Schaumburg is a city in Chicagoland, best known for its ever popular Woodfield Mall, which is the second most visited tourist attraction in Illinois.
Schaumburg is the local hub for shopping and nightlife in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. Located roughly 28 miles (45 km) northwest of the Chicago Loop and 15 miles (24 km) northwest of O’Hare International Airport. The city contains the world headquarters of Motorola Solutions and the 10th largest mall in The United States, which at most times has over 300 stores.
Originally a mostly German community, the population has evolved significantly over the past 150 years and Schaumburg is now home to a diverse community with a nearly 20% Asian population. The change has also pushed the diversity of the local economy with a significant number of Indian, Thai, Korean, and Chinese restaurants and shops scattered throughout the area. That change, coupled with the village’s own push for economic growth since the 1990’s, has developed into what may be the biggest regional shopping area outside of Chicago proper.
Things to see in Schaumburg
- Chicago Athenaeum International Sculpture Park: The sculpture garden of the Athenaeum, an independent museum of architecture and design. It includes the works of international and American sculptors chosen to fit the natural environment.
- Spring Valley Nature Preserve: 135 acres of fields, forests, marshes and streams. Handicapped-accessible hiking trails leading to a nature center with natural history displays and an 1880s living history farm.
- Trickster Art Gallery: Contemporary Native arts and culture. The gallery is the only Native American owned and operated arts institution in Illinois. Its aim is to provide space for first-voice multi-cultural arts, veterans and social justice issues related to these areas. It features contemporary Native art and augments exhibits with speakers, panel discussions, school tours and educator workshops.
Things to do in Schaumburg
- Boomers Baseball, 1999 Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg, IL 60193, ☎ (847)461-3695. The local minor league baseball team playing in the Frontier League. The team is no slouch and has a full stadium with well attended local games. Plenty of parking and right next to the Metra train station to downtown. $7-10.
- Schaumburg Library, 130 S Roselle Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60193, ☎ (847)985-4000. M-F 9AM-10PM, Sat. 10AM-6PM, Sun. 12PM-5PM. The second largest library in Illinois after the Harold Washington Library in downtown Chicago. A wonderfully setup modern building with comfortable reading spaces, the requisite host of books and references, and a great collection of media. The library also hosts a number of educational, entertainment, and community events.
- Schaumburg September Fest, Schaumburg Rd. at Summit Dr., 101 Schaumburg Ct., 9AM-9PM. Each year during Labor Day Weekend, Schaumburg hosts its annual Septemberfest including a full carnival, craft vendors, food fair, and concerts. A fun and relatively inexpensive way to see much of what Schaumburg has to offer. $10.
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center, 601 N. Martingale Road (At the Streets of Woodfield), ☎ (847)592-9700,. 10AM-7PM. This attraction for children features a full replica of Chicago using LEGO bricks and a number of educational activities inspired by LEGO. $18+.
- Chicago Improv Comedy Club, Woodfield Mall K120B, Schaumburg, IL (South side, downstairs), ☎ (847)240-2001,. Thurs. – Sun., 7:30 PM or later. Located underneath Woodfield Mall. Mostly stand up comics from across the country, sometimes a little improv show thrown in. Really nice venue, much larger than you’d think, serves food and drinks.
- Laugh Out Loud Comedy Theatre, The Streets of Woodfield, 601 N Martingale Rd, ☎ (847)240-0386,. Thurs.-Sat., 7:30 PM or 9:30 PM. A full on, traditional improv theatre with shows for both children (7:30) and adults (8:00/9:30) depending on the day.
What and Where to eat in Schaumburg?
As a regional hub for shopping, Schaumburg is also home to many local, regional, and national restaurant chains. Those looking for fine dining may need to head into Evanston or Chicago, but a few gems and unique experiences are able to be found in Schaumburg. For travelers and locals just looking for a place to eat, Schaumburg offers plenty of reasonable options in a wide range of cuisines.
- Seasons 52: Decent upscale chain that serves seasonal menus with a focus on smaller plates. Exceptional tiny dessert selection and decent wine list. $$$.
- India House, 1521 W. Schaumburg Rd Schaumburg, IL: India House Restaurant & Banquets offers dining, catering, buffet and banquet services and is the largest Indian-owned Banquet Hall in North America. Banquet halls can accommodate 50 to 1000 guests and dining offers over 250 different unique menu items in an ambience full of Indian fine arts and crafts. Offers a daily luncheon buffet and has received accolades from the Chicago Tribune, Zagat Survey, and the Chicago Magazine. As of 2015, often has Groupon deals.
- Lou Malnati’s Schaumburg: 1 S Roselle Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60193, ☎ (847)985-1525. 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM. Chain of local Chicago style pizzerias. Probably one of the best deep dish joints outside of the city.
Now You Know
