Winnetka: Nature, Sports, and History

Winnetka combines outdoor experiences, sports, and specific places to explore local history. Highlights include the Skokie Lagoons, tennis and golf, boating at Lloyd Beach, and historic homes and collections. When choosing where to stay, it may be important whether you are looking for trails and picnic spots, sports facilities, or historical insights.

Nature and trails at the Skokie Lagoons

The Skokie Lagoons are located within Winnetka and are a Forest Preserve with picnic opportunities. The trails also offer opportunities for hiking and horseback riding. This brings together a picnic break and activities on trails in a natural area. If you would like to include both exercise and a quieter outdoor break in the same stay, the Lagoons are a destination in their own right.

Tennis and golf

The A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center in Winnetka offers year-round opportunities for players of all skill levels and ages. It has eight indoor courts and twelve outdoor courts, five of which are lit. There are more outdoor courts than indoor courts, and five of the outdoor courts are lit. The Winnetka Golf Club offers a different sporting experience with a championship 18-hole course. The options therefore include tennis on indoor or outdoor courts and golf on an 18-hole course.

Buildings and local history

The Winnetka Historical Society Museum is housed in a residence at 411 Linden Street. The house dates to around 1857, was built in the Gothic Revival style, and is designated a local landmark. The museum houses ten paintings that were either painted by a Winnetka resident or depict one. The same address thus brings together the history of the building and paintings connected to Winnetka residents.

The Schmidt-Burnham Log House offers a different way to explore history: interpreters in period clothing give visitors a glimpse into life in the 1850s. While Linden Street can be understood through its construction date, architecture, and paintings, the presentation at the Log House focuses on a bygone era. Check opening dates and hours separately before visiting.

Boating and ice skating

Boating with motorized and non-motorized boats is available at Lloyd Beach. Since seasonal operations may change, check the current operating information before visiting. The Winnetka Ice Arena is open year-round, day and night, for hockey and ice skating; the specific public schedule depends on the calendar and should be checked before your visit. Planning therefore depends on your destination: seasonal operations matter at Lloyd Beach, while the specific schedule matters at the arena.

Parks in the Winnetka Park District

The Winnetka Park District operates and maintains a total of 27 parks covering more than 242 acres. It primarily serves the Village of Winnetka and also includes parts of the Villages of Glencoe and Northfield. The total number refers to the entire District, not exclusively to Winnetka.

Discover more destinations: Elk Grove Village, Glenview, South Holland, Bellwood, Park Ridge, Morton Grove, Northlake, Crestwood

For the broader travel overview: Cook.