Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Bloomingdale, IL

This village in Chicago’s west suburbs is distinctive as it still houses the very first permanent building established here.

The edifice in question, currently utilized as a local history and art museum, is a church constructed in 1849, featuring numerous details that have been preserved over time.

The museum is situated in Old Town, a commercial district revitalized in the 2010s, which hosts a variety of restaurants, a craft brewery, and a collection of shops and services in charming traditional structures.

Bloomingdale is an affluent community characterized by a rich events calendar, hundreds of acres of natural landscapes and parks, a shopping mall, a seasonal water park, and a diverse array of family-oriented attractions.

1. Old Town Bloomingdale

Featuring a combination of historic and replica structures, this charming, pedestrian-friendly district is located on the site of Bloomingdale’s original settlement.

Old Town Bloomingdale underwent renovations in 2016 and now boasts elegant seating, streetlights, landscaped flower beds, and an abundance of traditional architecture to enjoy.

Among the local enterprises deserving attention is Wolfden Brewing, a craft brewery and taproom featuring a spacious beer garden.

Additionally, within the district, amidst silos and vintage water towers, you will find an array of dining options, independent stores, offices, services, an art museum, and a park designated for Bloomingdale’s outdoor events.

2. Bloomingdale Park District Museum

Old Town serves as the location for the village’s oldest and first permanent structure, the First Baptist Church of Christ, erected in 1849.

This landmark has played a crucial role in Bloomingdale for over 170 years, initially functioning as a schoolhouse before becoming the Township Office and Town Hall early in the 20th century, with a jail cell added in 1910.

The building was acquired by the Bloomingdale Park District in the 1960s and has hosted various exhibitions since the 1980s.

Many original fittings remain, including several glass pane windows, as well as the pine flooring and ceiling.

This resource is an excellent place to gain insights into Bloomingdale’s history, featuring up to seven art exhibitions annually, primarily showcasing works by skilled members of local organizations such as the Bloomingdale Artists’ Association (BAA).

3. Meacham Grove Nature Preserve

Without the need for a vehicle, you can stroll from Old Town to an expansive area of meadows, wetlands, and wooded groves bordering the winding Spring Brook Creek.

Part of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Meacham Grove is named after Bloomingdale’s founding settlers and was acquired in segments from the 1920s to the 1990s.

Spanning over 250 acres, visitors may encounter striking shorebirds such as great blue herons and great egrets. The preserve’s northern section comprises the 32-acre Maple Lake, which is bordered by a crushed stone path.

This path connects to the North Central DuPage Regional Trail, a 19-mile bikeway stretching across northern DuPage County, from Roselle to Wayne.

4. The Oasis Water Park

Adjacent to the Bloomingdale Park District’s Johnston Recreation Center, there exists a family-friendly water park that operates during the summer break.

The Oasis Water Park is divided into three primary zones. Cuda Cove, housing the Bloomingdale Barracuda Swim & Dive Team, features an eight-lane lap pool equipped with a drop slide, diving well, and climbing wall.

Mango Bay is characterized by a beach-entry leisure pool containing two slides measuring 110 feet and 160 feet in length, alongside a floating climbing course, geysers, sprayers, spilling buckets, and soft play features.

Lastly, Adventure Island offers an interactive water playground complete with pools, waterfalls, play structures, water guns, spinning trays, and slides.

5. Spring Creek Reservoir

Bloomingdale is abundant in tranquil open spaces, with this forest preserve located in the village’s northeast corner.

Covering over 17 acres, the reservoir constitutes a former gravel quarry that was excavated between the 1950s and 1970s, and now serves an important role in flood management.

You can fish from the grassy banks, where sunfish, bluegill, catfish, and largemouth bass are commonly caught.

A one-mile trail encircles the lakeshore, featuring numerous benches along the route for scenic relaxation. Additionally, picnic tables are scattered throughout, along with a shelter accommodating up to 50 individuals.

6. Picture Show at Bloomingdale Court

Located in a shopping center near Stratford Square Mall, this charming neighborhood cinema is quite endearing.

Established in 1989, Picture Show at Bloomingdale Court has changed ownership several times over its 30+ years of operation and spent a significant portion of the 2010s as a second-run theater.

Currently showcasing first-run films, this cinema provides excellent value for patrons with large, comfortable reclining seats available in all screening rooms.

In a departure from many discount theaters, concessions are reasonably priced, with $1 hot dogs (as of this writing) and ample tubs of popcorn.

7. Old Town Summer Concert Series

Adjacent to the Park District Museum is Old Town Park, an aesthetically pleasing green space featuring a war memorial, pergola, fountain, and formal gardens.

At the northern end, an amphitheater with grassy terraces offers an ideal venue for outdoor events during warmer months. From June to mid-August, a weekly series of complimentary evening concerts takes place, typically commencing at 7 PM on Tuesdays.

These shows frequently feature talented tribute acts (e.g., The Beatles, Elvis), and are specifically booked to attract a broad audience. Consequently, genres range from country to classic pop, Motown, rock ‘n’ roll, disco, and R&B.

8. Septemberfest

Approaching its 50th anniversary, Septemberfest is Bloomingdale’s longstanding end-of-summer celebration, held on the first Saturday following Labor Day.

The centerpiece of the event is the parade, which runs from DuJardin School to Old Town Park and features local organizations, businesses, and services.

A children’s carnival brimming with rides and games takes place throughout the day and into the evening, accompanied by craft booths, numerous food and drink vendors, a Lions Club beer tent, and a diverse lineup of live entertainment.

9. Bloomingdale Golf Club

This public golf course was acquired by the Village of Bloomingdale in 1996, though its history dates back to 1924 when it was established as the Glendale Golf Course.

The original layout was designed by renowned golf course architect Tom Bendelow, who also designed the esteemed Medinah Country Club nearby.

The redesigned Bloomingdale Golf Club was introduced in the late 1990s, aimed at creating an engaging yet manageable course accompanied by high-quality facilities in a country club environment. The course is recognized for its challenging greens and relatively straightforward fairways, framed by mature trees.

The attractive stone, brick, and cedar clubhouse overlooks the course, featuring a bar & grill, a well-stocked pro shop, and a banquet room available for private events.

10. Mallard Lake Forest Preserve

Encompassing just under 950 acres, this preserve on the northwest outskirts of Bloomingdale contains the largest lake managed by the forest preserve district.

Mallard Lake spans 85 acres and serves as a destination for fishing enthusiasts, as well as a popular picnic site during the summer, with numerous tables scattered along the shoreline and throughout the preserve.

A section of boardwalk adjacent to the water is ideal for birdwatching, while a 2.5-mile trail network leads into the preserve and westward into Hawk Hollow, located along the West Branch DuPage River.

For those unaware of the recent history, a significant landfill is located just west of Mallard Lake, operational until 1999, and rising to 982 feet, making it the highest point in DuPage County.

11. Bull & Bear Axe Throwing

For an unconventional activity, there is an axe-throwing center located in Stratford Square Mall.

Although axe throwing may seem dangerous, all sessions are facilitated by experienced instructors who will demonstrate safe handling techniques. Subsequently, they guide participants through a variety of axe-throwing games.

Private sessions are available for durations of one hour or 90 minutes, while returning participants can opt for 30-minute walk-in sessions.

In terms of dining options, Bull & Bear has a partnership with Red Robin, situated next door in the mall, allowing guests to enjoy gourmet burgers while throwing axes.

12. Westlake Park

Bloomingdale Park District’s second-largest park spans 25 acres, with 13 acres designated for an attractive lake situated on the East Branch DuPage River.

Westlake Park is an excellent destination for families wishing to feed ducks, geese, and swans (using oats and other grains), where numerous turtles and the occasional heron may also be observed.

A trail encircles the entire lake, alongside a fishing pier and boating opportunities. Notably, in winter, Westlake Park features Bloomingdale’s sole sledding hill.

13. Urban Air Adventure Park

Located at the Springbrook Shopping Center, adjacent to Meacham Grove, Urban Air is part of a chain of indoor trampoline parks.

In addition to the traditional trampolines that fill every available space, Urban Air features a variety of other family-friendly attractions.

Such attractions include a ropes course, a winding zipline, climbing walls, a Ninja Warrior-style course, a multilevel Tubes Playground, a designated area for children under 7, a bowling alley, a basketball zone for slam dunks, a battle beam, a giant inflatable airbag, and a dodgeball court, which is integrated with trampolines.

14. Stratford Square Mall

This mall, which opened in 1981, has undergone several expansions and renovations since its inception, offering 1.3 million square feet of retail space as of this article’s last update.

In addition to numerous familiar brands and dining options, Stratford Square Mall presents family-oriented entertainment through the luxury 16-screen Century Theatre Cineplex.

Some of the featured tenants include Kohl’s, Foot Locker, Kay Jewelers, Woodman’s, Hot Topic, and Lids, while dining highlights include Red Robin and food court staples such as Sbarro and Sarku Japan.

15. East Branch Forest Preserve

Situated in Bloomingdale’s southeast corner, this forest preserve is predominantly characterized by wetlands along the course of the East Branch DuPage River.

Before its acquisition by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County in the 1970s, this area was primarily agricultural land, but it has since evolved into a critical resource for the community, particularly concerning stormwater management.

Spanning over 500 acres, the preserve attracts waterfowl and various shorebirds, including migratory species during the spring and fall.

A 2-mile trail is available, featuring branching unmarked paths, and a picnic area can be found at the Glen Ellyn Rd entrance.

Given the large bodies of water, the East Branch Forest Preserve is also a popular fishing site, where anglers can expect to catch largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish in both Rush Lake and Sunfish Pond.