Ryerson Woods Conservation Area and Visitors Center

Ryerson Conservation Area is one of the best examples of a northern flatwoods forest, a rare northern Illinois landscape. The 552-acre Preserve supports some of Illinois' most pristine woodlands and several state-threatened and endangered species, and offers 6.5 miles of scenic trails that wind through a stately forest to the quiet Des Plaines River. The Welcome Center, opened in 2006, features "green" architecture and was designed using LEED standards. In addition to preserve information, it offers a nature library, exhibits and meeting rooms.

CITY: Riverwoods

Woodridge Town Centre

A multipurpose open play area, Woodridge Town Center hosts a variety of festivals in Woodridge.

CITY: Woodridge

Lake Arlington

Sail boating, Memorial Day through Labor Day, and weekends in September and October. Includes boat rentals (sailboat and paddleboat), 2 mile bike/walk path, picnic area, and playground.

CITY: Arlington Heights

Bengston Pumpkin Farm

The fall fun here includes tractor-pulled hayrack rides, a haunted barn, pig races, train rides, a petting zoo, kiddie rides, a three-acre corn maze, a Halloween shop, food and pumpkins.

CITY: Homer Glen

Glendale Lakes Golf Club

DuPage County, Chicago’s Western Suburbs - 18-hole public golf course and golf shop. Restaurant open for lunch daily; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for dinner. Meeting rooms and banquet facilities for up to 250.

CITY: Glendale Heights

Veterans Memorial Park

Veterans Memorial Park in Westmont

CITY: Westmont

River Trail Nature Center

Nature is wonderfully displayed in this silent forest that glaciers carved thousands of years ago. The prairie extends along the riverbanks, rich in plant and animal life.

CITY: Northbrook

Seven Bridges Ice Arena

DuPage County, Chicago’s Western Suburbs - Includes three ice surfaces, public skate 7 days a week, learn-to-skate and hockey classes, observation area, off-ice training center, party/conference rooms, arcade and a pro shop.

CITY: Woodridge

White Pines Golf Dome

White Pines Golf Dome is one of the world's premiere indoor golf facilities. Measuring 300 feet wide, 300 feet long and 100 feet high, it is the area's largest golf dome.

CITY: Bensenville

Danada Equestrian Center

Danada Equestrian Center in Wheaton

CITY: Wheaton

Pirates' Cove Theme Park

A unique park for children ages two to nine years. Pirates' ship, paddle boats, train ride, climbing wall, and many more creative attractions for children. Concession and picnic areas. Birthday parties and rentals. Open daily June through August. Admission fee for children. Adults are always free.

CITY: Elk Grove Village

The Grove National Historic Landmark

This 124-acre nature preserve has walking trails, a nature center with live Illinois wildlife exhibits and five historic buildings.

CITY: Glenview

Willowbrook Wildlife Center

DuPage's premier wildlife rehabilitation and educational facility. Over 90 species of injured native wild animals are on exhibit. Open daily. Donations encouraged.

CITY: Glen Ellyn

Dommrich Rowing Center

This year-round rowing center features a boat launch on the North Shore Channel and two indoor rowing tanks with a training center.

CITY: Skokie

Robert Crown Center Skating Park

Indoor public skating and private lessons available. Call for hours.

CITY: Evanston

Maple Meadows Golf Course

Come and play right in your backyard! Visit Maple Meadows for outings, leagues, tournaments, individual play, and the great food in our restaurant. 27 holes, no reservations required and a beautiful public course!

CITY: Wood Dale

Itasca Country Club

DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - Itasca Country Club is rich in tradition and offers a cost-effective solution for golf outings, corporate entertaining and special events in a picturesque setting. Enjoy beautiful surroundings, spectacular views, and the service of a fine country club-for your wedding reception or other banquet event. Amidst the elegant grounds and facilities, our skilled professional staff will put you at ease and ensure your special occasion is unforgettable.

CITY: Itasca

Center Children's Farm

Experience life down on the farm during guided family tours, or take a hike on the peaceful nature trail.

CITY: Palos Park

Trailside Museum

Get in touch with nature in this beautiful wooded setting near the Des Plaines River, where you can view local wild animals that have been rescued from the surrounding area.

CITY: River Forest

Ruffled Feathers Golf Club

Just 40 minutes from Chicago lies one of the area's premier golf courses. The only Illinois course designed by Pete Dye offers a world-class golf experience and outstanding banquets/weddings for our guests.

CITY: Lemont

Countryside Park

Attraction

CITY: Countryside

Western Acres Golf Course

DuPage County, Chicago’s Western Suburbs - This 9-hole, par-35 course stretches over 3,000 yards. The well-maintained fairways and greens, along with sand and water hazards, offer a unique and challenging golf experience. The newly remodeled clubhouse is a picturesque location for a special event.

CITY: Lombard

Wolfe Wildlife Refuge & Bike Path

Explore the natural beauty and animal habitats of this 45-acre wetlands preserve. Nature programs for all ages include bird surveys, seed collections, planting, clean-ups and hiking.

CITY: Oak Lawn

Columbia Woods Forest Preserve

A River Thru History

CITY: Willow Springs

Evanston's Dog Beach

Bring your dog to Evanston's Dog Beach! Admission restricted to dogs with a "dog beach season token".

CITY: Evanston

Skatium Ice Arena

A full-size hockey rink and a smaller ice rink are open for public skating, lessons and leagues.

CITY: Skokie

Waters Edge Golf Club

This course was chosen as one of Golf Digest's Best Places to Play.

CITY: Worth

William W. Powers Conservation Area

Offering fishing, waterfowl hunting, picnicking, and winter sports. At the center of its attraction is Wolf Lake, segmented by dikes and offering six miles of shoreline to bank anglers.

CITY: Chicago

Gross Point Rd. Fishing - Evanston

Equipment, bait and fishing expertise provided.

CITY: Evanston

Maywood Park Race Track

Maywood Park Racetrack is the place to hold your next special event. Our Winner's Circle Dining room overlooks our 1/2 mile track for live racing dining. 2008 racing schedule: Thursdays and Fridays 7:20 p.m. Post time January 1 – June 20 and August 8 – December 26, 2008. Open for simulcast racing 7 days/7 nights a week. Just 25 minutes from downtown Chicago. We look forward to the challenge of exceeding your expectations!

CITY: Melrose Park

Hinsdale Parks & Recreation Department

DuPage County, Chicago’s Western Suburbs - Over 600 programs are offered by the Hinsdale Parks & Rec Dept. annually. The year round activities are designed to meet the leisure interests of residents and visitors. Community special events and outdoor summer concerts are also organized annually.

CITY: Hinsdale

Salt Creek Golf Club

Make Salt Creek Golf Club your golfing "home course". When you select a facility to patronize regularly, you want the facility that offers the full gamut of a private club without the dues. Our 18-hole executive style golf course will challenge golfers of all skill levels. Set amidst gently rolling terrain, mature tree, and beautiful ponds, Salt Creek's 3895 yard, par 63 course challenge players of all skill levels with tree-lined fairways and strategically placed sand bunkers.

CITY: Wood Dale

Dempster-Greenwood Street Beach

Sand beach used for launching small carry-in crafts. Lockers and racks available to store crafts on site.

CITY: Evanston

Church Street Boat Ramp

Poured concrete ramp for launching boats. Can be used by power boats up to 22 feet, sailboats 15-22 feet, and personal watercraft.

CITY: Evanston

Twin Lakes Golf Club

DuPage County, Chicago’s Western Suburbs - Located on 25 acres, with woods, lakes and rolling hills, the course offers 9 holes of challenging golf for beginners and advanced golfers. Reduced rates available for golfers 55 and over. Clubhouse seats 60+ and has a variety of foods.

CITY: Westmont

DuPage County Trail System

DuPage County, Chicago’s Western Suburbs - A 61-mile hiking, biking and nature trail follows the bed of a long-gone railroad. It's one of the nation's first linear recreation trails and a model for others in the United States.

CITY: Wheaton

Glen Ellyn Park District

DuPage County, Chicago’s Western Suburbs - Discover 300+ acres of fun: splash park, outdoor swimming, mini golf, tennis, sand volleyball, bocce ball, horseshoes, ice skating, fitness center, playgrounds, athletic fields, banquet facilities, special events and year-round programs for all ages!

CITY: Glen Ellyn

Itasca Park District

DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - The Itasca Park District provides education and year-round recreation for constructive and enjoyable leisure time experiences. Come out and enjoy Itasca's award-winning waterpark, nature center, fitness facility and many community parks.

CITY: Itasca

Bensenville Park District

DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - Ten minutes from O'Hare, Bensenville Park District offers everything for your leisure, fitness & banquet needs. From the outstanding White Pines Golf Club to the award-winning Deer Grove Water Park, come and enjoy a variety of activities, parks & events.

CITY: Bensenville

Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center

DuPage County, Chicago’s Western Suburbs - 88,000 sq. ft. multi-use facility: 40-yd. x 40-yd. indoor turf field; 3 basketball courts with wood floors; rock-climbing; Chicago Bulls/White Sox Training Academy batting cages; multi-lane running track; multi-purpose rooms; 7,000 sq. ft. fitness center.

CITY: Glen Ellyn

Oak Brook Golf Club

18-hole golf course with driving range, restaurant and pro shop.

CITY: Oak Brook

Willow Crest Golf Course

DuPage County, Chicago’s Western Suburbs - 18-hole championship golf course with water, sand, bunkers and beautiful landscape. Multi-tiered tees and bent grass tees. Group outings, memberships and overnight packages available.

CITY: Oak Brook

Wheaton Park District

DuPage County, Chicago’s Western Suburbs - Enjoy 829 acres of park facilities that include a water park, children's zoo, teams course, golf course, playgrounds, open space, athletic fields, sand volleyball, tennis, ice skating, playgrounds, swimming pools, in-line skating and hockey area and more!

CITY: Wheaton

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center

Nature center with 3 miles of walking/hiking trails through woodland, wetland, and prairie. Exhibit building displays local wildlife. Educational activities year round.

CITY: Willow Springs

Elmhurst Park District

DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - The Elmhurst Park District exists to provide opportunities for the enjoyment of residents and visitors, particularly those opportunities that people cannot supply for themselves. With facilities like the Sugar Creek Golf Course, the Elmhurst Art Museum, a skate park, two swimming pools, several fitness & recreation centers, over twenty neighborhood parks, and miles of bike paths and trails, the Elmhurst Park District will satisfy the needs of any audience.

CITY: Elmhurst

Holes & Knolls Miniature Golf Course & Clubhouse in Maryknoll Park

The perfect setting for business & pleasure. Holes & Knolls features two 18-hole miniature golf courses and a clubhouse in a 25-acre park setting. The course design incorporates cascading waterfalls & streams. The clubhouse is available for rent.

CITY: Glen Ellyn

Fullersburg Woods Environmental Educational Center

Educational facility offering exhibits, interactive programs and interpretive trails that highlight DuPage County's unique natural history. Open daily. Admission free.

CITY: Oak Brook

Oak Brook Park District

DuPage County, Chicago’s Western Suburbs - The Oak Brook Park District represents five parks totaling 150 acres, and four facilities: Family Recreation Center (the Family Aquatic Center and Premiere Fitness Club), the Racquet Club, the Dorothy and Sam Dean Nature Sanctuary and Central Park West.

CITY: Oak Brook

Westmont Park District

DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - Providing numerous recreational and educational opportunities for seniors, adults, youth, and preschoolers at our 18 parks, golf course, health club, and new TY Warner Park.

CITY: Westmont

Palmer Park Chicago

The park is named for Potter Palmer (1826–1902), a successful businessman and real estate investor concerned with the development of Chicago. Palmer was responsible for reclaiming the acres of swampland north of the city's business district, which were developed into the Lake Shore Drive area. He built the original baseball field for the Cubs' predecessor, the Chicago White Stockings, and built the Palmer House Hotel. Palmer Park was created in 1904 by the South Park Commission. Under the guidance of superintendent J. Frank Foster, the commission opened ten new neighborhood parks, including Palmer Park, in an effort to create breathing space and recreational areas in the city's crowded tenement districts. These parks were built by Olmsted Brothers landscape architects and D.H. Burnham and Co. architects.

CITY: Chicago

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

The urban gateway to nature and science. The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is a place where city dwellers can reconnect with the wonder of the natural world. From a hands-on water lab to a wilderness walk to the only international, year-round butterfly haven, science comes alive.

CITY: Chicago

Hamilton Lakes

Hamilton Lakes is home to Chicagoland's largest fireworks display synced to music as well as an annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games. The lakes also offers several fields good for soccer tournaments and other outdoor activities.

CITY: Itasca