Top Rated Parks to Visit in Villa Park

"Families love Maggie Daley Park's fanciful, free playgrounds in all their enchanted-forest and pirate-themed glory. There’s also a rock-climbing wall, an 18-hole mini-golf course, a winding, in-line skating track called the Skating Ribbon (used for ice-skating in winter) and tennis courts; these features have various fees. Multiple picnic tables make the park an excellent spot to relax."

"Maggie Daley Park is one of the most fun things to do in Chicago. It’s basically a gigantic, all-ages recreation area that resulted from the crazy visions of an architect who never said no to any idea. As a result, the park offers a million different amenities in delightfully clashing ways."

"There is a mini-zoo with farm animals including chickens, goats and llamas in this park on the city's north side. While it also includes a playground, unlike other parks, this one is a big wooden castle with slides, bridges and tunnels so kids of varying ages can really enjoy running around. Flanked by large apartment buildings which may give off a cool feel to the space, the pond with geese and ducks on the grounds and large willow trees providing shade is a beautiful, peaceful respite that transports you from the busy city."

"This park is smaller than the others so far on this list; it occupies a square block in a quiet, residential section of the West Rogers Park neighborhood. But if you visit Indian Boundary Park, you might find some surprises – most notably that Lincoln Park isn’t the only city park with a zoo. Bounded by Estes Avenue on the north, Lunt Avenue on the south and Rockwell Street on the west, Indian Boundary Park includes a small lagoon filled with ducks, a children’s spray pool, and a sandbox."

"Located in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood on the southwest side of Chicago, Marquette Park is the largest park on the southwest side totaling 323 acres. In addition to two gymnasiums, an auditorium, woodshop, Martin Luther King, Jr. kiosk and multi-purpose rooms, it's also home to one of the most affordable 9-hole golf courses in the city. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy a community garden, rose garden, prairie and 500 newly planted trees."

"Chicago Lawn is home to this huge 323-acre park, featuring two gymnasiums, an auditorium, four sports fields, a nine-hole golf course, fishing area, running paths, and a community garden. Don’t miss seeing the rose garden, prairie, and lagoon. A Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. sculpture and an Art Deco Darius and Girenas Memorial are worth viewing as well."

"Known simply as the Midway, this mile-long natural stretch on the South Side connects the east end's Washington Park to Jackson Park on the west. Once the site of amusements during the 1893 Columbian World's Exposition (AKA World's Fair), the Midway is flanked by Hyde Park's noted gothic architecture, particularly the University of Chicago campus, and tree-lined boulevards, as well as outfitted with an ice skating rink and other facilities to keep folks visiting year-round."

"Although fairly new to the North Shore, this downtown Evanston spot has quickly become a favorite. We love their Pan-Fried Chicken and Cabbage Potstickers and the Spicy Beef Noodle Soup, but I also encourage you to look in the “Shang’s Authentic Flavors” section, where you’ll find the Sichuan Fish Casserole (sea bass and napa cabbage in a Sichuan peppercorn broth), Tomato Stir-Fried with Egg (real comfort food!), and Northern-Style Peking Pork Chop with Sweet & Sour Glaze."

"Originally located in New York’s Chinatown, family-owned Sun Wah Bar-B-Que settled into its current location on Broadway in 2009, much to the delight of Chicagoans. The restaurant specializes in Hong Kong-style BBQ, with incredible roasted meats such as salt baked chicken, roasted pork, and barbecued spareribs. The space is most famous for its Beijing duck feast, featuring crisp and succulent roasted duck served three ways."

"This no-frills joint tempts passersby with lacquer-skinned roast ducks hanging by their necks in the steamed-up window. The menu is expansive but inexpensive: The Pei Par BBQ duck and the Hong-Kong–style barbecued pig are sublime in their simplicity, savory and slick with fat. Chinese broccoli arrives jade-green and crisp, and the beef chow fun comes out charred and tasting of the properly smoking wok."

"Sun Wah BBQ‘s creator, Eric Cheng always sharpened his skills as a Hong Kong-style barbecue chef. The restaurant is doing great, though for them it was a confined fish longing for bigger seas. Today, they are happily serving the people in Chicago with their signature dishes."

"Goose Island brews are well known throughout Chicago and the country and some folks have scoffed at the mainstream reach since the 2011 sale of the company to InBev. Since 1988, however, this beer company has consistently produced high-quality, great-tasting beers, and while it’s no longer considered a craft brewery by any stretch of the imagination, Goose Island’s beers are still striking and delicious. Visit the Goose Island taproom on Fulton Street or the one on Clybourn Avenue and order a 312 Urban Wheat Ale, Goose IPA, Green Line Pale Ale, or a Ms Brightside."

"You don’t need to be a beer snob to have heard of Goose Island, probably the most recognizable Chicago beer to the general public across the country. Their Clybourn taproom is a spacious and central location that you can easily integrate into your Chicago itinerary. If you get the chance to visit in person, you’ll have access to their bottled lineup of bourbon barrel aged stouts, but their year-round and seasonal offerings are just as enticing."

"Goose Island continues to serve some of Chicago's finest beer, and a one-stop-shop for a perfect evening beer and bites. They offer tours of the brewery and are also open for brunch!. Place a pick-up order to enjoy all their offerings at home, and check out their menu for seasonal and limited-edition brews."

"Continue supporting startup brewers by ordering cans and crowlers of beer and hard kombucha from Pilot Project’s website. Embrace the warmer weather and dine outdoors on the patio or in one of Pilot Project's private patio cabanas. The taproom is also now open."

"Pilot Project is a brewery incubator that supports fledging breweries. Enjoy the resulting assortment of offerings on the outdoor patio. (Pilot Project Brewing)"

"For the best view of the city and an excellent meal, go to River Roast Steakhouse that’s right on the river inside the historic Reid Murdoch building. The Hogan’s charcuterie with chef’s selection housemade & local charcuterie is one of the best charcuterie boards I’ve ever had. From there, you’ll choose from a whole chicken, rack of pork, big fish (crispy or fire-roasted), roast beef, or the ‘Sunday Supper’ prime rib (available only on Sundays)."

"One commonly overlooked but serious fact of life is that we will all try lackluster veggie burgers sometime or another. What if we told you we had the secret to not only the best veggie burgers but the best veggie EVERYTHING in town?. Whether you're searching for some spicy seitan or strictly leafy greens, look no further."

"If the views from this riverside patio, bar and restaurant don’t have you over a barrel, the food certainly will. River Roast's riverfront patio is open, but daily reservations fill up quickly. Be sure to book yours in advance!"