Memorial Day Weekend. BBQs. Family. Fun. A Full House. Chaos. Wanna get away? Here’s your haute 5 spots to escape urban life and enjoy the real lake effect. And with four states within an hour of the city, there’s plenty of Midwest hospitality to choose from.

When time is money and money is power, why would you waste valuable time going to the gym when the gym could be brought to you? This is the premise behind Chicago In Home Self Defense. Avoid the crowded, intimidating and inconvenience by making your own schedule and lesson plans.

The suburbanites rejoice when new and noteworthy restaurants open outside of Chicago proper. Prasino is the newest suburban hotspot making headlines for being green and delicious. With a slogan of “Eat Green Live Well,” this cafe incorporates eco-friendly cooking, design and decor into all aspects of Greek chic.

Swimming, swimming in the swimming pool, when days are hot, when days are cold, in the swimming pool. Breast stroke, side stroke, fancy diving too. Oh, don’t you wish you never had anything else to do but take a dip in these haute 5 pristine waters?

Touch iBar in Lakeview puts your iPad to shame. Featuring interactive TouchLife tables and a Minority Report-esque touch-screen wall, say good bye to the days of fighting for a spot at the bar and sending drinks via a waitress. That’s so last century.

With the Stanley Cup so close Chicagoans can almost taste it, the city is abuzz with hockey fever as the NHL playoffs drag on. No matter your neighborhood, here are some of the best bars to watch the Blackhawks dominate in May’s most anticipated showdown. After all, sharks may smell blood, but our Hawks show no mercy.

Think You’re A Playboy worthy of Hef’s extravagant lifestyle? Well, now you can live like one. Part of Mr. Hefner’s original Playboy Mansion on Lakeshore Drive is for sale for a cool 2.9 million.

It’s no secret Chicago’s known for it’s food. And most notably pizza, popcorn and the Chicago dog. But take note, this is far from the lowly street vendor hot dog. With an award winning executive chef Joe “Dawg” Doren (Blackbird, Sixteen), Franks ‘N’ Dawgs is “five-star dining on a bun.”

You can never have enough good Italian restaurants. The newest on the block is Aldino’s, opening on Old Taylor Street.