If you’re familiar with Chicago or thinking of visiting the area, the suburbs aren’t to be ignored. Palatine, Illinois is located just outside of northwest Chicago, and it’s known for its parks and nature as well as vibrant community events. If you’re visiting the area, there are many great things you can do with your friends or family.
1. Visit the historic George Clayson House Museum
Once the residence of George Clayson, a nurseryman who served on the Palatine Village Board, the George Clayson House Museum is both a celebration of Palatine’s history and architecture. The property is one of the fewer than two dozen buildings in the village that was built more than 125 years ago. It has been restored and started welcoming the public on October 7, 1979, in its setting that looks straight out of the pages of a book.
Here, you can marvel at the lush surroundings and unique design motif of the museum. The place is currently maintained and operated by the Palatine Park District. You may reach out to them for tours and educational programs.
George Clayson House Museum
Address: 224 E Palatine Rd, Palatine, IL 60067
Opening hours: Tue: 9am - 4pm; Thu: 12pm - 4pm; Sun: 1:30pm - 4:30pm (closed on Mon, Wed, Fri, & Sat)
2. Enjoy tee time at Palatine Hills Golf Course & Clubhouse
One great way to experience the greener side of Palatine is to practice your backswing at Palatine Hills Golf Course & Clubhouse. This 18-hole golf course is set in a 6,800-yard (5,943.6-meter) championship course featuring a driving range, putting green, and six sets of tees. Its layout allows golfers to use all the clubs in their bags when playing a round. No matter your skill level, you’ll surely have a challenging yet enjoyable experience.
In its vast premises, you’ll also spot a pro shop, clubhouse, and cafe. Plus, the course is open for walkers and their fur babies. So if you’re traveling with your pets, make sure to do by here.
Palatine Hills Golf Course & Clubhouse
Address: 512 W Northwest Hwy, Palatine, IL 60067
Website: Palatine Hills Golf Course & Clubhouse
Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)
3. Grab some delectable treats at Sweet C's Bakery
Whether you have a sweet tooth or not, the exquisite cupcakes and cookies of Sweet C’s Bakery will brighten your day. Specializing in custom-decorated treats, the shop offers a great range of pastries that are as pretty to the eye as they are pleasing to the soul. Check out its seasonal and holiday cookies! You’ll be convinced to grab or pre-order some to spice up your next family gathering or your simple afternoon teas.
Every item in the shop is handmade using the finest ingredients and is sprinkled with a touch of wonder by the hands of the meticulous owner, Celia Kallenborn.
Sweet C's Bakery
Address: 10 N Bothwell St, Palatine, IL 60067
Website: Sweet C’s Bakery
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon & Sun)
4. Shop at the many stores in Deer Grove Centre
It’s impossible to miss Deer Grove Centre when traversing along Dundee Road as it is one of the longest strip malls in the area. The shopping center is anchored by major name brands such as Target, Aldi, Jewel, and Home Depot, offering easy access to everything you might need. While it is recommended to wear your walking shoes on when strolling the place, its collection of stores is within walking distance so you can effortlessly run a couple of errands.
From salons to groceries and cafes, you’ll definitely find it at this one-stop shopping center. Parking space is as ample as the retail stores available so feel free to arrive by car for easy shopping.
Deer Grove Centre
Address: 679 E Dundee Rd, Palatine, IL 60074
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
5. Walk around the Downtown Palatine Street Fest
The Downtown Palatine Street Fest is a great family-friendly event that occurs in the summertime. It’s completely free to attend the fest, although the different food trucks and retailers there charge separately for their products. The festival is a great opportunity to see the town if you’re unfamiliar, and you’ll get to see some great live music that plays throughout the day. The Kids Zone also has fun activities like face painting, games, and bubblers.
Downtine Palatine Street Fest
Address: Downtown Palatine
Website: Downtown Palatine Street Fest
6. Work as a team at the No Escape Room
The No Escape Room is a great activity to do in Palatine, especially if it’s raining or too hot outside to walk around. After booking your room, you and your group will be stuck inside a mock police station under the scenario that you have been jailed wrongfully and need to escape. Using teamwork, clues, and riddles, you’ll need to escape within the time limit. These escape rooms have been popping up throughout the country and serve as a great, fun activity where you can bond with your group and use your brain! Prices range depending on your group size, which can be two people up to nine.
No Escape Room
Address: 1501 W Dundee Rd, Suite 103, 60089 Buffalo Grove, IL
Website: No Escape Room
7. Explore nature at Deer Grove Forest Preserve
Deer Grove Forest Preserve offers the perfect opportunity to surround yourself with nature, whether you’re well-seasoned in plants and wildlife, or you’re simply looking for a relaxing stroll. The preserve offers 1,800 acres (729 hectares) of hiking, fishing and picnic areas, campgrounds and bird watching spots. The nature at Deer Grove includes wetlands and prairies full of woodland wildflowers, salamanders, and chorus frogs, and many native and migrating birds. Keep in mind that the preserve is big, and you’ll probably have to plan which parking lot to go to before you leave.
Deer Grove Forest Preserve
Address: 1599 Pepper Tree Dr, 60067 Palatine, IL
Website: Deer Grove Forest Preserve
8. Spend a day thrifting at Wolff’s Flea Market
Thankfully, the Wolff’s Flea Market at Palatine is open year round on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The flea market is in a heated/air conditioned building, so you’ll never be uncomfortable while you’re shopping, and there’s also free parking available. The vendors at the flea market offer fresh produce, antiques, and new merchandise. Admission is only 1 USD for adults and 0.5 USD for seniors and children.
Wolff's Flea Market
Address: 1775 N. Rand Rd., 60074 Palatine, IL
Website: Wolff’s Flea Market
9. Bring the kids to the Orbit Skate Center
Most parents talk about letting their kids run around at a park, but what’s better is letting them skate around. The Orbit Skate Center in Palatine is a great indoor rink that the kids will have a blast at! Even if they haven’t done much skating, classes are available through the center. The rink is available to be rented out for birthday parties and events, but the open skate and cheapskate nights are the best option if you’re visiting. Be sure to check the schedule online, or call the office from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Orbit Skate Center
Address: 615 S. Consumers Avenue, 60074 Palatine IL
Website: Orbit Skate Center
10. View magnificent heron rookeries at Bakers Lake Nature Preserve
The Bakers Lake Nature Preserve might be much smaller than the Deer Grove Forest Preserve, but it offers a chance to marvel at something unlike no other. The heron rookeries at the park are the most significant in the Midwest, and visitors are able to view them from platforms nearby. The preserve is 330 acres (134 hectares) and also has several hiking trails for visitors to view more wildlife, such as ducks, geese, grebes, cranes and other birds that live near the lake.
Bakers Lake Nature Preserve
Address: Northwest Cook County
Website: Bakers Lake Nature Preserve
11. View some elk at the Busse Forest Elk Pasture
The Busse Forest Elk Pasture is located inside of the Ned Brown Preserve, which is a 3,700-acre (1,497-hectare) wooded park that includes a lake. The elk are more likely to be present during the winter time, but if you come during summer there are also trails you can enjoy and pavilions available for picnicking.
Busse Forest Elk Pasture
Address: Bennett Rd And S Arlington Heights Rd, 60007 Elk Grove Village, IL
Website: Busse Forest Elk Pasture
12. Spend time at the community’s South Salk Park
South Salk Park is a great community park to spend time at and even meet some of the locals in Palatine. The park has baseball and softball fields, a basketball court, a picnic area and a playground that is fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. There is also a bike path that runs through the park, which connects to the local Rolling Meadows bike trail system. The park is open every day from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
South Salk Park
Address: 3900 Owl Dr, 60008 Rolling Meadows, IL
Website: South Salk Park
Discover the nature surrounding Chicago in Palatine
Cities are fun to visit, but the suburbs are where you can enjoy beautiful nature or a more relaxing vacation. In Palatine, there are many parks and nature preserves to stroll through, and you may spot some wildlife you’ve never seen before depending on where you’re coming from. Overall, Palatine offers great things to do for everyone.