Things to Do in Lombard

Near the runways of O'Hare Airport, O'Hare Paintball Park hosts competitors inside its 25,000-square-foot indoor arena. A quiet staging area away from the noise of roaring opponents lets combatants prepare for each skirmish before storming the field with paintball guns in speedball or scenario matches. Red and blue speedball-format obstacles lend cover during quick elimination games, and inflatable hummers, log cabins, and wooden boxes conceal warriors in themed games to give an authentic war-zone feel. Experienced staff members interact with players before and after matches by assisting younger competitors, offering strategies for overcoming difficult situations, and offering techniques for painting Monet's Water Lilies on opponents' bunker walls. O’Hare Paintball Park is open to the public Thursdays through Sundays.

The GolfBetter Studio tweaks clients' golf games using a holistic combination of instruction, fitness, and equipment to improve swings and skills. After a Power Golf Assessment, each participant enters a program in which each lesson focuses on developing changes in motor skills using the K-Vest. The studio's Titleist Performance Institute–certified instructors use every tool at their disposal to up their students' games, be it swing-analysis technology or making misbehaving golf clubs sit facing the corner for hours.

Although there are 26 other greens, one parcel of bentgrass stands out at Hilton Chicago/Indian Lakes Resort’s golf complex. It is a true island green that is approachable only by bridge or conveniently placed hovercraft. This is one of many spectacular course details that populate Blackhawk Trace Golf Club’s three 9-hole courses, each of which comes in at more than 3,400 yards and challenges golfers to a par 36. Renowned golf-course architect Rick Jacobson extensively renovated the links in 2002, and rather than cover blades of grass in mascara and call it a makeover, he decided to transform the 1960s-era bunkers into dramatically sloping sand traps and install four tee options at nearly every hole. Jacobson also switched the greens, tees, and fairways to bentgrass and incorporated fescue grasses to add texture and flavor for grazing golf carts.

Before conquering the courses, players can stretch out swings at the club’s extensive practice facilities, which include 46 all-grass hitting stations, two large putting greens, and practice bunkers. Golfers looking for guidance or a professional friend can employ the talents of onsite PGA instructors for lessons. After a long day of strutting after putts, players can head to the Masters Clubhouse to refuel with sandwiches and flatbreads.

Course at a Glance:

• Highland/Woodland course: course rating of 73.4, slope rating of 137
• Island/Highland course: course rating of 72.5, slope rating of 131
• Island/Woodland course: course rating of 72.5, slope rating of 133