The best things to do in Arlington Heights, IL sit within a few walkable blocks. Downtown holds an entertainment district built around the Metra station. A 50-acre lake anchors the north side of the village. The park district runs more than 56 parks. Add live theater, summer street dining, and a Saturday farmers market, and the calendar stays full all year. Nobody has to drive into Chicago to find something to do.
What sets Arlington Heights apart is how close everything sits. Most of the dining, theater, shopping, and green space clusters near Campbell Street, Vail Avenue, and Dunton Avenue. One evening can cover dinner, a show, and a walk through a park. You never move the car. Residents of Palatine, Mount Prospect, and Rolling Meadows drive in for the same reason.
- Overview of Best Things to Do in Arlington Heights, IL
- 1. Walk or Bike the Loop at Lake Arlington
- 2. See a Show at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
- 3. Eat Outside During Arlington Alfresco
- 4. Shop the Arlington Heights Farmers Market
- 5. Catch a Concert at Hey Nonny
- 6. Browse Mitsuwa Marketplace
- 7. Visit the Arlington Heights Historical Museum
- 8. Walk North School Park in the Holiday Season
- 9. Use the Park District Pools, Fields, and Golf Course
- 10. Ride the Trails at Busse Woods
- Annual Events Worth Planning Around
- Eating and Drinking Downtown
- Settling In and Actually Using the Village
-
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Arlington Heights, IL known for?
- Is there anything to do in Arlington Heights at night?
- Can you swim in Lake Arlington?
- When is the Arlington Heights Farmers Market?
- What is Arlington Alfresco?
- Are there good parks in Arlington Heights?
- How far is Arlington Heights from downtown Chicago?
- Is Arlington Heights family friendly?
Overview of Best Things to Do in Arlington Heights, IL
| What to Do | Where | Best Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walk the lake loop | Lake Arlington | Year round |
| See a play or musical | Metropolis Performing Arts Centre | Year round |
| Eat in the street | Arlington Alfresco, downtown | May to September |
| Shop local produce | Arlington Heights Farmers Market | May to October |
| Catch a small room concert | Hey Nonny | Year round |
| Browse a Japanese market | Mitsuwa Marketplace | Year round |
| Learn the village history | Arlington Heights Historical Museum | Year round |
| See the holiday lights | North School Park | November to January |
| Swim, golf, or play ball | Park district sites | Summer |
| Ride the forest trails | Busse Woods | Spring to fall |
1. Walk or Bike the Loop at Lake Arlington
Lake Arlington is a 50 acre man made lake on the north side of the village. A paved path circles the water for about two miles. Walkers, runners, cyclists, and skaters use it in every season.
The recreation area holds a fishing pier and a boardwalk. A boating dock rents paddle boats and sailboats in summer. There is also a playground, an outdoor exercise area, and a sensory garden. Great blue herons, Canada geese, and mallards live here year-round. Swimming is not allowed, but fishing and boating are.
2. See a Show at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
Metropolis is a 350-seat theater in the middle of downtown. The schedule covers plays, musicals, comedy, cabaret, and touring concerts. The room is small, so sight lines and sound hold up from every seat.
The venue also runs a performing arts school. Classes include acting, musical theater, dance, and private music lessons. Students range from early childhood through adulthood.
3. Eat Outside During Arlington Alfresco
Arlington Alfresco runs from May through September. The village closes parts of downtown to cars and turns the streets into an open-air dining district. Patios expand into the roadway. Live music and family programming fill the schedule.
This is the busiest stretch of the local calendar. Downtown foot traffic peaks all summer because of it.
4. Shop the Arlington Heights Farmers Market
The farmers market runs on Saturday mornings from May through October. Vendors set up downtown, a short walk from the Metra station.
Stalls carry produce, baked goods, flowers, and handmade items. Most sellers come from the surrounding region. New residents often meet neighbors here first.
5. Catch a Concert at Hey Nonny
Hey Nonny is a short walk from Metropolis. The room fills the small venue role with close-up concerts and a supper club setup.
Between these two stages, downtown supports live entertainment most nights of the week. You can eat dinner and reach a show on foot.
6. Browse Mitsuwa Marketplace
Mitsuwa Marketplace sits on the south side of the village. It is one of the largest Japanese grocery and food court destinations in the Midwest.
Shoppers come from across Chicagoland for the pantry aisles, fresh seafood, and bakery. The food court serves ramen, curry, and grilled dishes. Plan for a slow lunch and a full cart.
7. Visit the Arlington Heights Historical Museum
The museum runs a small campus of preserved nineteenth-century buildings. The site documents the village origins as a German farming settlement.
Exhibits cover early settlement, the Arlington Club soda bottling history, and the growth of the village into a rail suburb. Pair the visit with a stop at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library. It is one of the busiest suburban libraries in the state, and its program calendar serves children, teens, and adults.
8. Walk North School Park in the Holiday Season
North School Park sits in the heart of downtown with manicured grounds and open lawn. It works as a quiet break between shops and restaurants.
The park earns its reputation in winter. A seasonal light display runs through the holiday months and draws visitors from nearby towns. Park in a municipal garage and walk over.
9. Use the Park District Pools, Fields, and Golf Course
The Arlington Heights Park District runs three outdoor pools. You will find them at Recreation Park, Pioneer Park, and Frontier Park. Recreation Park dates to a 1936 WPA project and still hosts youth sports.
Golfers have the Arlington Lakes Golf Club, a village-run public course that suits all skill levels. Harmony Park handles the community side with a central lawn used for concerts and festivals.
| Park or facility | What it offers | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Arlington | Two-mile loop, fishing pier, boat rentals | Walking, cycling, family afternoons |
| North School Park | Manicured grounds, seasonal light display | Downtown strolls, holiday season |
| Harmony Park | Central lawn, community event space | Summer concerts, festivals |
| Recreation Park | Historic 1936 WPA site, outdoor pool | Swimming, youth sports |
| Pioneer Park | Pool, ball fields, playground | Families with school-age children |
| Arlington Lakes Golf Club | Village-run public course | Golfers of all skill levels |
| Busse Woods | Forest preserve trails on the south edge | Long rides, hiking, birding |
10. Ride the Trails at Busse Woods
Busse Woods sits on the south edge of the village. The forest preserve carries a long paved trail system through woods and around water.
Cyclists use it for distance rides. Hikers and birders use the quieter sections. It is the closest thing in the area to a full day outdoors.
Annual Events Worth Planning Around
- Chicago Northwest Restaurant Week in March, a ten-day prix fixe event across the northwest suburbs.
- Arlington Alfresco from May through September, with downtown streets closed for outdoor dining.
- Sounds of Summer concerts, free live music on Thursday evenings in July and August at Harmony Park.
- Arlington Heights Farmers Market on Saturday mornings from May through October.
- Holiday lighting displays at North School Park through the winter.
- Mane Event and Frontier Days-style community festivals during the warm months.
Eating and Drinking Downtown
The restaurant scene leans independent instead of chain-driven. A few blocks cover Thai, Vietnamese, Italian, Korean, Spanish tapas, and Mexican food. A long-standing Irish pub anchors the older side of the district.
Boutiques line Campbell Street. Municipal garages keep parking simple, even on busy weekends. For a casual night, the pub scene offers draft lists, pool tables, and game day screens.
Settling In and Actually Using the Village
The families who enjoy Arlington Heights the fastest are the ones who unpack early. They show up at the farmers market and the lake path in the first month.
Collins Family Movers helps that happen. The crew handles packing, loading, transport, and unloading in one plan. Boxes are not still stacked in the living room when Arlington Alfresco opens for the season.
Our local movers have moved households across Chicago and the northwest suburbs since 2009. The company is fully licensed and insured, and every job gets a locked-in flat rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Arlington Heights, IL known for?
The village is known for its walkable downtown, the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, and Lake Arlington. It is also known for the former Arlington Park racetrack, which ran for 94 years before closing in 2021.
Is there anything to do in Arlington Heights at night?
Yes. Downtown has live theater at Metropolis and concerts at Hey Nonny. Independent restaurants and pubs sit within a few blocks of the Metra station.
Can you swim in Lake Arlington?
No. Lake Arlington does not allow swimming. It does allow fishing and boating, and paddle boats are available in summer. For swimming, use the park district pools at Recreation Park, Pioneer Park, and Frontier Park.
When is the Arlington Heights Farmers Market?
The market runs Saturday mornings from May through October in the downtown area. Vendors sell produce, baked goods, flowers, and handmade items.
What is Arlington Alfresco?
Arlington Alfresco is a seasonal program that runs from May through September. The village closes parts of downtown to traffic and turns the space into open-air dining.
Are there good parks in Arlington Heights?
Yes. The park district runs more than 56 parks, the Lake Arlington Recreation Area, three outdoor pools, and the Arlington Lakes Golf Club. That is deep coverage for a village this size.
How far is Arlington Heights from downtown Chicago?
The Metra Union Pacific Northwest Line takes about 33 minutes from the downtown Arlington Heights station to Ogilvie Transportation Center. City day trips are easy without a car.
Is Arlington Heights family friendly?
Yes. Park district programming, free summer concerts, outdoor pools, a large public library, and strong schools make it one of the more family-focused towns in the northwest suburbs.