Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Orland Hills

"It’s connected to a 60-acre park with a fitness center, community garden, basketball and tennis courts, a baseball diamond, and two playgrounds. Not every park and beach has programming, but here you can sign up for sports leagues or day camps. A post shared by Aaron M. Powell (@aaronisbla) on Oct 11, 2016 at 5:46pm PDT"

"Of the numerous buildings that Frank Lloyd Wright designed around Chicago, none is more famous or influential than Robie House. Because its horizontal lines resembled the flat landscape of the Midwestern prairie, the style became known as the Prairie style. Inside are 174 stained-glass windows and doors, which you'll see on the hour-long tours (frequency varies by season, but there's usually at least one tour per hour). Advance tickets are highly recommended."

"Named one of the 10 most significant buildings of the 20th century by the American Institute of Architects, the 9,000-square-foot Robie…"

"Burnham Park stretches six miles along the shores of Lake Michigan's Oakland Shoal from 14th Street to 56th Street, covering just shy of 600 acres of waterfront. The large Burnham Harbor takes up the shoreline from the park's northern end to 22nd Street, well-protected by Northerly Island. Burnham Park starts at the southern end of Grant Park, and is home to numerous attractions including Soldier Field, home of The Chicago Bears."

"Burnham Park runs for 6 miles (9.7 km) along Chicago's lakefront from Grant Park in the north to Jackson Park in the south, through the neighborhoods of Near South, Douglas, Oakland, Kenwood and Hyde Park."

"At 280 acres, Big Marsh certainly lives up to its name, but this far southeast side public park—opened in 2016 in the Calumet Area Reserve—is still a relative secret to most locals. The park includes 45 acres of recreation areas designed specifically for mountain and BMX biking and casual trail riding. The rest (234 acres) is a nature preserve great for hiking and bird-watching."

"Whether you want to relax with a nature walk or go on an adventurous hike, this park is a great place to check out. Forty-five acres of the park are dedicated to more intense endeavors, such as hiking, adventure courses and off-course biking. The other 235 acres is devoted to more passive activities like bird-watching and nature walking."

"Explore all 60 acres of Chicago’s historic Sherman Park on the city’s South Side. A big, circular ring-like pond encompasses the whole park, so you will never be far from views of the water. This historic park offers multiple baseball fields, a tennis court, and a basketball court."

"Known simply as the Midway, this mile-long natural stretch on the South Side connects the east end's Washington Park to Jackson Park on the west. Once the site of amusements during the 1893 Columbian World's Exposition (AKA World's Fair), the Midway is flanked by Hyde Park's noted gothic architecture, particularly the University of Chicago campus, and tree-lined boulevards, as well as outfitted with an ice skating rink and other facilities to keep folks visiting year-round."

"This slag-filled site at the confluence of Lake Michigan and the Calumet River was once home to the massive South Works U.S. Steel manufacturing plant that employed 20,000 workers at its peak. But the steel giant closed in the early ‘90s and the Chicago Park District acquired the vacant land. In 2014, it re-opened as Steelworkers Park—a 16.5-acre lakeside landscape dotted with pleasant walking paths, artifacts of the old U.S."

"Archer Ave. (between Campbell Avenue and Rockwell Street), is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the cheap Chinese spot 4.5 stars out of 84 reviews. Don't miss the orange chicken and shrimp fried rice. Furthermore, we found this about the business's signature items: "Chop Suey City offers a large extensive menu featuring delicious Chinese American-style food served with a lot of flavor and love!" it notes on Yelp in the section about specialties."

"Creative Brazilian-style cakes and treats are baked at Fabiana’s Bakery, a cute space on 53rd Street in Hyde Park. Chocolate cakes and banana cream pies are highlights. Fabiana Carter also provides booze-infused desserts down the street at Bibliophile, the gastropub/cafe she and her husband run down the street."

"The Stockyard Coffeehouse brought terrific options to the Bridgeport neighborhood. I’ve lived in Bridgeport for several years now, and the cafe scene seemed nonexistent until the Stockyard came around. I love having a place nearby to get delicious coffee."

"Those who love to pair delicious food with expertly made craft beers will love what Hammond’s Byway Brewing Company has to offer. Find a spot in the biergarten-style outdoor seating area, and choose from Byway’s eclectic, yet delectable, menu offerings. Order a glass of your favorite beer to go with your food to make for a perfect lunch or dinner."

"The octopus was some of the best I've ever had and the poutine was pretty delicious as well. Great place, great food and great beer. Watching the snow fall outside of the huge wall of windows and enjoying a Cuban sandwich and beer was a great way to spend an afternoon!"