Visit Calumet City Cook Illinois and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover Calumet City, Illinois: Local specialties and nature experiences at Lake Michigan. Recreation near Chicago!
What makes Calumet City sights so special is the way history and present are almost unnoticed here. I remember driving over the old railway line for the first time, which once formed the backbone of the industrial age, and suddenly heard the silent ratter of today's metro line – a short but impressive indication that the Township of Thornton has been reinvented again and again since the 1880s. The city grew from a small village called West Hammond, which was renamed Calumet City in 1918 to homage the nearby Calumet River, and has since developed a unique flair that can hardly be found in other parts of Cook County.
When I get over I-94 by car from Chicago, I immediately feel that the suburbs here are not only commuter paradise, but also a melting pot of different cultures – a bit like an unfiltered street food market, only with more graffiti and less tourists. I like to take the Metra train to Blue Island and then get into the bus that takes me directly to the heart of Calumet City; this is the fastest way to experience the authentic everyday life without getting lost in endless parking.
A walk along the old factory grounds, which were reworked today to trendy cafés and small galleries, shows how the city does not deny its industrial past, but uses it as a foundation for new ideas. And just what I love at Calumet City's sights is this subtle mix of rough history and surprising creativity – a place that gives you the feeling that you just scratched the surface while you feel like you've lived here forever.
This guide invites you to stroll with me through the little-respected corners of Calumet City, where I discovered my favorite places, while I was actually looking for a quick coffee.
For me, the Calumet City Public Library – a venerable brick building dating back to 1915, which sprays more charm than some hip bookshops in the city centre. I remember looking for an old Atlas between the high shelves and suddenly a friendly librarian pointed out that the reading room window offers a perfect view of the small park behind it. Parking is usually easy as long as you do not come on Friday night, then the field before the entrance to the battlefield.
Just a few minutes walk away Calumet City Parka green spot that feels like a forgotten piece of Chicago. The lake there is not huge, but in the summer a popular spot for families who enjoy their children with squeaking gums. I once organized a spontaneous picnic with a few neighbors, and we have had fun over the strange preferences of the city dwellers for hot-dog stands at the lake shore – no joke, this is almost a tradition.
If you have enough of the green, the path leads to Calumet City Golf Club, a 9-hole course that has more character than some 18-hole facility. The fairways are a little wilder, which means that you stumble more often over bunkers, but that makes the appeal. I once tried to hit a birdie and instead landed in the water barrier – that was embarrassing, but the club members laughed cordially and offered me a cool beer. The clubhouse has a small snack area where you can enjoy a few classic American burgers after the game.
A short detour leads to Calumet City Skate Park, a place I would call the heart of youth. The ramps are not exaggerated, but enough to practice some cool tricks. I once observed a young skater who landed a 360-flip while standing in my hand with my coffee and thought: “I don’t understand the hype around this, but the pure adrenaline is real.” Parking is available next to the park, but they are quickly occupied on weekends.
For history lovers there is Calumet City Historical Museum, a small but fine museum that documents the development of the city from an industrial area to a suburb. I was there on a Thursday afternoon when a special exhibition on the local railway was opened – a real eye-catcher for all those interested in old locomotives. The museum is free, and the staff is always ready to chat a little, especially when you ask for the “secret” stories of the city.
A little away from the known paths lies the Calumet Riverwalk, a narrow path along the Calumet River, which offers surprisingly quiet moments. I have often watched the sunset there while I threw out my fishing – yes, fishing is actually a popular hobby here, although most visitors see the water rather than a photo motif. Access is barrier-free, and a small car park at the end of the path is usually free as long as you don't get to lunch.
At the end of my little tour I want to Calumet City Community mention a place where everything from yoga classes to local art exhibitions takes place. I took part in an Impro theatre evening where the participants played completely improvised scenes from the everyday life in Calumet City – the result was hilarious and showed how creative the inhabitants can be. The center is centrally located so you can easily get by bus or car, and parking is usually easy.
So if you travel to Calumet City the next time, remember that the Calumet City Attractions not only consist of the well-known names, but of the small, authentic experiences that you only find when you wander a little off the beaten paths.
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