Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Orland Park, IL

Located 25 miles southwest of Chicago, the village of Orland Park is an affluent suburb celebrated for its high-end dining options and retail establishments.

Central to this community is the newly refurbished Orland Square Mall, the largest shopping center in the Chicago Southland.

A distinctive aspect of this village is the considerable amount of open space dedicated to public parks, golf courses, and natural reserves.

Orland Park boasts over 60 parks encompassing 650 acres, along with extensive natural areas managed by the Forest Preserves of Cook County.

No matter the season, there is an abundance of inspiration for family-oriented activities, featuring family entertainment centers, outdoor nature programs, a premier public water park, an indoor mini golf course, and much more.

1. Centennial Park

If you were to select a singular location for outdoor recreation in Orland Park, this would be an excellent choice.

Accessible via the 153rd Street Metra station, Centennial Park features two expansive fishing lakes at its southern end.

Adjacent to these lakes is the Winter Wonderland Ice Rink, which operates from November to March, complete with a warming hut that offers skate rentals.

This extensive complex also includes soccer fields, baseball diamonds, a large playground, a skate park, a sledding hill, the Orland Park Health & Fitness Center, and the Centennial Park Aquatic Center, which will be elaborated upon below.

2. Centennial Park Aquatic Center

The aquatic facility at Centennial Park serves as a public resource, resembling the amenities often found at large theme parks.

Typically open from May to September, this venue features a spacious zero-depth entry pool surrounded by lawns and decks for sunbathing.

A lengthy lazy river encircles a significant portion of the center, complemented by a platform for cliff diving and two body slides measuring 328 and 200 feet in length.

If you are seeking physical activity, the pool is available for lap swimming on weekday mornings, during which you may also utilize the lazy river for lap walking against the current.

3. Orland Grassland

As a component of the Forest Preserves of Cook County, this extraordinary area encompasses over 960 acres of former agricultural land that has been allowed to transform back into open prairie.

A variety of habitats can be found at Orland Grassland, including oak savanna, shrubland, wetlands, woodlands, open ponds, and prairie ecosystems.

The restoration efforts in this location commenced in 2002, resulting in the resurgence of wildflowers and native grasses.

Since then, more than 100 bird species have been documented here, many of which are seldom seen elsewhere. This diverse environment is also home to butterflies, grasshoppers, dragonflies, and mammals such as coyotes.

Natural footpaths meander through the interior of the Orland Grassland, while a five-mile paved bike trail encircles the area.

4. Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm and Fall Fest

A cherished fall tradition for more than 40 years, this family-operated farm opens to the public from September 25 to November 1, offering a variety of attractions.

Visitors can enjoy a corn maze, a petting zoo, pony rides, 90-foot slides, train rides, pig races, a roller coaster, a haunted barn, a children’s fun house, hayrides, and more.

The pumpkin patch remains a central feature of this experience, accessible by hayride. Additionally, visitors can indulge in seasonal treats such as apple cider donuts and kettle corn, prepared fresh daily.

5. Orland Square Mall

The most expansive shopping mall in the Chicago Southland is located in Orland Park.

This upscale retail destination first opened its doors in 1976 and underwent a significant renovation in the 2010s. Anchored by Macy’s, JCPenney, and Von Maur, Orland Square Mall accommodates over 150 retail outlets.

Popular stores include Guess, Gap, Forever 21, Sephora, MAC Cosmetics, H&M, Pottery Barn, and Victoria’s Secret, along with an Apple store and a store dedicated entirely to LEGO.

The food court features familiar favorites such as Panda Express, Sbarro, and Taco Bell, and there is also a Cheesecake Factory located near Macy’s.

6. Orland Park History Museum

Located within the historical Village Hall, the Orland Park History Museum provides an engaging narrative of nearly 200 years of local history.

Visitors can explore the narratives of families who settled in this region during the 1830s and learn how the village evolved from a rural settlement of a few hundred residents in the 1950s to a thriving suburb by the 1980s.

This museum’s collections boast numerous artifacts such as diaries, photographs, maps, blueprints, books, textiles, garments, quilts, furniture, farming tools, ceramics, and sports memorabilia.

Furthermore, the museum offers intriguing programs that delve into topics such as Dillinger’s time in Chicago, the African American experience in the city, and Lincoln’s assassination.

7. Space Golf

On rainy summer days or during the winter months, families can enjoy an indoor 18-hole mini golf course located in Orland Park.

Space Golf features a retro sci-fi theme adorned with space creatures, flying saucers, kaijus, giant robots, and alien planets, utilizing blacklight for glowing backdrops.

The design is also enhanced with 3D elements, allowing players to experience the game through 3D glasses for added immersion.

In addition, Space Golf features an arcade area and showcases authentic movie props in the lobby.

8. Gizmos Fun Factory

This indoor family entertainment center spans 47,000 square feet and features seven major attractions. These include a ropes course complete with a zip line, bumper cars, go-karts, robot laser tag, a soft-play maze, a laser maze, and climbing walls.

Enhancing the experience, there is also a video arcade comprising the latest games alongside a restaurant offering comfort foods such as pizza, burgers, wings, nachos, and Wisconsin cheese curds.

Gizmos Fun Factory provides special promotions on weeknights and is a popular venue for children’s birthday celebrations.

9. Orland Park Nature Center

Developed over seven years, this 28-acre site in the northern part of Orland Park was inaugurated in 2020.

The center predominantly consists of extensive wetlands contributed to the village by Steven Gianakas, a notable local businessman, in honor of his son George.

The wetland area at Orland Park Nature Center attracts various bird species, including great blue herons and black-crowned night-herons. Additionally, it features a paved walking path and an amphitheater for public programs.

Adjacent to the center lies Orland Grove Forest Preserve, which encompasses McGinnis Slough, a sanctuary for coots, ducks, egrets, herons, and cormorants.

10. Marcus Orland Park Cinemas

This expansive complex located at 16350 South La Grange Road opened in 1995 and has since evolved into a 15-screen multiplex.

For new mainstream releases, this is the suggested venue. For an enhanced viewing experience, visitors should consider attending a showing at a screen equipped with reclining “Dreamlounger” chairs, providing ample space between rows.

The theater implements a variety of promotions, including $5 movies on Tuesdays, $6 student tickets on Thursdays, and early bird showings for $6 each day before 11 am.

11. Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Park

Situated just moments away along the banks of the Cal-Sag Channel is a vast attraction comprising natural habitats, gardens, a ten-acre lake, and an indoor nature center.

This 85-acre site allows visitors to explore prairies, woodlands, and wetlands, with one of its most remarkable features being a man-made waterfall.

Adjacent to this is the buzz n’ bloom prairie, which is particularly stunning during the summer months when wildflowers flourish.

The heritage garden grows typical regional crops, which are donated to the local food pantry during the harvest season.

Moreover, the nature center conducts a wide range of programs, including talks and classes focusing on identifying and cultivating herbs and creating garden decorations from recycled materials.

12. The Center, Palos Park

Located amidst nature just minutes from Orland Park, this non-profit organization hosts a diverse array of activities and events throughout the year.

Boasting beautiful grounds, The Center serves as a popular venue for weddings and also accommodates an assortment of activities from art courses to guided meditations, summer camps, concerts, as well as hayrides and pumpkin picking during fall.

A notable feature is the children’s farm, which operates from Friday to Sunday and serves as a platform for educational experiences. The farm is home to chickens, goats, cows, pigs, ducks, and rabbits.

13. Orland Bowl

In Orland Park, visitors can find this 50-lane bowling facility, open seven days a week with extended hours until 1 am on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

For casual bowlers, Orland Bowl accepts reservations for open bowl sessions while also maintaining some lanes available for walk-ins.

The alley provides free Wi-Fi, alongside numerous arcade games and a kitchen preparing freshly made pizza.

Additionally, Escapology features six private escape rooms, meticulously designed with engaging themes for groups of up to eight individuals.

14. Schussler Park

Orland Park is rich in green public spaces, and one community park that offers various facilities is Schussler Park, located in the southeast section of the village.

This location comprises tennis courts, a baseball field, a soccer field, picnic areas, a sledding hill for winter activities, and a spacious playground designed for children of different age groups.

Divided by a large pond, this park attracts ample waterfowl, providing plenty of opportunities for fishing.

15. Doogan Park

This park, designed for active recreation, is located on the western side of the village and is particularly renowned for its disc golf course.

The course consists of nine holes, established in 2008, and provides an enjoyable challenge within a moderately hilly, partially wooded landscape.

Doogan Park also offers ample space for walking, with facilities for tennis and baseball/softball, as well as a playground for children.

A tunnel on the west side of the park allows passage under the Metra tracks to the adjacent Brown Park. In contrast, the Orland Park Cultural Center, situated on the east side, serves as a venue for year-round activities and various programs.