Top 15 Must-Do Attractions in Lisle, Illinois

The thriving western suburb of Lisle is home to the Morton Arboretum, one of the premier attractions in the Chicago area, featuring an extensive area of restored prairie.

Founded in 1832, Lisle primarily served as a railroad station, and the local historical museum offers an engaging glimpse into that era, preserving the historic depot, a caboose, and two residences from the village’s early period.

Recently, Lisle’s downtown has undergone substantial redevelopment, with enhanced outdoor spaces and public artworks inspired by its proximity to the Morton Arboretum.

The Benedictine University, a private Roman Catholic institution, has been situated in the village for over 120 years. For visitors, it boasts an excellent natural history museum and a top-tier sports complex.

1. The Morton Arboretum

Lisle hosts one of the extraordinary Chicagoland experiences, serving as both a hub for essential scientific research and a rich family destination.

Established in 1922 by entrepreneur Joy Morton, the arboretum spans 1,700 acres of diverse prairies, woodlands, meadows, wetlands, and lakes.

Visitors will find ample attractions to explore over multiple visits, including educational outdoor exhibits, various themed gardens, and remarkable collections ranging from conifers to ornamental flowering trees, maples, ginkgos, beeches, willows, and many others.

A highlight for families is the innovative award-winning Children’s Garden, a nature-centric wonderland designed for children aged 2-10.

The Morton Arboretum also offers an extensive range of classes, guided walks, and events, while the beautiful lakeside Visitor Center features additional exhibits, a shop, and the Ginkgo Restaurant.

2. Downtown Lisle

Within a decade, downtown Lisle has transformed dramatically, becoming almost unrecognizable from its previous state.

Drawing inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs and the designation of Lisle as the “Arboretum Village,” the central commercial area has undergone a remarkable Prairie-style revitalization.

The sidewalks along Main Street now feature mature trees providing shade and charming flower beds filled with native grasses and wildflowers, particularly vibrant in the summer.

A quaint alley leads visitors to PrairieWalk Pond, which will be discussed in further detail, while local businesses thrive with an array of independent restaurants, shops, and services, alongside a bustling French Market operating on Saturdays during spring and summer until October.

3. Museums at Lisle Station Park

Situated behind the Village Hall, Museums at Lisle Station Park consist of a series of historic buildings, each providing insights into various facets of Lisle’s history.

The focal point is the Lisle Depot Museum, reconstructed in 1874 after a fire, which served as the village’s principal passenger and shipping facility for over a century. Inside, visitors can explore the baggage room, the stationmaster’s living quarters, and an extensive array of exhibits detailing Lisle’s historical narrative.

Also featured are the Beaubien Tavern (1830s), which functioned as a tollhouse throughout the 1850s, and the Netzley-Yender House (circa 1860), a Greek Revival residence that remained home to only two families from its construction until the mid-1980s.

Additionally, visitors can view the notable CB&Q Waycar #14584 (1881) and a 19th-century barn that houses workshops for blacksmithing and woodturning, where regular demonstrations are conducted.

4. Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum

There are multiple reasons to visit Benedictine University, which was established in 1887 and relocated to the then-rural Lisle in 1901.

Located on the second level of the Michael and Kay Birck Hall of Science is the outstanding Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum, which houses a collection of over 10,000 items.

Many items in this collection were gathered during the early 20th century by botanist Fr. Hilary Jurica and his brother, Fr. Edmund Jurica, a zoologist.

This museum includes a whale skeleton, a pair of African lions, a black bear, and numerous specimens of birds and invertebrates.

Additionally, there is a comprehensive exhibit focused on coal, which has been one of Illinois’ most significant natural resources for the past two centuries.

5. PrairieWalk Pond

Adjacent to Main Street in downtown Lisle lies a charming park alongside a pond, surrounded by a remarkable variety of native plant species (approximately 100 different kinds).

PrairieWalk Pond was established in the late 2000s and opened to the public in 2011. The pond features illuminated fountains that change colors at night.

A pathway encircles the pond, leading to a gazebo on the western bank. In the northern section of the park, Dragonfly Landing presents a nature-themed playground equipped with climbing structures, a splash pad (operational in summer), and a picnic shelter, all set within well-maintained landscaping adorned with native trees, shrubs, and grasses.

6. French Market

Along the eastern shore of PrairieWalk Pond, adjacent to Garfield Avenue, is a picturesque venue for a popular farmers’ market held every Saturday morning from May through mid-October. During the summer months, it presents an idyllic setting for shopping.

Although the list of vendors varies weekly, attendees can expect to find seasonal fruits and vegetables, cheeses, baked goods, meats, plants, and olive oil, along with handmade crafts, jewelry, pet products, and various services such as knife sharpening.

The market concludes at 1 PM, allowing attendees to enjoy a meal at one of the nearby restaurants on Main Street.

7. Lisle Community Park

The Lisle Park District’s flagship facility is set within a sprawling landscape along both banks of the East Branch DuPage River.

This site hosts the park district’s headquarters and recreation center, in addition to the Sea Lion Aquatic Park, which will be discussed further below.

Should a significant event occur in Lisle, such as the Independence Day celebration and fireworks, it is likely to be hosted at Lisle Community Park.

Crossover trails, a skate park, tennis courts, an impressive discovery playground, ballfields, and a series of scenic ponds on the northern side enhance the park’s amenities.

8. Sea Lion Aquatic Park

Lisle’s outdoor summer pool complex has garnered national recognition and offers amenities that exceed typical public facilities.

Sea Lion Aquatic Park features three main interconnected areas, including a 25-yard, 6-lane lap pool, a tranquil zero-depth pool with playful features, and a vortex pool.

The vortex pool mimics a lazy river with a gentle current, providing therapeutic benefits for joints and muscles, while also serving as a light resistance area for water aerobics classes.

The park is home to an all-age leisure pool, a toddler pool with a sand play area, an interactive splash playground, and various water slides, including two rapid drop slides, two body flume slides, and the Snake Pool, which provides a floating obstacle challenge featuring a suspended rope net.

9. ClaySpace Ceramic Arts Center

Located beside the public library and a short distance from Lisle’s Metra station, this arts studio is operated by a non-profit organization catering to the flourishing clay arts community.

With a capacity to accommodate up to eight students, ClaySpace offers a wide variety of classes and workshops suited for all levels of ceramics expertise, all led by experienced instructors.

The gallery showcases outstanding work from the center’s established artists, interns, and students, providing something new at each visit.

Unique pieces created by resident artists are available for purchase, and seasonal events such as a Holiday market in late November are also hosted.

10. The Garden Walk

While strolling along Main Street, you may notice an impressive interactive fountain located at 4744, adorned with bronze sculptures of aquatic birds and frogs.

Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Waters design, this monument marks the commencement of the Garden Walk, offering an escape in the heart of downtown Lisle that highlights the village’s connections to the Morton Arboretum.

The winding path leads through a meticulously maintained corridor of mature trees, flower beds, and lawns, ultimately connecting to PrairieWalk Pond, where the trail continues on Garfield Avenue.

11. Seven Bridges Golf Club

Consistently recognized as one of the premier public golf courses in Chicagoland, Seven Bridges Golf Club is conveniently located just a short distance from downtown Lisle, along the banks of the East Branch DuPage River.

Framed by century-old oaks and lily pad-covered ponds, this carefully maintained course resembles a private club experience rather than a public facility.

Designed by Dick Nugent and inaugurated in 1991, water hazards feature prominently on 14 of the 18 holes.

The front nine serves as a gentle introduction to ease players into their game, while the water-rich back nine presents a greater challenge, including the 16th hole, Maelstrom, often considered one of the most difficult par 4s in the Chicago area.

12. Benedictine Sports Complex

Inaugurated in 2005, this multi-million-dollar facility on the Benedictine University campus represents a unique partnership between the university and the Village of Lisle.

The Benedictine Sports Complex serves as the home for the university’s track and field, baseball, softball, soccer, and football programs.

For those interested in watching competitive athletics, the feature attraction is the 3,000-seat stadium, which hosts football, soccer, and lacrosse games, while also featuring a nine-lane competition track and an electronic scoreboard.

13. West Suburban Sports Complex

The official youth training facility for the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago White Sox is located in the southern part of Lisle.

This indoor complex is outfitted with the advanced technology and coaching methodologies utilized by the professional White Sox and Bulls teams.

It features three maple courts, including a central court that exactly replicates the Bulls’ court at the United Center.

A variety of youth basketball, baseball, and fastpitch softball programs are conducted in this 57,000-square-foot facility, which can also be rented for birthday celebrations or for a unique recreational experience with friends.

14. Four Lakes Ski Area

As of this writing, the Four Lakes Ski Area, positioned just south of Lisle Community Park, is entering its seventh decade of operation.

This facility provides opportunities for downhill skiing and snowboarding within the Chicago area and has played a significant role in many childhood experiences in DuPage County.

Featuring five trails on a scenic, illuminated hillside—two designated for beginners, one for intermediates, and one for advanced skiers—the resort also includes The Alley, a terrain park catering to freestyle skiers and snowboarders of varying skill levels.

The area also boasts a lodge with a restaurant, bar, and cafeteria, alongside an event calendar that includes SnoFest, featuring competitions, entertainment, and fireworks.

15. Sensory Garden Playground

At the time of this writing, an extraordinary sensory-integrated playground designed for children aged 5-12 was in development across a 37-acre site in Lisle.

An estimated 2,500 families within DuPage County have a child with autism, and outdoor play is known to facilitate various benefits for these children, including the development of social skills, enhancement of motor skills, and opportunities for experiential learning.

The Sensory Garden Playground aims to be fully accessible, featuring equipment that appropriately stimulates children’s senses while also providing tranquil areas required by children with autism.

This long-term project, beautifully set within landscaped greenery, introduces new phases as funding permits. At the time of this writing, a new addition was the accessible treehouse, equipped with a zig-zagging elevated boardwalk and slides.