ABCs of Chicago Southland Family Fun

A is for Attractions - From family fun centers to horse shows to sporting venues, you’ll find a fun activity for anyone!

B is for Bicycling - The Chicago Southland boasts miles of cycling trails and the Big Marsh Bike Park.

C is for Carnival - Throughout the summer and fall seasons, you’ll find community festivals full of carnival rides and games.

D is for Dave & Buster's - A 24,000-square-foot restaurant and entertainment facility full of food and fun!

E is for Egret - The Chicago Southland’s forest and nature preserves are home to scores of wildlife - among them the great egret.

F is for Food - With a huge variety of ethnic cuisines and eateries, you’ll be able to find whatever you’re craving.

G is for Golf - With over 600 holes, the Chicago Southland is an ideal spot for a golfer’s getaway.

H is for Hotels - You’ll find comfortable accommodations throughout the area, including the Chicago Southland’s first boutique hotel, La Banque.

I is for Indoor Racing - Accelerate Indoor Speedway & Events lets you fill that need for speed on an indoor track where there’s no need to worry about the weather.

J is for Jig - Get your Irish on and do an old-fashioned jig during the Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Fest that takes place Memorial Weekend.

K is for Kayaking - Take time to enjoy kayaking in one of the Chicago Southland’s lakes or waterways.

L is for Lotton Art Glass Gallery & Studios - See works of art being created out of hot glass by experienced glass blowers.

M is for Music - Listen to local bands, orchestras, college bands and big-name stars at a multitude of live music venues.

N is for Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park - You’ll be wowed by this outdoor sculpture park on the campus of Governors State University.

O is for Orland Square - With three amazing anchors, Von Maur, Macy’s and JCPenney, you can shop-till-you-drop for the latest in fashion, jewelry, cosmetics, and more at one of 150+ shops.

P is for Passion - The Shrine of Christ’s Passion is a 30-acre site featuring 40 life-sized sculptures in realistic scenes resembling a journey through the Holy Land.

Q is for Quarry - The Chicago Southland is home to one of the largest quarries in the world. The Paarlberg Homestead, built in 1870, has a foundation of stone mined from the quarry.

R is for Railroad - The Southland is full of railroads and train-themed attractions where you can learn about rail history or watch trains roll down the track.

S is for Soccer - Visit SeatGeek Stadium to see professional women’s soccer and some of the Chicago Red Stars players that helped lead the USA to a FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019.

T is for Toss - toss a disc at one of 173 holes and twelve disc golf courses.

U is for Union Street Gallery - Take some time to see the works of local artists and peruse the gift shop.

V is for Veterans Memorials - Visit one of fifteen memorials dedicated to those who have served their country in the Armed Forces.

W is for Waterfall - Take in the beauty of the man-made waterfall at Lake Katherine Nature Center.

X is for Xylophone - One of the many instruments you will hear at an Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra concert.

Y is for Yelling, as you cheer on the Chicago Hounds at SeatGeek Stadium, Chicago's professional rugby team. 

Z is for Zoo - The Chicago Zoological Society’s Brookfield Zoo Chicago will amaze animal lovers with habitats and encounters of all kinds.