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.
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