Things to Do in Winnetka, IL - Winnetka Attractions
Things to Do in Winnetka
Book these experiences for a closer look at the region.
TV Toursfromper group (up to 3)$315
Sightseeing Cruisesfromper adult$49
Sightseeing Cruisesfromper adult$45
Sightseeing Cruisesfromper adult$28
Crime Toursfromper adult$49
Beer & Brewery Toursfromper adult$85
Extreme Sportsfromper adult$39
Sightseeing Cruisesfromper adult$56
Observation Decksfromper adult$30
Observation Decksfromper adult$44
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Other Top Attractions around Winnetka
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travelers are saying
- Phil GHuddersfield, UK85 contributionsWhilst this is an iconic house it must be remembered that it is someone’s home. Standing directly outside and taking photographs was a privilege which the current homeowners permitted. It really does bring back the great memories of the movie and is located in a beautiful area.Written January 10, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- illinois travelere1,535 contributionsSee my earlier reviews (April 11, 2020 and August 25, 2017) for more details.
a lone kayaker in the middle of a lagoon, surrounded by sparkling water.
a few birds circling above -- perhaps looking for a meal
a solitary angler casting off from the shoreline
a young buck with velvety-looking antlers, at the side of the path
trees just starting to turn golden
cyclists, dog walkers, joggers, hikers, bench sitters
a sunny but cool October afternoon at the Skokie LagoonsWritten October 27, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Taylor BChicago, IL8,455 contributionsCrow Island Woods is the second largest park in the Winnetka Park District, Located at 1140 Willow Road, directly west of Crow Island School, the park covers 17.91 acres and includes a historic log cabin, the Schmidt-Burnham Log House, that was built in 1837 and moved to the site in the northeast meadow in 2003. The northern half of the park consists of a variety of grassy areas framed by groupings of trees and shrubs. A wet sedge meadow to the west can be explored via a winding wooden boardwalk. Parking is available in the center of the park via a gravel road off of Willow Road. The southern half of the park is a natural red oak savanna which is laced with mulched pathways for leisurely walks. A picnic shelter with restrooms is located south of the parking area. Historically, forestry experts believe that Crow Island Woods is a remnant of what early settlers in the late 1820s described as the "Big Woods" which intermingled with swampy areas that flooded with every rain. In fact, the park contains trees and over 100 species of plants that date to the time of the early settlers. Also see the nearby Crow Island School, which was built in 1940 and currently serves kindergarten through fourth grade students. More importantly, it is noted for its International Style architecture. a unique design that allows each classroom to have its own outdoor courtyard. The school was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990.Written November 16, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- R. Abraham47 contributionsThis park is cute for kids of all ages. There is a splash pad, playground, open grass area and great spots for picnics. The town around the park is also very nice with an amazing small town vibe, just beautiful! Also, this was a location in the Home Alone movie, that’s how we stumbled upon it.Written August 1, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Previa1994Chicago, IL6,608 contributionsThe North Branch Trail runs approximately 20 miles along the North Branch of the Chicago River. The trail winds along the Chicago River past the Skokie Lagoons and through forest preserves. But I did not get much views of the river when I biked the north six-miles of the trail. At the north end of the trail, the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, is a pleasant excursion. A bike rider can park the bike at the entrance and have a free entry to the fabulous garden. The north section of the trail also features a ~4-mile loop around Skokie Lagoons and Erickson Woods. The loop’s west side runs along I-94 and highway traffic is quite noisy; the eastern side of the loop provides a more peaceful experience as it winds through the woods, though it is more hilly. Â
The North Branch Trail has plenty of amenities, with parking lots, bathrooms, and picnic areas. Though several road crossings occur along the way, they are well-marked and have adequate safety measures. It is a very enjoyable trail.Written March 30, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Taylor BChicago, IL8,455 contributionsThe Anita Willets Burnham Log House, located at 1140 Willow Road in the Crow Island Woods of Winnetka, Illinois, was built in 1836 and was the longest occupied home in northern Illinois until the daughter of artist and author Anita Willets Burnham gifted it to the Winnetka Historical Society in 2001. The log house, which is 2 1/2 stories tall and made of hand-hewn squared oak logs, was built on a farmstead in south central Winnetka. In 1917, Willets Burnham purchased the house and moved it to 1401 Tower Road in northwest Winnetka. A prominent painter whose work was based on Impressionism and Realism and a writer who authored "Round the World on a Penny," an account of her travels in the 1920s, she lived in the house until her death in 1956. After her death, her two daughters lived in the home until their deaths in 1978 and 2000. At that time, the Winnetka Historical Society inherited the home and relocated it to its current address in Crow Island Woods. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005 and opened to the public in 2006. The house's history dates to the 1800s, when Pete Schmidt's family became the first documented residents from 1841 to 1870. Originally, it was part of a German immigrant settlement on Ridge Road near the present-day Indian Hill Club. The house has undergone many changes over the years. But thanks to restoration efforts by the Winnetka Historical Society, today the exterior looks much like it did in the early 20th century. In fact, 1836 axe cut marks are still visible on the square-cut logs on the original part of the house. And the Burnhams' 1917 addition on the back of the house remains intact.Written June 11, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
