10 Things We Love About Orland Park
A 40-minute drive south of downtown Chicago takes you to the Village of Orland Park. With over 60 parks and several shopping complexes, the thriving community has a variety of activities to keep residents busy, from its very own water park to an annual brewfest in the fall.
Let’s look at some of the things you can do around town.
Spend Time Outside
Connect with nature at Orland Grassland, which boasts more than 750 acres of native grasses and wildflowers. The prairie has a unique trail system for walking, running, and biking, and it’s one of the best birding locations in the Chicago region. With beautiful views and a great atmosphere, you will be nothing but relaxed at Orland Grassland!
Support Locally Owned Businesses
Orland Park is home to its fair share of local businesses. From restaurants and cafes to shops and boutiques, there is always a place to show your support. Head to Joy of Thai for fresh and healthy dishes that pack a little heat, or take on the community’s best brunch at Blissful Banana Café. Craving tacos and margaritas? Look no further than Mama Maria’s Taco and Tequila Bar. And we can’t forget to mention Tradycja Polish Fusion Cuisine, a concept brought to Orland Park by Poland native and chef Damian Pierkarczyk.
Hit the Links
Need a place to celebrate a special event? Or need a weekend to hone your golfing skills? Head to the Silver Lake Country Club! Golfers have access to 45 holes across three public courses featuring tree-lined fairways and large greens. They can also visit the driving range, which is open daily at sunrise.
Surrounded by lush gardens and beautiful landscaping, Silver Lake Country Club is also the premier spot to host gatherings like weddings, corporate events, graduation parties, and more.
Beat the Heat
Trying to cool down on a hot summer day? Head to Centennial Water Park, where you’ll find a zero-depth entry pool, water basketball and volleyball, and, of course, slides of all shapes and sizes. There is also a water play area for younger kids, as well as shaded structures and lawn lounging for those wanting to sit back and relax. Just be sure to pack sunscreen and towels!
Enjoy Festival Season Year-Round
Just like Chicago, Orland Park has its very own Taste Festival. The Taste of Orland Park spans three days and offers great food from restaurants in the area and live music.
Similar to the Taste Festival, Market At The Park brings neighbors together to try different foods from various local restaurants at Crescent Park. In addition to live entertainment, the festival features vendors that sell handmade crafts, clothes, décor, vintage items, and more. The event runs Thursdays from 4:00 to 8:00pm until August 20th, so make sure to stop by while you still can!
Come autumn, Orland Park hosts its annual Brewfest. Also located in Crescent Park, the festival features food vendors, live entertainment, and beverage samples from breweries including Elder Brewing, Virtue Cider, and Granite City.
Photo by @villageoforlandpark on Instagram
Exercise Your Mind and Body
When it comes to recreational activities, Orland Park has it all. The Sportsplex Fitness and Recreation Center offers group exercise classes, a fitness center, track, open courts, open field, climbing wall, and childcare. The Sportsplex also has gymnastic programs and sports camps, as well as dancing programs and leagues.
Additional activities offered throughout the village include aquatics, camps and workshops, theater, and special events such as golf classics.
Enjoy the Water
If you’re an angler, make your way to Turtlehead Lake for year-round fishing. Located on the Tinley Creek Trail System, the area is surrounded by rolling hills, forests, and wetlands. A designated ice fishing lake in the winter, Turtlehead Lake also has access to a snowmobile area, cross-country skiing, and a picnic shelter. Nearby Turtlehead Pond and West Pond are also popular spots for fishing.
For those looking for a bit more activity on the water, visit Lake Sedgewick for fishing, kayak and pedal boat rentals, and nature trails. Anglers will find Bass, Catfish, Perch, Northern Pike, and more.
Test Your Skills
Grab a group of friends or and head to Escapology to test your teamwork skills. The escape room invites players to get out of their chosen themed room in less than 60 minutes and is a fun way to collaborate with others. Escapology is open year-round and has many different games and difficulty levels to test your code cracking and puzzle-solving ability.
After you make your escape, test your mini golf skills at Space Golf. The 18-hole course is indoors and lit with blacklights and bright fluorescent colors. You’ll encounter glowing alien planets, robots, flying saucers, and space creatures. You can even try the course with 3D glasses, which add an extra challenge to the experience.
Shop ‘Til You Drop
Whether you have a lunch date planned or just want to go shopping, Orland Park Crossing gives you the ultimate shopping and dining experience. The shopping center features popular brands and national chains such as Francesca’s and White House Black Market, as well as boutiques, spas, salons, restaurants, and a Mariano’s grocery store.
Covering over a million square feet, the Orland Square Mall is the biggest mall in the Chicago Southland area and features plenty of shopping and dining options along with an interactive play area for kids. The mall has a number of major brands such as Apple, Pandora, Lush Cosmetics, William’s Sonoma, and Macy’s.
Commute With Ease
Three train stations make it easy for Orland Park commuters to access downtown Chicago in about 50 minutes. Situated on the Southwest Service line, stations are located at 143rd Street, 153rd Street, and 183rd Street. Drivers headed toward Chicago or neighboring communities have convenient access to I-55, I-80, and I-355.
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