Des Plaines brings together several different ways to explore: the Des Plaines Theatre’s history reaches back to the city’s early movie-theater days, while the Des Plaines History Center explores the history of Des Plaines and Illinois. Several miles of the 50-mile Des Plaines River Trail run through the city; sailing lessons are also available at Lake Opeka. You can plan your stay around culture, outdoor activities, or a seasonal festival.

Theater and Local History

The Des Plaines Theatre opened in August 1925 as the city’s first movie theater, launched by local entrepreneur Barney Winkelmann. Today, it hosts live performances in a renovated historic venue. The building thus connects the city’s movie-theater history with a contemporary stage program.

The Des Plaines History Center is a local history museum in downtown Des Plaines. Its Visitor & Education Center features exhibits on the history of Des Plaines and Illinois, programs for children, teens, adults, and families, and thousands of searchable archival records. Its offerings therefore include exhibits, programs, and opportunities to research the archives.

The Kinder House Museum at 789 Pearson St. offers a different focus: it is a 1907 Queen Anne Revival house with period rooms depicting life in the early 20th century. While the History Center explores local and state history through exhibits and archival records, the Kinder House illustrates a specific era through a house and its rooms.

River Trail and Sailing at Lake Opeka

The Des Plaines River Trail is 50 miles long in total, with several miles running through Des Plaines. The total length applies to the entire trail, not just the section in the city. Cyclists, joggers, walkers, and other outdoor enthusiasts use the trail, making it a shared setting for a range of outdoor activities.

In 2008, the city improved the section running through Des Plaines by repairing the surface and widening the trail, adding shoulders, and installing new signs. At the Algonquin and Oakton crossings, improvements included a new crosswalk, signs, road markings, and pedestrian warning lights. The work described therefore covered both the trail and a specific street crossing.

The Des Plaines Park District offers sailing lessons at Lake Opeka. The Des Plaines Yacht Club is a nonprofit community sailing organization at Lake Opeka in Des Plaines. The lessons and the club are two distinct aspects of sailing; together, they offer an alternative to activities on the River Trail.

Summer Festival and Venues

The Taste of Des Plaines is a two-day summer street festival on Ellinwood Street in the heart of downtown Des Plaines. Local restaurants serve their specialties, and live entertainment takes place on two stages. If you’re considering visiting for the festival, check the event dates in advance.

Another venue is the Event Center at Rivers Casino, located on the second floor in the expansion area. Past performers there include Michael Bolton, Cheap Trick, Melissa Etheridge, and Jeffrey Osborne. These artists are part of the center’s event history; the Taste of Des Plaines offers a different setting, with its street festival, restaurants, and stage program.

Discover more destinations: Glencoe, Berwyn, Arlington Heights, Palatine, Elk Grove Village, Wheeling, Elmwood Park, Evanston.

For the broader travel overview: Cook.