- Our list of the best things to do in Des Plaines, Illinois, features the top 844 nearby activities — including 339 great attractions with user approval ratings of 90% or more!
- Des Plaines, IL has a variety of great sights and experiences nearby. Top categories include: Outdoor Places, Amusement, Entertainment & Shows, and Sports & Fitness.
- The results below include the top 21 things to do within the city of Des Plaines, IL , followed by 823 popular activities in nearby cities, including Chicago, Oak Park, Evanston, Skokie, Glenview, West Chicago, Lombard, Wheaton, Schaumburg, Highland Park, Waukegan, Niles, Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Downers Grove, Arlington Heights, Glen Ellyn, Geneva, Naperville, Elk Grove Village, Wilmette, Elmhurst, Palatine, St. Charles, Mundelein, Northbrook, Libertyville, Hoffman Estates, Grayslake, Elgin, Park Ridge, Mount Prospect, Woodridge, Bloomingdale, Wheeling, Barrington, Bartlett, Carol Stream, Addison, Cicero, Berwyn, Oak Lawn, Oak Brook, Vernon Hills, Algonquin, Lincolnshire, Lisle, Carpentersville, Forest Park, Rosemont, Streamwood, Bolingbrook, Kankakee, Batavia, Great Lakes and Crystal Lake
Showing 111-120 of
1223
6.0 Miles
63%
63 votes
1227 North Rand Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
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Also known by the anagram H.O.M.E., the House of Music & Entertainment is a live music venue that hosts a variety of nationally touring and local artists. The venue serves food and drink, and hosts private parties.
6.0 Miles
The downtown Recreation Park is the oldest community park in the city. Through new developments, it has expanded to feature a baseball diamond, an indoor gymnasium with a wooden floor, and an Olympic sized pool.
6.0 Miles
Cronin Park includes a playground with swings and play structures, a picnic area with shelter, several benches and a biking and walking path around the park. The park is open nearly all day.
6.0 Miles
Fairy Castle is a live entertainment venue and performance company that specializes in character entertainment for kids' events. The group offers birthday parties, princess parties, and costumed entertainment for all sorts of special events.
6.1 Miles
69%
13 votes
200 Rev Morrison Blvd, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
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The outdoor water-based themepark known as the Rainbow Falls Water Park is open throughout the summer. Visitors can access multiple water slides, two picnic areas, a small vortex pool, children's play area, and a water fun house.
6.2 Miles
84%
91 votes
111 W Campbell St, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
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The Metropolis Performing Arts Center is a 350-seat complex that plays host to comedy and musicals throughout the year. The site is home to the School for Performing Arts and the Metropolis Youth Symphony.
6.2 Miles
Going to the Historic Wagner Farm can be a bit of a learning experience. Visitors can learn about livestock, crops, participate in special events, and visit the heritage center to take part in some interactive exhibits.
6.2 Miles
90%
30 votes
260 N Evergreen Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
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Thrown Elements Pottery is an art gallery and hands-on center that offers visitors the chance to make their own pottery. The gallery hosts events for kids as well as adults, and offers periodic ladies' nights.
6.2 Miles
The 3.7-acre Jaycee Park is a neighborhood park that includes a playground, two tennis courts, two picnic tables, and parking. The playground has a covered tower, a slide, and climbing obstacles.
6.3 Miles
53%
179 votes
7000 Carpenter Road, Skokie, IL 60077
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An 18-screen movie theater, AMC Showplace Village Crossing 18 displays first-run feature films along with independent films using digital projection. The theater provides stadium seating, theater rentals and a concession area with food and drinks.