If you’ve visited Schaumburg a few times, you may think you know all about this sprawling town in the northwest suburbs. Since 1971 it has been defined by Woodfield Shopping Mall and more recently by the Streets of Woodfield and IKEA.
But did you know that as recently as 1960 it was a fairly rural community with a population of only 986? (The population is now about 70,000.) We recently visited and found some great little spots that offer a respite from pure commerce and some interesting insights into Schaumburg’s past and future:
Volkening Heritage Farm, 197 S. Plum Grove Rd. (one-fourth mile south of Schaumburg Road); 847-985-2100: The tiny entrance to this unobtrusive farm is easy to miss on this busy suburban road, but as you go the 100 yards or so up the driveway, you are transported to another place and time — 1880s rural Schaumburg, to be exact. Officially opened in 1997, this working farm keeps horses, sheep, pigs, turkeys, chickens and cows. Visitors without appointments can just drop by to view the animals and tour the grounds. Those who plan ahead can arrange to visit the 1880s farmhouse or participate in hands-on programs involving the typical farm chores associated with life in Schaumburg 120 years ago, when it was a thriving German-American dairy community. The visitors center at the farm is open May through October. Grounds are open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily in winter.
Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary, 1111 E. Schaumburg Rd. (one-fourth mile west of Meacham Road); 847-985-2100: Connected by trails to the Heritage Farm, this 135-acre nature sanctuary was opened in 1983 as a living museum, preserving prairies, woodlands, wetlands, streams and a variety of plants and animals indigenous to the area. The visitors center houses exhibits, a natural history library and an education facility. On Sundays visitors can enter the sanctuary’s log cabin from 1 to 4 p.m. and sip a beverage around the fire or take a hearth cooking or crafts class. But maybe the best way to enjoy the sanctuary is just to stroll its peaceful grounds, which lets you escape the hubbub and traffic for a moment. Grounds are open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.
Koreana Restaurant, 1123 N. Salem Drive; 847-882-3690: This once heavily German area now features a growing Asian population and consequently several fine South and East Asian restaurants, among them Yu’s, Indian Garden and Kinokawa in adjacent Hoffman Estates. But one of the biggest surprises for us was Koreana, a friendly and authentic Korean eatery offering some of the best of Chicago’s Koreatown right in mallville. Selections include barbecued short ribs (that you can grill at the table), seafood, meat and vegetable casseroles, a great crispy stone pot bi bim bop, fried dumplings and spicy soups in a rustic-styled dining room. The nine panchan (little relishes and salads) served with each meal are also excellent. After 9 p.m. diners can wander over to adjoining lounge for cocktails and karaoke until the wee hours. The restaurant itself is open 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily.
Chicago Athenaeum in Schaumburg, 190 S. Roselle Rd.; 847-895-3950, www.chi-athenaeum.org: It may not be the Art Institute of Chicago, but this showcase for design, architecture and fine art offers rotating art exhibits (like the one about Sept. 11 featured in this week’s cover story), a permanent industrial design collection and architectural artifacts. In addition to the Sept. 11 exhibit, the center is showing “21st Century Quilts,” which focuses on the work of quilters who are using new techniques. Two large sculptures sit on the sidewalk next to the parking lot, and a large sculpture garden owned by the Athenaeum is located in the back of the Prairie Center for the Arts. This Schaumburg facility is a satellite location of the Chicago Atheneaum Museum, which is now closed, though Athenaeum administrators expect to reopen it. Admission is $2-$3. Hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closed Monday and Tuesday. www.chi-athenaeum.org.
Schaumburg Waterworks, 505 N. Springinsguth Rd.; 847-490-2505. What a find. Especially in the middle of winter. This huge, balmy, indoor water park features three water slides, a rapid water channel, a diving pool, a lap pool, a gradual beachlike entry pool, fountains, a whirlpool, a family changing room, a nursery, snack shop and swim lessons. It’s a great splashy escape for adults, teens and toddlers alike. We think that it is tucked into its quiet western corner of Schaumburg so others won’t hear all the squeals of delight it creates. Open swim hours are 5:30-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4-8 p.m. Friday and noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission: $4-$8.
