Top 15 Attractions and Activities in New Lenox, IL

Officially established shortly after World War II, this village in Will County lies adjacent to Joliet, along the banks of Hickory Creek.

As a rapidly expanding suburb, New Lenox has experienced significant growth, nearly doubling its population since the year 2000.

The village’s administrative hub is represented by New Lenox Commons, a charming green space situated near Route 30, which hosts major events throughout the year ranging from Santa’s village to outdoor concerts during the summer months.

The local park district offers excellent facilities, bustling with summer activities, while the outskirts of New Lenox feature creekside forest preserves interconnected by extensive bike trails, providing a natural retreat.

1. New Lenox Commons

The focal point of New Lenox is this beautifully landscaped area, enclosed by the Village Hall, police department, and main library.

The design includes a pond, pergola, pavilion, benches, formal plantings, picnic tables, and a small pier, all of which create a delightful environment for picnicking or leisurely reading.

New Lenox Commons also serves as a venue for numerous community events. During the summer, visitors can enjoy outdoor concerts, car cruises, movie screenings, food truck gatherings, and a sidewalk chalk art event.

As the holidays approach, the Commons transforms into a winter wonderland, featuring visits with Santa, an ice skating rink, a holiday market, horse-drawn carriage rides, and hot cocoa.

2. Hibernia Park

During the summer months, Hibernia Park, a highly favored facility of the New Lenox Park District, becomes a hub of activity. Located at Eagle Circle & Blarney Road and in proximity to the Old Plank Road Trail, Hibernia Park offers a wide range of amenities.

The park features a nine-acre stocked lake, ideal for fishing, with options to rent kayaks, pedal boats, paddleboards, and rowboats.

Children will delight in the splash pad, available throughout the season, complemented by a concession stand and spacious shelter for rental.

For those interested in jogging or leisurely walks, a long, paved walking trail encircles most of the park’s perimeter.

3. Old Plank Road Trail

In the mid-19th century, wooden plank roads appeared throughout the United States, one of which passed through what is now New Lenox to the south.

After several years, this roadway was upgraded to a railroad line in 1855, which was ultimately operated by the Michigan Central Railroad.

As traffic along the spur diminished in the early 20th century, the roadbed was abandoned and subsequently developed into a trail.

Exceeding 20 miles in length and acquired in the 1990s and 2000s, the Old Plank Trail stretches east to west from Chicago Heights to Joliet, passing through New Lenox at the Commons, as well as Lions Den Park, situated half a mile south of the Metra station.

4. Hadley Valley Preserve

It is worth noting the natural landscape surrounding New Lenox features two watercourses, Hickory Creek and Spring Creek, which flow westward to converge with the Des Plaines River at Joliet.

Within the northern limits of New Lenox, Spring Creek navigates a preserved corridor amid several Will County forest preserves.

The largest of these is the Hadley Valley Preserve, which has undergone a remarkable restoration initiative in collaboration with various authorities and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

This preserve, comprising forest, savanna, and wetlands, can be explored via the Spring Creek Greenway Trail, which consists of two segments totaling nearly nine miles.

Starting from New Lenox, visitors can access the Hadley Valley – Route 6 Access section, which features five miles of trail made from crushed limestone.

5. Walker Country Estates Park

Among New Lenox’s notable parks, Walker Country Estates Park serves as a recreational center featuring basketball courts, soccer and football fields, as well as a large pond equipped with a pier for fishing.

This park is particularly favored by families due to its expansive playground area, which includes age-appropriate equipment.

Additionally, it features the town’s splash pad, operational during the summer, providing endless enjoyment for active children. A concession stand serves refreshing beverages and frozen treats during this season.

6. Hickory Creek Preserve

The largest individual preserve within the Forest Preserve District of Will County traces the banks of the namesake creek just east and downstream of New Lenox.

Visitors can access the western section from the adjacent parking lot at the intersection of Lincoln Way Road and the Lincoln Highway.

This area provides entry to the west branch of the Hickory Creek Bikeway, which meanders through riparian environments, wetlands, savanna, and forests before veering south and ultimately connecting with the Old Plank Road Trail.

The preserve encompasses over 1,500 acres and is home to more than 50 bird species, notably the hermit thrush, yellow-rumped warbler, and pileated woodpecker.

In the prairie, visitors can admire stunning flowering plants such as the prairie gentian and lead plant, while mid-spring brings vibrant blooms of the yellow trout lily in the woodland areas.

7. Sanctuary Golf Course

A facility operated by the local park district, Sanctuary Golf Course features 18 holes set amidst a landscape of wetlands, tallgrass prairie, and tree groves.

Designed in 1996 by golf architect Steve Halberg, the course utilizes bentgrass tees, fairways, and greens on a creekside prairie area.

Water is a constant presence across 14 holes, presenting challenges along with nearly 68 strategically positioned bunkers.

Moreover, Sanctuary Golf Course offers a top-tier practice facility, complete with a 50-stall driving range, a putting green, and a bunker.

8. Hickory Creek Brewing

The origins of this microbrewery trace back to 2014, when a local beer aficionado transformed a 150-year-old milk house on his property into a nanobrewery.

In 2017, Hickory Creek Brewing relocated to a property on Laraway Road, where, following significant renovations, it opened to the public with a taproom a few months thereafter.

Owner Gary Meyer brews numerous beers using Cascade, Centennial, and Willamette hops cultivated on his land.

Over the years, Hickory Creek Brewing has crafted over 30 varieties of beer, spanning IPAs to Porters and Lagers, a selection of which is rotated and served in their welcoming taproom.

9. Laraway Lanes

This well-maintained bowling alley located near Hickory Creek Brewing on Laraway Road features 24 lanes and state-of-the-art scoring systems.

In keeping with modern trends, cosmic bowling is offered on Friday and Saturday nights, complete with blacklights, music, and a lively atmosphere.

For details on specials, including discounts for families from Tuesday to Thursday and cosmic all-you-can-bowl sessions on weekends, please check their website. Additionally, there is a snack bar that boasts an extensive menu, notably popular for its 12-inch pizza.

10. Pilcher Park Nature Center

Source: Jason Patrick Ross / shutterstock

Situated within a 64-acre preserve, this nature center, located by Hickory Creek just off US 30 towards Joliet, provides a great environment for curious children with informative indoor exhibits showcasing local wildlife.

The dedicated staff at the nature center frequently organize demonstrations, allowing visitors to interact with various animals, including turtles and snakes.

The greenhouse is equally captivating, featuring beautifully arranged displays of exotic plants. Outside, one can explore the preserve via interpretative trails, which are particularly stunning in spring when the woodland wildflowers bloom.

11. AMC New Lenox 14

Designated as a premier location for viewing the latest films, this theater on the western side of New Lenox opened its doors in 2004 and was acquired by AMC in 2010.

AMC New Lenox 14 boasts a premium IMAX screen, in addition to heated Signature Recliners and a Coca-Cola Freestyle machine in the concessions area, allowing patrons to create personalized drink concoctions.

Available “Feature Fare” items at this location include a substantial 1.5-pound Bavarian pretzel, gourmet cheddar or salted caramel popcorn, stone-fired Italian-style pizza, and large hot dogs. Discounts are extended to military personnel, seniors, and students.

12. Joliet

Historically recognized for its manufacturing and industrial activities, the county seat adjacent to New Lenox has embarked on a new trajectory in the 21st century.

This commuter suburb and educational hub has seen its population more than double since 1990.

The downtown district, showcasing a variety of architecture from the city’s industrial peak in the early 20th century, has attracted numerous independent businesses, including an appealing assortment of restaurants.

The highlight of the city center is undoubtedly the ornate Rialto Square Theatre, which debuted in 1926 as a movie palace and has since evolved into a prominent performing arts venue for the region.

Joliet is home to two casinos and a professional baseball team, the Joliet Slammers, while its northern outskirts feature the historic Old Joliet Prison.

This former facility dates back to the 1850s and has appeared in multiple films and television series, most notably during Jake’s release at the onset of the Blues Brothers (1980).

13. Lockport

In the 1830s and 1840s, Lockport emerged as the headquarters for the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal.

This vital waterway, advocated by figures such as Abraham Lincoln, ultimately established a vast inland transport network enabling the shipment of goods from New Orleans to New York. Present-day Lockport diligently preserves this historical heritage.

The Gaylord Building, previously a warehouse during the canal’s construction, now houses an exhibit detailing the project; neighboring Lincoln Landing functions as an outdoor museum featuring informative bronze medallions embedded in the ground.

Another historic structure along the canal hosts a branch of the Illinois State Museum, while visitors can walk or cycle for miles along the historic towpath on the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail.

14. KidsWork Children’s Museum

This children’s museum, aimed at ages 0-8, opened in Frankfort in 2007, promoting learning and discovery through engaging, interactive play.

Spread across two floors, the museum features experiential exhibits, an art studio, theater space, and a collection of musical instruments.

Many of the displays allow children to reenact everyday situations and careers; thus, visitors can find a market, veterinary office, and fire station, alongside engaging interactive stations such as a pinscreen and dino dig, as well as a sizable operation table to explain essential biological concepts in a playful manner.

15. Proud American Days Festival

The motto of New Lenox is “Home of Proud Americans”, and this name has been associated with an annual celebration held at the end of July since the 1980s.

Proud American Days has modest beginnings, originating from a two-man band with a beer keg in a tent, but has since evolved into a major event attracting thousands from New Lenox and surrounding areas.

Over four days, the festival features a craft fair, classic car show, carnival rides and games, as well as a plethora of activities for children.

Food trucks come from far and wide, and the main stage entertainment is curated to cater to a diverse range of music styles and age groups.