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Trip Planner:   USA  /  Illinois  /  DuPage County  /  Wheaton  /  Cantigny Park

Cantigny Park, Wheaton

4.8
Military Museum · Historic Site
Create an itinerary including Cantigny Park
Explore the grounds of Colonel Robert McCormick's 12 hectare (30 acre) estate at Cantigny Park. Upon his death in 1955, the World War I veteran's estate was donated to the McCormick Foundation for use as a public facility. Park your car for a small fee and gain access to a wide variety of indoor, outdoor, and educational activities. Watch the short welcome video inside the visitor center to learn more about the park's history and its current features. Stroll through the gardens containing over 160,000 perennials, annuals, trees, and flowering shrubs, as well as a world-class rose garden. Head to the tank park to view the large collection of armored vehicles dating from World War I to present day. Finally, try out the estate's 27-hole golf course, or visit one of the two museums. Go for a hike or grab a bite to eat at the restaurant on-site. Take a look at our Wheaton trip itinerary website to schedule your visit to Cantigny Park and learn about what else to see and do during your holiday.
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Cantigny Park reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 5.0
582 reviews
Google
4.8
TripAdvisor
  • Wheaton, Illinois, is more than the home of legendary football star Red Grange. It is the home of Cantigny Park and the First Division Museum, dedicated to the history of the "Big Red One," the famed....  more
    Wheaton, Illinois, is more than the home of legendary football star Red Grange. It is the home of Cantigny Park and the First Division Museum, dedicated to the history of the "Big Red One," the famed....  more »
  • This is really a great park. Immaculate gardens which are easily walkable. We went for the Alebrije exhibit and were impressed by the sheer volume of pieces as well as their positioning throughout... 
    This is really a great park. Immaculate gardens which are easily walkable. We went for the Alebrije exhibit and were impressed by the sheer volume of pieces as well as their positioning throughout...  more »
  • Very nice place to take a leisurely stroll or to just relax. The First Division Museum offers some great history as well. The tanks are cool to look at or climb on. Great place to take photos too... 
    Very nice place to take a leisurely stroll or to just relax. The First Division Museum offers some great history as well. The tanks are cool to look at or climb on. Great place to take photos too...  more »
Google
  • I decided to visit in hopes to see fall colors. The park did not disappoint in this aspect as the trees were in peak color form. The park also had fall decorations and colorful mums. The miles of trails take you across scenic landscape, gorgeous buildings, unique sculptures, and a plethora of plants. There is a rich history of the park and one can read about it throughout the park. The parking is $5. The only problem I had was that there were a ton of people taking photos and you may find yourself accidentally walking through one! I will be coming back here for more photo ops and to take in the beautiful scenery. Please visit in fall you won’t regret!
  • Wow! This place is stunning! Had the opportunity to shoot a wedding here in 2021 and was amazed by the venue. The landscaping was immaculate with luscious gardens, abundant ivy archways, and large trees. There were nice paths throughout so the bride did not have to worry about getting her dress muddy. I also loved the wide concrete stairways out by the gardens. The couple had their ceremony at a church nearby and then party-bused it over for bridal party shots and couple portraits. The couple was all smiles all day even though it was a classic Indiana summer day - 100 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. The pushed through the heat for their portraits and I am so glad they did! On days like this, it is nice to have lots of shaded areas around the venue to take little breaks. 5/5 for landscaping 5/5 for venue being accommodating to any request that I had 5/5 for uniqueness as a wedding venue Cannot rave enough! If you are thinking about booking your wedding here - do it!
  • This is the first time I visit this park and I really like how it is designed and how clean it is. At the entrance there is a parking fee but if you are walking in there is no fee. They do have plenty of parking and on this visit I got to see the Alembrijes that were completed by Mexican Artists who brought their art from Mexico City to be displayed here. They also have a playground in the front of the park, they also have a restaurant and also there is an area where kids can play or do activities inside. There is plenty of space to seat and enjoy the park. The trails are very clean and overall I liked the park so I'll come back to this exhibition again.
  • This is one of the best parks in the Chicago suburban area, in my opinion. It is truly stunning in the summer, with so many flowers blooming. Parking - Ample paid parking space is available. $5 on weekdays. $10 on weekends. What to do - Walk around and take in the flowers and different varieties of plants. There’s a picnic area where you can bring food and have fun with family/friends. There are army tanks on display, starting from the tanks used during First World War to the ones more recently used. In the summer, I have seen concerts happening inside the park, which is super fun! They also have banquet halls and I’ve seen weddings, proms happen here. Do not miss seeing the memorial of Amy & Robert McCormick. Amenities - Drinking water stations are available. There’s a cafe inside the visitors centre. Restrooms are clean and nicely maintained. Overall, one could easily spend about 2 hours exploring this beautiful park. Highly recommend visiting between June - onset of Fall.
  • A great place for the kids or a date night. The Alebrijes exhibit was a beautiful glimpse into Mexican culture. You'll enjoy an exciting floral covered walk through winding trails. The elaborate sculptures were so fun to see. My only suggestions are to add a few more maps throughout the park so patrons walks aren't longer than intended if they should get turned around (only one at entrance). Additionally, for the disabled, nursing moms or for those who get winded easily, adding a few more benches would be helpful (especially near or in family restrooms).

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