Located in the Cook County of Illinois, Skokie is a lovely bustling village close to the northern side of Chicago. Its name is derived from the Potawatomi word which means “marsh”. Skokie calls itself the unofficial “world’s largest village’. Though mostly suburbs, Skokie is filled with fascinating attractions and tourist destinations. If you want to know more about its history, you should see the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Educational Center. For a relaxed time with family, set up a picnic at the Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park. For a more in-depth guide for your visit to the beautiful Skokie, here is a list of the best thing to do in the village. Feel free to browse below.
1. Catch a performance at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
If you want a glimpse of the music and art scene of Skokie, you should head over to North Shore Center for Performing Arts and watch entertaining performances from renowned talents. This venue for arts is a two-theatre complex that simultaneously features performances that will make your heart cry happy tears. Just check their website from time to time for schedules and see which event works best for you.
North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
Address: 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL 60077, USA
2. Taste wonderful tea at Adagio Teas
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Whether you are on an afternoon bonding with your friends or solo tea time, Adagio Teas is a perfect spot to chill and relax. For 19 USD per person, you can book a private tasting of their teas guided by a professional staff. Not only that, but you can also bring a friend to share the experience with. Before you leave the store, be sure to purchase your favorite tea flavors for a healthier life.
Adagio Teas
Address: 4999 Old Orchard Shopping Center f6, Skokie, IL 60077, USA
Website: Adagio Teas
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 10am - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 9pm; Mon: 10am - 6pm
3. Buy bagels at Kaufman's Bagel & Delicatessen
Are you starving or just in the mood for some comfort food? If you want a taste of great food in Skokie, check out Kaufman’s Bagel & Delicatessen and enjoy some bagels and sliced meat dishes. Visit the store and make the foodie in you cry happy tears. This lovely deli guarantees that their food is fresh and made on site. Plus, Kaufman’s Bagel & Delicatessen bills itself as the best bagel maker outside of New York City.
Kaufman's Bagel & Delicatessen
Address: 4905 Dempster Street, Skokie, IL 60077, USA
Website: Kaufman’s Bagel & Delicatessen
Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)
4. View the marvelous sculptures at Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park
Located close to downtown Chicago, Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park is one of the most remarkable landmarks in Skokie. Aside from beautiful nature and clean surroundings, what makes it special is the fascinating sculptures that you only find in that park. Plus, there are programs you can join in at the park. Be sure to bring your camera when you come for more souvenir pictures.
Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park
Address: McCormick Blvd, Skokie, IL 60076, USA
Website: Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park
Opening hours: Open 24hrs (daily)
Price:Free admission
5. Play arcade games and eat delicious food at Herm's Palace
Found in the bustling Dempster Street, Herm’s Palace is a wonderful hangout spot for teenagers and teenagers at heart. You will relive your childhood arcade games favorites, and you can play them solo or with an opponent. Not just that, there is also an onsite restaurant that offers great food. Whatever you’re in the mood for, dining or gaming, Herm’s Palace has got you covered.
Herm's Palace
Address: 3406 Dempster Street, Skokie, IL 60076, USA
Website: Herm’s Palace
Opening hours: 11am - 10pm (daily)
6. Explore the amazing Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center
If you like touristy things and activities that will provide you with new pieces of knowledge, the Holocaust Museum and Education Center is the place for you. This museum will take you back to the time of the holocaust and make you understand that period. For the people of Skokie, it is important that this part of history is preserved not to celebrate it but to avoid repeating it. As they say, people must learn to stand for humanity.
Holocaust Museum and Education Center
Address: 9603 Woods Dr, Skokie, IL 60077, USA
Website: Holocaust Museum and Education Center
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: From 15 USD
7. Bring your kids to Oakton Park
The village of Skokie has a plethora of fantastic parks that you should visit if you feel like having a relaxing time in nature or you just want to burn some calories. The Oakton Park, located in the Oakton Street showcases a vast land with lots of recreational areas from a basketball field, baseball field, to electronic playground to a picnic area, to a swimming pool, a tennis court, and more.
Oakton Park
Address: 4701 Oakton St, Skokie, IL 60076, USA
Website: Oakton Park
Opening hours: 5am - 9pm (daily)
Price: From 14 USD
8. Shop at Westfield Old Orchard Center
Formerly called Old Orchard Shopping Center, Westfield Old Orchard Center is your ultimate destination in Skokie if you are in the mood for some shopping and dining. It houses your favorite retail brands as well as exquisite restaurants that you should definitely try. Not to mention, it has recreational areas, lots of open space, and beautiful greens. It also has a cinema if you are planning to watch the newly released movies and your most anticipated film.
Westfield Old Orchard Center
Address: 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Center, Skokie, IL 60077, USA
Website: Westfield Old Orchard Center
Opening hours: Mon - Sat 10am - 9pm; Sun: 10am - 11pm
9. Admire the gardens at Emily Oaks Nature Center
Whether you are in the mood for some alone time or quality time with your friends, Emily Oaks Nature Center is a beautiful tourist attraction in Skokie that features gorgeous natural wonders. This vast savanna and nature center treats your eyes to a feast of stunning sceneries and majestic flora. There is also a lovely pond where you can boat and some hiking trails if you feel like exploring the park some more.
Emily Oaks Nature Center
Address: 4650 Brummel St, Skokie, IL 60076, USA
Website: Emily Oaks Nature Center
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 5pm; Sat: 8am - 4pm; Sun: 10am - 4pm
Price: From 8 USD
10. Sample wines at Schaefer's Wines, Foods & Spirits
Schaefer’s Wines, Foods & Spirits bills itself as the best place to visit for Chicago’s best wines. They feature a fascinating cellar with a wide assortment of wines and a lovely deli that offers delicious food, perfect for any mood. They also do a delivery service if you want their products on your doorstep. Plus, they hold casual wine tasting events that you might be interested in.
Schaefer's Wines, Foods & Spirits
Address: 9965 Gross Point Rd, Skokie, IL 60076, USA
Website: Schaefer’s Wines, Foods & Spirits
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 9am - 7pm; Fri - Sat: 9am - 8pm; Sun: 11am - 5pm
11. Stroll in Devonshire Park
With so many parks and recreational areas in Skokie, you must have lots of time in your hands to explore them all. One of them is Devonshire Park. If you want to reconnect with nature, breathe fresh air, and relax, you should visit Devonshire Park. Not only that, but you can also play some basketball with your friends or a few rounds of tennis with a stranger. This park also has a baseball field, a swimming pool, a picnic area, and more.
Devonshire Park
Address: 4422 Greenwood St, Skokie, IL 60076, USA
Website: Devonshire Park
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 12:15pm - 7pm; Sat - Sun: 11am - 7pm
Price: From 13 USD
12. Walk your dogs at Pooch Park
Every now and then we should treat our dogs to a day full of playing and relaxing. Watch your lovely fellow run free and enjoy freedom in this off-leash dog park with a vast land with shelters, accessible trails, and fenced areas for puppies and toy dogs. To top it all off, there are dog-cleaning stations and dog water fountains for your cute little best friends.
Pooch Park
Address: 3220 Oakton St, Skokie, IL 60076, USA
Website: Pooch Park
Opening hours: Thu - Tue: 5am - 10pm; Wed: 5am - 12:30pm, 2pm - 10pm
Price: 45 USD for the first dog and 10 USD each for the succeeding ones
13. Relax at Lockwood Park
If you are in the mood for a baseball match and basketball games with some of your friends, you might want to check out the courts at Lockwood Park. This place is a haven for people who are looking for a place to go on a lazy afternoon. It is a vast land with lots of recreational areas. Aside from sports courts, it also has fascinating sculptures, a picnic area, a playground, a charcoal pit, portable restrooms, and more.
Lockwood Park
Address: Skokie, IL 60077, USA
Website: Lockwood Park
Opening hours: Closes at 10pm daily
Price: Free admission
14. Walk around Winnebago Park
If you are looking for a place to bring your kids one afternoon, why don’t you visit the Winnebago Park and let them play in the lovely playground while you play some basketball with your friends? This place is safe, peaceful, and has a relaxing view. It also has drinking fountains for quickly quenching your thirst.
Winnebago Park
Address: 8315 Knox Avenue, Skokie, IL 60076
Website: Winnebago Park
Opening hours: Closes daily at dusk
Price Free admission
15. Play baseball at Terminal Park
If you are looking for something fun to do while in Skokie, why don’t you visit Terminal Park and play baseball with your friends? Aside from a baseball court, this park also has a basketball court, a pickleball court, and a tennis court. If you are with your family, there is a designated picnic area and a playground where your kids can play and enjoy. Plus, there is a vast parking space in Terminal Park.
Terminal Park
Address: 9401 Kenton Ave, Skokie, IL 60076, USA
Website: Terminal Park
Opening hours: 6:30am - 8pm (daily)
Price: Free admission
16. Work out at McNally Park
Watch your kids have the best of time playing in the playground of McNally Park while you watch an exciting game of baseball in the field. Or if you like, you can be part of it and play it yourself. Mcnally Park also has a designated area for people who plan to have a mini picnic and a gorgeous rain garden.
McNally Park
Address: 8325 Central Park Ave, Skokie, IL 60076, USA
Website: McNally Park
Opening hours: Closes daily at 10pm
Price: Free admission
17. Go on picnic at Lawler Park
Spend some quality time with your family or friends by enjoying an afternoon of picnic at Lawler Park. With a vast land with lots of recreational areas, there is just so much for you to do and enjoy here. You can play baseball with your friends or join a team to play against an opposing team in a basketball match. There is also a lovely playground where your kids can play.
Lawler Park
Address: 10040 Lavergne Ave, Skokie, IL 60077, USA
Website: Lawler Park
Opening hours: Open (24hrs)
Price: No admission fee
18. Spend some leisurely time at Schack Park
Located on Laramie Ave, Shack Park is a lovely place in Skokie where you can have a great time. It has lots of recreational areas for everyone. In Schack Park, there is a picnic area for families, lovers, or even solo daydreamers. There is also a playground with slides and swings for kids to enjoy. If you are in the mood for some tennis, there are available tennis courts in this park.
Schack Park
Address: 6940 Laramie Ave, Skokie, IL 60077, USA
Website: Schack Park
19. Have fun at Timber Ridge Park
Bring your kids to Timber Ridge Park and watch them enjoy their time playing in the slides or having fun at the swing. The Timber Ridge Park is a beautiful park located in Lawndale Ave. It has a soccer field aside from a lovely playground. It is also safe and peaceful in this park, ideal for some afternoon of me-time.
Timber Ridge Park
Address: 9040 Lawndale Ave, Skokie, IL 60076, USA
Website: Timber Ridge Park
Opening hours: Closes daily at 10pm
Price: Free admission
20. Relish comfort food at The Curragh
Looking for a place to spend a relaxing Saturday night with friends? If so, The Curragh might pique your interest. It is a modern Irish pub with a casual laid back ambiance, perfect for a night of overflowing drinks, great food, and wonderful memories. Aside from the lovely and comfy settings indoor, it also has a charming patio and a private room.
The Curragh
Address: 8266 Lincoln Ave, Skokie, IL 60077, USA
Website: The Curragh
Opening hours: 11am - 2am (daily)
21. Play games at Ignite Gaming
If you are a hardcore gamer at heart, Ignite Gaming is the paradise for you. Ignite gaming offers exciting digital games that you can enjoy from the classic mortal combat to Tekken 7, Dragonball Fighter Z, and many more. Plus, if you need a quick break for an energy recharge, there is a snack bar where you can purchase delightful food.
Ignite Gaming
Address: 8125 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL 60077, USA
Website: Ignite Gaming
Opening hours: Tues - Thu: 5pm - 2am; Fri: 3pm - 3am; Sat - Sun: 12pm - 3pm; (closed on Mon)
Price: Free entry
22. Try some Japanese food at Makisu Sushi Lounge & Grill
Are you in the mood for some Japanese food? If so, Makisu Sushi Lounge & Grill is the place you should check out. It offers delectable sushi, maki, gyoza, calamari, and many other classic Japanese fares. Plus, you will get to enjoy these mouthwatering food under a stunning and relaxing roof.
Makisu Sushi Lounge & Grill
Address: 7150 Carpenter Rd, Skokie, IL 60077, USA
Website: Makisu Sushi Lounge & Grill
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:15am - 2:15pm, 5pm - 9pm; Fri: 11:15am - 2:15pm, 5pm - 10pm; Sat: 1pm - 10:15pm; Sun: 4pm - 9pm
Beautiful Skokie
With a village so beautiful, you will never run out of things to do. You can try the delectable eats, dance to the sound of the place, or marvel at the beauty of the sights. Plus, its relaxed and laid-back vibes make it an ideal getaway destination. If you are planning a trip to Skokie anytime soon, make this list of the best things to do in the village your guide. May you have a fantastic vacation ahead.
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