Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Hoffman Estates, IL

This verdant suburb located in the Northwest region is approximately 30 miles from the Chicago Loop. Hoffman Estates is a diverse community with a population of 55,000, offering numerous family-oriented attractions, excellent shopping options, and a significant amount of natural spaces.

Several Forest Preserves of Cook County are easily accessible from the village, with the largest being the Arthur L. Janura Preserve, which features expansive woodlands and prairies.

Professional sports teams are also nearby, including the Schaumburg Boomers and the Windy City Bulls, affiliated with Chicago’s renowned basketball franchise.

In addition, Woodfield Mall, recognized as the largest in Illinois and among the largest in the country, is just a short drive away, featuring over 300 stores and newly updated interiors.

1. Arthur L. Janura Preserve

Hoffman Estates boasts an abundance of natural space, with the largest being the 4,366-acre Arthur L. Janura Preserve.

Within its gently undulating terrain, visitors can experience stunning vistas of prairies, open waters, and oak woodlands, all accessible along the 21-mile Poplar Creek Trail System, suitable for hikers, cyclists, and equestrians.

Depending on one’s desired distance, various color-coded loops are available. The woodlands, with oak trees reaching ages of up to 300 years, are frequented by abundant deer populations, which can be easily spotted during the early morning and late evening hours, displaying remarkable rutting behaviors in November.

2. Village Green & Hideaway Brew Garden

Now recognized as a seasonal hub, Hoffman Estates’ venue for live music and outdoor events is situated near the Now Arena.

The 13-acre Village Green has been recently revitalized to include an amphitheater, expansive green spaces, and a pond.

This area hosts festivals and events including the summer concert series, Fourth of July celebrations, and the Oktoberfest-inspired Platkonzert during the second weekend of August.

A key attraction within the Village Green is the Hideaway Brew Garden, a German-style beer garden offering imported beers, delectable cuisine, and intimate live music performances.

3. Paul Douglas Preserve

Nature enthusiasts are presented with a variety of walking opportunities in Hoffman Estates, as another Cook County Forest Preserve occupies the northern part of the village.

Paul Douglas Preserve encompasses over 1,800 acres of restored wetlands, open grasslands, oak savanna, and former agricultural land.

A paved 7.2-mile path encircles the preserve, providing excellent bird watching opportunities.

Look out for the heron rookery, complete with platforms that attract pairs of great blue herons.

The wetlands also attract significant numbers of pied-billed grebes, rails, swallows, ruddy ducks, and breeding yellow-headed blackbirds, which are considered endangered.

4. Congo River Mini Golf

Promoted as Chicagoland’s leading adventure golf facility, Congo River Mini Golf features a course that rivals those found in top theme parks.

The course includes 36 holes, enhanced by lush tropical landscaping and a variety of engaging details such as waterfalls, creeks, rocky outcrops, platforms, bridges, an abandoned jeep, and an airplane.

The holes are categorized as either par 2 or 3, emphasizing genuine putting skill rather than relying on elaborate mechanics or gimmicks.

5. Main Event Hoffman Estates

Main Event, a prominent chain of family entertainment centers, operates more than 40 locations across the United States.

This particular branch in Hoffman Estates features a high-tech bowling alley, laser tag, an amusement arcade, an indoor ropes course, and pool tables.

For visitors accompanying energetic teenagers, a wristband provides unlimited access to all facilities for a set duration, including food and beverages.

6. Seascape Family Aquatic Centre

Hoffman Estates’ public outdoor water park operates from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day weekend.

The Seascape Family Aquatic Centre has been a beloved destination for families since its debut in the mid-1990s, earning recognition as the “Number One Pool” in the Daily Herald.

The facility features a heated pool with zero-depth entry, alongside water slides, a diving area, a sand play zone, and a water playground for young children.

Additionally, Garibaldi’s Seafare Concessions offers a diverse menu including salads, wraps, pasta, pizza, and more.

7. Medieval Times

Located in Schaumburg, just beyond the eastern boundary of Hoffman Estates, one can find a branch of the renowned dinner and tournament experience.

For those unfamiliar, Medieval Times is hosted in an arena where guests are entertained by thrilling sword-fighting performances, intertwined with an engaging narrative.

The experience includes jousting, equestrian displays, and falconry, while diners enjoy rustic fare such as soup, rotisserie chicken, and corn on the cob.

Guests may opt for VIP seating and priority access for an additional fee, and various attractions are available to explore around the arena prior to the show.

8. Vogelei Park

This quaint park, located at the intersection of Golf and Higgins Road (72), can easily be overlooked, as its primary entrance lies along a narrow road that diverges from the westbound lane of Route 72.

The view from the road belies the educational nature-oriented experience that awaits at Vogelei Park, which has been thoughtfully landscaped and includes interpretive signs suitable for all ages.

Registered as an arboretum, the park features over 25 species of trees and woody plants. At its center lies a charming pond, bordered by a walking path, and complemented by an excellent playground, a splash pad, and a sheltered area with picnic tables.

9. Now Arena

Formerly the Sears Centre, this state-of-the-art multipurpose facility opened in 2006 in Hoffman Estates.

Conveniently located directly across from the Village Green, the Now Arena has hosted numerous concerts, graduation ceremonies, Davis Cup tennis, U.S. Classic gymnastics events, and regular TNA and AEW wrestling matches over the last 15 years.

As of this writing, the main tenant of this 10,543-capacity venue was the Windy City Bulls, the NBA G League affiliate of the Chicago Bulls.

10. Hilldale Golf Club

Renowned for its pristine greens, Hilldale Golf Club features an 18-hole par 71 course established in 1970. This technical course is characterized by narrow fairways, unforgiving out-of-bounds areas, and water hazards on at least 13 holes.

Precision in club selection and shot accuracy is essential; however, the satisfaction of successfully executing a challenging shot is highly rewarding.

Hilldale Golf Club also provides an exceptional practice facility, including an all-grass driving range and a short game area with putting and chipping greens and sand bunkers.

After a round of golf, visitors can enjoy refreshments at the C.K. Mulligan Bar and Grill, known for its half-pound burgers.

11. The Water Works Indoor Water Park

For those seeking a family-friendly winter activity or a refuge from summer rain, the indoor water park at the Community Recreation Center in nearby Schaumburg is a great option.

The Water Works features a lap pool, as well as a zero-depth entry pool for recreational fun, alongside a diving pool, water playground, rapid river channel, three slides, and a whirlpool.

This facility also includes a nursery and provides a range of swim lessons and aquatic aerobics classes, in addition to being available for hosting birthday celebrations.

12. Woodfield Mall

Hoffman Estates is located just minutes away from one of the largest malls in the United States. Woodfield Mall, the largest shopping center in Illinois, attracts nearly 30 million visitors annually and features more than 300 stores.

The center recently underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation, giving it a contemporary and sophisticated appearance. In addition to trendy and high-tech brands such as Zara, H&M, Apple, Michael Kors, Superdry, and Anthropologie, a diverse dining selection is available for all tastes.

As of the publication of this article, plans for a new dining pavilion were underway, while existing dining options included Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang’s, Rainforest Cafe, Uncle Julio’s, Red Robin, and numerous other venues.

13. Schaumburg Boomers

Another local professional sports team is the Schaumburg Boomers, a baseball team that plays at Wintrust Field, which seats 7,365 spectators.

Established in 2011, the Boomers are part of the Frontier League, which comprises 16 teams located in the Midwest, Northeast, and Canada.

The team has secured three league championships and two division titles since its inception, showcasing a roster that includes emerging talent and former MLB players.

Conveniently situated near the train station, Wintrust Field provides an enjoyable and cost-effective venue for watching a baseball game, complete with a diverse food and beverage selection and various family-oriented promotions.

14. Fabbrini Park

Adjacent to Hilldale Golf Club is a charming neighborhood park situated by a lake, ideal for jogging and leisurely walks. A paved path encircles the lake, lined with beautiful trees, including numerous tall willows.

One section of the path crosses a causeway that separates the lake’s eastern and western halves. Throughout Fabbrini Park, visitors can find tennis courts, a basketball court, an outdoor fitness court, a baseball/softball field, a soccer field, numerous picnic tables, and a children’s playground.

15. Shoe Factory Road Prairie Nature Preserve

Adjacent to the Arthur L. Janura Preserve, the Shoe Factory Road Prairie Nature Preserve encompasses nine acres of rare gravel hill prairie, located on the slopes of a sand and gravel glacial deposit. This area is home to plants that thrive in challenging conditions, including porcupine grass, sideoats grama, little bluestem, and northern dropseed.

An impressive variety of over 100 prairie species has been documented in this setting, complemented by delightful stands of bur oak situated on the more protected east slope.

Visitors can explore this unique habitat along the Poplar Creek Trail that meanders through the Arthur L. Janura Preserve.