FUN THINGS TO DO NEAR LISLE, IL

Downtown Lisle

Looking for free things to do in Lisle? Check out Downtown Lisle — a popular pedestrian-friendly spot lined with retail stores, restaurants and beautiful scenery. Flowers, grasses and trees make this garden-like area a popular tourist destination.

As you explore the area, be sure to check out the famous fountain located near the entrance to the Garden Walk, as well as PrairieWalk Pond, a 4.5-acre recreational area with walking trails and a 2-acre pond. Downtown Lisle is a great place to explore on a day off.

The Morton Arboretum

The Morton Arboretum is a public garden and outdoor museum dedicated to the planting and conservation of trees. The 1,700-acre arboretum is home to more than 222,000 live plants representing nearly 4,300 species from around the world. On the grounds, you can explore the visitors center, Arboretum Store, Ginkgo Restaurant and Café, one-acre Maze Garden and nine miles of roads and 16 miles of trails.

Museums at Lisle Station Park

Visitors to the Museums at Lisle Station Park have the opportunity to learn about the heritage and culture of 19th century northern Illinois. This agricultural community was settled in 1832 and the area became known as Lisle Station due to its connection to the railroad depot. The area offers a variety of museum exhibits and historic buildings to explore, including a blacksmith shop, depot museum and farmhouse.

Four Lakes Ski Recreation

If you love winter sports, look no further than Four Lakes Recreation in Lisle. The area is great for skiing and has something for all skill levels. During the summer, Four Lakes offers a variety of activities, including tennis, volleyball, golf, a swimming pool and much more. It’s the perfect place to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors —no matter the season!

Sea Lion Aquatic Park

If you’re looking for inexpensive things to do in Lisle, check out Sea Lion Aquatic Park. This award-winning water park has a large open-swim area, slides, a vortex pool, a splash playground and much more. It’s a great place to cool off on a hot summer day! Admission fees range from $4 to $11 depending on the activity and time of day and season passes are available for Lisle residents and nonresidents.

Willis Tower

Lisle isn’t far from Chicago — the most populous city in Illinois and the third-most-populous city in the United States! Chicago is full of fun things to see and do, including Willis Tower, a 110-story, 1,450-foot skyscraper. Located in the heart of downtown, the tower is an American icon with a rich history.

Today, the tower is home to more than 100 businesses and is one of the tallest buildings in the world. If you visit the tower, be sure to check out the famous Ledge — a glass box that extends 4.3 feet from the building’s Skydeck!

Navy Pier

Also located in Chicago is Navy Pier, a 3,300-foot-long pier located on the shore of Lake Michigan. This Chicago landmark offers plenty of things to see and do, including rides and games, live entertainment, shopping, art and exhibitions, cruises, tours of the city and much more. The pier is free and open to the public year-round; however some rides and attractions require the purchase of tickets, like bus tours and shows at the theater.

Chicagoland Speedway

Opened in 2001, Chicagoland Speedway is a 1.5-mile, tri-oval speedway in Joliet, Illinois. The speedway hosts NASCAR racing and the opening event of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Chicagoland has also hosted IndyCar Series events.

Racing enthusiasts from around the country travel to this speedway and for a good reason! The track’s event calendar and ticket pricing can be found on its website.

Byron Dragway

Byron Dragway is a quarter-mile dragstrip that opened in 1964. Best known as the site of the World Power Wheel Standing Championships, this track hosts a variety of one-of-a-kind events, including Meltdown Drags. The family owned track is known as “The Playground of Power,” and creates memories for race fans and racers alike.

Rockford Speedway

Located about 84 miles from campus in Loves Park, Illinois, Rockford Speedway is a quarter-mile, high-banked, asphalt racetrack with grandstand seating on both sides. The speedway is a NASCAR home track and is northern Illinois’ oldest professional and continuous sports venue. This isn’t an ordinary track — Rockford is known for its innovative events, including trailer races, Eve of Destruction and Night of Thrills. The speedway even welcomes monster trucks! 

There you have it — a list of inexpensive and fun things to do in and around Lisle for students! We hope you enjoy exploring all the area has to offer.

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