The best arts & culture spots in Arlington Heights

“Whether you need a midweek reset or want to wow a curious kid, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum delivers immersive exhibits, live animals, and very chill butterflies. Drop-by programs and hands-on science make it feel like nature class, minus the homework, right in our own backyard.”

From the Chicago newsletter, August 3, 2026

“Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in nearby Arlington Heights keeps the calendar full with plays, concerts, comedy, and cabarets, plus classes if you’re itching to get on stage yourself. Grab a ticket this week and treat your brain to something brighter than another streaming scroll.”

From the Schaumburg newsletter, August 6, 2026

“Chain of art studios offering easy-to-follow painting classes for groups & individuals.”

“Interactive exhibits, artifacts & memorabilia help tell the story of the city's rich sports history.”

“Family museum on Navy Pier with lots of interactive exhibits, including many for young kids.”

“State-of-the-art museum of science & invention, with the world's largest Tyrannosaurus Rex.”

“Immersive rooms with optical illusions & holograms designed to deceive the eye, popular for photos.”

“Some 18,000 paintings, photographs, sculptures & more are housed at this art museum.”

“This museum is a collection of vintage & replica homes & businesses, plus dolls & dollhouses.”

“This venue hosts the Chicago Opera Theater as well as a variety of music and dance performances.”

“Renowned art museum holding nearly 300,000 works from all over the world, spanning many centuries.”

“Sprawling, hands-on museum full of informative, child-friendly scientific & industrial exhibits.”

“Photos, artifacts, newsreels & dioramas bring to life historical events, architecture & culture.”

“Important example of early modern architecture from 1892 by Louis Sullivan & Frank Lloyd Wright.”