Long before anyone talked about a stadium, Arlington Heights was known for its parks, its walkable downtown around the Metra station and summer traditions like Frontier Days. Here’s a quick guide.
Arlington Heights Park District
Founded in 1925, the park district operates 58 parks on about 457 owned acres plus roughly 259 leased acres (per public reference sources). Highlights:
- Lake Arlington: a 50-acre boating lake with a 1.8-mile walking and biking path.
- Golf: Arlington Lakes Golf Club and Nickol Knoll Golf Club.
- Pools: outdoor pools including Camelot, Frontier, Heritage, Pioneer and Recreation Park.
- Racquet and fitness: Forest View Racquet and Fitness Club and Heritage Tennis Club.
- Recreation Park (500 E. Miner St.), home to Frontier Days.
Current programs and hours are at ahpd.org.
Downtown Arlington Heights
Downtown grew up around the Metra station on Northwest Highway and is packed with restaurants, shops, condos and the village’s cultural venues.
- Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St.: a 329-seat nonprofit theater with five main-stage shows a year, concerts, comedy and a performing arts school.
- Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., founded in 1896.
- Village Hall, 33 S. Arlington Heights Rd.
Frontier Days
Frontier Days marked its 50th year in 2026 (July 1-5) at Recreation Park, with free admission, two music stages, a carnival, the annual Fourth of July parade and sports tournaments. Organizers say the volunteer-run festival has given nearly $3 million back to local groups since 1976.
Other local spots
- Mitsuwa Marketplace, a Japanese grocery and food court on Algonquin Road, is the chain’s only Midwest location (per public reference sources).
- The former Arlington Park: the racetrack opened in 1927, ran its last race in 2021, and its grandstand was demolished in 2023. The site is now owned by the Bears.