Home to countless restaurants with outdoor patios, a quaint downtown, seemingly endless parks, and year-round community events, it’s easy to see how someone could fall in love with Arlington Heights. We know we did.
The following are 10 reasons why we love Arlington Heights.
Celebrations Aplenty
When it comes to holidays in Arlington Heights, it’s go big or go home. From the highly attended Memorial Day Parade to the nearly famous Frontier Days festival around the Fourth of July, Arlington Heights knows how to throw a party.
Four-Legged Friends Can Hang
Strolling along the streets of downtown Arlington Heights, it doesn’t take long before spotting a four-legged friend. Locals love bringing their pups out and about.
Nearby Canine Commons dog park has three different enclosures for various sized dogs on 1.82 acres of lush outdoor space. Pups can frolic and play while their owners socialize.
Food, Glorious Food
Trust us when we say you’ll want to eat your way through Arlington Heights. The neighborhood boasts spots with tapas and sangria, traditional homemade pizza, and unique culinary fusions.
The best part? Most restaurants offer seasonal outdoor seating where diners can enjoy the local summer concert series. Which brings us to…
Doing Stuff “In The Park”
With Movies in the Park, Concerts in the Park, and a Walk in the Park (no, really!), Arlington Heights is great at providing residents with outdoor fun. The Summer Concert series takes place in Harmony Park and is a big favorite, with residents scattering lawn chairs and blankets across the grass for the evening concert. The concert usually has inevitable spillage onto the street, leaving part of Vail Avenue blocked off for what feels like a twice-weekly block party.
If concerts don’t tickle your fancy, a movie night might. Of course, where else but in Arlington Heights would a movie in the park be complete without a picnic dinner, bounce house, and lawn games?
The fun doesn’t stop there. Arlington Heights’ yearly art walk showcases the finest local artistry, music, ice cream, and food.
The thing we love the most about all of these events? They’re FREE.
An Impressive Performance Scene
In the heart of downtown Arlington Heights lies the Metropolis Performing Arts Center. Giving a stage to shows like Into the Woods and Avenue Q, as well as welcoming artists like The Bacon Brothers, Joan Baez, and Koko Taylor, it’s no surprise this local theater is visited by over 50,000 patrons each year. With hundreds of performances each year, there is truly something for everyone!
Looking for something a little more intimate and cozy? Swing by the Big Shot Piano Lounge. However, don’t let “intimate” confuse you; this place is swinging on a Friday night as patrons request upbeat songs from the pop music charts.
There’s No Place Like Home
Arlington Heights has diverse housing stock. Whether you’re renting a high-rise apartment, looking for a historic home with character, or seeking move-in ready new construction, Arlington Heights has it all. Plus, homes are generally close to the downtown hub – talk about big city feel with small-town charm!
Famous Former Residents
Once Upon a Time actress Jennifer Morrison grew up here, and Ray Croc of McDonald’s fame lived here. Ted Nugent, Walter Payton, and American Idol winner Lee DeWyze also all have ties to Arlington Heights.
Meanwhile, John Hersey High School can be seen in the 2010 remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street.
An Award-Winning Library
The 5-star Arlington Heights Memorial Library has one of the largest collections in the state. And not just that, the award-winning library recently added the John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award to its accolades. The library was recognized for this prestigious award by the American Library Association for its “One Book, One Village” campaign.
Of course, the library is also the center of the Arlington Heights community, hosting engaging events like a yearly art show for its district schools, an annual job fair for local teens, a monthly storytelling series, and summer and winter reading programs.
A Connection to Nature
Lake Arlington is a 50-acre manmade lake. A 2-mile path surrounds the water and is the perfect spot to hike and enjoy nature. Additional recreational amenities include a fishing pier, sensory garden, picnic shelter, game tables, and sailboat and paddleboat rentals. There are even sailing lessons for those looking to take on a new hobby!
An Easy Commute to Chicago
Getting to downtown Chicago from Arlington Heights is a breeze. The community has two Metra stations offering direct access to Chicago’s Ogilvie Station. Residents also have access to I-90 and Route 53, which links to several interstates.
