ARLINGTONDiscover HEIGHTS Visitors Guide Arlington International Horse Racing's Most Beautiful Track Mitsuwa Marketplace A Taste of Japan That's Close to Home DISCOVERARLINGTON.COM TABLE OF CONTENTS ARLINGTON INTERNATIONAL RACECOURSE 4 MITSUWA MARKETPLACE 6 METROPOLIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE 8 EVENTS 10 PLACES TO PLAY 12 ARLINGTON HEIGHTS COMMUNITY MAP 14 NIGHTLIFE & HOTSPOTS 15 DINING 16 DOWNTOWN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS 20 SHOPPING 22 HOTELS 23 Dear Guest, I’d like to take a moment and welcome you to Arlington Heights! We greatly appreciate you choosing the City of Good Neighbors. With 76,000 residents and 3,000+ businesses, Arlington Heights is one of the largest communities, both residential and commercial, in the entire Chicago area. Now that you’re here, we invite you to escape your room and join us at one of our countless dining, shopping, and entertainment options. The heart of the community lies within our Downtown, just a couple short miles (less than a 10-minute drive) from where you’re staying. In this award-winning mixed-use district, you’ll find more than 30 places to eat – from elegant white tablecloths to casual eateries, from classic American fare to enticing ethnic cuisine, from modern interiors to family-friendly al fresco dining. There are also plenty of boutique shopping opportunities as well as incredible entertainment experiences such as a live show at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre. Please consider visiting our north side and south side districts as well. These feature an array of shopping options including numerous national retailers, countless additional restaurants including casual and sit-down eateries, and Mitsuwa Marketplace, which serves as the largest Japanese grocery and shopping center in the Midwest. Also, we would be honored to have you join us for one of the many unique events that run in our community throughout the year. But don’t just take my word for it. Please take another minute to look through this guide that features 24 pages of images, descriptions, and contact information to give you a sample of what our incredible community has to offer. Copyright 2018-2019. All rights reserved. You, your friends, and your family are always welcome in Arlington Heights. This publication may not be reproduced in whole We appreciate your visit and your patronage to our wonderful businesses. or in part in any form by any means, electronic or We hope you come to visit again soon! mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information retrieval system known or Sincerely, hereafter invented, without written permission from the publisher. Meet Chicago Northwest and the Village of Arlington Heights are not responsible for any errors or omissions that Thomas W. Hayes Produced in Partnership with: FACEBOOK.COM/DISCOVERARLINGTONHEIGHTS might occur. The listings and advertisements in this publication do not imply any endorsement Mayor by the Village of Arlington Heights and Meet Chicago Northwest. 2M 6/18 2 // DISCOVERARLINGTON.COM DISCOVERARLINGTON.COM // 3 ARLINGTON INTERNATIONAL AMERICA’S MOST BEAUTIFUL HORSE RACING TRACK irst opened in 1927, Arlington International has been called F“America’s most beautiful racetrack.” And it’s easy to see why. The immaculate grounds are lushly landscaped with manicured lawns, flower displays and stands of trees. The track’s infield is graced with RACECOURSE majestic weeping willows and a large, pristine blue pond. An impressive, six-story grandstand overlooks the famed one-mile and one-eighth oval track, which can seat 50,000 cheering fans. Tickets are very affordable. And if you buy your tickets in advance, you’ll also enjoy discounts. If you like your horses close up, stroll to the paddock area where the steeds are walked just before each race. By the way, the extensive stables on the backstretch can The highlight of the season is Arlington International is easy to shelter over 2,000 horses. the world-famous Arlington Million get to. There’s plenty of parking. Not sure how to bet? Take a free (America’s first ever million-dollar And Metra trains from Chicago stop ‘Betting 101’ class before the first race Thoroughbred race) in early August. right at the front gates. and learn the basics of wagering. It’s an international turf showcase of One of the choices you’ll make champion racehorses. The fashions is where to sit. Lawn seating and and pageantry are sights to behold. benches are free. The options go up Be sure to reserve your spot ahead from there: Standard Box seating, of time. THE MAN WHO REMADE Executive Boxes, and Luxe Boxes. Horse racing isn’t the only pastime ARLINGTON INTERNATIONAL Where you sit (and dine) determines that draws visitors. Arlington Born six years before the racetrack originally opened in 1927, Arlington International is a destination owner Richard “Mr. D” Duchossois has been the charismatic guiding for the entire family. You’ll find plenty force at Arlington for over 35 years. He purchased the track, which of exciting events for every age. had seen better days, in 1984, only to see it burn down the following how you’ll dress. Casual clothes are International is also a destination for year. Rebuilding the racetrack at fine for the Pavilion, while fancy the entire family. You’ll find plenty of an estimated $200 million (almost It’s off to the races at Arlington International Racecourse, exquisite home dress is required at the elegant exciting events for every age. On the $500 million today), Duchossois Governor’s Room. last Sunday of every month, Arlington rescued Arlington International of Thoroughbred racing...and family fun. If you’ve never experienced the Food at Arlington International is International pulls out all the stops and remade it into America’s most exceptional, and there are plenty of with a themed Family Day, featuring elegant and exciting destination for out-and-out excitement of this horseracing jewel, now’s the time. There’s options: from burgers, BBQ, carved concerts, roving magicians, crafts, Thoroughbred racing. By the way, meats and more at the first-floor food face painting, a petting zoo, pony his namesake sports bar Mr. D’s is a no better place to be on a sunny afternoon. Take in the festive atmosphere. court, to the refined pub fare of the rides, and pint-sized amusement rides. great place to watch the races. Admire the jockeys in their colorful silks atop sleek Thoroughbreds. Place a Cowboy Grill, to the elegant dining Adults can rock out at one of the experience of The Million Room. lively Party in the Park After Dark Arlington International bet. Then listen to the thundering hooves and the roar of the crowd as the You can also bring in your own bashes, featuring live music, games, Racecourse food and non-alcoholic beverages. and plenty to eat and drink. 2200 W. Euclid Ave. horses surge to the finish line. The racing season runs from early May to Smaller bags and coolers enter free. Sample the enticing fare of the (847) 385-7500 Larger ones require a cooler pass. Be Food Truck Festival. Hoist a glass at arlingtonpark.com September, and there are 71 racing days to choose from. sure to reserve a picnic table for your Septemberfest. Enjoy family movie family or group, and enjoy the day! nights and lots more. 4 // DISCOVERARLINGTON.COM DISCOVERARLINGTON.COM // 5 MITSUWA MARKETPLACE Get ready to immerse yourself in the exhilarating t’s the perfect adventure for aromas, sights and flavors of Japan. Welcome to foodies, families and fans of Mitsuwa Marketplace – the Midwest’s largest Japanese IJapanese culture. Start with a market. With its vast selection of high-quality foods visit to Mitsuwa’s supermarket. Stroll down the bustling aisles as Japanese and beverages, food court, specialty shops and pop songs play overhead, and you cultural events, it’s easy to see why Mitsuwa draws might feel you’re in Tokyo or Osaka. Watch as skilled workers behind the people from across Illinois and neighboring states. fish counter carve precise strips of glistening yellowtail and mackerel for sashimi. Seafood is central to Japanese cuisine, and Mitsuwa stocks a remarkable assortment – much of it flown in fresh from Japan. Stop by the meat department with its artisanal pork, chicken and beef offerings, and you’ll find one of Japan’s culinary gems, rarely found at retail – the richly marbled, meltingly tender Wagyu beef. The Japanese emphasis on eating foods at the peak of their seasonal like Kake and Kitsune. And the Another tasty way to explore boa constrictors. Searching for the freshness means there will be a intensely flavored bowls of ramen Japan’s vibrant food culture at Mitsuwa perfect chopstick rests? You’ll find constantly rotating assortment are guaranteed to put a smile on is to attend one of the “gourmet fairs,” them at the housewares shop, along of fresh-from-the-farm fruits and your face. Want to shift culinary celebrating the unique regional foods with an amazing selection of plates, vegetables in Mitsuwa’s colorful gears? Order from a Chinese menu. of Japan – from the sweet hairy crab bowls and kitchenware. There’s also produce section, including exotics Or try some Korean street food, like of Hokkaido to the celebrated fried a Shiseido makeup boutique, a video like wintry yuzu citrus, spring’s Bibimbap – a savory bowl crowded chicken wings of Nagoya. store with hard-to-find Japanese titles Sakura cherry blossoms and with rice, sautéed vegetables, beef Be sure to visit some of the other and a Japanese hair salon. summery Okayama peaches. short ribs and fried egg. Save room shops near the food court. The Japan- Ready to delve into the world for dessert. There’s red bean cake, based Kinokuniya bookstore has Mitsuwa Marketplace of saké? Mitsuwa’s cozy liquor curry cake, green tea ice cream, and colorful displays of Japanese books, 100 E.