Ask most Chicagoans where the Yellow Line ends, and they’ll most likely stare back at you blankly. But now that the CTA line (a.k.a. the “Skokie Swift”) offers weekend service again, there’s no excuse not to hop aboard and venture out to this diverse ’burb.

Noon–1:30pm
Catch the Yellow Line at Howard, and take it to Skokie—the end of the line and the only stop besides Howard. Or, if you’re car-dependent, just drive—there’s ample paid parking at the Skokie Swift Station and on nearby side streets. Even though there are Starbucks all over the city, Skokie’s outpost (5001 W Dempster St, 847-679-7287), steps away from the train station, stands out thanks to the 1925 building’s architecture (it’s a historic mix of Prairie-style and bungalow vernacular—a building type popular at the time in residential architecture but not often seen in businesses) and the historic black-and-white photos of the place on display inside. Next, head across the street to the Hadassah House Resale Shop (5020 Dempster St, 847-677-6365), a thrift store full of fun finds like a pair of vintage, pre–Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers, a Talking Heads casette, an old-school LeSportsac biking bag and many other reasonably priced items. For more shopping, don’t be afraid to relive your mall-rat days at the Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center (34 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, 847-674-7070), which features shops ranging from Macy’s to Pacific Sunwear.

Hungry for lunch? Cross the street and walk a few more blocks east to Kaufman’s Bagel & Delicatessen (4905 Dempster St, 847-677-9880), where young and old enjoy the just-baked bagels, spreads and pickles (there are separate barrels for “old pickles” and “new pickles,” just to give you an idea of how serious they are about dills). We recommend the delicious lox-and-bagel sandwich, which comes layered with fresh fish.

1:30pm–2:30pm
After chowing down, walk east to Dempster and Bronx Avenues and catch the 97 Skokie bus to downtown’s Skokie Heritage Museum (8031 Floral Ave, 847-674-1500 ext 3000, SkokieParkDistrict.org). Located in the ’burb’s first public building—which was used as an engine house, jail, meeting place and even dance hall—the first-floor permanent exhibition showcases historic fire engines, newspaper clippings and antique fire-fighting clothing. Head upstairs and play with turn-of-the-century wooden toys, like the endlessly amusing ball-and-string, but save time for the highlight here: the 1847 log cabin located just behind the museum. Ask permission to check it out, and the resident docent will lead you around the interior, which is full of 19th-century tools like butter churns and irons that are—surprise!—actually made of iron.

2:30pm–3:36pm
Next, head across the street to the Skokie Public Library (5215 Oakton St, 847-673-7774, skokielibrary.info) and spend some time checking out the striking silver swan sculpture by Elliott Balter that’s housed in an outdoor water courtyard (pictured) within the library structure. Leave the library and head to Sweety Pies Bakery (7931 N Lincoln Ave, 847-213-0900, sweetypiesbakery.com) for a sugar fix for the ride home or pop into Pat’s Place Restaurant (5225 Oakton, Skokie, 847-679-9466), an authentic diner with a lemon-meringue-yellow covering practically every surface.

Cigar smokers shouldn’t miss the Cigar King (pictured, 8016 N Lincoln Ave, 847-675-2447, cigarking.com), the suburban equivalent of Wicker Park’s now-shuttered Marshall McGearty Tobacco Lounge. Just next door is The Village Art Gallery (8008 N Lincoln Ave, 847-675-1030). Selling works by artists from all over the world, it’s been in its present location since 1965. Stand-out pieces include the kitschy (yet cool) wildlife photos by Peter Hurtlin ($95 for a 16-by-20-inch photo).

Hang out a little longer, end your afternoon with beers and pizza at the Village Inn Pizzeria (8050 N Lincoln Ave, 847-675-3737, villageinnskokie.com) or bowling at Skokie Lanes (8146 Floral Ave, 847-673-2425). Looks like you’ve got more than a few reasons to catch the Skokie Swift again.