The 20 Best Things to do in Schaumburg, IL
Located around 30 miles northwest of Chicago, the village of Schaumburg offers much more than you’d expect of a small suburb. With top-notch malls to indulge in some retail therapy, world-class galleries and museums for a culture fix, not to mention dozens of nature trails, parks, amusement centers, bars, sculpture parks, and festivals to discover, there’s something here for everyone. If you’re planning a visit, here are the 20 best things to do in Schaumburg, IL.
20. FireZone
If you’re searching for a fun place to take the kids in Schaumburg, be sure to check out FireZone, a unique fire safety activity center and event facility designed for kids aged 2 to 12 years old that takes a fun look at the world of a firefighter. There are experienced firefighters on hand to show visitors the ropes, custom kids fire engines, fire safety programming, interactive firefighting activities and games, mini firefighting costumes for kids to dress up in, educational displays, and a whole lot more besides. Altogether, it combines to create the kind of fun learning experience you’re kids are sure to love. The center also offers team-building events for adults on special arrangement.
19. Chicago Improv
As vacationidea.com points out, Chicago Improv is the go-to spot to watch stand-up comedy, hosting some of the best talent around. Indulge in some top-notch cooking with your comedy by booking a spot at the first show of the night, which comes with a dining option. You’ll need to show up 90 minutes before showtime, but there’s a comfortable waiting area and bar to grab a drink and relax in while you wait.
18. Wintrust Field
Wintrust Field is Schaumburg’s chief stadium and the home of professional Frontier League baseball team, the Schaumburg Boomers. Although it’s primarily used for baseball, you might also be able to catch a lacrosse or softball game there, depending on the season. If you’re planning a big group outing, the stadium offers several special areas to enjoy an unbeatable view of the game (and tuck into an all-you-can buffet while you do), including luxury suites designed for groups of 17, 25, or 35 people, the Miller Lite Deck, which can accommodate groups of 100 – 200, and the super swanky Schaumberg Club.
17. Trickster Art Gallery
Schaumburg’s Trickster Art Gallery is the only Native American-owned and operated arts center in Illinois, offering a wealth of Native arts and multicultural programming for visitors to enjoy. As Afar.com points out, the range of art and events on offer is vast, ranging from handmade crafts to paintings, touring exhibitions to workshops, poetry readings to book signings. There’s even an open-mike night. Check out post-’60s art in the permanent collection, take a walk among the traditional medicinal plants in the garden, or flick through the books in the library – as a way of learning more about Native American history and culture, it’s unmissable.
16. Meineke Recreation Center
If you’re itching for a workout, take the advice of thetouristchecklist.com and head for the Meineke Recreation Center. The center boasts a huge number of facilities, including an Olympic-sized swimming pool with diving boards, an indoor running track, and a well-equipped fitness center stocked with multiple treadmills, stair climbers, and other cardio equipment, along with leg presses and a weights and bench area. If you prefer to sweat it out in company, the center offers numerous fitness classes you can get involved in.
15. The Hideout
If you’ve always secretly suspected you could give the Beyonce’s of the world a run for their money, stop singing into your hairbrush at home and show everyone what you’re made of at Schaumburg’s premier karaoke bar. Offering up the very latest in karaoke technology, a huge collection of karaoke songs to choose from, and a captive audience to boot, The Hideout guarantees a hugely enjoyable evening that no would-be popstar should miss.
14. Legoland Discovery Center
Schaumburg is home to some great kid-friendly destinations, including the perennially popular Legoland Discovery Center. Although it’s aimed for kids 3 to 10 years old, there’s enough on offer to keep the whole family entertained, with a 4D cinema, a build and test zone where kids can create their own Lego masterpieces, two hugely fun interactive rides, one of a kind Lego exhibits, and play zones. There’s also a Lego shop to pick up some souvenirs and a cafe for snacks. Younger kids aged 5 years and below will love the special activities on Toddler Tuesdays, while special events can be celebrated in the Birthday Rooms.
13. Mastermind Escape Games
If you’re looking for a super fun place to test your mental skills, gather up a few friends and head for Mastermind Escape Games. The center features a range of escape rooms like Sorcerer’s Secret, Bank Heist, Outbreak: Find the Cure and Lost in Time, all of which will give your brain a workout as you race against the clock to find the clues and solve your way out of the room.
12. Salt Creek Park Forest Preserve
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy some time in nature, make the short drive over to Salt Creek Park Forest Preserve. Located just 10 miles out of Schaumburg, the preserve is a wonderful place for fishing, hiking, canoeing, and picnicking. In winter, you can also try some cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Keep your eyes peeled for the abundant wildlife that peppers the area, including red-headed woodpeckers, bur oaks, hickories, and black oars.
11. Medieval Times
Party like it’s 1099 at Medieval Times, a dinner theater chain with a difference. Designed to transport guests back to the Spanish middle ages with jousting knights, sword fighting, falcons, medieval games, and, of course, an 11th-century banquet (eaten without cutlery for the authentic medieval experience) to tuck into while you enjoy the spectacle, it’s a unique, one of a kind experience that will leave you enthralled from beginning to end. Before you settle down to enjoy the show, make a quick tour of the Halls of Arms to admire the weapons and medieval decor before testing your nerve in the Museum of Torture.
10. Schaumburg Farmers Market
If your kitchen needs re-stocking, take the advice of travellens.co and head for Schaumburg Farmers Market. Held each Friday from June to October from 7 am to 1 pm in the parking lot of Trickster Cultural Centre, the market attracts dozens of local farmers and vendors selling everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to meat and dairy products, plants and flowers to baked goods and crafts. Whether you want some coffee and cakes or pasta and olives, this is the place to get them.
9. GameWorks
For some first-rate entertainment, GameWorks is a must-visit. A fun fusion of amusement center and sports bar, the center is a highly popular venue with locals thanks to its multi-level game floor. With a combination of old-school arcade games that will take you back to your childhood and brand new experiences like virtual reality games and challenge games, you’re guaranteed a blast. There’s also an esports lounge where you can catch up with friends over a beer or cocktail and tuck into some tasty eats. Daily drink specials and a Happy Hour menu will let you enjoy the experience to the max without denting your wallet.
8. Woodfield Mall
If you’re craving a spot of retail therapy, head for Woodfield Mall, a vast shopping center that’s home to a huge variety of department stores, high street brands, and luxury boutiques. Pick up some fashionable accessories at H&M, update your wardrobe at Zara, or splash out on something special from Michael Kors. If all the shopping gives you an appetite, there’s a wealth of salad bars and restaurants to refuel at.
7. Volkening Lake
On a sunny day, there’s no better place to escape the hustle and bustle and relax in the sunshine than Volkening Lake. The scenic spot is a hugely popular place for paddling along the shoreline, picnicking, bird watching, fishing, or exploring the surrounding hiking trails. If you want to get out onto the glistening waters of the lake, canoes and paddleboats are available for rent. Despite its popularity, the lake never feels crowded, making it a great place to while away a relaxing, peaceful day in beautiful surroundings.
6. Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology
A museum dedicated to anesthesiology might not sound like a barrel of laughs, but the fascinating Wood Library Museum of Anesthesiology might just surprise you. Via a vast collection of special exhibitions, artifacts, books, photographs, multimedia, and specialist equipment used in the profession, it presents an intriguing timeline of the history of anesthesia and anesthesiology. Find out more about the people, places, and milestone developments that shaped the field through its vast multimedia collection, or make an appointment to check out the books in the rare book room. Educational but fun to boot, it’s a must-visit.
5. Prairie Center for the Arts
Enjoy a show at the Prairie Center for the Arts, an intimate 442 seat venue that hosts a huge array of local, national, and international acts throughout the year. The annual schedule is packed with a thrilling combination of music, theatrical productions, and dance performances, along with a hugely popular program of free outdoor concerts in the summer. With so many different types of performances on offer, there’s always guaranteed to be something on the schedule to suit your taste. The center also includes a fascinating collection of exhibits at the Herb Aigner Gallery, along with youth programs in music, dance, and theater.
4. Schaumburg Septemberfest
If there’s one event in the Schaumburg calendar you won’t want to miss, it’s the annual Septemberfest. Held each year at the Schaumburg Municipal Centre Grounds during the Labour Day weekend in September, the festival includes a huge amount of fun activities to get involved in, including talent shows, arts and crafts shows, beauty pageants, and a parade. There are also fireworks, live music, activities for kids, and a huge choice of food and beverage stalls. Admission is free.
3. Bison’s Bluff Nature Playground
As trip101.com points out, there are plenty of fun activities for your kids to enjoy at the kid-centric Bison’s Bluff Nature Playground. Just a sample of the activities and attractions on offer include a sand area for building castles, a rock stream for wading, a jungle playhouse-style climbing area, and fun learning centers such as a music zone where little ones can learn how to create their own music with kid-friendly instruments. All of the events are supervised, so you can either settle into the comfy sitting area to watch them play or leave them to get on with it while you enjoy a pleasant stroll around the park.
2. Spring Valley
A huge, 135-acre area of streams, marshes, fields, and forests, Spring Valley is a must-visit for nature lovers. The outdoor living museum offers visitors the chance to learn more about the nature and history of the area through a range of activities and attractions, which include a nature center with natural history displays and informative exhibits, over three miles of handicapped-accessible hiking trails, and a fascinating 1880s living history farm where visitors can enjoy a wagon ride and learn more about the life and times of Schaumberg’s 19th-century German farming community. Historically dressed guides are on hand to answer any questions you might have. Just a few of the popular activities enjoyed here include birdwatching, hiking, sketching, and photography. Best of all, admission won’t cost you a dime.
1. Chicago Athenaeum International Sculpture Park
If you’ve got a passion for architecture, don’t miss a visit to Chicago Athenaeum International Sculpture Park, the US’s first and so far only museum of architecture and design. Set over 20 acres of meadows and forest, the park was created in 1988 by Greek architect and artist Ioannis Karalias as a means to display the Chicago Athenaeum’s collection of contemporary sculpture. As chi-athenaeum.org notes, many of the sculptures were bought into the gardens in the ’90s, and reflect the abstract aesthetic of that time. There are also several more evocative pieces like the Vineland sculpture by Jarle Rosseland, which is designed to resemble a Viking shop.
