Splash pad

Hot summers in Evanston hit different, and this splash pad is genuinely one of the better ways to deal with them. Kids of all ages can run through the water features while parents take a breather — and being right near the Bear River Greenway means you can tack on a walk before or after without any extra driving. The local eateries nearby make it easy to turn this into a full afternoon rather than a quick stop. It gets busy on peak summer days, so earlier in the morning is your best bet.