By The Lisa Wolf Team
Vernon Hills is a Lake County village of about 26,000 people with a parks system, two NHL-size ice rinks, a historic estate open for tours, and a park district running programming for every age. The activity options do not dry up when the weather changes. For the buyers we work with who have children at home, the family things to do Vernon Hills IL year round is one of the first conversations we have
This guide covers the options by category and season.
Key Takeaways
- Glacier Ice Arena is a year-round anchor: Two NHL-size ice surfaces at 670 Lakeview Parkway offer public skate sessions, learn-to-skate classes for children as young as three, hockey leagues, and freestyle skating throughout all four seasons.
- Century Park functions as the village's outdoor living room: An accredited arboretum offering open fields, playgrounds, fishing, volleyball, and seasonal activities including ice skating, sledding, and cross-country skiing in winter and free Arbortheater Concerts in summer.
- The Cuneo Mansion and Gardens is an underrated family destination: A Loyola University-operated historic estate with a Spanish-style mansion, frescoes by muralist John Mallin, and 75 acres of grounds designed by Jens Jensen. It is open for self-guided tours.
- The Vernon Hills Park District manages over 300 acres of parkland: Recreation programs, sports leagues, fitness classes, outdoor movie nights, and holiday festivals serve families across every age group throughout the year.
Year-Round Indoor Activities
Vernon Hills has indoor destinations usable on any day regardless of season or weather.
- Glacier Ice Arena at 670 Lakeview Parkway opened in 1999 with two regulation NHL-size ice surfaces, 12 full locker rooms, heated bleacher seating for 750, a snack bar, a video game room, and party rooms. Public skate sessions run weekly, learn-to-skate classes accept children as young as three, and the weekly schedule includes open hockey, clinics, freestyle skating, and league games for all skill levels.
- Dave and Buster's at Hawthorn Mall is a practical option for families on rainy days or cold winter weekends. Games plus food in a climate-controlled space fills a real gap in the family rotation.
- Vernon Hills Park District recreation centers offer year-round programming including sports leagues, fitness classes, and indoor activities for children. The district's activity calendar is updated seasonally at the Park District website.
Glacier Ice Arena alone justifies a year-round family membership and is one of the most distinctive recreational assets in suburban Lake County.
Outdoor Activities and Parks
Vernon Hills's park system is the backbone of outdoor family life, with Century Park at the center and Half Day Forest Preserve and the Des Plaines River corridor providing natural space beyond the developed park network.
- Century Park is an accredited arboretum offering open fields, playgrounds, sports fields, fishing spots, volleyball courts, and picnic areas. In summer it hosts the free Arbortheater Concert Series from mid-June through early August. In winter, the park offers ice skating, sledding, and cross-country skiing, and it hosts the 4th of July Celebration and fireworks each year.
- Half Day Forest Preserve spans 201 acres just north of Route 22 with trails for walking, biking, and cross-country skiing along with fishing access on a three-acre pond. It requires no planning or fee.
- Des Plaines River Trail runs through Vernon Hills as part of a multi-use trail tracing the river for more than 50 miles. The section here is flat and connects to Lake County forest preserves with hiking, biking, canoeing, and wildlife spotting.
- Vernon Hills Park District parks include Aspen Backyard Park, Augusta Park, Carl Hartmann Park, and Ranney Park, among others. A well-located home in Vernon Hills is rarely more than a short walk from a developed park.
The outdoor park network makes casual, unplanned outdoor time practical, something residents appreciate after living here for a year.
Seasonal Events and Cultural Destinations
Vernon Hills has seasonal events and cultural destinations that give the family activity calendar variety throughout the year.
- Vernon Hills Days is the village's signature summer festival, running four days in mid-July. The 2025 edition ran July 17 to 20 and featured carnival rides, a kids' zone, live music, a petting zoo, fireworks, and a bag toss tournament. Admission is free.
- Cuneo Mansion and Gardens is operated by Loyola University and open for self-guided tours. The Spanish-style mansion was built during WWI for Samuel Insull and later owned by John Cuneo, who commissioned frescoes by muralist John Mallin. The 75-acre grounds were designed by Jens Jensen and include the 18-hole White Deer Run Golf Course.
- Arbortheater Concert Series at Century Park runs from mid-June through early August with free outdoor concerts in a lakeside setting. Families bring blankets and food, and the series draws consistent attendance across north Lake County.
- Little Bear Ribfest is an annual late-summer food and entertainment event. The 2025 edition ran August 15 to 16 with family-friendly entertainment alongside the food programming.
The family things to do Vernon Hills IL year round calendar is genuinely fuller than buyers from outside the area expect. The combination of park programming, seasonal events, the ice arena, and nearby forest preserves produces an activity roster that sustains families through every month.
FAQs
What is the best year-round family destination in Vernon Hills?
Glacier Ice Arena at 670 Lakeview Parkway operates year-round with public skate sessions every week, learn-to-skate classes for children as young as three, hockey clinics, and league play for older kids and adults. Two NHL-size surfaces, heated bleachers for 750, locker rooms, and a snack bar make it a complete destination rather than a brief stop.
Is Century Park good for families in winter?
Yes. Century Park offers ice skating, sledding hills, and cross-country skiing in winter in addition to playgrounds, sports fields, fishing access, and picnic areas. The park is an accredited arboretum worth visiting across all four seasons. The Arbortheater Concert Series brings families back in summer, and the 4th of July fireworks draw a significant crowd each year.
Does the Vernon Hills Park District offer programming for young children?
Yes. The Vernon Hills Park District offers year-round programming across age groups, including activities for young children. It manages over 300 acres of parkland and runs sports leagues, fitness classes, outdoor movie nights, and seasonal events including holiday festivals. Programming details are on the Park District's website.
Contact the Lisa Wolf Team Today
Vernon Hills's family activity infrastructure is something residents consistently cite after their first year as a reason they are glad they chose this community. We know which neighborhoods put families closest to Century Park, Glacier Ice Arena, and the best park-district assets.
Tell us what matters to your family, and we will build a Vernon Hills search around it.
Reach out to us at the Lisa Wolf Team whenever you are ready.
