Summary
The tranquil and scenic Village of Carol Stream is located in Chicago’s western suburbs, frequently recognized as one of the most desirable places to live in the United States.
One of the numerous advantages of Carol Stream is its outstanding public amenities, which include a water park, expansive green spaces, and a mini golf course.
The community is encircled on three sides by DuPage County forest preserves, offering opportunities for walking or biking for hours in rejuvenated prairie and woodland areas while scarcely encountering a vehicle.
Families find Carol Stream particularly accommodating, with various attractions nearby, ranging from open farms to zoos, as well as the extensive Cantigny Park, which features elegant gardens and two distinguished museums.
1. Coral Cove Water Park
Similar to many municipalities within the Chicago suburbs, Carol Stream boasts an outdoor aquatic facility that exceeds typical expectations for a public amenity.
Coral Cove Water Park is conveniently situated adjacent to the Park District recreation center on West Lies Rd, making it an excellent option for families on warm sunny days.
The focal point is a cove-shaped swimming pool, which features a beach-entry wading area and a deeper lap pool designated for fitness and instructional sessions.
Around this central pool are various attractions, including a small climbing wall, spray features, a shallow tot pool, a playground with a large tipping bucket, slides, and a picnic area.
2. Kline Creek Farm
Although situated in the suburbs, Carol Stream still retains reminders of its agricultural roots, which were prominent until recently.
Just moments away at Timber Ridge Forest Preserve lies this historic farmstead, preserved to reflect what it was like in the 1890s. Visitors can observe traditional manual skills from Illinois’ rural communities in the 19th century.
These activities may include planting (corn, oats, and other grains), harvesting, canning, baking, meat curing, coopering, smithing, sheep shearing, and ice cutting.
Guided tours of the historic farmhouse are available, and depending on the season, you may also observe Percheron workhorses in the fields. Kline Creek Farm maintains a variety of domestic animals, including shorthorn cattle, southdown sheep, and chickens.
3. Armstrong Park
One notable feature of this spacious neighborhood park is its connection to Mitchell Lakes Park and Veterans Park, forming a water-rich green corridor through the center of Carol Stream.
Located along Klein Creek, Armstrong Park has seen the addition of two reservoirs since 2015, which were constructed to mitigate flooding.
Visitors can stroll along a waterside trail, which leads to Balog Island, a habitat for a colony of purple martins.
Armstrong Park is also equipped with several recreational facilities, including a comprehensive baseball complex, a sledding hill for winter, a basketball court, a sand volleyball court, an in-line skate rink, and the excellent KidsWorld playground.
4. Coyote Crossing Mini Golf
Remarkably, this entertaining mini golf course is operated by the Carol Stream Park District and is located within McCaslin Park.
Designed with a railway theme, Coyote Crossing serves as an excellent option for family-friendly activities during the summer break and also serves as a light-hearted date night location, remaining open until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Additionally, the course provides a relaxed environment for experienced golfers to practice their short game.
Details about special theme days in the summer and fall can be found on the Park District website. Snacks and beverages are available, along with s’mores kits for the firepit.
5. McCaslin Park
The area surrounding Coyote Crossing was first established in 2002, but its current design and many of its amenities are the result of a multimillion-dollar redevelopment that took place in the 2010s.
A significant portion of the park is dedicated to a baseball complex, accommodating various youth and adult baseball and softball leagues.
Additionally, McCaslin Park features a splash pad, a large playground, a basketball court, and an extensive paved trail that encircles the park and connects to adjacent trail networks.
For those seeking longer walks, Timber Ridge Forest Preserve lies across E. North Ave. (Route 64) and connects to the Great Western Trail, an 18-mile rail trail following the old Chicago Great Western Railway corridor.
6. Ross Ferraro Town Center
Until the late 1990s, Carol Stream did not have a central gathering place for public events.
This changed in 1998 when the Ross Ferraro Town Center was inaugurated, named after the mayor who championed its establishment. This area combines elements of both a park and a plaza, featuring beautifully landscaped lawns, a visitor center, walking paths, benches, ponds, and a striking decorative fountain.
This venue serves as an ideal location for a variety of summer events, including outdoor concerts and the Last Blast Summer Carnival celebrated in early September.
7. West Branch Forest Preserve
There are numerous DuPage County Forest Preserves in proximity to Carol Stream. The most accessible is a 713-acre natural area following the course of the West Branch DuPage River.
This preserve features a diverse array of habitats, including a rare fen, wet prairie, wetlands, tallgrass meadow, floodplain forest, and two lakes.
The lakes, located toward the northern end of the preserve, include Deep Quarry Lake, a popular fishing destination noted for its abundant bass, crappie, bluegill, carp, sunfish, and channel and flathead catfish.
An additional advantage of the preserve is its location along the West Branch DuPage River Trail, allowing visitors to enjoy an uninterrupted hiking experience connecting to Hawk Hollow and Mallard Lake preserves.
8. Cantigny Park
Within a few minutes’ drive, you can access Wheaton’s Cantigny Park, a 500-acre former estate belonging to Joseph Medill (1823-1899) and his grandson Robert R. McCormick (1880-1955), both of whom were publishers of the Chicago Tribune.
Upon McCormick’s passing, he entrusted his estate to a charitable trust with the stipulation that it be transformed into a public park. Today, it serves as an all-inclusive destination featuring a visitor center, formal and informal gardens, a public 27-hole golf course, restaurants, a gift shop, and two museums.
The first museum is the Robert R. McCormick Museum, which preserves his grand, 35-room mansion, completed in 1897 and available for tours.
Additionally, the grounds house the First Division Museum, commemorating McCormick’s service in this division during World War I. The museum exhibits the largest collection of tanks and artillery in the region, alongside immersive and detailed displays.
9. Cosley Zoo
A notable attraction in Wheaton is the zoo managed by the local park district. Cosley Zoo, although compact at five acres, provides an excellent overview of species native to Illinois.
This includes a variety of wildlife such as white-tailed deer, red foxes, bobcats, raccoons, American kestrels, hairy woodpeckers, red-tailed hawks, and Blanding’s turtles, among others.
The zoo also features numerous domestic animals, including miniature donkeys, Guernsey cows, Shetland ponies, llamas, Nubian goats, Montadale sheep, and Norwegian fjord horses. It is also situated in a picturesque setting on the historic grounds of a former train station.
10. Sonny Acres Farm
Nearby in West Chicago, Sonny Acres Farm (established in 1883) opens its doors during the summer and into fall, providing diverse family-friendly activities.
From June through August, visitors can enjoy tram rides on the Sonny Express, an inflatable park, a self-feed zoo featuring friendly farm animals, and pony rides.
As fall approaches, guests are invited to explore the pumpkin patch, complete with carnival activities, hayrides, spooky attractions, and classic fall treats such as fresh donuts.
During this time, Sonny Acres also offers a well-stocked, recently renovated shop selling seasonal produce, homemade jams and jellies, baked goods, seasonings, sauces, handcrafted gifts, and yard decorations.
A kitchen with an outdoor grill is available, serving up a variety of foods including burgers, hot dogs, bratwurst, and Italian beef.
11. Bierman Park
Undoubtedly one of the most picturesque locations in Carol Stream, Bierman Park spans 40 acres and encompassed Heritage Lake. The park features a 1.25-mile paved trail that encircles the lake, catering to joggers, dog walkers, cyclists, and those out for leisurely strolls.
This scenic area is particularly stunning during summer, as a “no-mow” policy is implemented on the lake’s banks, fostering the growth of vibrant native wildflowers and providing a habitat for various waterbirds, including great blue herons and egrets.
Non-motorized vessels are permitted on the lake, where visitors may fish for catfish, although catch and release is encouraged.
On the western side of the park, a variety of amenities are available, including basketball hoops, a soccer field, a sand volleyball court, and an expansive playground.
12. Glendale Lakes Golf Club
Golf enthusiasts will find numerous affordable public options within a short drive from Carol Stream. One particularly close option is Glendale Lakes Golf Club, which features an 18-hole course managed by the adjacent Village of Glendale Heights.
Designed by Dick Nugent and opened in 1987, this course is characterized by its abundance of water hazards, as well as a notable number of par 3 holes, rewarding precision over sheer strength.
The fairways and greens are meticulously maintained, with the greens often presenting a fast challenge.
13. Gretna Station & Caboose
Located at the southern end of Armstrong Park lies an intriguing remnant from earlier times in Carol Stream. This site features the clapboard 19th-century train station that once served the village of Gretna, which is situated in the southeast sector of Carol Stream.
The reasoning behind the station’s name—borrowed from the Scottish town—remains unclear, though it was renamed Carol Stream in 1962.
The original station, along with a historic caboose donated by the Elgin-Joliet and Eastern Railway, currently functions as a modest museum established in honor of the bicentennial in 1976. Presently, both structures stand as monuments within Armstrong Park.
14. Stratford Square Mall
Carol Stream is in proximity to a large shopping center, located just northeast in Bloomingdale. The Stratford Square Mall, which opened in 1981, has undergone multiple renovations since its inception.
This shopping venue is often regarded as overshadowed by the renowned Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, yet it remains home to many familiar retailers.
As of the latest information, there are over 100 stores, including popular choices such as Foot Locker, Claire’s, Kay Jewelers, Kohl’s, Bath & Body Works, and Hot Topic. Dining options include establishments like Red Robin, Sbarro, Sarju Japan, Auntie Anne’s, and Cinnabon.
15. Rockin’ Jump
Within a large warehouse in Carol Stream, a branch of the Rockin’ Jump chain of indoor trampoline parks can be found.
This facility offers enjoyment and exercise for children and teenagers alike. Rockin’ Jump encompasses a vast area filled with trampolines on both the floor and walls, along with various dedicated zones.
A slam-dunk hoop, a dodgeball court, specially designated trampolines for younger children, a battle beam, climbing wall, and a unique “slingshot” experience combining harnesses, bungee cords, and a large inflatable cushion can also be enjoyed.
