Arlington Heights, IL
May 10th, 2008
Arlington Heights is a village located 25 miles from downtown Chicago, and is one of the city’s popular Northwest suburbs. In its early years, Arlington Heights was called “Dunton,” after William Dunton, who deeded 16 acres of land at the site in 1850 for the Illinois and Wisconsin Railroad Company (later known as the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company). A train depot was built there, and by 1857 there were six trains running between Dunton and Chicago every day. As a result, Dunton became a flourishing commercial center and residential area, with more than 1,000 residents by 1880. The named “Dunton” was changed to “West Wheeling,” and then finally changed to “Arlington Heights” when the village incorporated in 1887. Today Arlington Heights has a population of approximately 75,000 people, and continues to prosper with an expanding commercial and industrial base, not to mention a strong and loyal community that supports it. The village offers a variety of attractions including shopping and dining, performance arts, and outdoor recreation that bring all the excitement of a big city into the peaceful suburban atmosphere that commuters love to retreat to. Downtown Arlington Heights has been highly acclaimed as a vibrant feature and cultural hub of the village with its mixture of local merchants and chain stores, as well as restaurants and theaters—all housed in a pleasing combination of historic and new architecture. The village’s tree-lined streets, expansive park areas, community events, and award-winning schools have made Arlington Heights a popular destination for young families. In addition to a variety of private schools, the village’s public schools include seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and five high schools, many of which have received awards from the state, and even the nation.
Although Arlington Heights is known as a mecca for thirty-somethings, they aren’t the only ones flocking to be a part of this great community. Arlington Heights has many appealing residential neighborhoods that invite people from all walks of life—single professionals, growing families, and empty nesters alike. Homes in Arlington Heights are affordable, and the real estate market is accommodating with a well-rounded inventory of properties big and small to fit everyone’s individual needs. Whether you are a first time homebuyer or a fifth time homebuyer, Arlington Heights has a place for you.
Arlington Heights Attractions
May 10th, 2008
Even though Arlington Heights is a suburban village of Chicago, its attractions make it a unique city in its own right. Arlington Heights offers recreation for people of all interests, including arts and entertainment, a museum and library, and plenty of spaces for sports and outdoor fun.
Arts & Entertainment
One of the village’s star attractions is the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights. The MPAC was ranked in the top 10 largest professional theaters in the Chicago area, alongside legendary venues such as the Ford Center for the Performing Arts and Cadillac Palace Theatre. The theater accommodates 300 people, and its productions range from musicals to live jazz, Shakespeare and children’s plays. The MPAC is also home to a branch of the well-known comedy troupe Second City. Another alluring feature of Arlington Heights is the Arlington Park Racecourse—a 325 acre horseracing facility that hosts exciting events such as the international Arlington Million and the Breeder’s Cup. Throughout the spring, summer, and fall months, Arlington Park also offers its facilities for a variety of cultural events horse-related and otherwise, including art fairs, antique shows, social gatherings, and a fireworks display on July 4th.
Historical Attractions
Just like avid theater-goers and horseracing fans, history buffs also have their place in Arlington Heights at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum. The museum is a five-building complex located near downtown at the site of the Frederick W. Müller home and soda pop factory. Museum guides offer tours of the 1882 Victorian home, the coach house, the 1906 factory, the 1908 Banta House and a replica of an 1830’s log cabin, while revealing the story of Arlington Heights’ 150 year history. The Arlington Heights Historical Museum cooperates with the village’s Memorial Library, which boasts one of the largest collections of materials in the state.
Community Programs and Outdoor Recreation
Arlington Heights’ community is strengthened not only by its arts, entertainment, and historical attractions, but also by the various programs, activities and public green spaces that help residents bond with their neighbors. The Arlington Heights Park District maintains the village’s many public parks, playgrounds and fitness facilities, and also offers programs at the Arlington Heights Senior Center and the Arlington Heights Teen Center, as well as arranging community sporting events, crafting projects and educational activities. Within the last 15 years, the village of Arlington Heights and the Arlington Heights Park District completed two major projects that contributed greatly to the area’s outdoor environment—Lake Arlington and Nickol Knoll Park. Lake Arlington is a 5 acre manmade lake that offers boating and fishing recreation, including sailing and sailing lessons for adults and youth, as well as a walking path around the perimeter. Nickoll Knoll Park, located in the far northwest corner of the village, was once a landfill site, but is now an expansive green space that includes a 9-hole course at Nickol Knoll Golf Club, as well as several ballparks and a walking path. In addition to these major recreation centers, Arlington Heights offers numerous other neighborhood parks, fitness clubs and facilities.
Arts & Entertainment
One of the village’s star attractions is the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights. The MPAC was ranked in the top 10 largest professional theaters in the Chicago area, alongside legendary venues such as the Ford Center for the Performing Arts and Cadillac Palace Theatre. The theater accommodates 300 people, and its productions range from musicals to live jazz, Shakespeare and children’s plays. The MPAC is also home to a branch of the well-known comedy troupe Second City. Another alluring feature of Arlington Heights is the Arlington Park Racecourse—a 325 acre horseracing facility that hosts exciting events such as the international Arlington Million and the Breeder’s Cup. Throughout the spring, summer, and fall months, Arlington Park also offers its facilities for a variety of cultural events horse-related and otherwise, including art fairs, antique shows, social gatherings, and a fireworks display on July 4th.
Historical Attractions
Just like avid theater-goers and horseracing fans, history buffs also have their place in Arlington Heights at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum. The museum is a five-building complex located near downtown at the site of the Frederick W. Müller home and soda pop factory. Museum guides offer tours of the 1882 Victorian home, the coach house, the 1906 factory, the 1908 Banta House and a replica of an 1830’s log cabin, while revealing the story of Arlington Heights’ 150 year history. The Arlington Heights Historical Museum cooperates with the village’s Memorial Library, which boasts one of the largest collections of materials in the state.
Community Programs and Outdoor Recreation
Arlington Heights’ community is strengthened not only by its arts, entertainment, and historical attractions, but also by the various programs, activities and public green spaces that help residents bond with their neighbors. The Arlington Heights Park District maintains the village’s many public parks, playgrounds and fitness facilities, and also offers programs at the Arlington Heights Senior Center and the Arlington Heights Teen Center, as well as arranging community sporting events, crafting projects and educational activities. Within the last 15 years, the village of Arlington Heights and the Arlington Heights Park District completed two major projects that contributed greatly to the area’s outdoor environment—Lake Arlington and Nickol Knoll Park. Lake Arlington is a 5 acre manmade lake that offers boating and fishing recreation, including sailing and sailing lessons for adults and youth, as well as a walking path around the perimeter. Nickoll Knoll Park, located in the far northwest corner of the village, was once a landfill site, but is now an expansive green space that includes a 9-hole course at Nickol Knoll Golf Club, as well as several ballparks and a walking path. In addition to these major recreation centers, Arlington Heights offers numerous other neighborhood parks, fitness clubs and facilities.
