Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Schaumburg, IL

Frequently recognized as one of the most desirable places to live in the United States, Schaumburg is a northwestern suburb of Chicago, situated approximately 30 miles from the city center. This municipality has undergone a notable transformation since the 1960s, evolving from a small rural locale into an economic hub known as the Golden Corridor, hosting multinational corporations such as Zurich, IBM, and Motorola.

There is an abundance of attractions for visitors in Schaumburg, notably the largest shopping center in Illinois, Woodfield Mall, along with exceptional artworks at the International Sculpture Park. Additionally, the village offers a wide range of public facilities, including water parks and an outdoor museum featuring a functioning historic farm and an imaginative natural playground.

As a native of Illinois, I have had the opportunity to explore Schaumburg and its surroundings multiple times. Below is a curated list of the premier activities to engage in while visiting Schaumburg.

1. International Sculpture Park

This remarkable space is situated on the grounds of the Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center, collaboratively established by the Village of Schaumburg and The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design.

The International Sculpture Park spans 20 acres of meadows and forests, designed in the 1990s by Greek architect Ioannis Karalias. Visitors can find striking installations and sculptures distributed throughout the park.

Notable artists exhibited include Nina Levy, Dennis Oppenheim, Charles de Montaigu, Egil Bauck Larssen, and Jerzy Kenar. The Village of Schaumburg’s website provides access to an interactive map, detailing each artwork, its creator, and specific locations. This is a perfect place to spend a few hours enjoying art.

2. Spring Valley

Spring Valley serves as a picturesque location to reconnect with nature and appreciate Schaumburg’s heritage, encompassing 135 acres of native habitats including wetlands, streams, forests, and open prairies.

This attraction is described as an outdoor museum, where individuals can stroll the trails, capture photographs, engage in painting, and observe wildlife.

Expect to see waterfowl, deer, and various bird species inhabiting the area, and it’s particularly vibrant in late spring and early summer when an array of wildflowers blossom.

Additionally, Spring Valley features attractions such as the authentic Volkening Heritage Farm from the 19th century and the innovative Bison’s Bluff Nature Playground.

3. Volkening Heritage Farm

Located within Spring Valley, Volkening Heritage Farm offers a glimpse into Schaumburg’s historical roots. This farm mirrors the village’s character in the 1880s when it was predominantly a German farming community. Visitors can follow an interpretive trail while engaging with knowledgeable docents dressed in period attire. Children particularly enjoy interacting with domestic animals such as horses, chickens, cattle, and pigs.

At the homestead and its barns, guests can observe period-specific decorations along with antique agricultural tools. Depending on the season, demonstrations of traditional skills such as cooking, planting, and harvesting are available.

4. Olde Schaumburg Centre Farmers’ Market

This eagerly awaited summer market operates on Friday mornings from early June to late October.

Situated in the Trickster Cultural Center Parking Lot off Roselle Road, the market features a diverse selection of vendors each week.

Products available include pasture-raised meats, organic fruits and vegetables, freshwater fish, eggs, cheese, delectable baked goods, handmade cosmetics, honey, pickles, and artisanal salsas, among others.

The market also offers a modest food court, with options ranging from crepes to freshly roasted coffee, which visitors may enjoy at Schaumburg Town Square, located adjacent to the market, perfect for a picnic by the pond.

5. Schaumburg Boomers

Schaumburg is home to its own professional baseball team, the Schaumburg Boomers, located near the village’s Metra station at Wintrust Field. This stadium, with a capacity of 7,365, opened in 1999 to host the now-defunct Schaumburg Flyers, which disbanded in 2010.

Following a brief hiatus, the Schaumburg Boomers made their debut in 2012 as part of the independent Frontier League. Over the past decade, the Boomers have secured three league titles and two division championships, showcasing a roster that includes both former and potential future stars of major league baseball.

Wintrust Field offers a family-friendly atmosphere for watching games, featuring affordable ticket prices, entertainment between innings, and a variety of theme nights tailored for children.

6. Schweikher House

The Schweikher House, Schaumburg’s sole National Register of Historic Places listing, was designed by eminent Mid-century Modern architect Paul Schweikher (1903-1997). Completed in 1938, this residence and studio has served the architect for numerous decades.

Emphasizing a blend of Eastern and Western cultural aesthetics, this wooden and brick structure continues to maintain its modern appeal with clean lines and a serene profile, whilst skillfully differentiating between living and working spaces through a breezeway.

The Schweikher House frequently welcomes visitors for guided tours, which last up to 75 minutes, offering ample opportunity to appreciate the lush grounds and capture photographs.

7. Woodfield Mall

Woodfield Mall is a colossal retail complex, recognized as the largest mall in Illinois and among the largest in the United States. With approximately 27 million visitors annually, it ranks as one of the most frequented attractions in the Chicagoland area.

Since its inauguration in 1971, Woodfield Mall has undergone two significant renovations in the last decade, enhancing its appeal and functionality.

The mall boasts over 200 stores, featuring a mix of mid-range and luxury brands, including Gap, Apple, H&M, Lacoste, Hugo Boss, Michael Kors, Uniqlo, Zara, and Armani Exchange, as well as a Lush, renowned for its bath products.

A notable addition is the modern dining pavilion, which presents a variety of food court favorites and fast-casual dining options such as Blaze Pizza, Chipotle, and Charleys Philly Steaks.

8. Bison’s Bluff Nature Playground

Located within Spring Valley, this nature-centered playground immerses children in a native ecosystem, aiming to recreate the natural environments that previous generations enjoyed during playtime. This venue is a top recommendation for spending quality time with children.

Bison’s Bluff features a stream, pond, and a small woodland area complemented by open spaces filled with grasses and flowering plants. The three principal habitats—prairie, savanna, and wetland—offer opportunities for active, open-ended educational experiences using water, sand, wood, boulders, and more.

Children can engage in activities such as building a beaver lodge, experiencing a seed spinner, playing musical instruments, scaling a climbing wall, and descending a rodent run slide.

9. Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology

For individuals interested in specialized museums, this institution relocated to Schaumburg from Park Ridge in 2014. Established in 1933 by Dr. Paul Meyer Wood, then secretary-treasurer of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, it caters to both medical professionals and history enthusiasts.

The library houses approximately 13,000 titles, functioning as both a specialized medical resource and a historical archive, including a rare book room that preserves letters, significant titles, and artifacts.

The museum features an extensive collection of anesthesiology tools, ranging from contemporary monitoring devices to 19th-century ether and chloroform masks and inhalers.

The History of Anesthesia exhibit offers an interactive timeline of crucial milestones, including the first public demonstration of modern anesthesia in 1846 by dentist William T. G. Morton and surgeon John Collins Warren.

10. The Water Works Indoor Water Park

Schaumburg boasts exceptional public recreational facilities, including this comprehensive indoor water park located near the community recreation center.

Designed to counter Chicago’s harsh winters, the Water Works Indoor Water Park features a lap pool, beach entry pool, and diving pool, augmented by three water slides, a rapid water channel, a play area, and a whirlpool/hot tub.

A bar and grill with reasonable prices is also part of the complex.

11. Atcher Island

Positioned on the east side of Atcher Park is a tropical-themed water facility, ideal for families with younger children during the warm summer months.

This outdoor attraction operates from June to August and features two water slides emanating from a tower, alongside a spacious wading pool and a sprayground equipped with various engaging activities.

The circular drop slide provides an exhilarating experience typically found in destination water parks, supplemented by a concessions stand and ample space for sunbathing.

12. Medieval Times

The Chicago Castle for Medieval Times, one of ten locations nationwide, is situated in Schaumburg and has been operational since 1991. This unique dinner theater experience takes place in an expansive arena.

During a hearty meal consisting of soup, rotisserie chicken, and corn, guests will witness impressive displays of horsemanship, jousting, swordplay, and falconry intertwined with an engaging storyline.

In addition to standard admission, various packages are available, offering priority access, VIP seating arrangements, and inclusive group photographs. There is also a gift shop, a dungeon available for tours at an extra cost, and an opportunity to meet the talented performers after the show. A visit is highly recommended for an enjoyable family outing.

13. Yu Kids Island

One of the various attractions within Woodfield Mall, Yu Kids Island features a vast indoor playground featuring diverse zones and vibrant play equipment suitable for young children, toddlers, and infants.

Highlights include an 800 square foot jungle maze, a large bouncy bed with a climbable slide, a bouncy water pillow, and gentle carousels, all designed to guarantee safe and engaging fun.

14. LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Located within Woodfield Mall, LEGOLAND Discovery Center offers a two-story experience filled with activities centered on LEGO bricks. A key feature of this location is Miniland, which is a detailed model of Chicago created from one million bricks showcasing iconic landmarks such as the Bean, Willis Tower, and Soldier Field.

Visitors can also construct their own vehicles and test them on the Giant Speed Ramp or receive expert advice from a Master Model Builder. The center includes interactive rides like Kingdom Quest and Merlin’s Apprentice, enhancing the experience for young visitors.

15. Busse Woods (Ned Brown Preserve)

Situated just west of Schaumburg, the Ned Brown Preserve encompasses over 3,500 acres of stunning natural scenery. A significant portion of this area consists of ancient flatwood forests characterized by black ash, swamp white oak, and red maple, typically found in humid, slow-draining terrains.

The section south of Illinois Route 72 is known for its water-rich environment, where visitors can rent kayaks or rowboats to explore the serene lake that feels remarkably remote despite its proximity to metropolitan areas.

Cyclists can enjoy a large paved path extending over ten miles, while opportunities for hiking and cross-country skiing abound. Since 1925, the woods have been home to a herd of elk, which are kept within an enclosed 17-acre pasture.