Located in the suburbs of Chicago, Hinsdale in Illinois has remarkably not changed in time despite all odds. For that reason, Hinsdale’s downtown area is recognized as part of the National Register Historic District. It is known to be one of the safest cities in Illinois, as well as the most family-friendly in the entire state. If you are staying in vacation rentals or hotels in Chicago, you might as well take a tour in Hinsdale. The town has rolling and wooded topography, which adds to its natural beauty and hometown charm. Tourists definitely love it here because of its friendly community. From sightseeing, walking in parks, and discovering small coffee shops, explore the best things to do in Hinsdale, Illinois.
1. See exquisite artworks at Expression Gallery of Fine Art
This haven in Chicago, just a few miles from Hinsdale, houses collections of paintings and graphic works. Expression Gallery of Fine Art is a place where you can wander and feast your eyes on exquisite artworks from the 20th century down to contemporary pieces. This gallery specializes in French paintings and works on paper. With a vast variety of artworks, this gallery changes its inventory from time to time as they sell and purchase pieces.
Feel free to stop by the place to see their whole collection. See gems from masters like Rembrandt, Degas, Whistler, Chagall, Dali, Klimt, and Picasso. You can also discover newer pieces from Coulomb, Blokhin, and Toplev.
Expression Gallery of Fine Art
Address: 10 E 1st St, Hinsdale, IL 60521, United States
Website: Expression Gallery of Fine Art
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 11am - 6pm; Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
2. Get closer to nature at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center
Take a stroll with your friends and family along the trails of Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, Oak Brook. Only 10 minutes from Hinsdale, this place lets you see your favorite animals and learn something about them as you walk and find fun facts on the posts. The trails have color-coded posts at turns to avoid visitors from getting lost along the way.
On your excursion, you can also ride a bike, try cross-country skiing, or even go for a run. You can take your family to picnic dates under the trees while enjoying the cool breeze. Check out their cool nature programs that involve identifying wildlife and tapping maple trees. You can also stop by Ben Fuller House.
Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center
Address: 3609 Spring Rd, Oak Brook, IL 60523, United States
Website: Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 3pm (closed on Sun)
3. Visit the Graue Mill
This water-powered grist mill was originally erected in 1852 and is now a museum. It is one of the two operating water-powered gristmills in Illinois (the other one being the Franklin Creek Grist Mill). Situated in Salt Creek in Oak Brook, Illinois, the mill is owned by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.
The mill takes its name from its builder, Friedrich Graue, a German migrant who arrived in the United States in the late 1840s. Bringing with him the knowledge of the craft of waterwheel gristmilling, he associated his efforts with William Asche to build a sawmill. They then operated this mill together for three years when Graue took over the operations alone.
The mill was operated by three generations of the Graue’s family, for approximately 60 years before technology improvements in the milling field, around 1910’s with the invention of steel rolling mill, drove the mill out of business. The derelict mill was restored by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934 to 1943 and was opened to the public as a working historic site in 1951. Nowadays the mill is still operating under DuPage County operations as a gristmill but the machinery is not connected to the wheel in the millrace anymore.
Graue Mill
Address: 3800 York Rd, 60523 Oak Brook, IL
Website: Graue Mill
4. Be fit and go hiking or biking at Salt Creek Woods
This 92-acre (37-hectare) park is a mix of upland forest and floodplain woods. The park is home to several species such asbur oaks, hickories, and black oaks that thrive, preserving habitat for northern orioles, eastern bluebirds, and red-headed woodpeckers. The Salt Creek Woods has picnic shelters and features about 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) of looped trails.
Fishing is authorized as well, you will mostly get smallmouth bass, but the waterway also features largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, crappie, northern pike, and walleye. Are you more of a water lover? You can also do one of the four paddle trails that count Salt Creek Woods. Adventurers can camp in the woods, either in a tent, cabin, or bunkhouse. Fall asleep to the owls’ singing after a long day of enjoying Hinsdale activities.
Salt Creek Woods
Address: 60154 Westchester, IL
Website: Salt creek woods
5. Visit Mayslake Peabody Estate
This estate was built as a private home for Francis Stuyvesant Peabody between 1919 and 1922 and is now part of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. The land of about 3.4 square kilometers (848 acres) contains the estate, a replica of the Chapel of St Francis in Assisi (Italy) and a series of lakes, prairies as well as two small savannas. The estate can also be rented for private events such as weddings and anniversaries. With such a venue for your special events, you are sure to wow your guests!
Mayslake Peabody Estate
Address: 1717 31st St, 60523 Oak Brook, IL
Website: Mayslake Peabody Estate
6. Get the family out at Jus-Fun Amusements
Editor’s note: Establishment is permanently closed
If you are looking for places to go near you while touring Hinsdale, this family amusement park features go-karts, batting cages, mini-golf, and a water balloon launching game that you should try. Spend an afternoon entertaining the little ones while grown-ups have their own dose of fun. We are never too old to have fun!
Jus-Fun Amusements
Address: 0S480 IL-83, 60181 Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Website: Jus-Fun Amusements
7. Visit the Western Springs Water Tower
This former water tower in Western Springs, Illinois can now be visited as a museum. Constructed between 1892 and 1893, the tower holds water but was also originally holding the Western Springs police department, jail, and municipal offices. The tower was set on fire by a lightning strike in 1991, destroying the water tank. The museum reopened two years after this unfortunate event and after rehabilitation works.
Western Springs Water Tower
Address: 914 Hillgrove Ave, 60558 Western Springs, IL
Website: Western Springs Water Tower
8. Head to Katherine Legge Memorial Park
This 52 acres (21 hectares) of greeneries features a lodge where you can hold meetings, receptions, weddings etc. as well as six tennis courts, nature-based play area and much more. The park has various picnic designated areas, it is a great space to spend a relaxing day filled with fun with the family. The memorial celebrates Katherine McMahon Hall, spouse of Alexander Legge, a prominent American business executive who built, after his wife’s death in 1924, a memorial on several acres of land in Hinsdale.
Katherine Legge Memorial Park
Address: 60521 Hinsdale, IL
Website: Katherine Legge Memorial Park
9. Practice your swing at Meadowlark Golf Course
This beautiful par-70 championship golf course features 18 holes and opened in 1922. Work on your swing or spend some fun time with the little ones.
Meadowlark Golf Course
Address: 6782 Graham St, 92649 Huntington Beach, CA
Website: Meadowlark Golf Course
10. Enjoy breakfast at Egg Harbor Cafe
Wondering what to do in Hinsdale, Illinois? Visit this venue which was the very first egg harbor cafe (there are nowadays 19 franchises) and opened in 1985. The friendliness of the staff is an institution in Hinsdale and they serve you only the freshest ingredients. A lot of healthy options and gluten-free are available on the menu. This is the perfect place for a breakfast full of energy and goodness!
Egg Harbor Cafe
Address: 777 N York Rd #22, 60521 Hinsdale, IL
Website: Egg Harbor Cafe
Time to go...
Due to its proximity with Chicago suburb, combine your trip to Hinsdale with a visit to nearby Chicago for holidays filled with activities.