10 Best Things To Do In Sycamore, Illinois

Pala
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 4 min read
things to do in sycamore illinois

Sycamore is a commercial city, located in the county of DeKalb, Illinois. The city enjoys its close proximity to Chicago and it is located just 60 miles (96.6 km) west. All four seasons are great fun here, filled with a host of recreational activities, along with great options for entertainment and art. The historic downtown of the city provides sophistication mingled with warm hospitality.

Stay in Sycamore for a few days and discover the unique treasures the city has to offer, along with the opportunity to shop for souvenirs in the local shops. You can pamper yourself thoroughly, at one of the city’s spas and salons, enjoy great family events and cherish a delectable culinary experience, during your stay here. Check out some of the best things to do in Sycamore, Illinois.

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1. Sycamore Park District

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

Have fun under the sun with your family in one of the beautiful parks managed by the Sycamore Park District. Established way back in 1923, the Sycamore Park District continues to manage hundreds of acres of open lands, developing and maintaining community parks, woodlands, wetlands, and athletic fields.

These beautiful open areas offer tons of fun activities including strolling, biking, running, picnicking, fishing, skating, swimming, and a whole lot of other Sycamore activities that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Sycamore Park District

Address: 480 Airport Rd, Sycamore, IL 60178, United States

Website: Sycamore Park District

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 6am - 9pm; Sat: 8am - 3pm; Sun: 10am - 2pm

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2. Syco Escape Rooms

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

Thinking about what to do in Sycamore, IL, with the whole gang? Check out Syco Escape Rooms—an immersive game that lets you experience different situations and scenarios in real life! The place features four themed escape rooms called Prison Break, Quest for the Throne, Operation: Rogue Agent, and Kids Adventure.

As the names suggest, these rooms all have different scenarios like breaking out of prison and hunting down an international super spy. To win a game, you have to escape the rooms by finding clues and solving puzzles within an hour.

Syco Escape Rooms

Address: 1170 Dekalb Ave Ste 107, Sycamore, IL 60178, United States

Website: Syco Escape Rooms

Opening hours: Thu: 4pm - 9pm; Fri: 4pm - 10:30pm; Sat: 1pm - 10:30pm; Sun: 1pm - 9pm (closed on Mon, Tue, & Wed)

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3. Midwest Museum of Natural History

MMNHjpg
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Mmnathistory used under CC BY-SA 4.0

This truly unique museum boasts a spectacular collection of a variety of mounted animals, from various countries of the world, displayed in the permanent exhibit hall. The vision of the Midwest Museum of Natural History is to establish a connection between the community and the natural world. The museum first opened to the public in 2005 and has seen more than 113,000 visitors, who come to learn more about the natural universe, through subjects like anthropology, geology, and biology.

Midwest Museum of Natural History

Address: 425 W State St, Sycamore, IL 60178, USA

Website: Midwest Museum of Natural History

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4. PJ's Courthouse Tavern

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

This is one of the finest New American restaurants, in the city of Sycamore. PJ’s Courthouse Tavern is famous for its delicious dishes, pleasant service and great collection of beer. Some of the favourite items here include their fried pickles, onion rings, and chilled beer. Enjoy your food and beverage, as you marvel at the superb view of Main Street and the courthouse, through its large corner window.

PJ's Courthouse Tavern

Address: 202 W State St, Sycamore, IL 60178, USA

Website: PJ’s Courthouse Tavern

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5. Plank Road Orchard

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

If you’re looking for places to go outside near you on your trip to Sycamore, consider visiting Plank Road Orchard. This is a family operated and owned apple orchard, that grows more than 16 different varieties of the fruit. Plank Road Orchard was established in 1990 and it goes without saying that the place has something to offer everyone.

Have a great time with your family, as you pick apples in the orchard, or opt for a faster pickup, with their ready picked fruit. You can also visit this orchard over a weekend, to enjoy their unpasteurized apple cider and freshly baked goodies.

Plank Road Orchard

Address: 50W737 Plank Rd, Sycamore, IL 60178, United States

Website: Plank Road Orchard

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6. Ski's All American Pub

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

Irrespective of whether you want to spend some memorable time with your close friends, want to relish some great food, or simply want to hang around to unwind in an exciting ambiance, Ski’s All American Pub is the right place to drop in. The place is not only famous for its culinary delights, but also for its exciting nightlife and good fun.

Savor some of the finest comfort food in Sycamore, like the fried steak, Mexican fare and pizzas, as you swing to the foot tapping music or enjoy the casual digs, accompanied by darts. You will be in for a pleasant surprise when you find the interesting deals offered in this pub. Some of the favorite dishes here include their light flaky fish, side salads, coleslaw and their great bar fries. Enjoy the hospitality of good people, excellent food, and their Bloody Mary, all at a great value.

Ski's All American Pub

Address: 1001 W State St, Sycamore, IL 60178, USA

Website: Ski’s All American Pub

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7. Four Seasons Sports

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

Four Seasons Sports is another fun place to be if you are visiting Sycamore. This place has an amazing selection of beer and the prices are quite pocket-friendly. It features two pool tables, some excellent video gaming, with live poker, internet jukebox, darts and bowling. Most importantly, the staff here are extremely warm and treat you like their family.

Four Seasons Sports

Address: 1745 Dekalb Ave, Sycamore, IL 60178, USA

Website: Four Seasons Sports

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8. Pub 64

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

Are you feeling thirsty after a long day of sightseeing? It is time to drop in at Pub 64, to quench your thirst. Both the food and beer here are reasonably priced and won’t cause a big dent in your pocket. With a great selection of beers and friendly bartenders, you will definitely want to come back here, for a second visit.

Pub 64

Address: 332 W State St, Sycamore, IL 60178, USA

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9. Donley’s Wild West Town

Wild West Town in Union, IL - panoramio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user RSchulenburg used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Welcome to Donley’s Wild West Town, a museum, themed amusement park and much more, in the city of Sycamore, Illinois. The amusement park has been offering great family fun, ever since 1974. Your admission price to the park is inclusive of all attractions and rides. It is the ideal spot for kids, from 3-12 years of age, with their families. Even grandparents, fathers and mothers can have some memorable times here.

Enjoy a fun-filled time here, as your child shoots slingshots, or watch the action packed and thrilling Wild West Stunt Show. There is an on-site museum, packed with a collection of artifacts from the Old West, along with technology and inventions from the late 1800’s. Drop in and enjoy your stroll through the roads of yesteryear. You will create memories after spending a day at this theme park, which will be with you for your entire lifetime.

Donley’s Wild West Town

Address: 8512 S Union Rd, Union, IL 60180, USA

Website: Donley’s Wild West Town

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10. Blackberry Farm Historical Village

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

While getting bored in a hotel, you’re probably thinking, “What outdoor activities near me can I enjoy?” Well, this is it! This is a museum exhibiting living history, where the recreation of pioneer life is done through hands-on fun and educational demonstrations. The entry fee of Blackberry Farm Historical Village is inclusive of unlimited rides on ponies, the carousel, paddle boats, pedal tractors, the hay wagon, and train. The farm features an adventure playground, where a large network of catwalk-style bridges, ropes, slides and climbing decks connect a group of playhouses, at different levels. You can visit the pottery shop and peruse the different aspects of pottery making, as it was done in the 19th century.

Pioneer Cabin is a venue where you can experience Dutch oven cooking, soap making, butter making, heirloom gardens, and candle dipping. You can also visit the Discovery Barn, to look at baby goats, piglets, sheep, chickens and much more.

Blackberry Farm Historical Village

Address: 100 S Barnes Rd, Aurora, IL 60506, USA

Facebook: Blackberry Farm Historical Village

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Explore Sycamore

Sycamore Il Stratford1
Source: Photo by user Andy McMurray used under CC BY 2.5

Do all these activities sound exciting? Explore Sycamore and make the most out of your holiday, by visiting the museums, parks, bars, and restaurants in the city and shop for your friends back home.

Frequently asked questions about the best things to do in Sycamore, Illinois


  • What are the best attractions to visit in Sycamore?

    Sycamore, Illinois, is truly blessed with many tourist attractions that visitors can definitely enjoy including Sycamore Park District, the Midwest Museum of Natural History, Donley’s Wild West Town, and Blackberry Farm Historical Village.

  • What are the best activities in Sycamore?

    For a small city, Sycamore, Illinois, not only boasts many attractions but tons of fun activities as well, including outdoor recreational activities in the Sycamore Park District, experiencing the wild west at Donley’s Wild West Town, and enjoying a thrilling adventure at Syco Escape Rooms.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Pala Sen is an avid follower of travel and health updates, current affairs and entertainment news from all across the world and writing is a passion for her. She had been previously associated...Read more

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