Summer will be here before you know it! Do you have plans to travel to Chicago’s southwest suburbs? Maybe you’re visiting Chicago for the first time or moving to the area and wonder what you should explore. In this article we will discuss some entertaining options in Chicago’s southwest suburbs.
Fun Places to Go
First, let’s take a look at some fun places to go.
- Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens
- Old Joliet Prison
- Olympic Star Restaurant
- The Patio
- Plush Ice Cream Shoppe in Tinley Park
- Swallow Cliff Park
- Tinley Park Flea Market
Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens
Lake Katherine Nature Center is open year round and is a great place to explore. The tours are generally 1½ hours long. There are many hiking trails and events offered. Some of the events include:
- Family Fishing Day
- Evening Kayak and Canoe Tours
- Overnight Family Campout
- Monarch Butterfly Celebration
Old Joliet Prison
The Old Joliet Prison tour is another interesting place to go in the southwest suburbs. Jake and Elwood sure knew it well! You can take a tour and learn the history of the prison. People from all over the world come and visit the Old Joliet Prison.
Olympic Star Restaurant
The Olympic Star Restaurant is a family owned and located in Tinley Park. They have been serving the southwest suburbs for more than 40 years. They serve typical breakfast food such as omelets, waffles, pancakes, etc. The menu also includes appetizers, salads, burgers, and a variety of sandwiches.
The Patio
The Patio is a restaurant best known for their BBQ ribs and rotisserie chicken. They have burgers, sandwiches, fish, salads, soups, and desserts on the menu. The Patio also offers a catering service for events such as holiday parties, school luncheons, and other celebrations.
Plush Ice Cream Shoppe
The Plush Ice Cream Shoppe located in Tinley Park has over 70 homemade ice cream flavors to choose from. They also have many cones, cups, and scoop sizes to choose from too. The Plush Ice Cream Shoppe offers ice cream cakes, brownies, and ice cream cake rolls in their in house baking shop.
Swallow Cliff Park
If you’re looking for some good exercise, Swallow Cliff Park is just the place. It’s best known for its 100 foot bluff and stair workout. It was also a former toboggan run. The trail is considered moderately challenging and takes about an hour to complete. It is a popular trail for runners, walkers, hikers, and just an interesting place to explore.
Tinley Park Flea Market
The Tinley Park Flea Market is open every Sunday from April through November. Local sellers are selling antiques, arts, crafts, clothes, furniture, plants, and more. If you want to be a seller, you will be required to pay a seller’s fee and obtain a permit. Parking is free and general admission is $2.00.
Fun Activities
- Odyssey Fun World
- Space Golf
- Psych Escape Room
- Centennial Park Aquatic Center
- Adler Planetarium
- Tinley Park Roller Rink
- Wintrust Sports Complex
- Thunder Bowl
- Chicago Sky Women’s Basketball
Odyssey Fun World
From arcades and gaming to outdoor activities, such as ziplines and bumper boats, Odyssey Fun World is a great place for kids and families. They also have laser tag and miniature golf. The entertaining possibilities seem endless. Odyssey Fun World is the perfect place to host a birthday party, group events, corporate events, and even all-nighters.
Space Golf
Space Golf is an indoor black light golf course. It is an 18 hole course featuring alien planets, robots, and flying saucers along the way. Have you ever played mini golf in 3D glasses? Space Golf is the place to try it. This puts you in a three dimensional landscape with aliens, robots, and more. Space Golf is reasonably priced and is for all ages.
Psych Escape Room
The Psych Escape Room is a challenging and fun place to go with your friends and family. Choose from many different escape rooms and work together to escape. It’s about a 90-minute game and reasonably priced. The escape rooms are generally designed for ages 10+. The Psych Escape Room is a great place for birthday parties, family reunions, team building and more.
Centennial Park Aquatic Center
Centennial Park Aquatic Center is located in Orland Park. It’s a fun water park for the masses. It offers a zero-depth pool with lots of places to sit and watch your kids. There are also two body speed slides. It offers a relaxing ride under bends and waterfalls. Also, the Centennial Park Aquatic Center is open for self-exercise and lap swimming Monday through Friday. Swim classes are also available.
Adler Planetarium
The Adler Planetarium is a fun place to learn and explore. They offer exhibits, shows and other events. It is a place for all ages. The museum connects visitors to the universe. The Adler Planetarium reaches many people such as STEM groups, sky watching events, and more. They also reach people from all over the globe through their digital Adler experience. People can also enjoy the Adler Planetarium from their own homes, schools, libraries, etc.
Tinley Park Roller Rink
While you’re in Tinley Park, go spend some time at the Tinley Park Roller Rink. You can rent or buy skates there. It’s fun for all ages. The rink is a great place to host birthday parties, skate sessions and other private events. The Tinley Park Roller Rink offers several packages to choose from.
Wintrust Sports Complex
Located in Bedford Park, Wintrust Sports Complex is a great activity center for families. From everything from laser tag to arcade games to a fully stocked bar, there is fun for the entire family. It
Thunder Bowl
There are many fun options at Thunder Bowl. Go bowling, play in the arcade or even play a game of billiards. Thunder Bowl is a great place for parties and events. They also offer lunch, dinner, and even catering services.
Chicago Sky Women’s Basketball
If you’re an avid basketball fan, go watch former Gonzaga University point guard Courtney Vandersloot and the Chicago Sky play. You may even get a chance to watch history in the making.
Whether you’re new to Chicago’s Southwest suburbs or have lived there for years, summer doesn’t have to be boring. Sports, arcades, water parks, restaurants and more! Hopefully, this is only the beginning of your list of places to see and activities to do. Don’t waste anymore time; get out there and explore!
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Guest Writer Katie Meyers is an SEO Specialist at SEO Design Chicago. Before joining the SEO Design Chicago team, she interned for them, as well as interned as a Content Writer at HZD Creates. Katie is from Washington State and has an AA and a Social Media Marketing Certificate.