Attractions and Places To See around Highwood - Top 20

Highwood is surrounded by diverse natural areas. You can visit the Skokie Lagoons for kayaking, boating, fishing, and bird watching. The MacArthur Woods Forest Preserve offers a preserved forest with a rich variety of plants and a significant habitat for breeding birds. Additionally, the Half Day Forest Preserve Ponds feature scenic gravel trails and opportunities for bird watching.

Yes, several attractions around Highwood are suitable for families. The Skokie Lagoons offer recreational activities like kayaking and bird watching that families can enjoy together. The MacArthur Woods Forest Preserve and Half Day Forest Preserve Ponds provide easy trails and natural beauty for family walks and picnics. Highwood also hosts numerous community festivals and events throughout the year, often centered around Everts Park, which are great for all ages.

Highwood has a rich historical context. You can explore **Fort Sheridan**, a former military base that significantly shaped the area's development. For local heritage, the Highwood Historical Society, located in City Hall, preserves and shares the community's past through exhibits and walking tours. You can learn more about their work at highwoodhistoricalsociety.com.

Highwood offers excellent opportunities for outdoor activities. You can cycle along the North Branch Trail, a 20-mile paved path following the Chicago River, or explore the trails alongside the Des Plaines River. For more specific routes, check out the Running Trails around Highwood or Hiking around Highwood guides for detailed options.

Yes, there are several easy hiking options. The Half Day Forest Preserve Ponds feature flat, crushed gravel trails perfect for leisurely walks. The MacArthur Woods Forest Preserve also offers accessible paths through its preserved forest. For a curated list of gentle routes, refer to the Easy hikes around Highwood guide.

Highwood is known as a premier dining destination on the North Shore. You'll find a variety of acclaimed restaurants, including Froggy's French Cafe, La Casa de Isaac & Moishe for Mexican cuisine, The Del Rio Restaurant for Italian fare, and Miramar Bistro, which offers French dishes with Cuban accents. There's also Tala Coffee Roasters and the 28 Mile Distilling Co. with a tasting room.

Highwood fosters a vibrant cultural arts scene. The Midwest Young Artists Conservatory and The Performer's School offer arts education and serve as public recreation facilities. The Fine Art Studio of ROTBLATT-AMRANY, located in the old village of Fort Sheridan, also contributes to the local art landscape.

Highwood's attractions can be enjoyed year-round, but the spring, summer, and fall months are particularly pleasant for outdoor activities in the forest preserves and along the trails. These seasons also coincide with many of Highwood's frequent festivals and events, such as 'Celebrate Highwood' and 'Highwood Days', which offer a lively atmosphere.

Yes, in the vicinity of Highwood, you can find architecturally significant homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. These include the Millard House (1906) and Mary Adams House (1905), both notable Prairie School designs listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Visitors particularly appreciate the tranquility and diverse recreational opportunities. For instance, at Skokie Lagoon No. 3, people enjoy the peaceful nature escape with options for kayaking, fishing, and bird watching. The MacArthur Woods Forest Preserve is valued for its preserved forest landscape and rich bird habitats, offering a beautiful natural setting within the area.

Absolutely. The North Branch Trail is a popular 20-mile paved cycle way that follows the North Branch of the Chicago River, winding through forests and fields. Additionally, the Des Plaines River features accompanying trails that are excellent for cycling. Many forest preserves, like Half Day Forest Preserve Ponds, connect to larger trail networks, including the Des Plaines River Trail, which is suitable for biking.