Arlington Heights is a village in Cook County within Illinois, USA. Home to plenty of gorgeous nature trails full of diverse wildlife. Indulge in the outdoor activities for cyclists and runners. If you’re planning a quick trip to Arlington Heights, there are plenty of Airbnb vacation rentals where you can spend the short escapade. Read on to find out what are the best things to do in and around Arlington Heights, Illinois!
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1. Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
With a mission of education through the arts, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre is a non-profit organization that produces and presents hundreds of shows and performances each year. The theater houses 329 seats and welcomes over 50,000 patrons annually. Metropolis has hosted musical artists like The Bacon Brothers, Los Lobos, Joan Baez, Robert Cray, and more.
Through its school of performing arts, select students are given low-cost options and need-based scholarships. It hosts thousands of school children per year with the Stories in Action series, which opens the doors for talented young individuals to work with the cast of Jersey Boys and Wicked, George Winston, Shawn Mullins, and more.
There are seasonal performance camps for grades K-12 that provide excellent co-curricular and extra-curricular education experiences throughout the young community of performing arts. Adults are also welcome to join its school of performing arts as Metropolis has hosted students up to 91 years young.
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
Address: 111 W Campbell St, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, United States
Website: Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
2. Break Escape
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Gather your best folks and tackle the challenge of Break Escape together. Test the limits of your mental power in solving clues, riddles, and puzzles as a team. Break Escape has prepared four distinct escape rooms that are themed and designed for you and your group to escape within 60 minutes.
The rooms that you can immerse in an escape adventure are My “Crazy EX”, U.S. Customs - Entry Denied, and High School Reunion “Gone Bad”. My “Crazy EX” involves a crashed wedding with explosive consequences while U.S. Customs - Entry Denied threatens with a blackmail and possible jail time. High School Reunion “Gone Bad” is a reunion in the haunted woods. There is also a special 10-minute escape room called 10 Minutes to Heaven where your group only has 10 minutes to save the world from an apocalyptic event.
If you’re still wondering about what to do in Arlington Heights, try this adventure for a different kind of fun.
Break Escape
Address: 36 S Evergreen Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Website: Break Escape
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 12pm - 9pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
3. House of Music & Entertainment
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
House of Music & Entertainment brings the concept of a lounge-meets-sports-bar vibe in Arlington Heights. This restaurant and lounge offers American cuisine with interesting twists from its executive chef. With extensive operating hours daily, it offers full lunch, happy hour, dinner, and late-night menus. You’ll find the classic pub-style appetizers here; jalapeno poppers, mozzarella sticks, and onion rings are always delightful snacks.
The restaurant boasts Chicago pride in its interiors by incorporating local sports teams throughout the space. An outdoor sidewalk patio provides extra space for guests. Also, as its name implies, it serves as an interesting music and entertainment venue. Live acts and concerts are hosted in its center stage as well as trivia nights and open mic events.
House of Music & Entertainment
Address: 1227 N Rand Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Website: House of Music & Entertainment
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 3am; Fri - Sat: 11am - 4am
4. Jameson's Original Charhouse
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Serving since 1990, Jameson’s Original Charhouse is a popular steakhouse among the Arlington Heights crowd. It serves prime-cut steaks, chops, burgers, sandwiches, fresh fish, salads, and more. The quality dining experience is set up in a relaxed and comfortable setting. Various special events are being hosted in its banquet room that can accommodate a maximum of 120 guests.
It serves lunch and dinner seven days a week and takes pride in its friendly and prompt crews. The restaurant’s most mentioned dishes are selections such as steak Diane, London broil, beef tenderloin kabob, charred Scottish salmon, New York strip steak, and filet mignon.
Jameson's Original Charhouse
Address: 1331 W Dundee Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Website: Jameson’s Original Charhouse
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 12am; Sun: 12pm - 10pm
5. Arlington International Racecourse
Dating back from 1927, the Arlington Park has an array of things to fulfill a whole day. Each day there are different events being held, in amongst a backdrop of the gorgeous garden that features a 6 story grandstand. It is also home to the Arlington International Racecourse, the perfect place for horse lovers!
Arlington International Racecourse
Address: 2200 W Euclid Ave, 60005 Arlington Heights, Illinois
Website: Arlington International Racecourse
6. Müller House
A must see for doll lovers or collectors who ponders about searching “interesting places to visit near me”. The museum is home to a gigantic collection of vintage dollhouses and dolls. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, it has now been added to the Arlington Heights Historical Museum. The collection represents the life of the middle class during the 1880s which is shown through the architecture of the house.
Müller House
Address: 110 W Fremont St, Arlington Heights, IL 60004, USA
Website: Müller House
7. Mitsuwa Japanese Marketplace
Every food lover’s dream, the Japanese market offers up a variety of dishes for visitors to try. This is the best time to get stuck in and try something different. The supermarket is fully stocked with all things Asian - sushi lovers should head to the sushi counters.
Mitsuwa Japanese Marketplace
Address: 100 E. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Website: Mitsuwa Japanese Marketplace
8. Arlington Heights Historical Museum
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Arlington Heights is a grand museum which recently acquired the Müller House which houses dolls and vintage doll houses. The museum is set to link both the past and present together. It’s famous for the history of the family who inhabited the house and built up the popular pop soda brand. A great day out for families where tours are available to get a better look into the history. Jen says - “If you want to know more about Arlington Heights, or you like soda pop, it’s a fun place to go. Get a tour of all the buildings, and then buy some soda to go. It’s a good place for families too.”
Arlington Heights Historical Museum
Address: 110 W Fremont St Arlington Heights, IL 60004, United States
Website: Arlington Heights Historical Museum
9. Arlington Heights Shopping Centers
Arlington has some of the best shopping centers around, so if you love to shop till you drop, this is a perfect opportunity to get out and look around. The village has an impressive 40 centers in the village with the downtown area being voted one of the most desirable downtowns. The downtown, in particular, has a wide mix of restaurants to dine in whilst taking a rest.
Arlington Heights Shopping Centers
10. Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area
A gorgeous natural reserve that has plenty of nature trails which is home to a range of wildlife and access to the nearby small farm area. The conservation is a protected area, built by businessman Edward L Ryerson. The area was used as his getaway where he went on to build three cabins and a country house in 1942. The perfect day to take in the peaceful surroundings and enjoy nature. Reviewer Annie says - “Identifying markers are placed by trees and plants - watch for poison ivy. The parking lot is sufficient, it began filling up later in the day. It’s a lovely place to take a slow stroll or a brisk hike. Peaceful and quiet, surrounded by old, old trees. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places. Although these woods are super family friendly, they are not dog friendly (no dogs or horses).”
Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area
Address: 21950 N Riverwoods Rd, Deerfield, IL 60015, USA
Website: Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area
11. Party Time Palace
Keeping the children entertained when on a getaway break can be tricky, but Party Time Palace has everything to keep them entertained for hours on end. They also offer a range of party packages to keep the birthday child happy! The palace is family owned and operate a great area to cater to children’s needs and yours.
The venue is packed with much to see and do including arcade games, laser tag, mini golf, and attractions. The mini golf is Chicago themed with 9 holes, and there’s a gigantic state of the art laser tag area to get stuck into. Stop all the wondering about “kid-friendly attractions near me” and tag the kids already to Party Time Palace.
Party Time Palace
Address: 723 W. Golf Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016
Website: Party Time Palace
12. Deer Grove East
Outdoor enthusiasts rejoice, this preserve is fantastic for those who love to be outside on their bike or are keen runners. The Grove was acquired in 1916, and the preserve is home to a variety of habitats - most are protected with designated nature preserves. There are small wetlands that have small wildlife such as frogs, salamanders, and rare species. Due to the hills and turns, the Grove has grown in popularity with cyclists; there are access trails which are marked for designated cyclists only.
Deer Grove East
Address: 1599 Pepper Tree Dr, Palatine, IL 60067, USA
Website: Deer Grove East
Enjoying Arlington
With so much to see and do in Arlington, it’s great for everyone to try something new. If you aren’t an outdoor person try the conservation area, a great way to learn about the fantastic work being done to preserve the land. All activities featured are perfect for families, and most are free or budget friendly!
If you’re coming from nearby cities like Chicago, you might want to check out the brunch places on the way to Arlington.
Frequently asked questions about the best things to do in and around Arlington Heights, Illinois
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