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Glenview, Illinois: Where Fun and Adventure Collide! The Best Places to Visit and Things to Do

Glenview sits 20 miles north of Chicago and reads as pure suburb from the road. The old naval air station is now the town center and the housing around it. Wagner Farm survived in the middle of all of that development. The Grove sits over on the west side as protected woodland and prairie. The botanic garden is over the line in the next village along.

Welcome to Glenview, Illinois, a village 20 miles north of Chicago. Whether you live here or you are visiting, there is more to do in Glenview than the drive in suggests. From the outdoor ground to the indoor options, this town covers the ages.

If you read history, take Glenview’s past at the Historic Wagner Farm. This small working farm sits on the edge of Glenview and shows you what this land did before the houses arrived. For outdoor people, the Chicago Botanic Garden is the one. Located in nearby Glencoe, the gardens run a serious collection and give you somewhere quiet within reach of the city.

When it comes to indoor options, Glenview has plenty. The Kohl Children’s Museum is what families come for, with hands-on exhibits that hold children for hours. For anybody who came to eat, the dining here runs from small cafes to proper restaurants. And for the shopping, head to the Glen Town Center, built on the site of a former naval air facility.

Key Takeaways

• Glenview, Illinois offers a variety of fun things to do and places to visit, from outdoor adventures to indoor activities.
• History buffs will enjoy visiting the Historic Wagner Farm, while outdoor enthusiasts will love exploring the Chicago Botanic Garden.
• Glenview has plenty of dining and shopping options, including the popular Glen Town Center.

A Peek Into Glenview’s History

If you read history, Glenview has the stops for it. Here are a few worth taking:

Glenview History Center

The Glenview History Center is where to start if you want the history of this area. The center runs a museum, archives and a research library. You can work through the local architecture and the history of Glenview’s schools in the same visit.

1920 Farmhouse

The 1920 Farmhouse shows what life in Glenview looked like in the early 20th century. The farmhouse has been restored to how it was, electric lighting and indoor plumbing included. You can tour the house and get the story of the Wagner family, who lived there for over 70 years.

Historic Wagner Farm

The Historic Wagner Farm is the stop for anybody interested in how this land was worked. The farm is a working one and it dates back to the 1920s. You can see the livestock, the crops and the chicken coop. If the timing works you get the draft horses out. The farm stand sells fresh produce, and the corn crib is a piece of architecture in its own right.

The farm also keeps a two-story silo, which stored grain when this was a commercial operation. Today it is what everybody photographs. And do not miss the dairy cow sculpture, which marks what the farm used to be.

The Historic Wagner Farm is worth an afternoon whether you came for the history, the agriculture or simply to get out of the city.

Outdoor Fun in Glenview

If you want outdoor time in Glenview, you are in the right place. This village runs parks and nature centers worth walking. Here are the best of them:

Glenview Park District

The Glenview Park District is where the outdoor half of a day starts. With over 50 parks and facilities, something will suit. Take a walk through one of the nature centers or use the tennis courts. If you play golf, the district runs courses, though the count of four given here is worth checking. And there are playgrounds and soccer fields enough to wear children out.

Grove

The Grove is the historic nature center here, dated on this page to 1974, though the site itself goes back a great deal further. Take a walk through the shady display garden or the mini arboretum. If you want ground under you, take one of the walking and jogging paths through the woods. And the wildlife is there if you go quietly.

Gallery Park

Gallery Park is the public park for a picnic or a game of frisbee. Take the ornamental prairie display garden or the rain garden, which is planted with natives. And if you look at art, do not miss the Boughner/Baden Art in the Park sculpture.

Chicago Botanic Garden

While not technically in Glenview, the Chicago Botanic Garden is a short drive and it earns the trip. With over 385 acres of garden and nature reserve, a day disappears in it. Take the Japanese Garden or the English Walled Garden, or the Bonsai Collection if you want the detail. And there is an annual 5K race through the grounds if you run.

No matter where you go in Glenview, the outdoor ground holds up. So take shoes you can walk in and get out into it.

Indoor Adventures

When the weather turns, Glenview, Illinois has the indoor options. Here are the ones worth taking:

Funtopia

Looking for somewhere you can climb the walls legitimately? Funtopia is the answer. This indoor climbing center runs activities across the ages. From the walls to the interactive exhibits, everybody gets something. And if you need a birthday solved, Funtopia handles that too. Book the party and let them climb until they stop.

Theater

If you want something with more to it, check out the Oil Lamp Theater. This small theater runs productions through the year, from the classics to new work. And with luck you catch something written and performed by people who live here. So sit down and let the room do its work.

Whether it is the walls at Funtopia or a play at the Oil Lamp Theater, Glenview has the indoor day covered. So take the friends or the family and use it.

Feasting in Glenview

When it comes to food, Glenview delivers. From the local restaurants to the Glenview Farmers Market, there is a version for most tastes.

Local Restaurants

Glenview runs restaurants covering Italian through to Asian cooking. This page sends you to Mia’s Cantina for the Italian, though the name suggests a different kitchen entirely and is worth checking. Their pasta is what people order, and the pizza holds up.

For Asian cooking, check out Koi Fine Asian Cuisine & Lounge. Their sushi is cut fresh and the main plates carry real flavor.

If you want American comfort food, head over to Hackney’s on Harms. Their burgers are the reason people go, and the onion rings are the reason they order more.

Glenview Farmers Market

If you want fresh, locally grown produce, the Glenview Farmers Market is the one. Open every Saturday from June to October, the market runs fruit, vegetables and whatever else the season gives.

In addition to the produce, the Glenview Farmers Market runs vendors selling baked goods, artisanal cheese and the rest of it. It’s where to buy the ingredients for a proper meal or simply something to eat on the way round.

So whether you want a proper dinner out or the produce for one at home, Glenview covers both.

Shop Till You Drop

If you shop, then Glenview is set up for you. From the independent shops to the department stores, the range is here. Here are the places to shop in Glenview.

Local Shops

Glenview runs independent shops carrying things you will not find in a chain. Here are the local ones to check:

The Book Market

If you read, then The Book Market is the stop. They carry new and used books alongside toys and games for children.

The Glen Town Center

This outdoor shopping center runs shops, restaurants and entertainment in one place. You can find clothing and accessories through to home goods and beauty products.

Glenview Farmers Market

If you want to put money into local farmers and makers, the Glenview Farmers Market is where to do it. They run fresh produce, baked goods and handmade work.

Von Maur

If you want the department store end, Von Maur is the one. They carry clothing, accessories and beauty products from the serious brands. They also do free gift wrapping, free shipping and free returns, which takes the risk out of it.

One of the strengths of Von Maur is the service. They keep sales staff who know the stock and will actually help you find something. They also run personal shopping if you want the one-to-one version.

Overall, Glenview covers the shopping across the range. Whether you want the independents or the department stores, something here will suit. So take the card and work through it.

How does a working dairy farm survive right inside a suburb like this one? And why is the shopping center named after an old naval airfield? What is a National Historic Landmark doing behind a set of suburban tennis courts? Those are the questions worth carrying round Glenview for a whole day. The answers to those are more interesting than the list of attractions here.

Seasonal Specials

September Specials

September marks the end of summer and the start of fall in Glenview. It’s the last of the warm weather before the cold arrives. Here are the things to do in Glenview through September:

Glenview Farmers’ Market

The farmers’ market runs to the end of September, though this page gives it a longer season elsewhere. Take the fresh produce, the baked goods and the rest of what the local vendors bring.

Glenview Art League Art Fair

The Glenview Art League runs an annual art fair in September. Browse it and buy something from the artists who live here.

Glenview Summer Fest

Summer Fest marks the end of the season. Take the live music, the food and the drinks at this annual event.

December Specials

December is when Glenview puts on a show. The town goes up in decorations and the calendar fills with things to do. Here are the options in Glenview through December:

Glenview Christmas Parade

The Christmas Parade is the annual fixture in Glenview. Watch the floats, the marching bands and Santa Claus come down the street.

Glenview Park District Holiday Extravaganza

The Glenview Park District runs a festive extravaganza every December. Take the crafts, the food and the visit from Santa.

Glenview Ice Center

The Glenview Ice Center is open all year, but it earns its keep in winter. Take a turn on the ice or watch a hockey game instead.

No matter when you come to Glenview, something is on. Whether you live here or you are visiting, the calendar will give you something.

Glenview Through the Lens

Glenview photographs better than it has any right to for a suburb. It is full of Instagram-worthy corners, and a camera earns its keep here. Whether the camera is professional or the one in your pocket, this village gives you something to point it at.

If you follow film, Glenview has stood in on screen more than once. The village streets and the older houses have carried films including Uncle Nino and Contagion, though the second of those was a wide regional production and the local connection is worth checking. So if you want to stand where the camera stood, Glenview will oblige.

But if photography is the point, Glenview has the ground for it. The village runs parks and nature reserves, The Grove and Gallery Park among them. These are where you get the landscape, the wildlife and the light. And with patience, something uncommon flies through.

Of course, you do not need a camera or a film interest to use Glenview. The village runs attractions that work for a day out with friends or family. You can take the Kohl Children’s Museum, where the children work through the 17 interactive exhibits. Or, if you play, head to the Glenview Park Golf Club for a round.

No matter what you are after, Glenview has a version of it. So take the camera or the friends and work through this village.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some hidden gems in Glenview that tourists often miss?

Ah, the quieter corners of Glenview. Well, we cannot give away everything, but here are a couple. First, have you heard of the Grove National Historic Landmark? This is a preserve built for a slow walk or a picnic. Another is the Glenview Farmers Market, where the produce and the handmade work are.

Can you recommend any unique outdoor activities in Glenview?

Absolutely. If you want something different, try disc golf at the Grove. It’s harder than it looks and it gets you outside. Another is the Kohl Children’s Museum’s outdoor exhibit, Habitat Park. It’s how children learn about the outdoors without noticing.

What are some budget-friendly things to do in and around Glenview?

We know a trip adds up, so here is the cheap end. One option is Wagner Farm. It’s a historic working farm, free to walk into, with tours for a small fee. Another is a walk at Gallery Park, which costs nothing at all.

Are there any must-visit restaurants in Glenview?

Oh, there are. For breakfast, take Walker Bros. Pancake House. If you want pizza, you cannot go wrong with Lou Malnati’s. And for a proper dinner, Wildfire is the one for steak.

What are some fun events happening in Glenview this month?

Well, that depends which month you are here. But something is always running. Check the Glenview Park District’s website for the calendar. They run everything from outdoor films to live music.

What are some kid-friendly activities in Glenview?

Glenview works well with children. One option is the Glenview Park District’s Splash Landings water park. Another is the Glenview Ice Center for the skating. And the Kohl Children’s Museum will handle the rest of the day.

Frequently asked questions about Glenview, Illinois

Is the Historic Wagner Farm still an actual working farm?

Yes, genuinely. The Wagner family farmed this ground for generations and the village kept the land rather than selling it off, so livestock and crops still sit inside a suburb. There are draft horses, a corn crib and a two-story silo you can photograph. Entry costs nothing at all and the tours cost very little. Go in the morning, because the animals are worked early and the place empties out by the afternoon.

What is the history behind Gallery Park in Glenview itself?

Naval air station. The eastern side of this village was an airfield until the base closed, and the park, the housing and the shops all sit on that ground now. The prairie planting and the rain garden there are recent rather than original. There is a sculpture in the park that is worth finding. Walk it with that in mind, because a flat park reads differently once you know it was a runway.

How far back does The Grove in Glenview actually go?

Well before 1974. This page dates the nature center to that year, but the site is a National Historic Landmark and the house on it is much older. The woodland and the prairie around it are the real preservation story here. There are walking paths and a small arboretum through it. Go on a weekday, because a preserve this size stops feeling like one when it is busy.

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