Located in the center of the bustling Chicago metropolitan region, Darien is a vibrant community that was established in the 1830s and rapidly flourished as a thriving business center.
Today, Darien is home to a number of attractions that are sure to please any visitor.
These include Waterfall Glen with its nature trails and opportunities for fishing, the kid-friendly Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park, and the public recreation area at McCollum Park.
You can also go for a stroll along Cass Avenue, the main thoroughfare that runs through the center of town.
Here, you can find a great line-up of shops and restaurants, grab a pint at the local craft brewery, or visit the Darien Historical Society on the corner of Cass Avenue and 75th Street.
As you can see, there are a number of reasons why people decide to visit Darien. Some choose to come here for its natural beauty or for its history. Still others come to enjoy the local culture or to explore Chicago.
The point is, whatever your reason for visiting, you’re sure to enjoy staying in Darien!
Check out our list below for more recommendations about what to do while you’re here, so you can make the most out of your trip
The 29 Most Popular Things To Do In Darien, Illinois
29. Knollwood Kayak & Canoe Launch-DesPlaines River
2.3 (3 reviews)
Credit: Patryk Stelmach, Google Maps
Location: 11S315 Madison Street Burr Ridge IL
Web Address: https://paddleillinoiswatertrails.org/
28. McGinty Slough
4.3 (3 reviews)
Credit: Matt Eigel, Google Maps
27. Greene Barn at Greene Valley Forest Preserve
5.0 (6 reviews)
Location: 23W171 Hobson Road Naperville IL
Tel: 630 933 7200
Web Address: https://dupageforest.org/news/news-releases/greene-farm-barn-open-house
26. Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal
3.9 (9 reviews)
25. Bemis Woods North
4.0 (10 reviews)
Credit: Ryan Perez, Google Maps
Location: Wolf Road Westchester IL
24. Sagawau Environmental Learning Center
4.6 (26 reviews)
Credit: Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Google Maps
Location: 12545 111th Street Lemont IL
Tel: 630 257 2045
Web Address: https://fpdcc.com/places/locations/sagawau-environmental-learning-center/
23. Burr Ridge Community Center
4.7 (27 reviews)
Location: Burr Ridge IL
Tel: 630 920 1969
Web Address: http://brparks.org/
22. Willowbrook Community Park
4.6 (65 reviews)
Location: 208 Midway Dr Willowbrook IL
21. Bemis Woods South
4.6 (100 reviews)
Credit: Matt Eigel, Google Maps
Location: Bemis Woods Access Western Springs IL
Tel: 800 870 3666
Web Address: https://fpdcc.com/places/locations/bemis-woods/
20. Sagawau Canyon Nature Preserve
4.5 (107 reviews)
Credit: Sagawau Canyon Nature Preserve, Google Maps
Location: 12545 111th Street Lemont IL
Tel: 630 257 2045
Web Address: https://fpdcc.com/places/locations/sagawau-environmental-learning-center/
19. Black Partridge Woods
4.4 (122 reviews)
Location: 100 Bluff Road Lemont IL
Web Address: http://fpdcc.com/black-partridge-woods/
18. St. James at Sag Bridge Catholic Church
4.8 (149 reviews)
Credit: St. James at Sag Bridge Catholic Church, Google Maps
Location: 10600 Archer Ave Lemont IL
Tel: 630 257 7000
Web Address: http://historicstjames.org/
17. Buffalo Woods
4.4 (162 reviews)
Location: Hickory Hills IL
Tel: 800 870 3666
Web Address: https://fpdcc.com/places/locations/buffalo-woods/
16. Spears Woods
4.7 (163 reviews)
Credit: Matt Eigel, Google Maps
Location: 9016 South La Grange Rd. Willow Springs IL
Tel: 800 870 3666
Web Address: http://fpdcc.com/spears-woods/
15. DuPage River Park
4.7 (192 reviews)
Location: 808 Royce Road Naperville IL
Tel: 630 848 5000
Web Address: https://napervilleparks.org/parks/dupageriver
14. Rocky Glen Waterfall
4.7 (270 reviews)
Credit: Joseph Gage, License, Flickr
Location: Lemont IL
Web Address: https://dupageforest.org/places-to-go/forest-preserves/waterfall-glen
13. Saganashkee Slough Woods
4.6 (282 reviews)
Credit: Milan Milicevic, Google Maps
Location: Willow Springs IL
Tel: 800 870 3666
Web Address: https://fpdcc.com/places/locations/s-z/
12. Harvester Park
4.8 (379 reviews)
Credit: Lauren Schramp Castro, Google Maps
Location: Park District 15W400 Harvester Dr Burr Ridge IL
Tel: 630 920 1969
Web Address: http://brparks.org/
11. Hidden Lake Forest Preserve
4.5 (904 reviews)
Location: Downers Grove IL
Tel: 630 933 7683
Web Address: http://dupageforest.com/Conservation/Forest_Preserves/Hidden_Lake.aspx
10. Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago
4.8 (1,406 reviews)
Location: 10915 Lemont Road Lemont IL
Tel: 630 972 0300
Web Address: http://htgc.org/
Our Top picks
9. Centennial Trail
4.0 (1 review)
8. Palos Trail System
5.0 (1 review)
7. National Shrine and Museum of St. Therese
4.9 (92 reviews)
Credit: Trusted Thoughts, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 8501 Bailey Road Darien IL
Tel: 800 621 2806
Web Address: https://littleflower.org/national-shrine-and-museum-of-st-therese/
6. Oldfield Oaks Dog Park
4.6 (118 reviews)
Location: Darien IL
Web Address: http://dupageforest.org/places-to-go/forest-preserves/oldfield-oaks
5. Darien Community Park
4.6 (460 reviews)
Location: 7100 Clarendon Hills Road Darien IL
Tel: 630 968 6400
Web Address: https://darienparks.com/location/darien-community-park/
4. Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park
4.4 (584 reviews)
Credit: Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park, Google Maps
Location: 8301 Janes Ave Woodridge IL
Tel: 630 353 3350
Web Address: http://cypresscove.org/
3. McCollum Park
4.7 (706 reviews)
Credit: Chandrakant Patil, Google Maps
Location: 6801 Main Street Downers Grove IL
Tel: 630 960 7500
Web Address: https://dgparks.org/location/mccollum-park
2. Greene Valley
4.7 (813 reviews)
Location: Naperville IL
Tel: 630 933 7200
Web Address: http://dupageforest.com/Conservation/Forest_Preserves/Greene_Valley.aspx
1. Waterfall Glen
4.6 (3,199 reviews)
Credit: Timothy P Frakes, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Lemont IL
Tel: 630 933 7248
Web Address: http://dupageforest.org/Conservation/Forest_Preserves/Waterfall_Glen.aspx
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Darien, Illinois! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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