Go Outdoors

Places to Roam
In Oswego, the Fox Valley and up and down the river are connected by more than 40 miles of trails that are maintained by the Oswegoland Park District. Mountain bikers should check out Saw Wee Kee Park, where they can outfit themselves at the independent Oswego Cyclery. Ride more leisurely by following the Fox River Trail, which hugs the Fox River for more than 40 miles from Oswego north to Algonquin.

The greatest time to see bald eagles and other native birds breeding along the river is in the months of January through March when the trees are bare. Or you may go fishing with the eagles in the Fox, which has a wide variety of sport fish like bass, walleye, and muskie.

With parking and convenient put-ins at Violet Patch and Saw Wee Kee Parks, bring your boat and kayak or canoe down the Fox River. Start further upstream and arrange to exit at Hudson Crossing Park in Downtown Oswego, where you may cool off with a beverage from the Tap House Grill or Oswego Brewing Company, which offers Detox/Retox yoga every Sunday in the taproom.

Go as a Group.

Run, cycle, or kayak on the paths. then go get a meal.
Playgrounds and open areas to run around in can be found at more than 40 parks. Stay near to the city center and explore the river banks at Hudson Crossing Park, or get wet at the splash pad at Prairie Point where the older kids may also skateboard.

Gloomy days? At Bounce Town or Altitude Trampoline Park, let them bounce off the walls. The Potter's Place team will bring Mexican cuisine and live music to Main Street in the early 2020s, which older children and teenagers will enjoy.

Visit Keller's Farmstand in the late summer or early fall for fresh food, a cornstalk maze, apple picking, and a pumpkin patch. Additionally, mark your calendars for a number of family-friendly occasions occurring in downtown Oswego over the summer, such as Main Street celebrations and Movies in the Park. Most are no cost.

Go with your Friends.

Imaginative excursions for your upcoming girls' night out.
Start the day with a discussion at The Village Grind in the quaint downtown Oswego neighborhood while enjoying hand-crafted coffee, tasty food, and treats.
Shop at the beautiful and trendy Hudson Design House, Stonehouse Market, Aroma Roots, and Velvet Grace for one-of-a-kind discoveries. Or, if you're feeling handy, join one of the make-and-take furniture lessons at A Lady and Her Tools, the pottery and painting programs at Studio 60, or the wood sign workshops at Board & Brush to build it yourself. Or spend the summer browsing a variety of fresh-air farmer's, handcrafted, and vintage markets.

Enjoy a lunchtime Flower Pot Salad at the Emerson Creek Shop & Tea Room, which is open from May to October. Or visit Sarabella for a spa pedicure and a glass of champagne.

Learn more or check out other outdoor activities

The post How to Enjoy the Summer Without Overheating: Fun Things to Do In Oswego appeared first on Farmington Lakes Apartments Blog.

Getting outside during summer is one of the greatest joys of the warm season here in Illinois, and here at Farmington Lakes, we want to share with you just how much we love the outdoors. While Lake Michigan may be close enough for a day trip, there is plenty of outdoor fun right here in Oswego. Local parks abound, and the Fox River offers fun on the water for everyone.

Oswego offers an array of outdoor activities for those looking to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. Part of that is the abundance of local trails that run along the Fox River and up and down the Fox Valley. With over 40 miles of trails to offer, including a portion of the 43-mile Fox River Trail the Oswego parks district has you covered for hiking and biking in the area.

Mountain Biking Heaven

The local Saw Wee Kee Park is a haven for mountain bikers, offering 134 acres of extensive nature trails with wildlife viewing such as deer and bald eagles. The trails offer horseback riding, hiking, BMX biking, mountain biking, and cross country skiing in the winter.

• This is a great spot to launch your canoe and kayak for a day on the water.

• You can fish in Saw Wee Kee as well, and it is catch and release only. 

• The park runs along the southern shore of the Fox River on Sundown Lane off of Orchard Road.

The Fox River

Biking and hiking along the Fox River are beautiful, with the opportunity to see bald eagles and native birds nesting in the trees. Bare branches offer the best viewing opportunities from January through March. 

Kayaking and canoeing are popular activities along the river, especially at Violet Patch Park where you can put in as well as reserve picnic shelters, cook on the grills, and connect to the Fox River Trail. 

Further upstream you can start your adventure from Hudson Crossing Park in the heart of Downtown Oswego.

A Community Park

If you prefer more of a day at the park with sports fields or cooling off from the hot weather, Prairie Point Community Park offers 66 acres of fun. There’s a Splash Pad for romping around in the water, and a skate park big enough for everyone to ride. The park features soccer and football fields, sand volleyball, baseball/softball, and reservable tables. 

In winter, Prairie Point also has an ice skating rink and sledding hill.

With so much opportunity for outdoor activities in Oswego, it’s easy to see why we love living here at Farmington Lakes apartments!

How do you enjoy getting outside here in Oswego? Tell us about it in the comments.

The post An Abundance of Outdoor Activities in Oswego Parks and the Fox River appeared first on Farmington Lakes Apartments Blog.