Jonathan Brosk on 4 Places to Visit With Family in Palatine, IL

Are you looking for some places to visit with your family in Palatine? There are plenty of family-friendly locations to explore in town. Here are some of my family’s favorites.

• Deer Grove Forest Preserve

Deer Grove Forest Preserve is a great way to spend a day with your family. In the winter, you can enjoy some time sledding, skiing, or snowmobiling. If you aren’t a fan of winter activities, check out the preserve in the spring or summer. You can golf, fish, go biking, take a hike, bird watch, or go on a boating adventure. No matter what kind of outdoor activity you prefer, you can find it here.

• Busse Forest Elk Pasture

If you have some animal-lovers in your family, you can’t miss Busse Forest Elk Pasture. Although elk aren’t native to this area, several of them can be spotted and watched at this pasture, located inside the Ned Brown Preserve. The winter is the best time to see the elk, but in the summer you can walk along the trails, enjoy some ice cream, or have a picnic in one of the pavilions.

• South Salk Park

If you need a laidback way to spend an afternoon with the kids, check out South Salk Park. You can play basketball, baseball, or let the kids play on the playground. Many kids especially enjoy the large climbing rock. One of the best features of this park is that it is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, so it offers something for everyone.

• Bakers Lake Nature Preserve

Bakers Lake Nature Preserve, although it’s not nearly as large as Deer Grove Forest Preserve, is another great way to spend a day spotting wildlife — especially for bird-lovers. This preserve is the ideal place to bird watch. It is home to heron rookeries that you won’t see anywhere else in the Midwest. You can also see other types of birds as well, including geese, cranes, grebes, and more.

Whether you’re local to this area or just visiting, check out these four places and prepare to make some priceless family memories!