Fun Things to Do in Arlington Heights

Summer is officially in full swing and you know how special this time of the year is for us Midwesterners. We look forward to days by the lake, attending outdoor festivals, farmers markets and dining al fresco on summer nights! At Porky’s BBQ, we love the summertime and as a local restaurant in downtown Arlington Heights- we have the inside scoop on what to do if you’re ever in the area this summer! Not to mention, our door is always open for visitors if you want to stop by!

Visit Lake Arlington 

Nothing beats hanging out at the lake in the summer. Lake Arlington is a man-made lake with a 2-mile walking path perimeter that is open all year-round. Although this lake is not for swimming, it is boat friendly. It has a fishing pier and boardwalk that is connected to a boating dock where they offer paddle-boat rentals. If you have little ones, make sure to check out their playground that has a sensory garden with a decorative fountain! You can easily spend an entire afternoon at Lake Arlington, whether it be boating, fishing or taking in the beautiful scenery. They have a concession stand but it’s also a great place to pack a picnic and enjoy the outdoors in their picnic area!

Watch a Show at the Metropolis Performing Arts Center 

Although summer is usually all about being outdoors, we also have our fair share of rainy days here in IL. The Metropolis Performing Arts Center (MPAC) is a great place to go to watch a show when the weather isn’t great. It hosts hundreds of performances each year and even has a school that enriches the lives of thousands of students ranging from toddlers to seniors! This summer they are featuring a Tony-Award nominated show called Xanadu which is a romantic comedy that is not only fun to watch but is also moving! The musical follows the journey of a Greek mythological muse who descends from Mt. Olympus to help inspire a mortal struggling artist achieve his biggest dream! Make sure to check out this gem on a dreary day that will be sure to warm your heart!

Dine Al Fresco in Downtown Arlington Heights

When it comes to dinner and a show- rain or shine, Arlington Heights is a hub for some of the best restaurants in the northwest suburbs! But when the weather is nice, one of the best aspects of summertime is dining al fresco! There are plenty of places to choose from and if you go on a Thursday or Friday, Harmony Park features live music from 7-8:30 PM. You can grab an early dinner while dining al fresco and enjoy some relaxing music in the park! If you are in the mood for the best BBQ food in Arlington Heights, make sure to check out Porky’s BBQ! We now offer outdoor seating so you can grab a quick bite to eat or get your food to go and bring it to the park for a picnic! We are also super excited because we now offer refreshing beers & ciders and soon, we’ll be offering wine too!

Summertime in Illinois is truly a special time and we only have 4 months to take advantage of this beautiful weather! So, whether you are in the mood to go boating around Arlington Lake, catch a Broadway show at the Metropolis Performing Arts Center or enjoy outdoor dining- Arlington Heights is where it’s at and has a lot to offer! For Porky’s BBQ, downtown Arlington Heights is our home and we are proud to be in such a beautiful area! Come visit us this summer to enjoy our new outdoor dining experience for some tasty BBQ food, accompanied with some ice-cold beers and/or ciders of your choice, made from scratch sides & desserts!