Photo: Tetiana Palok
Photo: Vetrivel K
Photo: Lakshmi
Lake Arlington
★4.9(28 reviews)FreeNature
🕑 1-2 hours for a leisurely walk with young kids; 45 minutes to complete the full loop by bike👶 Best for all ages. Toddlers enjoy feeding ducks and riding in strollers, preschoolers love their first bike rides on the flat, safe path, and older kids can fish, rollerblade, or complete the full loop independently.🧡 Saved by 90+ families
About
Lake Arlington offers families a peaceful natural escape right in the suburbs with a scenic 3.5-mile paved loop perfect for strollers, bikes, and scooters. The tranquil lake setting provides excellent opportunities for kids to spot ducks, geese, and other wildlife while parents enjoy an easy, traffic-free path that's ideal for teaching little ones to ride bikes or for a relaxing family walk.
Highlights
- ✓3.5-mile paved loop perfect for bikes, scooters, and strollers
- ✓Duck and waterfowl watching opportunities
- ✓Family-friendly fishing spots (no license required for kids under 16)
- ✓Safe, traffic-free environment for teaching kids to bike
- ✓Beautiful natural scenery with mature trees and peaceful water views
Pro Tips
- 1.Bring bread or birdseed for duck feeding at the designated areas,it's always the highlight for younger kids
- 2.Park at the Arlington Heights Metra station lot on weekends for easy access to the south side of the lake
- 3.Visit the northwest corner near Ridge Avenue for the best fishing spots where kids have better luck catching bluegill and bass
- 4.The path can get crowded on sunny weekend afternoons; weekday mornings are ideal for toddlers learning to bike
- 5.Pack a blanket and snacks for an impromptu picnic on the grassy areas along the eastern shore
Best Time to Visit
Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather and beautiful scenery, especially during migration seasons when kids can spot various waterfowl. Weekday mornings or early evenings provide the most peaceful experience, while summer weekends are lively but more crowded.
What to Know
Parking is free at several access points around the lake. There are no restaurants or concessions on-site, so bring your own snacks and water. The paved path is completely stroller and wheelchair accessible.
Seasonal Notes
The path is open year-round and even offers winter beauty for hardy families, though it's not plowed after snow. Spring brings baby ducklings (April-May), summer offers lush greenery, and fall provides stunning foliage. The lake occasionally freezes in winter, creating picturesque winter wonderland scenes.
Nearby Eats
Stop at Portillo's Hot Dogs (1 mile away) for classic Chicago-style dogs and chocolate cake shakes, or grab pizza at Lou Malnati's Pizzeria on Arlington Heights Road, both offering kid-friendly menus and casual atmospheres.
More Activities Near Arlington Heights
Park
North School Park
Free❤️9
North School Park is a beloved Arlington Heights neighborhood gem that checks all the boxes for family fun. With its refreshing splash pad for summer cooling, multiple playgrounds catering to different ages, and spacious fields perfect for running around or spreading out a picnic blanket, this park offers hours of entertainment. Parents appreciate the variety of activities all in one location, making it easy to keep kids of different ages happy.
Park
Melas Park
Free
Melas Park is a beloved Arlington Heights community park that delivers everything active families need for a fun outdoor day. With top-notch playground equipment, multiple sports facilities including basketball courts and baseball diamonds, plus spacious shaded picnic areas, it's ideal for everything from casual playground visits to full-day family gatherings and birthday parties.
Theater
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
★4.7$$❤️150
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre brings the magic of live theater to families in Arlington Heights with a stellar lineup of Broadway-style musicals, children's performances, and interactive shows. Beyond being audience members, kids can get on stage themselves through popular theater camps and youth programs that build confidence and creativity.
Library
Arlington Heights Memorial Library
★4.7Free❤️13
Arlington Heights Memorial Library is a haven for families, offering far more than just books. This award-winning facility features dedicated children's areas, regular storytimes for various age groups, hands-on STEM activities, creative maker spaces, and engaging family programs throughout the week,all completely free to the public.