1 km
from city center 53 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Maggie Daley Park, a 20-acre park, is one of the newest parks in Chicago. With Millennium Park as its neighbour, Maggie Daley Park offers a playground for childrem of different age groups, a skating ribbon, a mini golf course, a climbing wall and a tennis court. The Skating Ribbon, however, is the most visited attraction in this park.

1 km
from city center 54 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

This 20th century club was acquired by Chicago Park district back in 1975 and has now been tastefully restored and modified. The main building in this park is rich of culture, arts and different workshops like culinary workshops, and summer day camps for kids. In the other parts of the park, there is a nature sanctuary, a butterfly garden, massive open space for kids to run around and also a nine-hole golf course.

12 km
from city center 55 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Winnemac Park boasts of more than 22 acres of greenery since 1910 and is a great evening recreational spot for the local residents. The park hosts a variety of programs like the Winnemac youth program which includes basketball, baseball, soccer and summer day camp.and different sports leagues. Swimming lessons are also provided at this park. The massive green open spaces also call for some cosy afternoon picnics for families.

6 km
from city center 56 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Douglas Park is one historical park, that has been serving as a recreational centre ever since it was built back in the 19th century.The massive acres of land in this park house a gymnasium, swimming pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, a soccer field and a mini golf course. There are separate tracks for walking and jogging as well as a separate path for bikers.

2 km
from city center 57 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Ping Tom Memorial Park, is named after a Chinese resident who fought for creating a community space for its residents. This park is a very popular spot for Kayaking and has a pavilion which offers a splendid view of the Chicago river. Very recently, a state-of-the-art fieldhouse has been added, which includes a fitness centre, a swimming pool and a gymnasium. The famous Chicago water taxi services can be availed to reach the dock at this park.

5 km
from city center 58 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

The Oz Park, as the name suggests, is dedicated to the Wizard of Oz and is a great hit among the kids. Numerous sculptures of popular characters from the movie are scattered all across the park. The park has a big wooden castle-like structure for kids to enjoy along with bridges to run across and ropes to climb. There are swings and slides here as well. A separate area is dedicated to the smaller kids, who can barely walk. All in all, this park is best suited for kids.

14 km
from city center 59 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Named after Father Marquette, the Marquette Park offers services like baseball fields, golf course, basketball courts, running and jogging tracks, spray pool and a tennis court as well. One major attraction of this park is its fishing spot, which houses a varied variety of exotic fishes. Marquette park has lush greenery and acres of open spaces which are open to hosting picnics and events. In other parts of the park, there are lagoons and rose gardens which were planted years ago, but are still a major source of attraction.

16 km
from city center 60 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Located in the neighbourhood of Rogers Park, the Indian Boundary Park offers a wide range of amenities like a duck filled lagoon, a spray park and four tennis courts. The spray park features dancing bears as well as spray misters which serves as an exciting attraction for both children and adults.There is a playground, which has a rather rustic feel to it with wooden swings, tunnels, slides and much more. The park offers music lessons for kids as well. The lush green fields are also open to throwing pities and hosting events.

1 km
from city center 61 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Grant Park is spread across a whopping 319-acre property, encompassing numerous smaller parks like the Millennium Park, the Maggie Daley Park and a lot more. This park is famous for hosting Barack Obama and his supporters during his 2008 victory night and also for hosting grand festivals like the Taste of Chicago and Lollapalooza. Grant Park has a skate park, numerous public art illustrations, marinas, themed gardens, baseball diamonds, tennis courts and breath-taking views of the gardens and is a favourite among history enthusiasts as it is home to three of the Chicago’s most famous museums – the Art Institute, Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium located on the Museum Campus.

19 km
from city center 62 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Lake Michigan, the third largest of the five Great Lakes of North America spanning across the entire west coast of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula borders the states of Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Chicago is the biggest city on Lake Michigan and the 26 miles of scenic lakefront features local parks, gardens, and an 18-mile Lakefront Trail coupled with picturesque beaches, and a port along its shoreline. Visitors can indulge in water and outdoor activities or spend an afternoon lounging near the beaches.

63 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Rend Lake located in southern Illinois, spanning up to 19,000 acres offers a variety of fun-filled recreational activities. It is a freshwater lake featuring 162 miles of shoreline and 20,000 acres of forests, wetlands, and meadows - making it a favorable spot to observe the wildlife with its rich Flora and Fauna. The lake also features a paved bike trail of 20+ miles, over 500 campsites in 4 different campground areas, and a 27 hole golf course.

64 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Lake Shelbyville in central Illinois is a reservoir lake created when the Kaskaskia River was dammed. The lake is rich in flora and fauna, thus the Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Area was consequently set up in it’s surrounding area. It also features over 1,000 campsites, three public beaches, Picnic areas, Pavilions, Wildlife management areas, and several recreational areas such as The Forest park, Timberlake Golf course, General Dacey Trail, and more.

65 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Carlyle Lake is the largest manmade lake in Illinois and a premier spot for outdoor activities. The lake is popular amongst sailors for its testing condition. Its scenic surrounding coupled with the diverse recreational opportunities such as camping, hunting, fishing, boating makes the lake a perfect gateway destination.

66 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Lake Sara, located 4 miles west of Effingham is well renowned for its tranquil atmosphere. It has a public beach where you can lounge around during the day and enjoy stunning evenings. The lake also offers engaging outdoor activities such as boating, kayaking, drifting, and tubing. Other amenities include two marinas, two restaurants, a campground, rental areas, and golf courses.

28 km
from city center 67 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Maple Lake was originally constructed in the 1920s by damming a Ravine. It is a popular fishing spot with 8,000 feet of shoreline that ensures plenty of fishing and camping spots. The Palos Preserves featuring the largest concentration of preserved land in the Forest Preserves surrounds the lake adding to the picturesque scenery coupled with the rich flora and fauna. Visitors can also spot migratory birds during the fall season as the lake is a popular stop spot.

68 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Lake Lou Yaeger is a reservoir created by damming the Shoal Creek. It was built for flood control purposes and recreational activities & sport fishing. Unlike other lakes, Lake Lou Yaeger does not impose any speed or power limit - hence, it is a popular spot amongst boaters. The shore area of the lake features excursion territories, play areas, hiking trails, bike trails, campgrounds, and steed trails.

69 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Lake Le Aqua Na was developed in 1958 to provide Illinois citizens with recreational opportunities near their living accommodations. The lake features 8.5 miles of marked trails, 1.4 miles of wooded shoreline, a launching ramp, a public beach, a fishing pier, and Camping grounds. It also employs watershed practices and an axial-flow destratifier to keep the oxygen levels high at all depth ensuring safe practices of aquatic activities.

24 km
from city center 70 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Axehead Lake was constructed in 1958 as a borrow pit for an expressway construction. The lake has clear water which ensures a good condition for fishing. It is also known as one of the “inland trout” lakes for the state of Illinois. The Lake is a must-visit for anglers.

25 km
from city center 71 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Wolf Lake is located in between the Hegewisch community of Chicago and Hammond, Indiana. It is one of the most important bio-diversity spots in the Chicago region. It is regarded as a haven by those who enjoy fishing for a wide variety of aquatic life is found here. Visitors can also indulge in a wide range of engaging activities from Biking to boating and fishing at the William W. Powers State Recreation Area is located on the far southeast side of the Lake.

37 km
from city center 72 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Lake Potawatomi, well renowned for its scenic beauty is the perfect gateway destination from the rush of city life. It is surrounded by the Potawatomi woods - a protected habitat of woodland birds and plant species such as black ash and violet cress. Here, visitors can enjoy a day out picnicking or engage in activities such as Hiking and Jogging. The most popular feature of the site is a 21.9-mile Nature watch cycling trail.

27 km
from city center 73 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Lake Opeka is a man-made lake built-in 1963, located at Des Plaines, Illinois. Here you can experience activities such as riding a paddleboat, kayaking, picnicking, fishing, and sailing. The lake is enclosed by the Lake Park that features jogging paths, exercise stations, a volleyball sandpit, picnic tables, and grills for people to enjoy. Various Classes and programs are also offered here, such as year-round sailing lessons for all ages, sailing camps for children aged 8-14, and swimming lessons.

34 km
from city center 74 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Tampier Lake is located in Cook County Southwest to Chicago Suburbs. It was formed when a dam was constructed in a creek nearby. The lake has 3 access points: Tampier Lake Boating Center, Tampier Lake - North, and Tampier Lake - West. Visitors can bring their family to enjoy a day out filled with activities such as fishing, kayaking. Other amenities include a restaurant on-site and a bait shop. Visitors can also bring their kayak or electric boats (Motorboat not allowed).

60 km
from city center 75 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Bangs Lake located in Lake County, Wauconda, Illinois is a glacial lake. It features a shore length of 6.3 miles and offers diverse recreational activities with fishing as the most popular activity. The lake’s natural element is well maintained by the locals and the authorities who work together by organizing various drives and events throughout the year. It is one of the most visited destinations for families looking for a fun and relaxing day.

24 km
from city center 76 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Rivers Casino Des Plaines is one of the newest and hottest gaming & entertainment centres in Chicago. They offer over 65 table games and features over a thousand slots from Blackjack, Spanish Bet, roulette, Mississippi Stud,3 - card poker, Gow poker, Texas Hold’Em to Wheel of Fortune, Lucky 88, Sphinx 3-D, Sex in the city, and much more. In Entertainment, the casino provides the Lotus - a sophisticated cocktail lounge and the Betrivers Sports Betting. The Casino is also equipped with bars, buffets, and restaurants.

23 km
from city center 77 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Horseshoe Hammond is heralded as Chicagoland’s number one destination for dining and casino activities and entertainment. It houses more than 100 table games from Craps, Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Big 6, Sic Bo, and much more, with the highest limit going up to USD 100,000 per hand on Baccarat. A variety of slot machines, including 1,500 penny slots with over 700 games are also available here - favorable for both high rollers and casual participants, from the Wheels of fortune, Star Wars, to Mercury, King’s jewel, and much more. Various events and functions especially live music concerts hosted here.

30 km
from city center 78 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Ameristar Casino Hotel, located in East Chicago, Indiana is within a driving distance of just 22 miles from Chicago. The Hotel features a premier Casino spanning over 56,000 square feet with 72 table games, 1,700 slot games, a High Limit Room, and a unique Sportsbook. The hotel also provides room accommodation - with deluxe or queen rooms equipped with oversized tubs and 50 - inch LCD TVs. Visitors can also experience a multitude of cuisine and specialties from the buffet service provided by the Hotel.

32 km
from city center 79 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Majestic Star Casino, located 35 min from downtown Chicago consists of two gaming boats on Lake Michigan - each with three floors of gaming featuring a huge selection of gaming options with over 1,600 slots, table games, video poker, a live poker room, a Baccarat room, and much more. For dining, the Casino is equipped with three restaurants - The Majestic Chop House Choice, Steel City Grill, and Jackpot Java Fresh.

56 km
from city center 80 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Grand Victoria Casino is a riverboat casino developed by Gold Strike Resorts and Hyatt. The casino spans up to 29,850 square feet and features around 1,100 video poker and slot machine along with 36 table games. Other than the casino also provides banquet and dining facilities.

54 km
from city center 81 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Harrah’s Joliet Casino & Hotel operated by Caesars entertainment initially began in 1990 as a downtown revitalization effort. It is a riverboat casino spanning up to 40,00 square feet in gaming space equipped with 1,138 slot machines and 31 table games. Besides the allure of the games, Harrah’s Joliet also offers a relaxing stay in one of its 204 hotel rooms. It is also equipped with four restaurants where visitors can indulge in a variety of dining choices.

64 km
from city center 82 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Blue Chip Casino and Hotel initially started in 1997 as a three-deck gaming board, in 2000 - a hotel complex was added and in 2002 - the third deck was expanded to accommodate a gaming space of 42,500 square feet. Classic Table games like Blackjack, roulette, craps to progressive Jackpots - Visitors can experience it all here. The Casino also offers Fanduel Sportsbook equipped with 5 betting windows with 22 television screens, a Poker Room, and slots.

62 km
from city center 83 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

The Hollywood Casino Joliet is 46 minutes away from Chicago. The Casino is a 50,000 square foot area equipped with table games like blackjack, roulette, and craps; it also has the highest number of penny slots in Joliet with around 1,100 slot games including video poker machines and popular slots like Lightning Link, 88 Fortunes, Fast Cash and others. Sportsbook is also available which allows you to bet on sports offline and online. They also offer a variety of dining choices with their in-house restaurants.

58 km
from city center 84 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Hollywood Casino Aurora established in 1993 was the first riverboat casino by Hollywood Casino Corp. The 53,000 square feet casino has 1,000 slot machines and 21 table games ranging from Poker to Mini-Baccarat. Other than these, it also offers live music entertainment on Saturdays and is equipped with 3 restaurants- Fairbanks Steakhouse, Epic Buffet, and Take-Two Deli where visitors can experience an array of dining facilities.

13 km
from city center 85 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Trinity Church Chicago is a non - denominational church that falls in the larger Confluence Sphere of the Newfrontier Churches. It strives to convey the final authority of the bible, Jesus’s divinity, the trinity, and the Holy Spirit across individuals of different walks of life - culturally, economically; transcending generations and bringing individuals together to create a strong community.

3 km
from city center 86 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

City Church Chicago was founded in 2010 by Kent and Alli Munsey and in 2014, the church joined the Hillsong Family. The Church strives to propagate the message of Jesus Christ to the city of Chicago in a new perspective with relevant echoes in their daily life to strengthen the community and bring forth change in the world.

1 km
from city center 87 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

First United Methodist Church of Chicago is located at the Chicago Temple Building - the tallest church building in the world ( a 173-meter tall skyscraper). It is an inclusive institution that offers diverse worship experiences, strives to nurture individuals, and is committed to the cause of social justice. Their vision statement is to reflect the grace and love of all accepting God and be a pioneering spirit in the search for new ways to “follow wherever Christ leads”. The Church also conducts various sermons, ministries & programs and also hosts wedding ceremonies.

12 km
from city center 88 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

The foundation of the First Evangelical Free Church of Chicago goes back to the 1840s Revival Movement in Sweden. The Historic Church was founded in 1880 when a group of Swedish immigrants formed a congregation. It strives to celebrate the lives transformed by Jesus Christ and adheres to the biblical authority with emphasis on the Gospel and the need for compassionate outreach.

4 km
from city center 89 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Renewal Church of Chicago, located within the Wells High School was a start-up by Derrick and Kaley Puckett in the hope to renew lives and bring together people through the teachings of the gospel. The Church is well known for its celebratory traditions, the city’s remarkable sports events, festivals, and shows. (Wells High School)

6 km
from city center 90 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Covenant Presbyterian Church initially started in 1981 as a gathering of like-minded individuals led by two students from the Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and in 1982 it formally organized as a Presbyterian Church. The Cathedral was formerly occupied by the All Saints of Polish National Catholic Church, popularly also known as the White Cathedral. The structure is visible from the Kennedy Expressway and is considered a colossal Polish Church.

10 km
from city center 91 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

First Unitarian Church of Chicago is a Unitarian Universalist church founded under the leadership of Minister Charles Follen on the 26th of July, 1836. It is one of the oldest churches in Chicago. The Church embraces a wide variety of personal beliefs and belief systems and welcomes individuals from various religious backgrounds, cultures, races, genders, and sexual orientations.

0 km
from city center 92 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Grace Episcopal Church established in 1851 by parishioners of the Trinity Church is the 3rd oldest Church in Chicago. Popularly also known as the Grace Place, the 3- story redbrick structure of the late 19th Century is a historic landmark of Chicago City. In the mid-80s, the Church shared its facility with the Christ the King Lutheran Church, and consequently in the later years with many other faith communities.

9 km
from city center 93 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

The First Baptist Church of Chicago was founded on the 19th of October 1833, as its name state is the oldest Baptist Church in Chicago. It is regarded as the outset of various ministries throughout the city as many were set up by the former members of the FBCC ( such as the Tabernacle Baptist Church, YMCA, and so on). The Church strives for the advancement of the kingdom of Christ through public worship, teachings of the gospel, personal evangelism, spiritual growth of individuals, and a consistent Christian lifestyle.

2 km
from city center 94 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

The merge of two pre-established congregations, The North Presbyterian Church and the Westminister Presbyterian Church led to the formation of the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago on the 12th of February 1871. The Church organizes various outreach programs to advocate for justice and peace and propagate God’s unconditional love for all. The initially dedicated building of the Church was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, the current Church building was built in 1912 under the architect Ralph Adams Cram in the Gothic revival style.

10 km
from city center 95 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Peoples Church of Chicago located in the historic Preston Bradley Center in uptown is a community of Christian Unitarian Universalist. The Church honors and welcomes individuals from different walks of life without any discrimination of sexuality, sexual orientation, race, and economic standing. It is deeply rooted within the community and embraces diversity and freedom of thought. It strives to establish itself as a peaceful place of worship that facilitates the exchange of ideas and appreciates differences.

7 km
from city center 96 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Christ Church of Chicago has its beginning as a Japanese - American congregation, but recently it is striving to re-establish itself as an Open and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ. It welcomes the participation of individuals from various ethnic identity and backgrounds, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, faith, and abilities. The Church also offers martial arts classes and organizes various cultural events such as the Kodomo no Hi (Festivals for Children), Akimatsuri ( Autumn Food Festival), Mochi Tsuki ( Traditional Japanese New Year’s Celebration).

3 km
from city center 97 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

St John Cantius Church, a historic church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago is renowned for its architectural beauty and unique programs of solemn liturgies, sacred art, and music. At a height of 40 m, the St John Cantius is one of the many churches that dominate over the Kennedy Expressway. It’s Baroque style interior, reminiscent of the art and architecture of 18th century Krakow has remained intact over the century. In recent times, the church has become the focal point for the revival of the Traditional Catholic rituals and devotion that had fallen out of practice after the Second Vatican Council.

4 km
from city center 98 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Village Church Chicago was started by a diverse group of individuals from the Ukrainian Village and the encircling neighborhood area with the purpose to bring about welfare within the city and the residents. It is a part of the Evangelical Free Church of America and preaches the belief in One God - the creator of all things, the Holy Spirit, the bible, Jesus Christ and his teachings, the Church and abide by the Christian way of living.

2 km
from city center 99 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

The Church of the Holy Family founded in 1857 by Jesuit missioner, Fr. Arnold Damen, SJ was the first Jesuit Church in Chicago. It is one of the five structures to survive the Chicago fire in 1871 and is the City’s only example of Pre- Civil war Victorian Architecture. It also houses the oldest stained glass windows in Chicago - made in 1860 by W.H. Carse Co. The Church is an embodiment of the cultural and ethnic diversity of Chicago - even though the original congregation was dominated mainly by Irish immigrants, the church welcomed masses of immigrants to the city earning the name Ellis Island of the Midwest.

1 km
from city center 100 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Old St. Patrick’s Church also known as St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church or St. Pat’s is the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Chicago. It survived the Great Chicago Fire and is also often referred to as the “cornerstone of Irish Culture” in Chicago. It was added to the National Register of Historic places in 1977 and in present-day it is well renowned for the annual summer block party that it hosts.

4 km
from city center 101 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Holy Trinity Polish Catholic Church is associated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. The structure of the building is grand and opulent - a prime example of the Polish Cathedral style of Churches, reminiscent of the many churches built during the middle ages in Poland. The most distinctive feature of the Holy Trinity would be the catacombs. It was inspired by the underground cemetery meeting places where Christians met while Christianity was forbidden in the Roman Empire. The catacombs are open to the public on Sundays after Masses.

18 km
from city center 102 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Brookfield Zoo or the Chicago Zoological Park is home to over 450 species and sees around two million guests every year. It is spread across 216-acres and is managed by the Chicago Zoological Society. The zoo has around 20 exhibits and it organizes various community and corporate events as well as family play programs. Some of the animals in the zoo are Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic walrus, African lions, Snow leopards, and many more.

41 km
from city center 103 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Cosley Zoo is a unique zoo located in Wheaton, Illinois, about 30 miles from Chicago. What makes it stand out is the fact that it houses native Illinois wildlife and farm animals. This setup promises great learning opportunity to the natives and is a brilliant place for visitors to explore the local wildlife. Cosley Zoo is spread across five acres and is home to the white-tailed deer, red fox, Blanding’s turtles, bobcat, coyote, and the black-crowned night heron among others.

57 km
from city center 104 out of 202
Things To Do in Chicago

Located about 42 miles from Chicago, Philips Park Zoo is situated in Aurora, Illinois. It opened with the focus of being home to exotic animals but now houses a wide variety of native animals too. It provides free of cost access to all visitors with the vision to provide a supportive learning environment through recreation and education to all.