It’s October, and although it doesn’t feel quite like fall yet, you might want to consider spending some time at a pumpkin patch. They’re fun, family-friendly, and have amazing food! Plus, they’re only open until the end of the month so you definitely want to go before it’s too late!

Check out our Top 3 Pumpkin Patches. If you visit any of them, let us know on our Facebook and Twitter pages!

Goebbert’s Farm & Garden Center:

35 miles from Chicago you can celebrate with Goebbert’s Fall Festival, which runs until October 31st! Your whole family can enjoy the exotic petting zoo (including the giraffe!), watch a pig race, see their famous Pumpkin Eating Dinosaur, have some lunch and pick out your favorite pumpkin! Plus, don’t forget to stop by and try out their famous Apple Cider Donuts and Pumpkin Cookies!
Visit their website here.

Address: 40 W Higgins Rd, South Barrington, IL 60010

County Line Orchard:

40 miles from Chicago you can pick your own apples, pumpkins, or sunflowers with their U-Pick game! Plus, you can watch the bee yurts, where hundreds of bees work and live, or you can even get lost in a corn maze! And if that’s not enough, you can book your own campfire and have the kids enjoy their time at the kids farm, featuring Peter the Pumpkin Eating Dino!

Visit their website here.

Address: 200 S County Line Rd, Hobart, IN 46342

Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm:

30 miles from Chicago you can find pumpkins, ponies, and hayrides to make this a perfect fall getaway! Make sure to try their apple cider donuts, award-winning barbecue, and funnel cakes. And keep the kids entertained with kiddie rides, pig races, and petting zoo!

Visit their website here.

Address: 13341 W 151st St, Homer Glen, IL 60491

The Chicago Auto Show will be open to the public from February 11-20 so we wanted to give you a preview of what to expect for Toyota. Every year, the Chicago Auto Show offers a preview of production vehicles, debut vehicles, and concept vehicles.

As usual, Toyota will have a large lineup of their current models like the 4Runner, RAV4, Prius, Camry, Land Cruiser and more. It will also include the new Toyota models that are replacing the Scion vehicles, such as the 86, Corolla iM and Yaris iA.

Although Toyota will not have a concept vehicle present this year, they do have two debut vehicles! The 2018 Toyota Camry and 2018 Toyota CH-R will be present for visitors to admire and get a sneak peek at the new models that will be coming out this year.

Like in previous years, Toyota will have a test track so you can have a better understanding of the vehicle’s performance and how it handles in different terrains. This year you’ll get to ride along as the Toyota experts tell you all about the 2017 RAV4 and show you how it handles in different weather.

If you’d like to see the Toyota vehicles at the Auto Show, check out our Facebook page because we are giving away two pairs of Auto Show tickets! And if you can’t make it, don’t worry! Our blog post next week will tell you everything about the Chicago Auto Show.

While we happily wrap up the cold month of January, we have a lot of anticipation for what February has in store.

That’s right. It’s time to get out of the ‘cabin fever’ slump and get excited for big events like the upcoming Chicago Auto Show, and even Valentine’s Day, if you’re one to celebrate.

Do you plan to attend the Chicago Auto Show?

Make sure to make a stop at Toyota because it will have its own section with plenty to show. Keep an eye out for these productions vehicles: 4Runner, Avalon, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius c, Prius v, RAV4, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra and Yaris.

Some of the biggest anticipation is for the debut of the latest Camry and Prius.

Sound exciting?

Well, we have another exciting event in store. We’re hosting an upcoming contest for you and your sweetheart or friend to win tickets to the Chicago Auto Show (Plus, a little extra something). Trust us, this is a contest that you won’t want to miss. It will be exclusive to Facebook, so be sure to follow us on social media for updates to enter to win.

And if you already plan on attending the auto show, feel free to share your Toyota photos with us! We’d love to hear all about your experience.

P.S. Check out some of our photos from last year:  

Brr!

It’s sure is cold out, but that’s no reason to miss out on some of these exciting events happening in Chicago.

Can you believe we’re almost through January? With a couple weeks left, it never hurts to plan ahead for next month. See if any of these fun events catch your eye:

Chicago Restaurant Week

Jan. 22^nd – Feb. 4^th

Chicago Area

Celebrate Valentine’s Day early with a loved one and receive a special deal on a fixed-price lunch or dinner over these two weeks of dining deals. More than 350 restaurants take part, so you have a lot to choose from. Browse the list and choose something good for this year’s Restaurant Week.

Run in your underwear

Feb. 13^th

Chicago Area

While you always want to bundle up for the cold winters of Chicago, Cupid’s Undie Run will require you to dress down – all the way to your undies! Take a run through the streets and then party at John Barleycorn on N. Clark Street to support charity.

Valentine’s Day Plays

Feb. 13^th -14^th

Chicago Area

Want to do something different this Valentine’s Day other than the traditional dinner and a movie? At Chicago Theater Week, there will be more than 100 plays at a discount on Valentine’s Day weekend for you to enjoy with your significant other. Switch up your plans this year, and choose an exciting play.

Chicago Auto Show

Feb. 13^th-21^th

McCormick Place

This is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year for the automotive industry! Grab a friend and come admire the newest vehicles at the Chicago Auto Show, named as the largest and longest-running U.S. auto show at McCormick Place Convention Center. Buy your tickets and be sure to make a stop at Toyota.

Chinese New Year Parade

Feb. 14^th

Chicago Area

Bundle up and head out to catch the Lunar New Year Parade. This fun and exciting parade features lion and dragon dances, marching bands and floats on S. Wentworth Avenue. Plus, it’s a free event and a great opportunity to brush up on some Chinese culture.

And as always, feel free to stop by our warm and welcoming dealership if you’re in the market for a new or pre-owned Toyota. What better way to enjoy February than with a new car?

P.S. Bring your Valentine for approval.  ;-)

At the Brookfield Zoo, there is so much more to do than gaze at the wondrous varieties of animals inside. There is always a special event going on, as well as many educational programs and camps. Continental Toyota has compiled a list of many of the activities to take part in at the Brookfield Zoo.

Boo at the Zoo

Saturdays & Sundays

October 17-18, 24-25

Just in time for Halloween is “Boo at the Zoo”. Children of all ages will enjoy activities that include: corn maze, creepy decorated carousel, Pumpkin Smasher, professional pumpkin carvings, haunted hayride, scarecrow building, costume parade, pumpkin patches and animals eating pumpkins.

Family Play Programs

Children learn how to play through their parents during the family play programs. The activities have been carefully designed by nature educators, artists and early childhood specialists to connect families to nature and wildlife.

Habitat Africa! The Savannah

Habitat Africa! The Savannah, is just one of the many exhibits at the Brookfield Zoo. Here you will be immersed in African culture and experience the gentleness of giraffes, African painted dogs and the clever klipspringers. Keep your eye out for a red river hog or aardvark as you explore the exhibit!

Dolphins in Action

Weekdays 11:30 am

Weekends 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm

Dolphins in Action is one of the most popular spectacles at the Brookfield Zoo. Watch the aerial displays and shows the dolphins put on as you learn all about their adaptations and structures. These beautiful mammals will show off their intelligence and dexterity in and out of the water.

These are just a small sampling of what to expect at the beloved Brookfield Zoo, which includes places to dine for the whole family. Visit their website for pricing, specials, event tickets and membership fees.

Although the windy city is known for its deep dish pizza and hot dogs, Chicago is also a place full of diversity and the blending of rich cultures. You can find a food for any taste here, especially if you're looking for some raw, Asian cuisine. The next time you're in Chicago, be sure to check out the best sushi restaurants in the city!

Coast

2045 N. Damen Ave

Sushi at Coast restaurant is always top quality, with nigri and maki as their signature items. Some of the more popular dishes include the Hamachi Carpacio appetizer, Angry Salmon and Tuna on Top Maki. The atmosphere inside is relaxed, with the feel of an upscale lounge. Coast is BYOB and we recommend you make a reservation on the weekends because it gets very crowded. If you prefer to sit at a bar while you wait to be seated, visit their other location at 1700 S. Michigan Ave.

Agami

4712 N. Broadway Street

Agami is a stylish and sophisticated sushi restaurant with a menu so large you may need to study it ahead of time. One of the dishes they are known for is the Spicy Tuna Rice Crispy, that gets garnished with paper-thin pieces of jalapenos. We also recommend the Ocean Drive Maki, full of ingredients: yellowtail, tuna, cilantro, avocado, green peppers and spicy masago wrapped up in a cod sheet. If you aren't into the raw stuff, their cooked meals are excellent.

Kamehachi

1320 Shermer Rd

Kamehachi is a raw-lovers paradise, because not only do they have the freshest sushi around, but they offer raw oyster shooters garnished with a quail egg! Eat in their upstairs or downstairs dining rooms and enjoy the friendly waitstaff. Other specialties include chicken teriyaki and pork katsu.

Visit one of the amazing sushi restaurant the next time you're in the Chicago area!

Our team is the best, and we do everything in our power to celebrate our beloved Bears. One of the most treasured pastimes is the tailgater. If you are going to tailgate this season, you have to do it like a true Chicagoan. Allow us to help you prep for your next epic tailgater in Chicago.

Chicago is the Best Place to Tailgate in the Nation

In 2014, FOX News published its list of the best tailgating locations, and Chicago made the top 10. Chicago tailgates also ranked eighth among the most searched tailgates in the NFL.

What You Need to Know About Tailgating at Soldier Field

This year is the year you will plan your own tailgater at the Field, and we can help you with a few tips.

• Tailgating is allowed on top of Waldron Deck and in all surface lots at the Field.
• The parking lots open four hours before the game starts, and all vehicles must be out of all the parking lots within two hours of the game’s end.
• Make sure you have obtained a parking coupon prior to showing up to the Field.
• If you have alcohol, it is not allowed in family-friendly lots.
• You cannot bring tents, canopies, inflatable toys, or deep fryers to the tailgate.

Top Things to Bring to a Bears Tailgater

We polled a few tailgate veterans and created a list of the top things to have at your first Bears tailgater.

• Epic food, which must include a burger between two grilled Krispy Kreme donuts
• Bears regalia, blankets, and paint
• Warm beverages
• Water
• Games to keep the fun going for hours
• Coolers, tables and chairs

 Now that you have planned your tailgater, we can think of a group of people to help you test out your tailgating skills.

Claiming to have the best martini is a rather bold claim. What goes into the best martini and how can you claim to have the best? We took it upon ourselves to do a little research. Where is the best Martini in the Chicago area? We found a few favorites. Let the debate begin.

What Makes a GREAT Martini?

Esquire Magazine said the best Martini has one part dry vermouth and 4 parts gin. The best martini is stirred briskly for only 10 seconds, strained, served in a cooled Martini glass and decorated with an olive.

Top Places in Chicago for a Martini

In 2013, CBS Chicago posted an article about the best Martini bars in the Chicago area. The top five picks included:

• Blue Line Lounge and Grill on N. Damen Ave.
• Fireplace Inn on N. Wells St.
• M Lounge on S. Wabash Ave.
• Intimo Lounge on 183^rd St.
• Martini Club on N. Central Ave.

We also looked at the top-rated bars on Yelp.com, and you will notice a familiar name. The top three rated bars on Yelp are:

• The Bar at The Peninsula Chicago, with a 4.0-star out of 5 rating
• The Matchbox, with a 4.5-star rating out of 5
• M Lounge, with a 4.0-star rating out of 5

The Winner: M Lounge

M Lounge scored a 4.7-star rating out of 5 on Google, and its average Facebook rating is 4.2-stars out of 5. The ratings and reviews are impressive. M Lounge is now open on Sundays; it hosts The Saturday Night Social Set; and it hosts Thirsty Thursdays with $6 Martinis. The Martini list is impressive with over 20 flavors.

 If we were to go out for Martinis together, where would you recommend?

You can't visit Chicago without tasting our famous pizza. While known for the rich, deep-dish style, we also specialize in crispy thin crust. If you're really hungry, try a slice of the stuffed pizza pie! Whatever your preference, we have a crust for everyone. Here a just a few of Chicago's best pizza paces to get you started on your delicious journey.

Nancy's Pizza

Nancy's advertises as the “Original Inventors of the Stuffed Pizza”. Order the 2 ½ inch thick stuffed pizza and you'll have enough to eat for days. Nancy's stuffed pizza has two layers of crust, with sauce on top, then cheese and toppings stuffed between. Make sure to wear a bib!

My Pie

Enjoy a deep dish delight at My Pie in Bucktown. The crust is thick and crispy, with a special sauce and a recipe so secret that only the founder knows what is in it. My Pie has been open since 1971 and offers pizza by the whole pie or slice, so you can choose based on your appetite that day. We have a feeling one slice will not be enough once you get a taste!

Luigi's Pizza and Pasta

On the other end of the pizza spectrum, we have Luigi's, who is known for their thin crust. Don't worry though, you can get a scrumptious slice of deep dish here as well. The owner will not give away his secret sauce recipe, and has been in the pizza business his whole life, so he knows his stuff.

Santullo's Eatery

If you're looking to cheat a little, you can get Chicago's version of a New York style pizza at Santullo's. Not only are their pies delicious, they are affordable. Santullo's offers daily $2 special on slices of pepperoni, sausage or cheese. If you're feeling adventurous, try one of the popular pepper jack macaroni and cheese pizzas!

Is your mouth watering yet? This is just a taste of the pizza Chicago has to offer.