Chicago: Side Trips

Woodfield Mall, a 40-minute drive from Chicago in Schaumburg, Ill., is just a huge indoor mall. But for some reason shopping here is more fun. Maybe it's all the stairs and slopes and levels, or the art that hangs to fill in the huge gaps of space above, or that one area with the multiflavored gumball machines. Stores you've never heard of just have cheaper and cooler stuff here. If you need a break from shopping, you can go catch a movie at the theater. But for goodness' sake, don't leave until you go to Kay-Bee Toys. With all the toys strewn about, including skateboards and scooters, you will eventually find yourself having a Nerf swordfight with some five-year-old as you pedal a trike that's 10 times too small for you. "But it has a basket for all my stuffed monkey reinforcements!" you rationalize. Yes, it does and that's all that matters.

• 1. Woodfield Mall
  5 West Drive, Schaumburg, IL 60173; 847-330-1537 42.049359-88.041107 shopwoodfield.com