Lincolnwood, home to Senior Lifestyle’s Lincolnwood Place community, is a suburban village 10 miles north of Chicago, with a small-town feel near one of the nation’s largest cities.
The area around this Illinois village was originally settled by the native Potawatomis, who traded with French settlers when they arrived. Eventually, the Potawatomi left after the Indian Boundary Treaty of 1816, surrendering the area to American settlers.
With a rich history, beautiful settings and access to Chicago, Lincolnwood is filled with exciting options for things to do.
Find out more about things to do in Lincolnwood, IL, and the nearby area.
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15 Best Things to Do in Lincolnwood and the Chicago Area
Lincolnwood and the surrounding Illinois towns and cities are home to many parks, beaches, museums and other attractions. Here are some of the most popular.
1. American Heartland Ice Arena
The American Heartland Ice Arena in Lincolnwood is considered the premiere public ice facility in the Chicago area.
It features ice sports programs, leagues and events for people of all ages and skill levels. Hockey, ice skating, birthday parties and group outings are offered.
2. Beaches
Chicago’s North Shore features a number of popular beaches. Here of the few of the more notable area beaches:
- Foster Beach – This beach features bike rentals and includes a special section for dogs.
- Kathy Osterman Beach – This natural beach area includes dunes and shallow water.
- Lee Street Beach – This beach in Evanston is popular with families with young children.
- Montrose Beach – This seasonal swimming beach is Chicago’s largest public beach.
North Shore Beach – This popular area is right off Downtown Chicago and abuts the beautiful North Shore Beach Park.
3. Catherine Chevalier Woods
This one-mile link along the Des Plaines River greenway features natural vegetation. Besides woods of oak and hickory, native prairie meadows with colorful flowers greet visitors. You might spot animals like the white-tailed deer, also.
The woods welcomes hiking, walking, bicycling and picnicking. Dogs are welcome if they’re on a leash.
4. Chicago Audubon Society
The Audubon Society advocates for conservation and observation of local native birds and other wildlife. It helps connect people with nature through educational programmig and field trips, along with its research component.
The society sits next to the North Park Village Nature Center Park, a 155-acre facility in Chicago that features a nature preserve. The 46-acre North Park Village Nature Center preserve offers trails through prairies, savanna, wetland and woodlands.
5. Emily Oaks Nature Center
This nature area spreads over 13 acres and features native grasses, oak trees and wildflowers, along with trails and a two-acre pond. Urban wildlife including herons, coyotes, flying squirrels, red foxes and more can be seen.
This nature center sits in Skokie, just a few miles outside of Lincolnwood.
6. Harms Woods
This forest preserve is popular with local residents for hiking and picnicking. It’s split by the Chicago River, with the North Branch Trail to the east and unpaved trails featuring local flora and fauna to the west.
The woods can be entered from either Glenview or Skokie.
7. Henry A. Proesel Park
This Lincolnwood park is a family friendly recreation park. It features an aquatic center, baseball and softball diamonds, basketball courts, tennis courts and more. A pergola and picnic areas are available.
8. Lincolnwood Village Art Gallery
Lincolnwood displays local artists’ pieces in Village Hall, from paintings to photographs to installations. Exhibits typically run for two months.
Visitors are often given an opportunity to meet with the artists when they view exhibits.
9. Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
This museum in nearby Evanston features the art, culture and history of Native Americans throughout the United States and Canada.
Exhibits in art, jewelry, housing and more tell the story of Native Americans. Hands-on experiences are available for children.
10. National Veterans Art Museum
This museum features the art of the veteran experience. Works tell of the experience of combat and after, with an emphasis on the Vietnam conflict.
All artwork and artifacts in this Chicago museum are created by veterans.
11. Norridge Park District
The Norridge Park District features outdoor sports facilities and indoor swimming, exercise and recreation facilities.
This location in nearby Norridge also features programs such as music festivals, movies, dance and senior programs.
12. North Shore Channel Trail
This 13-mile trail passes through Lincolnwood along the North Shore Channel.
The trail is considered an easier walk with scenic views. It’s uncrowded and offers birding and biking opportunities.
13. Skokie Heritage Museum
This museum marks the heritage of nearby Skokie with a preserved Engine House that was used for firefighting, and an original 1847 log cabin.
Artifacts trace the history of the area from settlement through development, along with historical activities and classes for all ages.
14. Valley Line Trail
This short trail is just one mile long, making it an easy hike or ride through the Chicago neighborhood of Sauganash.
The trail is planned to be extended through Lincolnwood to meet the Skokie Valley Trail.
15. Wilmette Historical Museum
This museum features the rich history of nearby Wilmette. Exhibits at the museum feature life in Wilmette throughout the years, and the voices of Wilmette residents. The museum also offers online exhibits about local families and historic events.
Lectures, walking tours and workshops are scheduled regularly, and a book club is run by the museum.
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Live an Active Life at Lincolnwood Place
These are only some of the places in and around Lincolnwood Place that will keep you busy. Life in this Senior Lifestyle community is safe, secure and active. At Lincolnwood Place, you will find classes, fitness, outdoor activities and scheduled visits to some of the locations highlighted above.
Find out more about Lincolnwood Place and other Senior Lifestyle communities. You can also schedule a tour today.