjoy live performances showcasing Asian folk culture and explore cultural displays in the historic Garden House. Before the festival, savor a delicious dinner at the Steakout Restaurant in Greendale, WI. $144

“Dial M for Murder” at Drury Lane Theatre
Thursday, October 16, 2025

Jealousy. Deception. Murder! Dial M for Murder is a fresh adaptation of Frederick Knott’s classic thriller, famously filmed by Alfred Hitchcock. At Drury Lane Theatre, follow ex-tennis pro Tony Wendice as he plots the perfect crime against his unfaithful wife—until things go terribly wrong. This gripping story will keep you on the edge of your seat! Before the show, enjoy an elegant luncheon at Drury Lane’s Lucille restaurant with a preselected choice of entrées. Contains adult themes and violence. $144

“Hell’s Kitchen” at the Nederlander Theatre
Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Ali, a fiery 17-year-old, is searching for freedom and her place in the world in Hell’s Kitchen, a new Broadway musical from 16-time Grammy® winner Alicia Keys. Inspired by her greatest hits, this coming-of-age story follows Ali as she clashes with her overprotective mother and finds guidance through a neighbor who introduces her to the piano. Set to the rhythm of the ’90s, it’s a heartfelt tale of self-discovery and community. Hailed as a New York Times Critic’s Pick, it’s a must-see! Before the show, enjoy lunch at Gordon Ramsay Burger, a take off from his Hell’s Kitchen Restaurant Chain. $223

Milwaukee Christmas & Caledonia Carnival of Lights  
Friday, December 5, 2025

Step back in time to Christmas past in Milwaukee, WI, with a narrated tour of the city's iconic holiday sights. Visit the historic St. Josaphat Basilica, completed in 1901, and explore the Mitchell Park Conservatory’s Holiday Floral Show, where beehive-shaped glass domes are adorned with poinsettias, mums, and decorated pines. Experience Christmas at the Pabst Mansion, built in 1892, with elegant holiday decorations. Enjoy a festive lunch at the Steakout Supper Club in Greendale. Before heading home, stop in Caledonia for the drive-through "Carnival of Lights," featuring over two million lights! $165