Top 15 Attractions in Palatine, IL You Can’t Miss

This northwest suburb of Chicago offers a family-friendly atmosphere, boasting a vibrant events calendar along with abundant public green spaces.

Spanning large areas, the Village of Palatine is home to numerous parks, golf courses, and nature preserves, creating plentiful opportunities for outdoor activities in the summer. Visitors can enjoy hiking, golfing, boating, fishing, swimming, cycling, horseback riding, or simply playing frisbee.

Additionally, Palatine features a high-quality outdoor shopping mall and is conveniently located near noteworthy attractions such as Medieval Times in Schaumburg and the renowned Arlington Park racecourse.

Locally, the Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center showcases the village’s emerging talent, complemented by a popular farmers’ market and a variety of festivals and events during the summer months.

1. George Clayson House Museum

This historical house museum, run by the Palatine Historical Society, is situated on the southern side of Community Park.

The building, named after a 19th-century resident and member of the Palatine Board of Trustees, was constructed in 1873 in the elegant Second Empire architectural style.

True to this French style, the house features a mansard roof. Visitors will find interiors preserved to their 19th-century appearance, furnished with Victorian pieces donated by local residents, alongside restored original fixtures such as mantelpieces.

The museum offers a display of vintage costumes, kitchen tools, toys, books, and more. The grounds also include a historical carriage house, relocated from Plum Grove Rd, a charming garden, and a shed housing historical tools.

2. Community Park

Adjacent to the Village Hall and George Clayson House Museum, Community Park serves as Palatine’s primary recreational area and venue for festivals and concerts. This park features a skate park along with facilities for soccer, basketball, and baseball.

The southwest corner houses the Palatine Skate Park, operational in winter, while the southeast Family Aquatic Center encompasses a 3,000-square-foot area complete with slides, a large beach-entry pool, and additional attractions.

Additionally, the Fred P. Hall Amphitheater, opened in 1988, organizes free concerts, events, performances, and movie screenings throughout the summer.

3. Deer Park Town Center

Promoted as an open-air lifestyle center, this shopping destination is located just beyond the northern edge of Palatine and provides an enjoyable environment for leisurely browsing on a summer day.

The atmosphere here is upscale, characterized by city-like streets adorned with greenery and featuring well-known brands, including Apple, Sephora, American Eagle, Barnes & Noble, Banana Republic, Gap, and Pottery Barn.

Dining options encompass a variety of cuisines such as noodles, poke, pizza, Italian, Mexican, as well as desserts from establishments like Cold Stone Creamery. Additionally, a 16-screen Century Theatres is situated on-site, perfect for family outings and date nights.

4. Deer Grove Forest Preserve

In the 1860s, residents of Palatine would venture north to this wild locale for firewood collection.

In 1911, a veterinarian named Dr. John Wilson transformed part of Deer Grove into a private park, which was served by the now-defunct Lake Zurich and Wauconda Railroad.

This land was subsequently protected from development, establishing it as Cook County’s first forest preserve.

Today, Deer Grove comprises two distinct sections, East and West, totaling nearly 2,000 acres, featuring prairies, wetlands, wooded ravines, and rolling upland forests.

Approximately 15.5 miles of trails meander through this scenic area, offering opportunities to observe spring wildflowers and amphibians such as the blue-spotted salamander.

5. Riemer Reservoir Park

Situated on elevated ground near the village’s Metra station, Riemer Reservoir Park offers another scenic park experience.

The open landscape and elevation make this park one of the ideal spots to witness stunning sunsets in Palatine.

The main attraction is the 18-hole disc golf course, which is well-maintained and serves as an excellent introduction to the sport for beginners.

In winter, the park’s hilly terrain is a popular sledding destination, while summer provides ample space for picnics, alongside a large shelter near the reservoir area.

6. Medieval Times

This popular Medieval-themed dinner theater has a location on the southwestern edge of Palatine.

Medieval Times is renowned for its impressive production quality, featuring jousting, horsemanship, spectacular hunts, swordplay, falconry, and an engaging narrative.

Although located within an arena, the Schaumburg venue consistently attracts good crowds. Guests can enjoy a Medieval-style meal comprised of rotisserie chicken, bread, and sweet corn, with options available for vegan and those with allergies.

For those looking for a more immersive experience, various side attractions and special packages are offered.

7. Twin Lakes Golf Course & Recreation Area

This expansive facility is ideal for an active day outdoors during the summer, offering a wide range of activities suitable for all visitors.

Firstly, a nine-hole executive golf course is available, maintained in excellent condition and recognized as one of the top three in Chicagoland.

Additional features include a lakefront driving range, with golf lessons offered for those seeking to improve their game.

Besides the golf amenities, the area provides a large lake suited for fishing, pedal boating, and kayaking. On the grassy, tree-lined shores, facilities like a children’s playground, volleyball courts, and ample picnic spaces can be found.

8. Plum Grove Reservoir Park

Enveloping the east side of Harper College’s campus in Palatine, this tranquil neighborhood park borders Plum Grove Reservoir.

A paved multi-use trail meanders along the reservoir’s southern and western banks, accommodating walkers, joggers, and cyclists.

The reservoir itself is a well-known fishing spot, abundant with bass, perch, catfish, crappie, and pike.

Nearby, park facilities are available, including a children’s playground, picnic shelters, tables, grills, and a dog park, noting that registration and annual fees apply for dog usage.

9. Palatine Farmers’ Market

The parking lot of Palatine Station hosts a remarkable producers’ market, distinctive as it operates year-round.

From November through April, the market opens on the first and third Saturdays, transitioning to weekly sessions every Saturday through the rest of the year.

Currently, a diverse array of vendors offers seasonal and organic fruits and vegetables, honey, freshwater fish, cheese, spices, fresh garlic and related products, eggs, bread, as well as artisan confections and baked goods.

Additionally, food options are readily available, featuring vegan and vegetarian specialties, grilled cheese, soups, and tamales.

10. Palatine Hills Golf Course

A well-regarded public course set on blue grass, Palatine Hills has been a staple in the village since 1968, continuing to provide an exciting yet challenging golfing experience.

The greens are consistently reliable, with numerous unique hazards, including 29 bunkers and water hazards on ten holes.

Both residents and visitors may reserve a tee time up to seven days in advance, and there is a dedicated area known as “The Hills” for practicing essential shots.

The facility also features a practice green and three holes at the Short Course, suitable for younger players and newcomers to golf.

11. Escapeocity

A prominent establishment along U.S. 14 in Palatine, Escapeocity features an escape room experience with two intricate and engaging rooms to explore within an hour’s time.

Designed for groups ranging from two to eight individuals, suitable for ages 10 and older, the themes are frequently updated.

At the time of writing, one featured scenario was La Résistance, requiring participants to investigate the abode of a missing WWII codebreaker, while another was E.T. Extra Toppings, centering around odd occurrences at a pizza restaurant dubbed Area 50-Yum.

12. Brandt’s of Palatine

Located at the intersection of U.S. 15 and Quentin Road, this restaurant has garnered local appreciation for over 50 years.

Offering a wide selection of American and regional comfort classics, such as Wisconsin cheese curds, ribs, quesadillas, sandwiches, brats, and the iconic Brandt’s Burger, the establishment resides in a structure with over 140 years of history.

Prior to Brandt’s establishment, it was associated with notorious bootlegger and mob leader Roger Touhy, and operated as a speakeasy during the later years of Prohibition in the 1930s.

13. Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center

Adjacent to the Palatine Village Hall, Cutting Hall boasts a splendid 431-seat auditorium providing live performances for local residents and the broader community.

The venue is historically significant, having been established in 1928 as part of the original Palatine High School and named in honor of its inaugural principal, Charles S. Cutting.

This venue is distinctive as one of the few in the region owned and operated by the local park district, and it serves as a lively community stage, featuring an array of theater productions, dance recitals, concerts, and film screenings throughout the year.

The theater presents Broadway-style performances produced by the local group, Music on Stage, which has been a cultural mainstay in Palatine since 1957.

14. Downtown Palatine Street Fest

A more intimate alternative to the Taste of Chicago, this family-friendly event transforms the streets of downtown Palatine on the weekend before Labor Day.

The Downtown Street Fest offers local restaurants a platform to showcase their culinary offerings. Children can enjoy the Kids Zone, managed by community nonprofit organizations.

Live music is another key component, featuring a combination of established artists and talented tribute bands, with performances continuing into the evening.

15. Hometown Fest 4th of July Celebrations

In Palatine, the 4th of July celebration is a major community event spanning five days filled with entertainment.

Organized by the Palatine Jaycees club, the festivities are centered in Community Park, where a carnival operates throughout the duration.

Hometown Fest includes activities such as a scavenger hunt and tossing tournaments, along with live music and a crafts/vendor expo.

One of the festival’s highlights is the parade, which proceeds along Wilson Street and Wood Street to Community Park.

As evening falls on the 4th of July, fireworks light up the sky, complemented by a diverse array of food trucks representing local culinary offerings throughout the festival.