12 Best Things To Do In Algonquin, Illinois

1. Hill Climb Park

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you’re thinking about what to do in Algonquin, check this out. As one of the favorite local go-to places for outdoor recreation, Hill Climb Park offers not just beautiful sceneries but many relaxing activities as well. This 12.85-acre (5.2-hectare) park features wide grassy areas with several trees here and there for shade, providing a relaxing atmosphere while you take a calming stroll through the extensive pathways going around the park.

You and your family can also enjoy picnicking at the picnic area near the gazebo and pavilion. Other features include two playgrounds with sandpits, jungle gyms, swings, and more so that kids can have a great time playing under the warm sun.

Hill Climb Park

Address: 801 Circle Dr, Algonquin, IL 60102, United States

Website: Hill Climb Park

Opening hours: 6am - dusk (daily)

2. Fox Valley Pottery

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Hone your artistic skills at Fox Valley Pottery. As one of the most popular Algonquin activities, this family-owned pottery painting business is the best place to take your family to if you want to have a fun and relaxing time while creating your masterpieces. There are, of course, hundreds of white pottery pieces to choose from—all ready to be painted in however way you want!

You need not worry if you feel like haven’t done anything artistic as no experience is needed and facilitators are always there to help you out. The place also hosts art workshops, which are great for birthday parties and other special events.

Fox Valley Pottery

Address: 2743 W Algonquin Rd, Algonquin, IL 60102, United States

Website: Fox Valley Pottery

Opening hours: Thu: 12pm - 6pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 8pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Mon, Tue, & Wed)

3. Prairie Trail

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Prairie Trail is a popular hiking and biking trail that runs over 26 miles (41.8 kilometers) from Algonquin to the Wisconsin state line. The long trail also runs through several areas in the county including Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills, Prairie Grove, McHenry, McCollum Lake, Ringwood, and Richmond. As one can easily imagine, given the natural beauty that surrounds this beautiful trail, it’s not just a place for hiking and cycling enthusiasts but for sightseeing purposes as well.

Prairie Trail

Address: 314 Washington St | Algonquin, IL 60102

Website: Prairie Trail

4. Indian Trail Beach

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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Indian Trail Beach is the perfect place to go if you want to spend some quality time with your family while visiting Algonquin, Illinois. It’s one of the two beaches in the Lake in the Hills area, with the other being Butch Hagele Beach. Aside from the beautiful sceneries of the lake and the surrounding forested areas, visitors will have access to many fun outdoor activities such as swimming, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, fishing, sightseeing, and many more.

Overall, it’s a really nice beach where you can have a great time with your family.

Indian Trail Beach

Address: 228 Indian Trail Lake in the Hills, IL 60156

Website: Indian Trail Beach

5. Exner Marsh Nature Preserve

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Exner Marsh is a beautiful looking, shallow glacial lake. It’s home to many interesting species of birds and other wildlife. You can find 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) of hiking and trails.

There are also possibilities to go cross country skiing in the area. And after a nice time of hiking, you can still enjoy the nature and have a picnic in one of the park’s picnic shelters. But if you want to spend a little more time in that beautiful place you can always stay and camp for a night. Check out the camping page on their website below for more information.

Exner Marsh Nature Preserve

Lakewood Entrance: 9000 Lakewood Road, 60156 Lake in the Hills, Illinois

Miller Road Entrance: 9105 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills

Website: Nature Preserve

6. Raging Buffalo Snowboard Ski Park

Editor’s note: Establishment is permanently closed

Everyone at least once in their life has experienced that sad moment of the winter when you’re sitting by the window or at your desk with a nostalgic face, daydreaming about fun on the slope and snow moving under your board or skis. But the resorts and those mountain expeditions can be so expensive. Well, worry no more!

Just visit Algonquin and Raging Buffalo Snowboard Ski Park. And the park is not just a place where you can play in the snow. Their snowboard terrain changes a few times throughout the season, so you can visit a park a second or third time and find completely different terrain. The passes vary from 32 to 38 USD so it’s three times less than a lift ticket at the resort!

Raging Buffalo Snowboard Ski Park

Address: 19265 Western Ave, 60110 Carpentersville, IL

Website: Snowboard Ski Park

7. Towne Park

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Right in the heart of Algonquin lies a small, pretty and peaceful place called Towne Park. That 5-hectare (12-acre) park has everything that you may need for a nice day outside, including green grass, sports fields, picnic tables, and shelters. The wall of trees covers the park from rest of the city and to enter the park first you must cross a little wooden bridge over the river, which gives a feeling of entering another world. Remember before you go: sometimes the park can be closed due to river floods.

Towne Park

Address: 100 Jefferson St, 60102 Algonquin, IL

Website: Towne Park

8. Bowlero

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Do you like bowling? If yes, Bowlero at Randall Road is a place you have to visit, while staying in Algonquin, Illinois. This is the perfect place to hang out with friends or family playing bowling, but not only because they offer also an arcade and laser tag experience. After the fun, you can eat some delicious food in the restaurant.

Bowlero

Address: 1611 S Randall Rd, 60102 Algonquin, IL

Website: Bowlero

9. Scorched Earth Brewing Company

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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A day full of fun activities requires a good ending which you can get in Scorched Earth Brewing Company. Take your friends and go try some interesting and unusual craft beers that the brewery has to offer, including “Sweetie Pie,” “Chief Kiwi Kiwi” and “Passion Angel.” If those names haven’t convinced you, I don’t know what will. Oh, maybe the information that they have special parties and live music every weekend? Just go and check it out.

Scorched Earth Brewing Company

Address: 203 Berg St, 60102 Algonquin, IL

Website: Scorched Earth Brewing Company

10. Buffalo Park Forest Preserve

Unfortunately, you won’t find a buffalo in the park. You still have to go to Wyoming for that, but the park has other interesting things to offer, like a loop trail, access to fishing areas, numerous picnic tables and a lot of trees. This is the perfect place for pretty pictures and a nice picnic surrounded by nature. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to enjoy the park overnight, because a campground was removed after numerous floods. And the Raging Buffalo Snowboard Ski Park is right next door.

Buffalo Park Forest Preserve

Address: 1 Alan Dr., Algonquin, IL

Website: Buffalo Park Forest Preserve

11. Randall Oaks Zoo

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

That’s a place for everybody who needs a fun place to take the little ones or just wants to spend some time with cute, cuddly, little animals. Randall Oaks Zoo sits on the hill and offers plenty of varieties of friendly animals for watching, petting, and feeding, including cows, mini horses, goats, sheep, alpacas and even reptiles. They offer pony rides for just 4.50 USD per ride. The admission to the zoo is 4 USD for non-resident (children under age of 2 are free) and if you want to feed the animals, there’s a little feeding fee of one dollar. So much cuteness for such a small price.

Randall Oaks Zoo

Address: 1180 Randall Rd, 60118 West Dundee, IL

Website: Randall Oaks Zoo

12. Underground Retrocade

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Oh gosh, remember when you were a little kid running around the arcade with pins in your pockets, winning coupons and exchanging them for rewards? Unfortunately, arcades these days aren’t like the old ones. But not all of them!

Underground Retrocade’s mission is to bring the original arcade experience to the players, thanks to their games from the golden era of gaming. The admission is only 15 USD, all pins, consoles, and re-entry included. Just go and feel like a kid again! Or take the kids with you.

Underground Retrocade

Address: 121 W Main St, 60118 West Dundee, IL

Website: Underground Retrocade

Variety of options

So many fun things to do for all ages, indoor and outdoor! Just go and have fun, what else would you need?