Alsip, Illinois, may be a little-known suburb in the city of Chicago, but this incredible village in the heart of Cook County, mostly situated north of the Cal-Sag Channel, boasts a gamut of options for visiting tourists to experience and enjoy. Rich in history and nature and with a diverse populace, Alsip, Illinois is a cradle of some of USA’s scenic views, historic spots, delightful restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. Surely, you can never run out of exciting and worthwhile activities to do in this village no matter your age. There’s always something in store for everyone! Choose which ones suit you best as we go and take a closer and more detailed look at the best and most exciting things to do in Alsip, Illinois.
1. Get wet and wild at Sprayfari Aquatic Park
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
This is the last week for AM Lap Swim 7:30-9:00am and Resident Member Only at 11:00am! ****NEW HOURS**** School Hours...
Posted by Alsip Park District Sprayfari Aquatic Park on Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Take a dip at Sprayfari Aquatic Park’s heated Z-shaped pool. Sporting a large wading pool area at 95.13 square meters (1,024 square feet) and with an even larger shallow area at 148.64 square meters (1,600 square feet), this water park provides a lot of space for swimming and other fun water activities for the whole family. Cool down under the raindrop fountains and enjoy the water park’s consistent safari theme which definitely maintains a lively vibe around its 650.32 square meters (7,000 square feet) of water surface. What’s more impressive is how the management takes safety and security seriously. You can simply swim, go down their deck and drop slides, plunge into their diving wells, have fun with your family, and rest assured that you and your loved ones are happy and safe.
Sprayfari Aquatic Park
Address: 11930 S Kostner Ave, Alsip, IL
Website: Sprayfari Aquatic Park
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 12pm - 5pm, 6pm - 8pm; Sat - Sun: 12pm - 8pm
Price: From 14 USD
2. Trek the Cal-Sag Trail
Get a closer look at and be one with nature as you go through the 15 mile (24.14-kilometer) stretch of Cal-Sag (Calumet-Sag) unfinished trail. Once finished, the Cal-Sag Trail is expected to be 26 miles (41.84 kilometers) long. Pass through the Palos Forest Reserve system, restaurants, Sag Quarries preserve, and Lake Katherine Nature Center along the way. Grab the opportunity to watch eagles soaring past you, along with other birds frequently seen in the area. Since the roads are paved, bikers often flock in this trail, making the traffic a little heavier. Its shade makes it a viable go-to for small children and parents with a stroller in tow. The best time of the year to visit is from May to October.
Cal-Sag Trail
Address: Alsip, Illinois
Website: Cal-Sag Trail
Operating hours: Sunrise - sunset (daily)
3. Play thrilling games at In The Game Hollywood Park
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by In The Game Hollywood Park on Thursday, June 11, 2020
Experience the thrill and fun of playing paintball, go-karts, and bumper cars along with the beeps and blinks of a multi-floor arcade at In The Game Hollywood Park amusement center. The fun never seems to stop as it also offers mini golf, Typhoon Motion Simulator, and Thunder Drop among its attractions for less than 10 USD each. The amalgam of arcade sounds and the happy chatter of other guests around will surely give you a unique and happy memory that will last a lifetime. Another must-visit amusement park in Alsip is the Fun Time Square. Hear your heart race with thrill on go-kart races, batting cages, and paintball matches. Aside from exciting games, the center is also known for its friendly staff and inclusive and accessible facilities with a wheelchair-accessible parking space.
In The Game Hollywood Park
Address: 5051 Cal Sag Rd, Crestwood, IL 60418, United States
Website: In The Game Hollywood Park
Opening hours: 12pm - 10pm (daily)
Price: From 3 USD
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4. Indulge in a gastronomic feast at Alsip’s local restaurant scene
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
What’s better than good food? More good food, of course! The local food scene in and around Alsip, Illinois, will surely satisfy your culinary hunger as it offers a wide selection of culturally diverse cuisine from all over the world. Relish authentic chiles rellenos and burritos at the districts ubiquitous Mexican dining. Savor the unique flavors of oriental cuisine at the village’s Chinese food joints. If you are looking for American and Italian platters, you don’t need to look long and drive far. Alsip’s stock of restaurant has got you covered. Imagine going home to your hotel after a tiring day of trekking and sightseeing and having a wide variety of food choices right at your fingertips. With excellence and convenience rolled into one, you would definitely enjoy your stay.
Allgauer's
Address: 5000 W 127th St #N, Alsip, IL 60803, United States
Opening hours: 6am - 2pm, 5pm - 10pm (daily)
5. Step back in time at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery
Aside from having family-friendly facilities, Alsip is also home to a number of memorial parks like Restvale, Burr Oak, and Holy Sepulcher cemeteries, all of which hold historical significance and serve as final resting places for a number of notable individuals. Immerse yourself in peace and solemnity in as you walk down Holy Sepulcher Cemetery’s numerous statuaries strategically located along its winding roads and well-maintained lawns. Admire the architectural precision of the life-size statues of the archangels just a few steps from the Mausoleum of the Archangels’ wide entrance. If you get tired, have a short breather at the private sitting area along the halls which are lined with marbles.
Holy Sepulcher Cemetery
Address: 6001 W 111th St #6072, Alsip, IL 60803, United States
Opening hours: 8am - 7pm (daily)
6. Spend quality family time at Apollo Recreation Center
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
If you are traveling with your family and children, don’t miss the chance to spend a day of fun in any one of the parks here in Alsip. Apollo Recreation Center, for instance, offers various amenities and programs for you to enjoy. Play family games at the park’s playgrounds or in any of the courts available which includes two indoor basketball courts, two tennis courts, and three indoor volleyball courts. Have a scrumptious snack with your family at the park’s spacious picnic area after a stroll at its walking/bike path. If you planned well ahead, you will be able to join the park’s scheduled events and programs such as palmistry lessons, fishing derby, golf tournaments, and more! Plenty of fun for everyone!
Apollo Recreation Center
Address: 12521 South Kostner Avenue, Alsip, IL
Website: Apollo Recreation Center
Opening hours: Mon: 8:30am - 6pm; Tue - Fri: 8:30am - 5:30pm; Sat: 9am - 12pm (closed on Sun)
7. Sample the town's elite night life scene at Dakota Inn
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Dakota Inn on Saturday, March 20, 2021
Just when you thought fun ends as the sun sets in Alsip, think again. Have some grown-ups-only time and party at Alsip’s prominent establishments that offer vibrant and exciting activities as darkness bites. One of the most popular haunts is a local neighborhood bar, Dakota Inn, which has been in business since 1994. Aside from darts and slots, the bar’s attractions also include the food they serve which guests find exceptional, partnered with their fun drink mixes and other beverages skillfully crafted by their expert bartenders. Stay at Dakota Inn’s spacious patio beer garden and join the activities with other tourists and locals. People mostly flock for Wednesday Fish Fry where you get the chance to feast on fried shrimp and cod and Friday Karaoke night which guests always describe as tons of fun.
Dakota Inn
Address: 12119 S Pulaski Rd, Alsip, IL 60803, United States
Website: Dakota Inn
Opening hours: Sun: 12pm - 2am; Mon - Sat: 7am - 2am
8. Test your luck at Dotty's
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
You’ll be “All Shook Up” when you rock the reels of our Elvis Platinum game into a colossal win! #WinAtDottys
Posted by Dotty's on Tuesday, August 10, 2021
Woo the favors of lady luck while snacking on organic good food and bask at the cozy and country ambience of Dotty’s Café. Unlike large-scale casinos that tend to be a bit tense and intimidating, Dotty’s is a more intimate gaming cafe that offers you a friendly and fun experience in gaming and slot in a convenient and more accessible location inside a shopping complex. If you’re the type who loves surprises, you’ll definitely enjoy their menu which changes every so often. Indulge in their gourmet coffee, ice-cold beers, wines, and even herbal tea. Dotty’s lays down a superb experience of both gaming and dining, all at your bidding.
Dotty's
Address: 12262 S Pulaski Rd Ave, Alsip, IL 60803, United States
Website: Dotty’s
Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 8am - 1am; Thu - Sat: 8am - 2am; Sun: 12pm - 12am
9. Laugh out loud at Riddles Comedy Club
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Alsip is a haven of various attractions but if you are just looking for a chill night, cold beer, and some good laughs, there is this attractive little comedy club along the roads of 111th street that could give you just what you’re looking for. Both tourists and locals flock inside the esteemed establishment to have a piece of the humor it offers. Once you enter the club, you will find yourself in a maze of cocktail tables and chairs leading to an elevated platform meant for guest comedians. Find a comfortable seat and join the giggles and chuckles of the audience crowd as you watch stand-up comedians perform their crafts.
Riddles Comedy Club
Address: 5055 W 111th St, Alsip, IL 60803, United States
Website: Riddles Comedy Club
Opening hours: Mon, Fri - Sat: 7pm - 2am (closed on Sun & Tue - Thu)
10. Shop unique finds at Alsip's Swap-O-Rama
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Swap-O-Rama Ashland Ave on Monday, July 8, 2019
Your trip is never complete without hauling a number of unique finds from the town’s largest and oldest clump of flea markets. Swap-O-Rama, located at the busy avenues of 129th street, consists of around 400 vendors inside the complex and 300 more outside, ensuring a great variety of goods for you to choose from. With this volume of shops, Swap-O-Rama has an average number of visitors reaching 18,000 during the weekends. Find cheap deals on electronics, vintage toys, exotic items, and more! Score fresh produce and savory street food as you go along with your shopping. To top it all off, there are lots of free parking!
Swap-O-Rama Flea Markets
Address: 4350 West 129th Street, Alsip, Illinois 60803
Website: Swap-O-Rama Flea Markets
Opening hours: Tue: 7am - 2pm; Wed: 7am - 3pm; Sat - Sun: 7am - 4pm (closed on Mon, Wed, & Fri)
Price: 2 USD (adults); 1 USD (children and senior citizens)
Create beautiful memories in Alsip
The small and unassuming village of Alsip in Cook County, Illinois, is an unexpected yet magnificent trove of great adventures awaiting the craving wanderer. Pack your bags, prepare your itineraries, and with your loved ones, create beautiful memories here in Alsip.
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