If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Chicago, just 22 miles (35 km) west lies a postcard-perfect settlement with historic brick buildings, a lovely downtown, perfectly-lined cutesy shops, leafy and serene avenues, and the most gorgeous homes. The farmer-founded Downers Grove is actually a suburb of southwestern Chicago, but entirely original in its character. Home to many Sears-Roebuck Catalog Homes, a Downtown that has become something of a dining and shopping destination, and the historic Downers Grove Museum, the ‘village’, as it is technically known, is more than worth a visit. Presenting the top things to do in Downers Grove, Illinois.
1. Check out the exhibits at Downers Grove Museum
The historic Downers Grove Museum documents the rich history of the village, complete with temporary and permanent exhibits. The latter include the Pioneer Blodgett House, whose owners supposedly offered assistance to runaway slaves in the Civil War era, the Victorian Blodgett House which showcases the life in Downers Grove in the 1890s, the Montrew Dunham History Center, home to the temporary exhibits and a permanent Downers Grove Fire Department exhibit and the Pumper Fire Truck.
Downers Grove Museum
Address: 831 Maple Ave, Downers Grove
Website: Downers Grove Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 12pm - 4pm; Sat: 10am - 4pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
2. Catch a performance at Tivoli Theater
How’d you like to catch a performance at a nearly 100-year-old theatre? The 1928-built Tivoli Theater is iconic for being the country’s second theatre to open with sound movies. Today, this rare, large-screen theatre has been remodelled French Renaissance-style and plays both first and second-run movies, apart from also featuring live performances throughout the year. The structure might be old, but the equipment is new so you are assured of first-rate viewing in an authentic structure of the old.
Tivoli Theater
Address: 5021 Highland Ave, Downers Grove
Website: Tivoli Theater
3. Dine at the train-themed All Aboard Diner
Who says trains are just for kids? Hop on to the All Aboard Diner, a nostalgic, train-themed restaurant where a model train circles the elongated bar, carrying baskets of delicious food. Mainstays include the Buffalo Chicken Wrap and the Chop Salad, along with vegetarian options, and the menu also includes homemade wraps, salads, soups, and even barbecued pork. Choose from the black bean and three-grain veggie burgers, the more than 20 sandwich options - which include Reuben and Caribbean Mango Chicken - and a host of side dishes including popcorn shrimp, mini tacos, onion rings, and cheese chilli fries. What’s more, it also has a dessert menu, as well as wine and beer.
All Aboard Diner
Address: 1510B West 75th St, Downers Grove
Website: All Aboard Diner
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11am - 8pm; Sun: 11am - 7pm
4. Enjoy the lush oak forest at Lyman Woods Forest Preserve
150 stunning acres (60.7 hectares) of marsh habitats, prairie, and oak woods with more than 300 species of plants - that’s the stunning Lyman Woods for you. The stunning 19-acre (17.7 hectare) oak wood forest has been undisturbed since it was purchased in the early 19th century. The lush forest is one of the few pre-settlement landscapes in the area, and it also features three rare kames (glacially deposited hills of gravel) which support and preserve the oak woods. You can also visit the Interpretive Center where you’ll find rain gardens, a butterfly garden, and native landscaping, as well as changing activities and exhibits.
Lyman Woods Forest Preserve
Address: 901 31st St, Downers Grove
Website: Lyman Woods Forest Preserve
Opening hours: June 1 - August 31: Mon - Sat: 9am - 4pm; Sun: 1pm - 4pm (See here for timings for the rest of the year)
5. Play mini golf at McCollum Park
If you’ve kids and are looking for a fun activity for them in Downers Grove, then Miner Mike’s Adventure Golf in McCollum Park is perfect for your little ones. Welcoming putt-putters of all ages onto the mini golf, the place makes each game more fun by using “mischief spinners” telling players to perform acts such as putting behind their backs or putting with their eyes closed! The snack shack has some amazing treats for after the game.
Miner Mike's Adventure Golf
Address: 6801 Main St, Downers Grove
Website: Miner Mike’s Adventure Golf
Opening hours: June 8 - August 18: Mon - Fri: 10:30am - 7:30pm; Sat: 11am - 9pm; Sun: 11am - 8pm (See here for timings for the rest of the year)
6. Stroll through Downtown Downers Grove
Downtown Downers Grove has become something of a trendy and much sought-after dining and shopping destination due to the variety of shops and restaurants and its location. In fact, the presence of the Tivoli Theatre and the 140 community festivals and events held in Downtown Downers Grove every year have earned it a spot on Chicago Tribune’s “Top 10 List of Downtowns”. Also, eat your way through the many amazing restaurants in the place, including Hooters, Parker’s Restaurant & Bar, Rockwood Tap House, and Mia Cantina’s, among others.
Downtown Downers Grove
Address: Maple/Main, Downers Grove
Website: Downtown Downers Grove
7. Walk your dog at Gilbert Park
Your furry friend will absolutely love the active neighbourhood Gilbert Park which features, apart from lovely landscaped greens, a beautiful limestone shelter, playgrounds for kids, basketball court, restrooms, a hill for informal sledding, and even a baseball field which looks like a natural amphitheatre. Walk your beloved pooch along the paved walking path which passes through the entirety of the park and also connects to a wood-chip trail leading into the Lyman Woods Forest Preserve.
Gilbert Park
Address: 1601 Gilbert Avenue, Downers Grove
Website: Gilbert Park
8. Try ice skating at Downers Grove Icearena
Why don’t you try your hand (or rather, legs) at a little bit of ice skating at the Downers Grove Icearena? The Icearena is Downers Grove’s very own little ice wonderland, having served the village and the surrounding communities for 48 years. It is also home to the Dazzlers Synchronized Skating Teams. Not only does the place have ice skating lessons for groups of all ages, but it also features ‘Program Ice’ which includes classes for Power Skating, Freestyle, Ice Dance, and Advanced Edges.
Downers Grove Icearena
Address: 5501 Walnut Ave, Downers Grove
Website: Downers Grove Icearena
9. Relish pancakes at The Baked Apple Breakfast Co.
There’s no place like The Baked Apple Breakfast Co. for the most delicious, filling, and lip-smacking breakfast. The menu at this favourite breakfast hangout features a mix of classic breakfast and lunch fare, complete with a whole variety of twists. Pancake options range from the classic stack of pancakes to the Bonfire (Graham Crackers, Marshmallow Flow, and Chocolate Sauce), the Smurfette (Blueberry pancakes) and the namesake Baked Apple Pancake!
The Baked Apple Breakfast Co.
Address: 1224 Ogden Ave, Downers Grove
Website: The Baked Apple Breakfast Co.
Opening hours: 6:30am - 2:30pm (daily)
10. Kayak at Hidden Lake Forest Preserve
The 390-acre (157.8 hectares) Hidden Lake Forest Preserve is a real Downers Grove treasure and the perfect place to picnic, paddle, fish, and even kayak. The Forest Preserve features a river and two lakes perfect for boating, fishing, and even kayaking, but will need the Forest Preserve District permit. The Forest Preserve also has a new picnic shelter, picnic areas, and trail. It is one of the few places to hear spring peepers in the wooded ponds and is also home to King’s Grove, a remnant woodland of bur, white, and red oaks.
Hidden Lake Forest Preserve
Address: Highway 53, Downers Grove/Lombard
Website: Hidden Lake Forest Preserve
11. Go jogging at Whitlock Park
If you live in Chicago, then the large, green neighbourhood park of Whitlock Park, formerly known as Northeast Park, is a great way to spend a relaxing day in Downers Grove. Located north of Shady Lane right between Fairview Avenue and Cumnor Road, Whitlock Park features 0.8 miles (1.3 km) of walking and jogging gravel pathways, restroom facilities, a lovely picnic shelter to enjoy a packed lunch, a playground, a multipurpose playing field, and even batting cages and two ball fields.
Whitlock Park
Address: 4000 Fairview Ave, Downers Grove
Website: Whitlock Park
12. Enjoy boating at Patriots Park
In April 1976, the beautiful community park on the south side of 55th Street was named Patriots Park to honour men and women who won freedom for the Americans, with the 5.8-acre (2.34 hectares) pond within the park being named as Barth Pond. The pond is a popular fishing and boating spot and even features a 0.45-mile long (0.7 km) paved loop pathway encircling it. The park is a great way to view native vegetation and to do a spot of boating at Barth Pond as well.
Patriots Park
Address: 501 55th Pl, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA
Website: Patriots Park
13. Admire nature at Belmont Prairie
Head to one of Illinois last original prairies right here in Downers Grove - Belmont Prairie. The prairie is one of the few remaining natural prairie habitats and supports more than 300 species of plant and animal wildlife. Belmont Prairie boasts of a wide variety of round-the-year grasses and other plants in a setting that is fostering and undisturbed. Hike along the wonderful nature trail within the prairie to also spot a variety of animal wildlife including ground squirrels, opossums, meadow voles, racoons, foxes, and even the occasional white-tailed deer and coyotes.
Belmont Prairie
Address: 4822-4830 Cross St, Downers Grove
Website: Belmont Prairie
14. Take the kids sledding at the Ebersold Park
Owned by Marguerite and Fred Ebersold, Ebersold Park originally started off as a sled hill for local children enjoying in the wintry outdoors. The park was named so in their honour as they found great joy in watching children have fun and play. The park is a popular sledding location even today, comprising two distinct areas surrounded by a 0.75-mile (1.2 km) paved walking path. The upper level (southern half) is dedicated to active recreation and features the sledding hill, two play areas with equipment, and a soccer field. The lower level at the northern end is a small wetland area with native plants and an open field.
Ebersold Park
Address: 5923 Main St, Downers Grove
Website: Ebersold Park
15. Enjoy a picnic at Hummer Park
Make a day of it by bringing your kids out to the beautiful community park of Hummer Park, formerly known as the Fairview Avenue Picnic Grove. Even today, the park retains its primary focal piece where it was installed 1982 - a large, brick picnic pavilion with three built-in summer cookout grills and permanent restrooms. The park features group picnics during summers, open lawn and large pavilion areas, separate age-appropriate play areas, a lovely meandering creek and large, lush trees.
Hummer Park
Address: 4833 Fairview Ave, Downers Grove
Website: Hummer Park
16. Have a good time at Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant
Party like there’s no tomorrow soaked in the fun-filled, electric atmosphere of Ballydoyle Irish Pub and Restaurant, located right on the Main Street in Downers Grove and the best place to head to in the area for Irish chow. and drinks A cosy atmosphere, live music, an extensive beer collection as well as whiskey, and amazing finger food makes Ballydoyle one of the best places to let your hair down with your friends after a day of exploring Downers Grove.
Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant
Address: 5157 Main St, Downers Grove
Website: Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 1am; Fri: 11am - 2am; Sat: 11am - 12am; Sun: 11am - 10pm
17. Relax at O'Brien Park
The large neighbourhood 17.5-acre (7 hectares) O’Brien Park is the perfect place to spend a day picnicking with your tiny tots in Downers Grove. The park is a hotbed for all sorts of sports and games, containing a sledding hill, a basketball court, two separate play areas complete with play equipment, a nin-hole disc golf course, and even an irrigated soccer field. The playground at O'Brien Park has swings, multiple rides, track ride and an Omni spinner for kids to play to their heart’s content. Grab a green spot nearby and spread out on a mat to enjoy a relaxing day at O'Brien Park.
O'Brien Park
Address: 6909 Dunham Rd, Downers Grove
Website: O'Brien Park
Opening hours: 6am - 7pm (daily)
Delightful Downers Grove
Downers Grove is the perfect place to get away to and spend a laidback American vacation, with its cutesy small-town atmosphere, its many gardens, and its great location just outside Chicago. Keep this list of the best things to do in mind and enjoy a splendid time in Downers Grove.
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