Top 15 Activities in Northbrook, Illinois You Can’t Miss

This village on the affluent North Shore developed as a stopover on the route from Chicago to Milwaukee.

In the early 20th century, Northbrook, formerly known as Shermerville, was notable for its five saloons, which possessed a boisterous reputation, contrasting with the tranquil suburb that welcomes visitors today.

The renowned filmmaker John Hughes relocated to the village during his teenage years, and the fictional town of Shermer depicted in many of his films is inspired by Northbrook.

There are several significant attractions just a short distance from Northbrook, such as the Chicago Botanic Garden, along with expansive areas of prairie, wetland, and woodland managed by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.

1. Chicago Botanic Garden

Positioned just across the Skokie Highway from Northbrook is one of the Chicago area’s premier attractions.

Spanning almost 400 acres of water-rich landscapes, the Chicago Botanic Garden boasts at least 25 display gardens and four distinct natural habitats.

The Garden has been welcoming visitors for nearly half a century and attracts more than a million guests each year.

It is distinguished by its unique design, scattered across nine islands, complemented by innovative architecture and one of the world’s most impressive bonsai collections.

Throughout the year, visitors can explore the grounds, attend an exhibition or participate in a class. To enhance the experience, a smartphone app is available that indicates which plants are in bloom during your visit.

2. Kohl Children’s Museum

Established in 1985 by the daughter of the founder of Kohl’s department stores, this innovative children’s museum features 17 permanent exhibits designed to foster creativity and imagination among children, along with specialized exhibits crafted by early education specialists.

Many of the displays replicate common scenarios and professions, allowing children to role-play as a veterinarian, chef, shopper, cashier, stocker, mechanic, nurse, or doctor.

Other exhibits address scientific concepts, such as the properties of water, sound, and music, while the “Adventures in Art” section encourages young patrons to express their creativity through open-ended activities.

Outside, the two-acre Habitat Park features a StoryWalk, interactive sculptures, a giant tunnel, and an Imagination Hut.

3. Skokie Lagoons

Outdoor enthusiasts will find ample opportunity to explore as the eastern boundary of the village is defined by the beautiful Skokie Lagoons nature preserve.

This network of seven interconnected lagoons is adjacent to the Chicago Botanic Garden and can be explored by land or water.

During the warmer months, visitors can opt for rentals from Chicago River Canoe and Kayak, enjoying a day paddling through the scenic waterways and stopping for a picnic on one of the islands.

On land, a 4.2-mile path encircles the lagoons, along with a 1.6-mile asphalt trail on the west side, both linking to the North Branch Trail.

Over 200 bird species inhabit the Skokie Lagoons, which also provide a habitat for snapping turtles, alligator turtles, painted turtles, crappie, bluegill, northern pike, walleye, channel catfish, bass, and bullheads.

4. John Hughes Movie Locations

The notable screenwriter and director John Hughes (1950-2009) relocated with his family to Northbrook in 1963 and attended Glenbrook North High School.

Hughes utilized the Chicago suburbs as the backdrop for many of his acclaimed films from the 1980s and 1990s.

As you explore Northbrook and the wider North Shore region, you will begin to recognize various locations featured in popular films like “The Breakfast Club” (1985), “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986), “Pretty in Pink” (1986), and “Uncle Buck” (1989).

Prominent sights include the Northbrook Water Tower (from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”), the steps at Glenbrook North High School (featured in both “The Breakfast Club” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”), Northbrook Court (from “Weird Science”), the Highlands neighborhood (appearing in “Uncle Buck”), and Sunset Foods (from “She’s Having a Baby”).

5. Downtown Northbrook

The streets surrounding the Northbrook Metra station provide a pedestrian-friendly environment, featuring shops, restaurants, and a charming village green.

In keeping with the Chicago suburb theme, a Lou Malnati’s is situated here, offering deep-dish pizza, alongside an ice cream parlor (Graeter’s), a chocolate shop (Leonidas), and a diverse array of cuisines including Italian (Sarpino’s, Trattoria Oliverii), hot dogs (Little Louie’s), Vietnamese (Basu), Japanese (Kamehachi), and traditional pub fare (Landmark Inn).

Located close to the station is Village Green Park, an inviting spot for relaxation and the site of the Northbrook Days festival held in August.

Additionally, just north of this vibrant district is the Meadow Shopping Plaza, which hosts the Northbrook Farmers’ Market on Wednesday mornings from mid-June to mid-October.

6. Northbrook Historical Society and Museum

For those interested in Northbrook’s history, this local history museum is situated in the southeastern corner of Village Green Park.

The museum is housed in the Northfield Inn (established in 1894), a historic stop on the Chicago-Milwaukee Road, which was once considered one of the finest dining establishments on the North Shore during the early 20th century.

A highlight of the museum’s collections is the Schinleber Collection, consisting of photographs from the early days of Shermerville and Northbrook.

Visitors can explore a 1890s home interior and the museum’s temporary exhibit, which focuses on specific aspects of local life and changes every few months.

At the time of publication, the exhibit was titled “What’s the Story,” providing an in-depth exploration of selected items from the collection.

7. Wood Oaks Green Park

Northbrook’s premier park is located on the western side, near the Des Plaines River. Spanning over 55 acres, Wood Oaks Green Park was designed in the late 1970s using clay removed during the construction of the Northbrook Court mall.

The park includes Lake Shermerville, a scenic venue for catch and release fishing. Moreover, the facilities encompass a sledding hill, lighted pathways, a baseball/softball diamond, eight asphalt tennis courts, pickleball courts, a soccer field, and a bike repair station.

Additionally, Wood Oaks Green Park hosts youth soccer and baseball programs organized by the local park district, and it serves as an ideal picnic destination, particularly along the lakeshore.

8. Techny Prairie Park and Fields

This 114-acre area of open space includes land donated to the village by the Society of the Divine Word in 1993.

Techny Prairie Park and Fields is located on the west fork of the North Branch Chicago River and features several attractions that make it a worth visiting destination.

One notable aspect is the Trail Through Time, an interpretive natural history trail featuring a wetland boardwalk, a discovery garden, and a recreated Native American hunting camp.

Additionally, the park houses the nine-hole Anetsberger Golf Course, a par-3 course suitable for novice golfers as well as experienced players honing their precision.

The paths within the park are part of a comprehensive trail system that connects to Meadowhill Park to the north, with facilities for baseball/softball, skating, sledding, and picnicking.

A recent addition is the Techny Prairie Activity Center, featuring cardio and strength training equipment, a gymnasium, a children’s area, an indoor track, and fitness studios.

9. Nickel City

Featuring over 100 new and classic cabinets along with redemption games, this arcade and family entertainment center requires a modest entry fee.

Once inside, the meaning behind the attraction’s name becomes evident, as nearly all the machines operate on nickels, while the remainder are free to use.

Among the free machines are timeless favorites like Tetris and Pacman, and there are numerous prizes available through the redemption games. A snack bar is also available, offering pizza, hot dogs, pretzels, nachos, fries, and more.

10. Northbrook Court

This upscale mall opened in 1976 and, as of this writing, is anchored by Neiman Marcus and Shoppers Find.

As previously noted, the exterior and interior of the mall served as filming locations for “Weird Science,” with the facade now prominently featuring a California Pizza Kitchen.

Northbrook Court encompasses over 120 stores, including notable brands such as Apple, Gap, H&M, MaxMara, Sephora, and Tiffany & Co.

Located on the south side is the AMC Dine-in Northbrook 14, combining a movie theater and restaurant with AMC’s distinctive luxury recliners.

11. Des Plaines River Trail

Located on the western edge of Northbrook is a long expanse of greenery, safeguarding the banks of the Des Plaines River with a continuous stretch of Cook County and Lake County forest preserves.

Winding through this verdant corridor is a lengthy trail extending from Wadsworth in the north down to River Grove.

Northbrook is situated adjacent to a long, unbroken section of this trail, allowing for explorations through lush oak-hickory forests, making it easy to forget one’s suburban surroundings.

Additionally, the trail passes close to the River Trail Nature Center, featuring educational exhibits on natural history, live animal displays, a dedicated trail, and themed gardens.

12. Somme Preserves

The northern side of the village is bordered by a series of Cook County forest preserves that have been actively restored since the 1970s.

The habitats in the Somme Preserves transition from sheltered woodlands on the east to savanna and then open prairie on the west.

The most forested area is the easternmost Somme Woods, where visitors can stroll among mature oaks and appreciate the stunning wildflowers in springtime.

Crossing Waukegan Rd leads to the Somme Prairie Grove Nature Savanna, characterized by a network of narrow paths that wind through grasslands dotted with trees.

In the far west lies the Somme Prairie Nature Preserve, an esteemed example of open prairie showcasing remarkable biodiversity of birds and insects.

13. Meadowhill Park

This 30-acre neighborhood park offers a variety of amenities, including a lighted outdoor ice rink in winter, a lighted velodrome, and sporting facilities for baseball/softball, basketball, and soccer.

The centerpiece is the Meadowhill Aquatic Center, a pool complex that operates from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

The aquatic center features a lap pool, a zero-depth leisure pool with slides, a children’s water playground, and a diving area. Complementing those pools is a spacious sun deck with shade canopies and a full-service concession stand.

14. North Branch Trail

As previously mentioned, the Chicago Botanic Garden and Skokie Lagoons anchor the north end of a 20-mile Class I bicycle trail that meanders through Cook County, linking the neighboring towns of Glencoe and Gompers Park in Chicago.

This trail is considered one of the premier biking routes in the Chicago suburbs, connecting wooded areas, prairie, and serene residential communities.

Historically, it originated from a series of disconnected equestrian trails that were connected post-World War II, with paving commencing in the 1970s.

Many original equestrian paths remain in use as unpaved gravel trails adjacent to the primary route, which has undergone repaving multiple times over the last fifty years.

15. Ravinia Festival

The oldest outdoor music festival in the United States is held annually during the summer months at the nearby Ravinia Park, located in a neighborhood sharing its name.

This venue dates back to an amusement park established in 1904 along the Chicago and Milwaukee Electric Railroad, with the festival originating in the same year.

Since its inception, the Ravinia Festival has been synonymous with classical music and opera, serving as the summer residence for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1936.

Over the decades, the music genres represented have been diverse, with recent performers such as Diana Ross, Dolly Parton, John Legend, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Cynthia Erivo, Marin Alsop, Gladys Knight, Willie Nelson, Stevie Nicks, and Lady Gaga gracing the stage.