Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Orland Park, IL

  • Published 2021/12/01

Orland Park is a village nestled in Illinois, bordered by the lush trees of the Cook County Forest Preserves.

This quaint village is the focal point for brimming adventures ranging from relaxing outdoor trips to thrilling indoor fun.

You’ll surely create lots of memorable experiences from this adventure haven among the suburbia.

If you’re planning a trip to this village soon, then read on for the 15 best things to do in Orland Park, Illinois.

Cast Your Lines at Tampier Lake

View of Tampier Lake

Michael Zaczek / Shutterstock.com

Head out for a relaxed outdoor trip to Tampier Lake, with an overlooking view of the lush trees surrounding the lake’s glistening waters.

You can spend your day fishing while appreciating the scenic view of the lake and explore the lake on a kayak or canoe that you can rent from a rental shop.

You’ll also enjoy wildlife viewing as plenty of bird species soar in the sky.

A fishing trip to Tampier Lake should certainly be on your itinerary list, so make sure to pack your sun protection and head out for a relaxed outdoor adventure.

Spend a Fun-filled Day at Centennial Park

If you’re looking for a place filled with fun recreational activities, then Centennial Park is the place for you!

This 192-acre park features an aquatic center, an ice skating rink, play areas, paved trails for walking and biking, fishing piers, a sledding hill, picnic and grill areas, and several sports complexes.

Whether you want to soak in the pool on a sunny day, lounge in the lazy river, go skating, play some sports, or go fishing, this park has got you covered!

Bring the family together and set up a BBQ at the pavilion while having a blast trying out the recreational activities offered in the park.

Centennial Park is a haven for families looking to spend a fun-filled day, where you can enjoy several recreational activities all in one place.

A trip to Centennial Park is a must on your weekend getaway to Orland Park because there’s never a dull day at this park.

Learn About Local History at Orland Park History Museum

A visit to Orland Park wouldn’t be complete without discovering the village’s local history, so don’t forget to stop by at Orland Park History Museum.

Get a glimpse of Orland Park’s past through the museum’s collection of artifacts, such as historical clothing, furniture, glassware, memorabilia, and farming equipment.

You can also see Orland Park’s past through an archived collection of photographs, letters, documents, and books.

Orland Park History Museum is dedicated to showcasing the area’s historical development, and you’ll definitely enjoy the engaging exhibits when you visit the museum.

A trip to Orland Park History Museum is also perfect for budgetarians because admission to the museum is free.

Get a Glimpse of Orland Park’s Agricultural Heritage at Stellwagen Farm

This charming destination in Orland Park offers the best sights of beautiful landscape on a historic working farm.

Stellwagen Farm is one of the early farms established in Orlando Park in the 1860s that was operated by five generations of the Stellwagen family up to the present day.

This 160-acre farm features the original farmhouse, pieces of equipment, and outbuildings like the milk house, windmill, dairy barn, machine shed, corn crib, and more.

The Stellwagen Farm showcases the agricultural heritage of Orland Park, surrounded by amazing sights of the area.

Make sure to stop by Stellwagen Farm for a laid-back outdoor trip in perfect weather to relax and learn a bit of the village’s history.

Shop and Dine at Downtown Orland Park

Nothing beats a day of shopping and dining on a weekend getaway to Orland Park, so make sure to dedicate a day exploring the village’s community center.

Get acquainted with Orland Park’s community as you explore the village’s business center and cultural hub.

You can shop for trendy items in several retail stores, check out specialty stores of unique items, and choose from the selection of restaurants for some hearty foods.

Complete your trip to Orland Park with a bit of shopping and dining.

Play Alien-Themed Golf at Space Golf

You’ll experience a fun and imaginative game of mini-golf in an out-of-this-world destination in Orland Park.

Space Golf features an 18-hole mini-golf course that boasts an eclectic fusion of alien-themed and 80s vibe.

Marvel on the blend of glow-in-the-dark neon lights, music, hologram illusions, and other special effects.

You can also try their golf in 3D for a more immersive experience.

Aside from putting in their mini-golf course, you’ll also enjoy playing alien-themed games in their arcade.

A game of mini golf at Space Golf truly makes for an experience unlike any other, so don’t miss out on this unique experience on your trip to Orland Park.

Shop and Dine at Orland Square

Complete your list of things to do with a day dedicated to shopping and dining at Orland Square.

This indoor mall in Orland Park in the south and southwest suburbs of Chicago was established in 1976.

You’ll surely enjoy scouring through stores that offer trendy items, unique gifts, and other novelty items to commemorate your trip in Orland Park.

After you tire yourself out on a shopping trip, make sure to check out plenty of restaurants that offer a variety of cuisines.

If you’re going to the mall with the youngsters, you can let them have their time in the play area.

Whether you’re going to the mall for a casual stroll or completing a shopping list, Orland Square is the ideal place to go on your trip to Orland Park.

Enjoy the Rush of Excitement at Gizmo’s Fun Factory

If you’re looking for a place to bring the whole family where you can bond over some games and great foods, then Gizmo’s Fun Factory is the perfect place for a fun day out!

This family-oriented indoor park features over 70 arcade games, a three-story climbing and ropes course for the adrenaline junkies, a zipline, bumper cars, a go-kart track, a laser maze, climbing walls, laser tag, and many more.

Gizmo’s Fun Factory lives up to its name because this indoor park is the best family-entertainment place for a fun day out.

You can also enjoy American-style dining in their restaurant that serves hearty snacks and meals for an energy refill as you venture through the fun.

Make sure to spend a day at Gizmo’s Fun Factory for a truly memorable experience with the whole family.

Book a Tee Time at Silver Lake Country Club

Whether you’re a golf enthusiast or you enjoy being surrounded by a beautiful landscape, Silver Lake Country Club has got you covered.

Test your golfing skills in their 18-hole golf course with plenty of well-trapped greens, elevation changes, and water hazards that make for a challenging experience.

You’ll also enjoy the blend of fine dining and casual dining in their clubhouse that serves a variety of food choices for all tastes.

The Silver Lake Country Club makes for an idyllic, laid-back activity to keep you away from the stress of your daily cares, so don’t miss out on a relaxed day spent in this charming golf club in Orland Park.

Go Birdwatching at Orland Park Nature Center

This quaint space in Orland Park boasts abundant flora and fauna where you can appreciate the sights and sounds of nature.

The Orland Park Nature Center is a natural breathing space among the hustle and bustle of the city.

The nature center may be small, but it offers the best birdwatching view in Orland Park, and you’ll witness the majestic birds soaring in the sky.

There are stationary binoculars in the area, so you can get an up-close look at the fascinating birds.

Make sure to visit Orland Park Nature Center for a lovely day surrounded by nature.

And don’t forget to snap some pictures with the beautiful landscape as your background.

Solve Puzzles and Crack Codes to Escape the Room at Escapology

Nothing beats a heart-racing immersive adventure game at Escapology, where your thinking skills and teamwork will be tested.

Enjoy a real-life adventure game as you try to discover clues, solve puzzles, and accomplish tasks to progress through the game and escape the room.

Whether you’re looking for an exciting and action-packed scenario or you prefer a silly and light-hearted one, Escapology has got you covered with its variety of escape room scenarios.

Don’t miss out on an exciting escape room challenge on your weekend getaway at Orland Park, so make sure to head out to Escapology.

Go Hop, Hoppin’ at Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Jump to your heart’s content at Sky Zone Trampoline Park and revive the inner kid in you!

Enjoy some bouncin’ good fun in the trampoline park that boasts plenty of attractions to amp up your experience.

You can dive into a pit of foam, play like a basketball pro in their sky slam, test your strength in their ninja warrior course, play dodgeball while bouncing up in the air, and many more!

The young and the young at heart will surely be delighted going hop, hop, hoppin’ at Sky Zone Trampoline Park.

Catch a Show at Marcus Orland Park Cinema

Nothing beats quality cinema entertainment that shows up-to-date Hollywood films and offers the best seat for a truly cinematic experience.

Purchase a ticket to the newest movie releases online or on-site, and enjoy a classic bonding experience at Marcus Orland Park Cinema.

The movie theater serves the typical movie concessions like popcorn, candies, and sodas, but you can choose from other selections in their bar for some drinks and hearty food items.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Go Kayaking at Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens

If you’re looking for a nature respite among the suburbia, then head out on a 10-minute drive from Orland Park to Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens.

Enjoy the beautiful sights and relaxing sound of nature as you stroll through the paved walking trail.

Be amazed by the relaxing sight of the cascading water from the waterfall and appreciate the abundant flora and fauna in the area.

You can also venture on a laid-back exploration in Lake Katherine on a kayak or canoe and paddle your way through the calm waters of the lakes.

The Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city without driving too far.

Celebrate Fall Festival at Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm

If you visit Orland Park during fall, you wouldn’t want to miss out on a vibrant pumpkin and fall festival at Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen.

A 15-minute drive from Orland Park to Homer Glen is definitely worth it because a vibrant fall festival awaits you.

Bengtson’s Pumpkin Patch boasts a number of attractions, ranging from hayrack rides and a barnyard dance coaster to play areas with a bounce castle for the kids, and many more!

There are plenty of farm activities that the young and the young at heart will surely enjoy, like meeting the barnyard animals in their petting zoo, a realistic experience of milking a cow, and adorable pig races.

Bengston’s Pumpkin Farm has a lot to offer that will truly delight all ages and capabilities, so make sure to stop by during the fall for a unique fall experience in Illinois.

Final Thoughts

This quaint village in Illinois truly makes for idyllic family-centered fun.

Whether if it’s an outdoor adventure or a fun-filled indoor destination, Orland Park has everything covered!

If you’re planning a trip to Orland Park, don’t forget to reference this list for a weekend getaway brimming with adventures.

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