What to do in Des Plaines, IL

Activities, attractions and tours

Prairie Lakes Park in Des Plaines Town of Illinois
Prairie Lakes Park in Des Plaines Town of Illinois
Rosemary S. Argus Friendship Park in Des Plaines Town of Illinois
I like the architecture of this airport. I always find myself snapping pics at O'Hare
Site of the first McDonalds chain restaurant, opened here in 1955. Historic McDonalds memorabilia is displayed throughout the restaurant.

Des Plaines Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Des Plaines has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Des Plaines is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Des Plaines to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Des Plaines Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Des Plaines.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Des Plaines attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Recommended things to do in Des Plaines

Number of things to do
10
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Secrets of Lincoln Square: Self-Guided Puzzle Quest in Chicago: CA $15
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Des Plaines

Discover the most popular places to visit in Des Plaines

Wrigley Field featuring central business district, a city and a sporting event

Wrigley Field

4.5/5(158 reviews)

Tour the iconic grounds and catch a game March through September at Chicago’s beloved baseball stadium.

Wrigley Field
Scene of Chicago street bridge with traffic among modern buildings of Downtown Chicago at Michigan avenue in Chicago, Illinois, United States, Business and Modern Transportation concept

Michigan Avenue

4.5/5(19 reviews)

You can enjoy some retail therapy when you visit Michigan Avenue, a popular shopping spot in Chicago. Amble around this vibrant area's riverfront and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Michigan Avenue
Navy Pier featuring a sunset and rides

Navy Pier

4.5/5(459 reviews)

A ferris wheel, shopping, restaurants and more can be found in this waterfront entertainment district.

Navy Pier
McCormick Place showing a high rise building and a city

McCormick Place

4.5/5(141 reviews)

Attend an event at the United States’ largest convention center, which features hyper-modern facilities and huge exhibition spaces connected by promenades and sky bridges.

McCormick Place
Soldier Field which includes a high-rise building, a city and modern architecture

Soldier Field

4.5/5(114 reviews)

Events center, NFL stadium and historic landmark all in one, this waterfront field is one of Chicago’s most popular destinations.

Soldier Field
Millennium Park featuring autumn colours, street scenes and a city

Millennium Park

4.5/5(722 reviews)

A landmark gathering place for locals and visitors who come to admire the unique art, architecture and landscape.

Millennium Park
Grant Park showing a garden and night scenes

Grant Park

4.5/5(291 reviews)

Chicago’s front yard is a pretty landscaped park, which is home to public art displays, museums, themed gardens and international music festivals.

Grant Park
Chicago_UnitedCenter_6064077_01

United Center

4.5/5(96 reviews)

Catch an event at United Center during your trip to Chicago. Amble around this vibrant area's lakeside or experience its entertainment choices.

United Center
Chicago Riverwalk featuring a river or creek, a bay or harbour and a city

Chicago Riverwalk

4.5/5(149 reviews)

Stroll along the waterfront of the Chicago River to pass some of the city’s most appealing attractions and appreciate how a once grim area has been successfully revamped.

Chicago Riverwalk

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Des Plaines

Chicago showing a high-rise building and a city as well as a family

Chicago

Rosemont

Rosemont

sunrise at Busse Lake Elk Grove Village, Illinois USA

Elk Grove Village

Aerial View of the Chicago Suburb of Arlington Heights in Autumn

Mount Prospect

Aerial view of a business district with stores, a church and shopping center in downtown Northbrook, IL.

Northbrook

Frequently asked questions

Is Des Plaines worth visiting?
From retail therapy to history and outdoor pursuits, there are many interesting things to do in Des Plaines. Don't forget to enjoy the area's blend of awesome attractions, local charm and culture.
How do I spend a day in Des Plaines?
Parkway Bank Park Entertainment District and 390 Golf Experience are two great places to start your getaway adventures. Remember to explore the shopping and dining options in Des Plaines while you're in town too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Des Plaines?
The top tourist attraction in Des Plaines is Rosemont Theatre, so make sure to put it on your sightseeing list.
Is three days enough to stay in Des Plaines?
Three days will give you enough time to check out some popular city attractions, including Rosemont Theatre, Parkway Bank Park Entertainment District and Rainbow Falls Waterpark. The average stay in Des Plaines is two days. If you feel the urge to extend your break, Chicago isn't far away.
Is Des Plaines a walkable city?
If exploring on foot sounds like your kind of getaway, Des Plaines is a great place to visit. Find leading sights, like Allstate Arena, within walking distance of downtown. You can also go for a stroll around Norma, a vibrant neighbourhood located about 3 kilometres from downtown.
What are some activities to do in Des Plaines with kids?
Whether you're vacationing with tiny adventurers or hard-to-please teens, a schedule filled with fun activities is the key to a stress-free getaway. Check out our recommendations for what to do in Des Plaines with kids.

What to do in Des Plaines for adults?
There are lots of things to do in Des Plaines, with entertainment for adults of all ages. Round off your day with a visit to Milwaukee Avenue or Chevy Chase Country Club.
Are there free things to do in Des Plaines?
One of the simplest ways to discover free things to do in Des Plaines is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on interesting neighbourhoods, parks and other top attractions you can enjoy without reaching into your pocket. Parkway Bank Park Entertainment District is one sight that doesn't charge an entrance fee.

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