Arlington Heights is a lovely suburban area. It’s a terrific neighborhood if you’re searching for the finest of city life and the advantages of suburban living, and it’s only 30 minutes outside of Downtown Chicago.

The Breeders’ World Thoroughbred Championships were held at the former Arlington Park Race Track in Arlington Heights in 2002, and the Arlington Million, a Breeders’ Cup qualifying race.

This article explores some of the best and most fun things to do in Arlington heights.

Things to Do in Arlington Heights

1. Lake Arlington

A 50-acre stormwater retention basin is called Lake Arlington. In 1995, this lake, first constructed in the 1980s to lessen floods, became a lovely park that attracts tourists yearly.

The two-mile asphalt path around Lake Arlington is lined with lawns, tall grass, marshes, and wooded areas available for other activities, including walking, jogging, and bicycling.

This park is home to various waterfowl, including ducks, Canadian geese, and great blue herons.

2. Thrown Elements Pottery

You may take courses, seminars, and lessons at Thrown Elements Pottery.

These activities, which include clay painting, wheel throwing, and hand-building sessions, are open to participants of all ages.

You can paint your pottery in the studio and pick it up a few days after it has gone through baking, fire, and glazing.

If you’re with some friends, you might organize a “paint and drink” event where everyone brings a bottle of wine.

You may also purchase supplies and top-notch ceramics from the gallery’s on-site store.

Location: 260 N Evergreen Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60004, United States

3. House Of Music And Entertainment

In Arlington Heights, are you looking for a sports bar or lounge? House of Music & Entertainment is worth a visit.

This eatery and nightclub’s chief chef gives modern traditional American cuisine updates.

It can offer its consumers a complete lunch, supper, happy hour, and late-night menu because of its extended daily operating hours.

Jalapeno poppers, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks are common bar snacks. The decor and menu of the restaurant boldly display the city’s pride in its local sports teams.

Customers may take advantage of additional seating on a sidewalk patio. The building serves as a location for live entertainment and music.

The main stage also offers trivia nights, live shows, and concerts.

Location: 1227 N Rand Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004, United States

4. Break Escape

Bring your closest buddies to assist you out since Break Escape is a team effort. Push your mental limits by working together to solve mysteries, riddles, and puzzles.

You and your group will be able to escape from one of Break Escape’s four distinctive escape rooms in 60 minutes.

Some escape rooms you may choose from are U.S. Customs – Entry Denied and High School Reunion “Gone Bad.” Blackmail and prison sentences are used to frighten you by U.S. Customs – Entry Denied.

In the unusual 10-minute escape room 10 Minutes to Heaven, you and your group have just 10 minutes to save the world from a global catastrophe.

Visitors to Arlington Heights have a lot to choose from, but if you’re searching for something different to do, think about embarking on this difficult adventure.

Location: 36 S Evergreen Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, United States

5. Jameson’s Original Charhouse

Jameson’s Original Charhouse, a well-known steakhouse in Arlington Heights, first opened its doors in 1990 and has since become an institution in the neighborhood.

The menu offers everything from prime cuts of meat and hog to grilled chicken or fresh seafood. According to Jameson’s Original Charhouse, creating an environment that supports enjoying a satisfying dinner is critical.

Its banquet room hosts a variety of unique events. It can accommodate 200 people. On Arlington Heights’ southern edge, 3700 acres of suburban Chicagoland have been transformed into a sizable natural park.

Location: 1331 W Dundee Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004, United States

6. Mitsuwa Marketplace

The Mitsuwa Marketplace offers more than just a location to purchase household and hard-to-find specialist goods.

It is a component of a nationwide company with 11 locations. However, this serves as a hub for Japanese culture where you can get everything you need to make okonomiyaki or katsu curry.

The store has a wide selection of manga comics in addition to music, movies, books, toys, and other items.

The food court also sells ramen, tempura, takoyaki, bubble tea, Japanese-baked items, and sushi.

Location: 100 E. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005

7. Ned Brown Forest Preserve

The 3,700-acre Nature at Ned Brown Forest Preserve crosses Arlington Heights’ southern boundary, and it takes 10 minutes to get there from the city center.

Busse Woods, a sizable property with an old-growth hardwood forest, is the center of this. Nearly 10 miles of the preserve’s bike trails go through a designated elk pasture.

The majority of the southern part of Busse Woods is taken up by Lake Busse Woods, a flood-control reservoir and one of Cook County’s most popular bodies of water for boating and fishing.

Kayak and rowboat rentals are offered throughout the summer. You’ll love just floating around and watching wildlife.

Location: Rolling Meadows, IL 60008, United States

8. Laugh Out Loud Theater

Many well-known comedians started in Chicago, including John Belushi, Steve Carell, Amy Poehler, Stephen Colbert, and Tina Fey.

Arlington Heights is 13 minutes away from the Laugh Out Loud Theater in Schaumburg, which features the next generation of comedy.

This club, specializing in improvisational comedy, offers performances for adults and kids.

You may enroll in improv classes as well. Classes are available to you regardless of your skill level or interest in short-form improv.

Location: 01 N Martingale Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60173, United States

9. Top golf Schaumburg

In Chicago, playing golf is a seasonal activity, but the course in Schaumburg is an exception.

Several Topgolf locations around the country feature bowling lanes and driving ranges with a lively party atmosphere.

There are heated hitting bays, a ball tracking system, and HDTV displays on the range so that you may compete against your friends in different games.

Seasonal leagues are also held there. Food and beverage are also crucial to the Topgolf experience.

It offers a full-service bar in addition to a menu comparable to that of any fast-food joint.

Location: 2050 Progress Pkwy, Schaumburg, IL 60196, United States

10. Muller House

The village’s history museum is located a few streets north of the Arlington Heights railway station amid a complex of original and replicated buildings.

An 1880 coach house with a woodworking shop lies on the property, as a replica log cabin from the 1830s, and the Banta House from 1908.

The Müller House, built in the 1890s and named for its owner, F. W. Müller, the soda magnate who launched Arlington Club Beverages, is the anchor.

Visitors to Arlington Heights may explore historic barns and the Müller and Banta homes.

Both underwent restoration to impart information about the history of soda pop and see the museum’s extensive collection of vintage toys and dollhouses.

Location: 500 N Vail Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60004, United States

11. Metropolis Performing Arts Center

The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, one of Arlington Heights’ most active cultural institutions, is among the neighborhood’s many independent shops and restaurants.

The recent highlights of the in-house company’s production calendar include Rent, Spamalot, Moon Over Buffalo, the 39 Steps, and A Christmas Carol.

The theater, which also presents cabaret acts and concerts, can accommodate 329 spectators.

For kids in grades K–12, various performing arts camps offer great co-curricular and extracurricular learning experiences.

The performing arts school of the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre welcomes students of all ages, even those over 91.

A few performing arts students at the institution qualify for need-based financial aid and low-cost options.

Tens of thousands of kids may interact with the casts of well-known shows thanks to the Stories in Action series.

Location: 111 W Campbell St, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, United States

12. North School Park

This beautiful neighborhood park is located at the southernmost point of Arlington Heights Park District headquarters.

North School Park is the perfect place to unwind because of its visual appeal and the abundance of deciduous trees that provide shade.

Nearby, a fountain with a small children’s play area is surrounded by floral arrangements.

It would be better if you went during the winter holidays to experience the park’s amazing nighttime light shows.

Then, in the summer, North School Park hosts free outdoor concerts where you only need a blanket or lawn chair to relax and take in the show.

Location: N Evergreen Ave & E Eastman St, Arlington Heights, IL 60004, United States

13. Heritage Park

South of Arlington Heights, you may find this beautiful suburban park with several amenities.

One of the park district’s five community centers, Heritage Park has a gym, basketball courts, a swimming pool, illuminated tennis courts, a baseball field, a beach volleyball court, and playgrounds for kids of all ages.

There are lots to do here in the winter, with a sledding hill and an outdoor ice rink outfitted with lights and boards.

Let’s say you’re just taking a stroll around the park. A multipurpose path then snakes amongst the hardwood trees.

Off the park’s southwest edge, keep going in the direction of the verdant Kingsbridge Arboretum.

Location: 506 W Victoria Ln, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, United States

14. Lakes Arlington Golf Course

This distinguished park district course is open to the general public and is situated close to Busse Woods, approximately south of Arlington Heights.

The course is located on the site of a Nike Missile Base that was shut down following World War II.

The course was initially created in the late 1970s and had a significant renovation in 1916, overseen by renowned architect Mike Benkusky.

This 90-acre tract, which contains an army facility, has 18 holes. Even the most seasoned players will find this course hard because of its wide layout, 13 water hazards, and quick tees.

Location: 1211 S New Wilke Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, United States

15. Downtown Arlington Heights

Arlington Heights has a pedestrian-friendly downtown with various independent shops and restaurants.

In this neighborhood, you may discover Thai, Vietnamese, Italian, and Korean Totowa Bistro, Spanish, Mexican, and Irish restaurants and pubs.

Trees mostly shade the paths, and between West Campbell Street and South Vail Avenue, there is a charming little plaza.

Arlington Heights shopping centers are distinguished by attractive landscaping and pedestrian-friendly architecture.

There are also many different things to choose from and a lot of open parking spots.

There are cute shops across the city selling anything from pet supplies to jewelry, confections, and home decor.

16. Walker Bros. Pancake House

These pancake restaurants, spread throughout the Chicago region, are another Second City institution.

The Original Pancake House, which first opened in Portland, Oregon, in 1953, inspired the Walker Bros. concept, which was imported and used at the Arlington Heights location and debuted in 1987 despite the chain’s existence since 1960.

The Arlington Heights site has a touch of class with stained glass, carved wood, and brass fixtures decorating the inside.

And if you’re craving hearty breakfast fare, you’ve come to the perfect spot. We provide various omelets, eggs cooked to order, French toast, Belgian waffles, stacks of pancakes in various preparations, and platters and sandwiches.

Location: 825 Dundee Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004, United States

17. Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area

A beautiful natural environment with several nature trails, where you may visit the neighboring little farm area and see a variety of species.

A protected area, the conservation was created by industrialist Edward L. Ryerson. He utilized the region as his hideaway and later built three cottages and a farm home there in 1942.

The ideal day for taking in the tranquil surroundings and appreciating nature. “Trees and plants set identifying marks; look out for poison ivy,” adds reviewer Annie.

Later in the day, the parking lot started to fill up, although it was still big enough. It’s a great location for a leisurely stroll or a strenuous climb. Quite and tranquil, with very ancient trees all around.

On the National Register of Historic Places, it is listed. These woodlands are great for families. However, dogs and horses are not allowed there.

Location: 21950 N Riverwoods Rd, Deerfield, IL 60015, USA

18. Arlington Heights Historical Museum

The Müller House, which exhibits dolls and historic doll homes, was recently bought by Arlington Heights, a magnificent museum.

The museum will serve as a bridge between the past and present. It is well-known for the background of the family that lived there and helped establish the well-known pop soda brand.

A wonderful family outing with tours offered to gain a deeper understanding of the past. It’s a wonderful site to visit if you want to learn more about Arlington Heights or if you prefer soda pop, according to Jen.

Take a tour of every facility before purchasing some drinks to go. Families will like it here too.

Location: 110 W Fremont St, Arlington Heights, IL 60004, United States