Visit Markham Cook Illinois and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover Markham, Illinois: The American town museum! Experience the historic buildings and the unique colonial atmosphere. Eat in local restaurants and enjoy the typical Canadian kindness of the inhabitants.
What makes Markham sights so special is the way history seems to breathe not only in dusty plaques, but in every street corner. I remember driving over the old railway bridge for the first time, which was the backbone of agricultural deliveries in the 19th century. Century was, and immediately got the feeling that more has happened here than just the usual suburban noise. Markham, nestled in the tranquil Bremen Township of Cook County, developed from a small railway junction to a unique mix of industrial heritage and modern housing estates – a bit like a hipster café that suddenly appears next to an old grain silo.
If I take the I‐94 by car from Chicago, you can feel after a few kilometers that the skyline softens and the fields return. A short stop at the old Markham Post Office, which today houses a café, is a must for me – not because it is a tourist magnet, but because I can smell the scent of freshly ground coffee and the quiet history of letters from the 1900s at the same time. And yes, I don't quite understand the hype about the latest residential projects, but the small family-run shops along Main Street have their own charm that somehow holds the whole place authentic. Those who want to experience the real Markham should not only limit themselves to the usual “sights” but simply stroll through the streets and suck up the unfaithful everyday life – this is the true highlight for me.
This guide invites you to stroll with me through the little wonders of Markham, as if after a long working day in the city we could just have a little rest.
I must confess at the beginning that this Markham Nature Preserve is my personal favorite place – not because it is a huge nature reserve (it is rather a vivid piece of wetland), but because I first observed a frog there, which is almost louder than the children in the playground. The terrain is well signposted, and parking is usually a Klacks as long as you do not arrive on Saturday night, then the field becomes a small battlefield from cars and shopping carts. A short walk over the wooden ridge leads to a viewpoint from which one hardly recognizes the Chicago skyline in the distance – but this is not the actual goal, but the soothing water jets and the occasional shading of the ducks.
A short detour to Markham Library is almost obligatory if you have the impression that the village would otherwise be too quiet. The library is a real relic from the 70s, with sticky wooden chairs and shelves that seem to carry more dust than books. I once borrowed a book about local bird species, only to find out that the librarians knew more about the history of the place than I did – she told me that the building was once a primary school building before it was remodeled to the library in 1975. Parking is available right in front of the entrance, and this is practical because you don't want to walk back to the car after a long walk through the reserve.
If you need a bit of movement then the path almost inevitably leads to Markham Community Center. The center is a true chameleon: during the day a gym, in the evening a dance hall, at the weekend a place for local art exhibitions. I took part in a yoga course where the teacher spoke more about her cat than about the Asanas – a real Ice-Breaker, I tell you. Parking is a bit more tricky here, because the center has only a small parking space, but this can be easily solved with a short walk through the neighborhood.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Markham Historical Society Museum. The museum is small, but it has character – old photos, a few antique tools and a handwritten diary of an early settler, which I almost forgot when scrolling, that I actually wanted to look in for a short time. The exhibition explains why Markham used to be an agricultural center and how the city developed over the decades to the suburb that we know today. I don’t understand the hype about the “historical tours” completely, but the museum has a charming little cafe area where you can enjoy a coffee after the tour while thinking about the old-honored stories.
For those who prefer fresh products, Markham Farmers Market a must – at least on the few Saturdays a year when it takes place at all. There are not only vegetables, but also homemade jams, handmade soaps and occasionally some local bands playing in the background. I bought a pumpkin that was so big that I could hardly carry it through the door – a real proof that the Markham sights not only consist of museums and parks, but also of the small, everyday moments that make life here.
A short trip across the border Bremen Township is also worth it. The Bremen Township Hall is an inconspicuous brick building, which however forms the heart of the municipality. There you will find the weekly meeting of citizens discussing everything from road repairs to the latest grill recipes. I happened to visit a meeting and was immediately greeted with a piece of homemade apple cake – a real comfort when you ask yourself why you drove here at all.
The Bremen Community Center, which offers more sports than an average fitness club. I watched a Badminton tournament where the participants chat more about their favorite series than about the actual game – a perfect example of how social coexistence is above all. Parking is generous here, and the center even has a small outdoor area where you can enjoy a cool drink in the summer.
Another jewel is that Bremen Historical Museum. The museum is housed in an old school building and shows exhibits ranging from old school books to historical maps. I was particularly impressed by an old photograph showing a tractor from the 1930s, which was almost as large as the present town hall. The museum has no large numbers of visitors, which means that you can explore the exhibitions without being crowded.
Last but not least, Bremen Park forget a small but fine green area, which is frequented by families and dog owners alike in the summer. The park has a playground, a small basketball field and a pond in which ducks swim – a perfect place to just sit after a long day and enjoy the sun. Parking is practical here because there are several small accesses that make parking easier.
So, if you think about the next time you want to spend your weekend, think about Markham and the neighboring Bremen Township – a mix of nature, history and small everyday pleasures that you can only find when you walk a bit off the beaten path.
The first stop of my little Odyssey leads me to Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe – a bit like a green gum you don't want to spit out because it's just too beautiful. I made a picnic there, while an older gentleman in the T-shirt “I <3 Plants” spoke loudly about the importance of bees; that was almost a mini seminar. Parking is usually a Klack, as long as you do not arrive on Saturday night, then the field becomes a parking jungle.
A short trip to Lisle brings me to Morton Arboretum. Here you can count trees until you get dizzy – and that's exactly what I wanted on a sunny Sunday afternoon. I hid myself in the huge oaks because I thought I was a squirrel hidden from the tourists. Admission is not free, but the money feels like a small contribution to saving the world, at least in my head.
Go on Illinois Railway Museum in Union. Who thought trains were only long-lasting steel pipes, has never heard the squeaking brakes of an old diesel engine. I stood there while an enthusiastic guide told me that the museum is the largest of its kind in the USA – I just woke up and asked myself why I didn't just buy a ticket for the next train trip to Chicago.
A short trip to Wilmette leads me to Baha'i House of Worship. The building is so shiny that I almost forgot my sunglasses. I meditated there for a few minutes, while a Texas tourist spoke loudly about the “spiritual power” of the place – I just nodded and thought that this is probably the only time I really had to be quiet.
The Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park is another highlight that I could not leave. Between the trees are scurry metal figures that look like they have finished an art student project after a power failure. I did a selfie there with a huge twisted spiral because I thought that would impress my Instagram followers – they were laughing.
For those who prefer to stay in motion, The Plaines River Trail a real secret tip. I joged a round there while I tried not to stumble over the many ducks that crossed the way. The trail is well developed, and parking at the starting point is usually easy as long as you do not get to the Rush-Hour.
A bit of history? The Chicago Portage National Historic Site recalls that once there was an important waterway that the natives and later the pioneers used. I stood there while a guide spoke about the “great meaning” of the portage, and thought that this is probably the only time I volunteered to listen to a stranger who spoke about mud.
At the end of my small tour, Oakbrook Center not missing – a shopping paradise that attracts more people than a magnet. I tried a few shoes there that I would never buy just to see if they are really as comfortable as the advertising promises. Parking is a labyrinth here, but this is part of the adventure, right?
Next time you are in Markham and ask yourself what you can do outside the city, look at these points – they give you a good mix of nature, culture and a bit of chaos. And yes, these are definitely some of the best Markham AttractionsI can recommend personally, even if I sometimes prefer to stay at home and watch Netflix.
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