Parks & Nature Centers

Adventure is waiting at Chicago Northwest’s many parks. The Windy City’s suburbs boast all sorts of green spaces, lakes, and forests, giving active residents (and visitors) plenty of room to explore!

Hikers and bikers can (and should!) take advantage of Chicago Northwest’s trail systems. Busse Woods is known for its shaded paths and peaceful forest setting, with routes like the Busse Woods Loop in Elk Grove Village or the Red and Black Trails in Rolling Meadows. Bikers and hikers are welcome, so even without wheels, it’s easy to enjoy the scenery.

Northwest parks have no shortage of water features for anyone interested in boating and fishing. Lake Arlington in Arlington Heights can accommodate catch-and-release fishing, and boaters can bring their vessels to sail on the 50-acre lake (or even rent a sailboat, kayak, or canoe!) Other prime spots for fishing include Goose Lake Park in Roselle and Volkening Lake in Schaumburg.

Spring and summer in Chicago Northwest are the ideal times for a picnic, and the region’s parks are ready to provide picnic spots to suit every occasion. Spread out a blanket and enjoy lunch amid beautiful works of art at Chicago Athenaeum International Sculpture Park in Schaumburg, wrangle up the kids and let them enjoy playscapes and athletic fields while you dig into a picnic at Pioneer Park in Arlington Heights, or grab an umbrella shaded table and look out at the beautifully manicured grounds of Turner Park in Roselle. 

Whether you’re a parent with curious kiddos or a nature enthusiast yourself, Chicago Northwest’s nature centers can teach you and your family a great deal about the flora and fauna of the Chicagoland. Spring Valley Nature Center in Schaumburg offers 135 acres of forests, fields, and water, and there’s also an on-site natural history museum to educate visitors about everything they’ll discover while traveling through the park. In Itasca, Springbrook Nature Center provides Chicago Northwest residents and visitors with hiking trails, indoor exhibits, and special features like a butterfly garden and guided birdwatching walks.