Even though it is most known for being the location of the enormous Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, which is a suburb of Chicago, has a lot more going for it than just that. In addition to the hundreds of stores and restaurants, the shopping center also has a wide variety of intriguing tourist activities, performances, and natural areas for guests to explore during their time there.
It is consistently listed among the greatest locations to live in Illinois, and it is located just a half an hour’s drive to the northwest of the vibrant downtown area of the Windy City. Despite the fact that it is still classified as a village for official purposes, the little city serves as an important economic center for the Golden Corridor. This is due to the fact that various large firms have their headquarters in the town.
O’Hare International Airport is located in close proximity to the city, which makes it convenient for both locals and visitors from outside the area to take use of the city’s exceptional public facilities and parks. Schaumburg is a wonderful area to spend some time due to the fact that it is home to a number of fantastic performing venues as well as attractions that are enjoyable for people of all ages.
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Library serving Schaumburg Township and the surrounding area.
The Schaumburg Township District Library, which is considered one of the most significant institutions in the city, can be found along one side of the picturesque town square. You may use the internet here, check out books, and have a drink in the café all while taking in the many pieces of public art that are spread out around the building.
Since its founding in 1962, it has expanded to become the state’s second biggest public library. In addition to its original location in Hanover Park, it currently includes branches in both Hoffman Estates and Hanover Park. The community is welcome to make use of the library’s well-equipped meeting rooms as well as its quiet reading places, in addition to the enormous collection of books, periodicals, and articles that it has.
A huge fireplace, a café, and a fantasy area for children are located on-site, in addition to an attractive art collection and glass sculptures created by Dale Chihuly. To put the cherry on top of it all, the helpful and warm-hearted staff members will make you feel perfectly at home right away and will assist you in locating everything you could be searching for.
Center for the Arts in the Prairie
The Prairie Center for the Arts, which is regarded as one of the best entertainment venues in the region, can be found within easy walking distance of the town’s central business district. Fantastic events, including plays, musicals, and concerts, are often staged in the little theater, making it accessible to both residents and visitors looking to get a taste of what the area has to offer.
The modest arts center was inaugurated for the first time in 1986 and is housed in a contemporary structure that looks out over a park and lake that are both reflected. In addition to the fact that every seat in the theatre has an unobstructed view of the performance area, the outstanding acoustics make it an ideal location to take in an exciting concert, play, or dance performance.
During the summer months, it hosts a wide variety of spectacular outdoor concerts, shows, and community activities, at which young people’s choirs and orchestras take the stage alongside well-known international stars.
Medieval Times
Medieval Times has been a longtime favorite of families living in and around Schaumburg because it is an entertaining and unique entertainment that is unlike any other. Visitors cheer on armored knights on horses as they engage in jousting and sword fighting as part of a competition to earn the favor of their queen. This takes place as guests eat a magnificent feast consisting of four courses.
On the northern outskirts of town, you’ll find this massive structure in the style of a castle, as well as a big indoor arena. Both of these features are easily identifiable. The family dinner theatre is one of ten such venues located around the United States and Canada, and it has earned a high reputation for its exhilarating shows and spectacular horsemanship.
You applaud and jeer the knights as they ride around the arena, jousting and fighting as you have a delectable dinner and drink from goblets. After meeting some of the outstanding performers and seeing falcons soar over the stadium, you can make a pit stop at the gift store and take a guided tour of the torture museum located inside.
Septemberfest
When the raucous and exciting September Fest is being held in Schaumburg in the autumn, it is one of the greatest times of the year to pay the city a visit. Enjoyable activities include a stunning arts and crafts fair, a carnival, and a fireworks display. This event also has superb entertainment spread over three outdoor stages.
The event has been held annually in September since 1970, and its many booths, stages, and stalls now encompass a massive area near to both the Prairie Center and the sculpture park. Large groups of people from inside the state and from other states go to the festival in order to soak in the atmosphere, see the free entertainment, and watch the parade loaded with floats.
Playing games at the fun fair and watching fireworks light up the sky on the last evening of the festival are two of the many things that attendees may do during the festival. Other activities include browsing the festival’s assortment of handcrafted goods and trying out some scrumptious foods.
Trickster Art Gallery
The Trickster Art Gallery is a wonderful destination to visit because it sheds insight on the rich history and culture of the Native Americans who originally inhabited this area. In addition to browsing all of its artworks and exhibitions, you may visit its store or take in a cultural performance; in addition, there is a play area for children to enjoy inside the museum.
It is located smack dab in the middle of the city, and its enormous white edifice dominates one side of the Schaumburg Town Square. The grassy grounds that surround it are spread out in all directions. On each of the two large levels that make up the cultural center, you will discover a multitude of historical items as well as stunning pieces of art. The histories and customs of different Native American tribes are the subject of some displays, while others honor the veterans of those tribes and recount the tales of their accomplishments in the military.
In addition to all of this, the art gallery routinely holds music evenings and community dance acts, and some spectacular sculptures and public art pieces have also been installed outside of the building.
Woodfield Shopping Center
Woodfield Mall is by far the biggest shopping mall in the state of Illinois, therefore it is almost impossible to go to Schaumburg without making a stop there at some point during your trip. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the state, this seemingly never-ending complex has a mind-bogglingly large number of retail stores, dining establishments, and entertainment facilities.
It first opened its doors in 1971, and since then, it has seen tremendous growth, with the addition of around 300 shops and restaurants spread throughout its three large levels. In this category are included everything from well-known brands and specialized boutiques to fan-favorite food court vendors and upscale dining establishments.
In addition to shopping till you drop, you can always sit down, have a cup of coffee, go bowling, or play games in the spacious lounge that the shopping center provides. Adults will enjoy the laugh-a-minute comedy club at the Legoland Discovery Center even more than their children will enjoy the Peppa Pig World of Play or the Legoland Discovery Center.
Chicago Improv
A night of hilarious stand-up comedy at the well-known Chicago Improv is another one of the many amazing events that you should attend. You may witness world-class performers and hilarious headliners at its hip location, which is located in the enormous Woodfield Mall. In addition, up-and-coming comedians get the opportunity to hone their skills on stage.
Guests have the option of grabbing a bite to eat at the establishment’s restaurant or sitting down at the hip bar to enjoy a flavorful drink while they wait for the performance to begin. You may have a good view of the stage from any one of the venue’s many tables or chairs, where the anticipation, excitement, and general vibe are all progressively rising as the concert time draws closer.
A few of warm-up performances get the audience moving before your favorite artist enters the stage, with the excellent sound and soft lighting just adding to the mood. The Chicago Improv is a destination that should not be skipped if you are in the area since you are practically likely to have a wonderful time there.
The Valley of Spring
After a day filled with sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment, it is well worth your time to take an afternoon to rest, relax, and spend some time in the great outdoors. You may go on a trek along Spring Valley’s lovely paths and discover a history farm that dates back to the eighteenth century when you visit the scenic Spring Valley.
The expansive park’s various meadows, woodlands, and marshes make one feel as if they are a world away from the heart of Schaumburg, despite the park’s close proximity to the city center. You have a good chance of seeing birds, deer, and ducks as you stroll leisurely along its meandering trails, and the park’s remarkable nature center will educate you on all of the local flora and fauna as you learn about it there.
In addition to the charming arboretum and the exciting Bison’s Bluff Nature Playground, visitors to the Volkening Heritage Farm may explore all of the old buildings on the property. The museum’s displays and costumed interpreters provide visitors with an insight into what life was like in the 1880s for the rural German agricultural community.
Discovery Center at Legoland
The Legoland Discovery Center is without a doubt the most exciting attraction for the majority of the park’s younger guests. The enormous retail mall in the Streets of Woodfield shopping complex is just across the street from the spectacular themed attractions, play areas, and 4D theater that are located there.
Since it debuted in 2008, children of all ages have been thrilled by the ultimate indoor LEGO playground, which has a wide variety of interactive games, attractions, and construction spaces. Its floors are decked out with incredible animal models and a lifelike reproduction of the surrounding environment. Kingdom Quest and Merlin’s Apprentice are only two of the park’s most popular attractions.
In addition to constructing and racing LEGO vehicles, you may also slide down slides, construct an infinite number of colorful inventions, and pursue an entertaining adventure route. After experiencing all of the fun that the location has to offer, you may choose to unwind in the café or go shopping at the facility.
An international sculpture park known as the Athenaeum.
The Chicago Athenaeum International Sculpture Park is a tranquil and attractive location that can be found just east of the city’s central business district. It covers such a large area, and throughout it there are hundreds of unique art projects that are tucked away in flowerbeds and woodlands.
Its picturesque trails are a joy to amble along, with magnificent sculptures and thought-provoking works of art line the route. The Prairie Center for the Arts is located immediately adjacent to the Prairie Center for the Arts. While some beautiful sculptures show different portions of the body or religious figures, others are more abstract in their presentation. Alongside the towering stone totems and wooden arches, there are a variety of strange forms and shadows.
In addition to all of the park’s engaging masterpieces and interesting public artworks, there is also a calm small lake, flower-filled meadows, and lush lawns on display for visitors to enjoy.