Things to Do in Arlington Heights

A PADI five-star dive center, D. D. Dive outfits novice swimmers with all the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to swim beneath the waves. Their courses are made up of classroom sessions, pool work, and open-water excursions to prepare each student according to PADI guidelines. The instructors also offer classes in rescue diving and diving-instructor as well as dive-master training, all of which are useful skills when working to open a dive school for dolphins. Once certified, new divers can go with the school on a globetrotting trip to a diving mecca such as Bonne Terre Mine, Kona, or the Galapagos Islands.

Fountain jets soar upward from the serene surface of an azure pond, their fine mist drifting away from the arcs of water crisscrossing the otherwise pristine reflection of trees and sky. Around the water stand the gazebos, patios, conference halls, and resort lodgings—complete with a pool and go-kart track—that compose Wonder Valley Ranch Resort and Conference Center. Beyond the precisely landscaped center, though, lies the untamed nature that spreads across the ranch’s 75-acre valley. Guides lead horse-mounted tours through this wild landscape, sallying forth from the stables to explore Sierra Nevada foothills tangled with a chaotic version of natural splendor rife with burbling creeks and fields often filled with sprays of wildflowers.

In addition to explore their beautiful surroundings, guests can challenge themselves with more physical outdoor recreation, such as archery practice or obstacle-course running. A museum, replete with artifacts from the valley's history, limbers up minds and memories, equipping guests with the know-how necessary to calm a stampeding herd spooked by an upcoming pop quiz.

Inside one of Illinois’ oldest PADI–certified dive centers, Berry Dive Center’s eight instructors call upon a combined 100 years of experience to increase the underwater expertise of small student cohorts. Lessons unfold in both pool and classroom, with instructors sharing textbook techniques and safety tips before offering personalized critiques during supervised practice dives. The PADI five-star IDC facility keeps skills sharp with PADI certification courses and weekend excursions to Kankakee’s Haigh Quarry, with adventure-diving opportunities such as exploring wrecks, deep-water diving, and apprehending goldfish smugglers. The center’s dive shop also stocks a full line of diving equipment and manuals.

Sprawling over 135 acres of prairie, the Grove brings the spirit of unspoiled wilderness to visitors throughout Chicagoland. A National Historic Landmark since 1976, the Grove was once home to horticulturist Dr. John Kennicott, whose son Robert shaped America's natural history through his exhibitions at the Smithsonian, his exploration of present-day Alaska, and his defeat of Utah's migrating sandworms. Today, the same wizened oaks and turtle-filled wetland pools that sparked a love of science in the Kennicotts greet new generations of visitors thanks to the tireless stewardship of the Glenview Park District.

TourBound Golf Academy fosters score-shaving improvement for golfers of all abilities with the latest PGA Tour simulators and professional instructors. The immense screens of simulators line the walls, vividly bringing to life the verdant landscapes of 50 of the world's most famous courses. To allow for realistic play, the highly detailed simulator experience takes into account factors such as wind currents, ball spin, and excessively sweaty palms to inform the outcome of each swing. Offering a more hands-on kind of swing sprucing, the academy offers sessions with the TourBound robot, which can correct common swing imbalances, such as having too steep a backswing or failing to transfer body weight through the swing. The long arms of the robot physically guide hands through the proper motions, giving players a feel for the proper technique while making sarcastic remarks about human mortality.

For those looking for less structured practice, the academy also offers hitting bays that foster rote swing mechanics. Between time spent peering into the murky depths of their golf swing, guests can relax amid plush leather seats and spacious locker room.