Major city · United States
Arlington Heights
One day covers the Metropolis centre, Mitsuwa Marketplace and a quick walk at the former Arlington Park; add a night only for a hotel near Chicago.
Arlington Heights is a Chicago suburb with a sizable Japanese district, a performing‑arts centre and easy access by car or Metra; most sights fit in a half‑day, so a single day is sufficient for a quick visit.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct (check)
- avoid Dec–Feb (check)
- Airport
- ORD
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Arlington Heights911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Arlington Heights, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyArlington Heights is a low‑crime suburb; standard city‑wide precautions apply.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportORD Chicago O'Hare International Airport (≈30 min by car via I‑90).
- Getting aroundCar via I‑90 (Jane Addams Tollway) is fastest; Metra Union Pacific Northwest Line serves Arlington Heights and Arlington Park stations (6:40 am–1:15…Car via I‑90 (Jane Addams Tollway) is fastest; Metra Union Pacific Northwest Line serves Arlington Heights and Arlington Park stations (6:40 AM am–1:15 AM…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)$2–$4
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi per km$1.50–$2.00
- Metro or bus rideMetropolis theatre ticket$15–$30
- Budget bedHostel private room (2‑person), a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedDoubleTree hotel room (2‑person), a night, per roomUS$180
- High-end bedDoubleTree hotel room (2‑person), a night, per roomUS$250
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$50 · Mid US$100 · High US$150
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ORD Chicago O'Hare International Airport (≈30 min by car via I‑90)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Mar
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Arlington Heights: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
7 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
6 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car via I‑90 (Jane Addams Tollway) is fastest; Metra Union Pacific Northwest Line serves Arlington Heights and Arlington Park stations (6:40 am–1:15 am weekdays); Pace bus routes 594, 606, 616, 690, 696 connect the village but run infrequently.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: ≈20 min
Car via I‑90, about 10 km (6.2 mi)Car via I‑90, about 6.2 mi (10 km)
Woodfield Mall and Mitsuwa Marketplace extensions.
Door to door: ≈25 min
Car via US‑12, about 12 km (7.5 mi)Car via US‑12, about 7.5 mi (12 km)
Historic McDonald’s site and riverfront park.
Door to door: ≈35 min
Car via IL‑31, about 30 km (19 mi)Car via IL‑31, about 19 mi (30 km)
Fox River museum district.
Door to door: ≈20 min
Car via IL‑53, about 15 km (9.3 mi)Car via IL‑53, about 9.3 mi (15 km)
Lake County nature preserves.
Roselle
goDoor to door: ≈25 min
Car via US‑14, about 18 km (11 mi)Car via US‑14, about 11 mi (18 km)
Small‑town downtown and bike trails.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago – Arlington Heights
Near Metropolis, good for a night if you want a hotel close to Chicago
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $50–$80 excl. lodging
- Mid
- $80–$130 excl. lodging
- High
- $130+ excl. lodging
Trip budget
| DoubleTree hotel room (2‑person)1 × 1 night × US$180 | US$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Metra round‑trip fare (Zone C)2 × US$12 · check | US$24 |
| Pace bus day pass2 × US$5 · check | US$10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$41 |
| Trip total≈ US$228 per person per day, bed included | US$455 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rentals excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | $2–$4 |
| Slice of pizza | $3–$5 |
| Taxi per km | $1.50–$2.00 |
| Metropolis theatre ticket | $15–$30 |
| Mitsuwa grocery item (e.g., sushi roll) | $5–$8 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Arlington Park horse‑track closed since 2021 – no races.
- Pace bus intervals are sparse; allow extra 1–2 h for bus trips.
- Metra does not reach most village streets; use car or rideshare for local moves.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Arlington HeightsArlington Heights
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Metra Arlington Heights → Chicago Union Station: about $12 one‑way (Zone C, check)
- Pace bus ride: about $5 per day pass (check)
Say or show
- Excuse me — Excuse me / Sorry (Excuse me)
- Thank you — Thank you (Thank you)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (How much is it?)
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom? (Where is the restroom?)
Check local transit schedules for weekend service.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Arlington Heights. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct (check) · avoid Dec–Feb (check) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Arlington Heights
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