Five Great ... Places to See Horses Up Close

The Preakness was on Saturday, my daughter adored the pony she rode at a zoo last week and I recently was in Louisville. So I have horses on the brain. If you kids like horses as much as mine does, I thought it would be fun for the “Five Great … “ list to look at five great spots where your family can appreciate these magnificent creatures up close.

A horse at the Danada Forest Preserve in Wheaton. Photo by architekt2 on Flickr.* Arlington Racetrack: Even if you don’t bet on a single race, you could have such a wonderful time at this beautiful park in Arlington Heights. Throughout the summer, the racetrack has special “Family Days” (usually on Sundays, except for holiday weekends when they’re on Mondays) that include family entertainment, plus pony rides and a petting zoo. You can bring your own food and drinks into the picnic area (check what’s allowed here). And you can see the horses up close when they take a turn around the paddock before heading onto the track.

* Wayne: The small, rural village of Wayne is located just east of St. Charles, along Army Trail Road. It features dozens of horse farms, boarding stables and riding centers, plus equestrian paths. Take a leisurely drive some day along Army Trail Road and you’re sure to see beautiful scenery, impressive houses and lots of horses galloping behind picturesque white wooden fences.

* Danada Equestrian Center: The center is part of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and is located on Naperville Road in Wheaton.  It offers private and semi-private lessons, horsemanship clinics, group trail rides, and seasonal horse-draw hayrides and sleigh rides. It's also offering weeklong camps for children ages 10-14 this summer, and groups and organizations can always schedule an hour-long tour of the facility.

* Horseback Riding: My friend Annie at {kidlist} (a site for familes in the near west suburbs) compiled this great  list of spots that offer lessons and/or pony rides for children in towns including Oak Brook, Willows Springs, Palos Hills and Palos Park. Eventually, I’ll put something similar together for the far western ‘burbs. Really, I will.

* Kline Creek Farm: Also part of the DuPage County Forest Preseve, this living history farm is located in West Chicago. It has a pair of massive Percheron work horses that help plant and harvest crops. If you’re lucky, you might be able to see them getting readied in the barn to be harnessed to the 20^th century farm equipment. Admission is free, and the farm hosts regular special events.

Do you have any spots to add where you and your family like to go to see or even ride horses? Please share!