Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Des Plaines, IL

A northwestern suburb of Chicago, Des Plaines is positioned directly north of O’Hare International Airport and west of the river bearing its name.

Proximity to the airport places Des Plaines at the junction of Interstates 90 and 294, making it accessible to numerous significant sports, shopping, and entertainment venues.

In contrast, the tranquility of Des Plaines offers beautiful public parks equipped with amenities such as a boating lake, an executive golf course, and a delightful summer water park.

The Des Plaines River gently flows along the eastern side of the city, with a scenic trail allowing visitors to walk alongside its wooded banks, extending all the way to the Illinois-Wisconsin state line.

1. Lake Park

Located on the shores of Lake Opeka, the 60-acre Lake Park is an excellent destination for a summer day.

Primarily, the lake offers a sanctuary for sailing and boating, providing opportunities to launch personal vessels or rent paddle boats from the clubhouse.

Fishing is a prominent leisure activity at Lake Park, featuring abundant stocks of crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, catfish, and pike.

A picturesque trail winds around the lake’s eastern shore, with benches positioned on the west to enable visitors to enjoy the city’s finest sunset views.

Moreover, situated on the west shore is the Lake Park Golf Course, an 18-hole par 3 layout, ideal for both beginners and seasoned players aiming to refine their short game.

2. Mystic Waters Family Aquatic Center

This outstanding facility ranks among the largest and most impressive outdoor water parks in Northern Illinois, operating from June onwards.

All with imaginative theming, the Mystic Waters Family Aquatic Center provides numerous engaging spaces and attractions.

Highlights include Dolphin Bay, a zero-depth pool featuring sprays and fountains, Crocodile Cove, a 550-foot lazy river, and Beluga Beach, a spray park for the youngest visitors.

Older children will enjoy Otter’s Run, featuring two of the tallest slides in the region, as well as Sea Lion Falls, offering a cliff diving experience. Comfortable lounge chairs are scattered throughout the center, and lunch is available at the Island Cafe.

3. Des Plaines History Center

This complex, located near Des Plaines station, combines a historic residence with a contemporary visitor center.

The Kinder House (1907), built by a local hardware store owner, exhibits late Queen Anne architecture, showcasing original floor plans, woodwork, brickwork, and windows.

Noteworthy for its distinctive three-story corner tower, the Kinder House was relocated to its current site from 777 Lee Street in 1978 and is available for tours.

The visitor center hosts exceptional temporary exhibitions drawn from a collection exceeding 31,000 items, illuminating various facets of life in Des Plaines over the years, including aviation, fashion, and architecture.

Moreover, the History Center organizes a variety of programs, such as seasonal celebrations, lectures, guided walks, and discussion groups.

4. Kennicott’s Grove Nature Preserve

Located across the Des Plaines River in Glenview, this National Historic Site contains the residence of prominent horticulturist Dr. John Kennicott (1802-1863) amidst 123 acres of native prairie.

Kennicott emigrated to this region from New Orleans in 1836 when the area was largely undeveloped.

As the sole physician for many miles, he established the first commercial nursery locally and subsequently founded the Illinois State Agricultural Society.

John’s second son, Robert, became a prominent naturalist of his time, creating the Chicago Academy of Sciences in 1857.

Visitors can explore two historic residences on the property, the John Kennicott House (1856) and the Redfield Estate (1929), constructed by one of his descendants.

Additional attractions on the grounds include an interpretive center, animal exhibits, a Native American village, and engaging interpretive trails that traverse oak-hickory savanna and wetlands.

5. Koehnline Museum of Art

Affiliated with Oakton Community College, this educational museum highlights modern and contemporary art.

It features several significant permanent collections, including African American movie posters, Social Realism, and Abstract Expressionism.

The collection encompasses paintings, graphic art, woodcuts, photography, watercolors, lithographs, and more.

Notably, the sculpture collection is impressive, and visitors can view 45 sculptures regularly supplemented by new pieces at the Oakton Sculpture Park.

The museum also presents ongoing exhibitions of student artwork, alongside captivating shows of recent acquisitions and noteworthy traveling exhibits.

6. Square Deal Shoe Store

Family-owned and operated for three generations, this shoe store has remained a staple in Des Plaines since 1921.

Positioned opposite Des Plaines station on Miner Street, Square Deal Shoe Store continues to flourish, offering brands such as Rieker, Birkenstock, New Balance, Dansko, Aetrex, and Merrell. The store is also distinguished by its small shoe museum.

This museum exhibits footwear spanning over a century, with a notable highlight being a pair worn in youth by Robert Wadlow, the world’s tallest man and Illinois native (1918-1940).

Wadlow, who continued to grow to a remarkable height of 8 ft 11.1 in, eventually wore a size 37AA wide. The displayed pair is size 28.

7. Mountain View Adventure Center

This family-oriented activity center, located at Prairie Lakes Park, is operated by the Des Plaines Park District, offering a plethora of enjoyable experiences for both children and adults.

The primary attraction is an intricately designed 18-hole mini golf course, characterized by creative holes and an engaging old-time mining theme, surrounded by water features.

Additionally, the center features an impressive skate and bike park, along with batting cages for baseball and softball, provided visitors bring their equipment.

8. Prairie Lakes Park

The surrounding park boasts several noteworthy features, including a trio of retention ponds with lush vegetation along their banks. Fishing is permitted at the east and north ponds daily, free of charge.

Prairie Lakes Park also offers a multitude of facilities such as a children’s playground, a sand volleyball court, a basketball court, expansive open fields for recreational activities, walking paths, picnic tables, benches, and shelters.

Importantly, the park forms part of the Prairie Lakes Complex, which includes a community center, aquatic center, fitness center, and theater.

9. Des Plaines River Trail

The Des Plaines River flows alongside the eastern edge of its namesake city, with waterways safeguarded by a line of forest preserves.

Thus, if you desire a nature escape, consider a leisurely walk through the serene oak-hickory forest, accompanied by the gently winding river.

The Des Plaines River Trail traverses much of Cook County and the bordering Lake County, with a lengthy uninterrupted stretch accessible from the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery on W Higgins Road.

Heading north on this trail leads to Mystic Waters at Rand Park, with an opportunity to rejoin the trail just further north, offering 32 continuous miles all the way to the Illinois-Wisconsin state line.

10. River Trail Nature Center

A commendable location to pause during your excursion along the Des Plaines River Trail, this center is set in tranquil woodland by the water’s edge in nearby Northbrook.

The River Trail Nature Center features several rooms focusing on the ecology and natural history of Northern Illinois, including animal terrariums and engaging exhibits, many of which are interactive.

Additionally, there are nature-focused play areas both indoors and outdoors, alongside a network of trails totaling 1.7 miles, suitable for guided or self-led rambles that provide ample bird-watching opportunities.

The center also holds a variety of events and activities, allowing visitors to engage with wildlife or learn how to produce maple syrup.

11. Parkway Bank Park Entertainment District

Located adjacent to O’Hare Airport, this area features an array of major entertainment, shopping, and sports establishments, all within a short distance from Des Plaines.

A highlight is this vibrant entertainment and dining complex, encompassing 15 venues for live music, cinema, comedy, bowling, and international cuisine.

This lively, neon-lit destination includes dining options that range from BBQ and pizza to Irish pub fare, fajitas, Brazilian-style steaks, and gastropub cuisine.

Complementing these dining choices are a comedy club, an interactive exhibit dedicated to the renowned Big Ten conference, and a dine-in AMC theater.

The district’s common area serves as a venue for exciting seasonal events and features an NHL-sized skating rink during the winter months.

12. Rosemont Theatre

Adjacent to the Parkway Bank Park, this well-known concert hall opened in 1995 and can accommodate up to 4,400 guests.

Distinguished by its extensive scale, the venue is equipped with a world-class sound system and wide aisles, hosting performances from Broadway productions to ballet, high-profile comedians, notable music artists, tribute bands, and children’s performances.

Many acclaimed performers, including Jerry Seinfeld, Elton John, Niall Horan, George Carlin, and Judas Priest, have graced this stage over the past few decades.

13. Impact Field

A professional baseball team, the Chicago Dogs, is based nearby in Rosemont. This team, named after the Windy City’s famous hot dogs, debuted at the newly constructed Impact Field in 2018.

The Dogs compete in the North Division of the American Association of Professional Baseball, affiliated with Major League Baseball.

The stadium accommodates 6,300 spectators with optimal sightlines throughout. A unique feature is the double-sided digital scoreboard, which is visible from Interstate 294.

Promotional events, including Wiener Wednesdays where free hot dogs are served in abundance, and various entertaining activities during innings, create a family-friendly atmosphere.

14. Allstate Arena

Just a short distance from Lake Park lies another expansive venue, completed in 1980, which has served as a home for numerous professional and collegiate sports teams.

At the time of this writing, Allstate Arena served as the home ice for the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, who have called this venue home since 1994.

The arena can accommodate 16,692 for hockey games, increasing to 18,500 for events such as rallies and concerts.

Many iconic artists have performed at Allstate Arena over the years, including Madonna, Prince, Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Tina Turner, and Beyoncé.

15. Rivers Casino Des Plaines

This casino, which commenced operations in 2011, provides round-the-clock gaming options just minutes away from O’Hare Airport.

Interestingly, to comply with prior state legislation mandating gambling to occur on riverboats, the building is situated in a shallow pit, partially submerged in water.

Rivers Casino features over 1,000 slot machines, with denominations ranging from 1¢ to $100.

Additionally, there are 65 table games (including blackjack, craps, baccarat, roulette, and various poker tables) featuring some of the highest stakes in the Chicago area, supplemented by the BetRivers Sportsbook for sports wagering.

The complex includes seven dining and drinking options, such as the stylish cocktail lounge, which specializes in craft beers and handcrafted cocktails.