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North AmericaUnited StatesIllinois

Des Plaines

Illinois, United States · North America

About Des Plaines

Des Plaines works well as a base: 10 minutes from Rosemont, 27km from Route 66 - Chicago Start.

Des Plaines is a town located in Illinois, United States. With a population of 58,677, it is an important destination in North America.

On a road trip, Des Plaines sits in United States, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/Chicago time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Des Plaines to your route.

About Des Plaines

The Des Plaines River Trail is a recreational multiuse trail that follows the course of the Des Plaines River through most of Lake and part of Cook County in northeast Illinois in the United States. This trail connects with the North Branch Trail and Green Bay Trail. Trail uses include hiking/walking, bicycling,

Read more equestrian, and even winter cross country skiing and snowmobiling (conditions permitting). Since much of the trail lies in the flood plain along the Des Plaines River, sections of the trail are occasionally closed due to flooding during periods of heavy rain. Though not all sections of the trail connect directly, there is a section more than 31 miles (50 km) long running through Lake County starting at Russell Road along the Wisconsin/Illinois state line and running south into Cook County. There are additional disconnected sections south of the town of Des Plaines. Much of the Des Plaines River Trail runs through a protected corridor made up of a series of public lands that are part of the Lake County Forest Preserve District and the Cook County Forest Preserve District. The numerous forest preserves provide additional recreational opportunities along the trail. Underpasses and bridges are used to facilitate many (not all) of the major road crossings (The underpasses are highly prone to flooding during the spring). Cook County Forest Preserve rangers give lectures at various time during the year. There is a nature house where forest animals reside for the public to view. The trails are very calm and beautiful and especially in the fall when the leaves change colors. A peak time to walk the trails is the second or third week in October. You can picnic right next to the Des Plaines River.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Des Plaines

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Des Plaines?

Des Plaines offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Des Plaines?

Plan your road trip to Des Plaines with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Des Plaines as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Des Plaines located?

Des Plaines is located in Illinois, United States, North America. The coordinates are 42.0334 latitude, -87.8834 longitude.

What is the population of Des Plaines?

Des Plaines has a population of approximately 58,677 people, making it a town in United States.

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Quick Information

Population
58,677
Continent
North America
Country
United States
Region
Illinois
Timezone
America/Chicago
Coordinates
42.0334, -87.8834

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United States

Police
911
Ambulance
911
Fire
911
Driving side
right

AAA roadside assistance: 1-800-222-4357. Right turn on red is legal in most states unless signed otherwise.

Full driving guide for United States

Tags

North AmericaUnited StatesIllinoisTown

Worth the detour from Des Plaines

6 notable places within an hour's drive.

cafe

Lou Mitchell's

Serving double-yolk eggs and free Milk Duds since 1923, this Chicago diner beside the start of Route 66 is the traditional first breakfast of the Mother Road journey.

26 km · about 30 min drive

landmark

Willis Tower (Sears Tower)

Iconic 110-storey Chicago skyscraper with a glass-floored Skydeck, once the tallest building in the world.

27 km · about 30 min drive

historic highway

Route 66 - Chicago Start

The 'Begin Route 66' sign on Adams Street at Michigan Avenue marks the start of the 2,448-mile Mother Road to Santa Monica: the classic photo stop before heading west.

27 km · about 30 min drive

museum

Art Institute of Chicago

One of the oldest and largest art museums in the US, renowned for its Impressionist collection and Grant Wood's American Gothic.

27 km · about 30 min drive

museum

Field Museum of Natural History

Home to Sue, the largest and most complete T. rex ever found, along with extensive anthropological and geological collections.

29 km · about 35 min drive

landmark

Shedd Aquarium

Iconic Chicago aquarium on the Lake Michigan waterfront housing over 32,000 animals from around the world.

29 km · about 35 min drive

Driving roads near Des Plaines

  • 27 kmRoute 66 - Chicago StartThe 'Begin Route 66' sign on Adams Street at Michigan Avenue marks the start of the 2,448-mile Mother Road to Santa Monica: the classic photo stop before heading west.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Des Plaines.

Rosemont

🇺🇸 United States

4 km awayPop. 4,206

Park Ridge

🇺🇸 United States

4 km awayPop. 37,757

Mount Prospect

🇺🇸 United States

6 km awayPop. 54,747

Niles

🇺🇸 United States

7 km awayPop. 29,876

Elk Grove Village

🇺🇸 United States

8 km awayPop. 33,238

Prospect Heights

🇺🇸 United States

8 km awayPop. 16,386

Morton Grove

🇺🇸 United States

8 km awayPop. 23,448

Schiller Park

🇺🇸 United States

9 km awayPop. 11,806

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence