Offering as much excitement as many larger cities – Arlington Heights is a vibrant and historic suburban village.
Arlington Heights offers buyers and renters an exciting mix of modernity and tradition. Residents enjoy award-winning schools, top shopping and dining, and beautiful natural areas. Great community events and festivals are held all year long including the ever-popular Frontier Days Festival.
People come to the village from all over Chicagoland to visit the area’s major attractions. Folks love the Arlington Park Racetrack, the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, and the Mitsuwa Japanese Marketplace.
Arlington Heights is known for its quiet, tree-lined neighborhoods. Most homes in the community are walking distance from local parks and elementary schools. Residents enjoy affordable single-family homes and a growing number of condominium and townhouse developments.
Located just 25 miles north of downtown Chicago, Residents can get to the city easily with the village’s two Metra Stations (it only takes 30 minutes!) and the I-90 expressway.
Arlington Heights Village Guide
Downtown Arlington Heights and Shopping
Built around the Metra Station, Downtown Arlington Heights is the shopping, dining, and entertainment hub of the community. Shopping is a particular attraction – the area features unique stores, local boutiques, along with familiar shops and big-box stores. Downtown is also host to the Metropolis Performing Arts Center for professional musicals, touring musicians, and other family shows.
There’s more shopping in the community too, the community is packed with shopping centers, grocery stores, and familiar chains. The village also hosts the Mitsuwa Marketplace, the largest Japanese Market in the Midwest. One can find great foods, specialty shops, and cultural events in the market.
Arlington Heights Community Events
Arlington Heights offers its active community a slate of community events. The most popular event in the village may be the Frontier Days Festival. The event features live music, carnival games and rides, and local food and drink.
Another local favorite is the Promenade of Art, a fine arts and crafts festival showcasing works by local artists. That’s not all: the Community hosts dozens more events throughout the year and most streets host annual Block Parties.
Arlington Heights Food and Dining
Arlington Heights residents enjoy a vibrant dining scene featuring more than 200 local eateries. From fine-dining to casual places, residents have great options in a variety of cuisines. Some local favorites include Francesca’s Tavola, a great Italian restaurant, La Tasca Tapas, for small-plate specialties, and Porky’s, for delicious BBQ.
Looking to explore all Arlington Heights has to offer? Check out the Taste of Arlington Heights Festival to try some of the best local eats.
Arlington Heights Attractions and Culture
Arlington Heights residents enjoy an eclectic cultural scene, with attractions and opportunities for all tastes. In addition to events at the Metropolis Performing Arts Center, residents enjoy live music venues, bowling alleys, and a summer concert series at Harmony Park. The Village also has some excellent nightlife, including the Big Shot Piano Lounge and Hey Nonny, for local bands and great pub food.
And, of course, there’s the Arlington International Racecourse, for all the excitement of Thoroughbred racing.
Arlington Heights Parks and Recreation
Lover of the outdoors? Arlington Heights enjoy a complete parks system offering miles of bike paths, public golf courses, and hundreds of acres of beautiful parks.
A special attraction is Lake Arlington. Families enjoy paddle boating on the lake and exploring the walking paths and the natural areas. Other great parks include Memorial Park or Harmony Park.
Facilities include Tennis Courts, 5 public pools, several community centers, and public golf courses. Youth sports, cultural programs, and much more are also offered.
Arlington Heights History
Early Settlement
The first modern settlement in what became Arlington Heights was a small farming settlement called the “Town of Dunton” in 1853. The village developed around a new stop on the Illinois & Wisconsin Railroad, with the local farmers sending their vegetables and dairy products into Chicago. The early farming village incorporated as Arlington Heights in 1887.
Becoming Arlington Heights
Arlington Heights started to take some of its modern character after the turn of the century. A big piece of the Arlington Heights puzzle came together in 1927 with the Arlington Race Track. The horse racing track made the village a Chicago-wide destination. In the 1930s, several country clubs were also established, bringing additional wealth to the area.
The area experienced a massive population explosion in the 1950s and 1960s, reaching nearly 65,000 residents in 1970. In the late 1960s, the village was home to the Cellar Club, which hosted significant musical acts including The Who and Buffalo Springfield.
Arlington Heights Today
More recently, the Village has gone through a period of significant development, mainly in the downtown and business districts. Downtown Arlington Heights has seen significant growth of townhomes, new businesses, and local restaurants. These additions have added a modern edge to the historic village.
Arlington Heights Homes
Arlington Heights buyers and renters enjoy great homes in a variety of styles and price points. Homes in the community range from modest homes in the 300k-500k range all the way up to luxury mansions for well over $1 million dollars. The majority of the homes in the area are single-family residences, but one can also find a number of fine condominiums and townhouses available. Architectural styles are similarly varied. A good number of homes in the community were built during the 1960s building boom, but new construction and remodeled homes can also be found.
With great schools, beautiful parks, and much more, Arlington Heights is a great place to put down roots. Come check it out!
