The Ultimate New Year's Eve Guide

Looking for some great ideas of where to go on New Year's Eve? From kid-friendly doings to a late-night champagne toast, there's a few places around town that can fill those bills. Just let Patch be your guide!

Wonder Works' Children's Museum: From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wonder Works, 6445 North Ave. in Oak Park, will be "counting down" to the New Year with a party for the whole family. Sparkling cider, guided crafts, face painting, games from around the world, music and singing all will be included with a $6 general admission. For more information call 708-383-4815 or visit www.wonder-works.org.

West Cook YMCA: Celebrate New Year's Eve around the world with family friendly activities from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the West Cook YMCA. Refreshments will be served. The cost is $3 per child and $5 for adults. Families of four or more are $15. The Y is at 225 S. Marion St. For more information, call 708-383-5200.

Oak Park Public Library: The Rope Warrior!  He's from planet Earth, but the feats the Rope Warrior performs are certainly out of this world. Ring in the new year with this family-friendly program at the Oak Park Public Library, from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Veterans Room at the main branch. The program is free and open to the public. The library is located at 834 Lake St.

Trattoria 225: The restaurant at 225 Harrison St. will offer a special menu for feasting from 5 to 10 p.m. Choice of starter, main course and dessert. Price is $35, excluding tax or gratuity. Call for reservations or click here.

Marion Street Cheese Market: There will be reservations on the hour from 5 to 9 p.m. at the bistro 100 S. Marion St. The $75 tab includes choice of amuse, a one-bite appetizer; cheese; and options on main course and dessert. Come at 10 p.m. and for an extra $15 you get the dinner (same menu) and champagne for that midnight toast. Call 708-725-7200 for reservations or check the website.

Maya Del Sol: A limited, a la carte menu will be available from 4 to 8 p.m. At 8 p.m. on the restaurant will offer an $85 celebration package option that includes dinner, drinks, a midnight champagne toast and party favors. Celebration package excludes tax and tip. The restaurant is at 144 S. Oak Park Ave. Call 708-358-9800 for reservations.

House Red Vinoteca: House Red Vinoteca, 7403 Madison St. will make diners feel like they're in Paris, not Forest Park during its Le réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre. It'll be a five-course fix-prixe French-inspired dinner, paired with French wines and a champagne toast at midnight. Live entertainment will be provided by the Cheryl Wilson Trio. Wilson has appeared with such famous musicians as  Harry Connick Jr., Nancy Wilson, Mel Torme, Natalie Cole and Kenny G. Dinner seatings will begin at 7 p.m. The cost is $75 for dinner only or $110 with wine pairings. To explore the menu and make reservations click here.

Gaetano's: Gaetano's, 7636 W. Madison St., will have three differnt seatings on New Year's Eve. At 3 p.m., parents can bring their children, where the adults can have a party and their kids will have a pizza and pasta party under adult supervision. At 5 p.m. there'll be a special champagne toast. The cost of that party is $75 for adults, $20 for children. The next seating will be from 5:30 to 6:30 where over about three hours a 12-course tasting menu will be rolled out with Prosecco; the cost of that feast is $85. Then the third seating will be between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. where the same menu will be served, a Prosecco toast and a special gift will be given to diners. The cost of that serving is $95. Reserve online through the web site or call the restaurant 708-366-4010. A credit card will be required to hold the eservation. Cost does not include additional alcohol or beverage, taxes or gratuity.

Dominican University Performing Arts Center: Ring in the New Year's Eve with a bit of old Vienna and old France thrown in for good measure when the New Philharmonic and its conductor Kirk Muspratt perform Viennese Pops New Year's Eve with a French Twist. The evening will feature music by Strauss and Stolz as well as French orchestral pieces and arias. The program will start at 7 p.m. Lund Auditorium at Dominican University Performing Arts Center, 7900 W. Division St. Tickets are $65 for adults, $63 for seniors and $55 for youth. For advance purchases, call 630-942-4000 or visit www.AtTheMAC.org.  Tickets are also available the day of the performance at the Dominican University Performing Arts Center box office. For more information call 708-488-5000 or visit Dom.edu/pac. Free parking is available.

Fitzgerald's: If your musical tastes less staid, boogie on over to Fitzgerald's Night Club, 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn, for an eclectic evening of music with The Becca Kaufman Orchestra. She and her eight-piece band will perform hits from Motown to the Beatles to Carly Rae Jepsen during her sets. Doors open at 8 p.m., with music starting at 9:30 p.m. A champagne glass will be lifted at midnight. Seating will be available in the club and the heated tent. Tickets are $25 and can be bought online. Want to eat before the show? Check out Capri right next door to the club.                                                           

Whatever you decide to do, please do it responsibly and don't drink and drive. Locally, taxis can be reserved with Red Cab or Blue Cab. Also if you need the CTA, Green and Blue Line trains will be free from 10 p.m. New Year's Eve through 4 a.m. New Year's Day.