Arlington International Racecourse: The Most Beautiful Race Course in the Country

The Village of Arlington Heights offers the best of both worlds. Just a half hour from sparkling Lake Michigan, Arlington Heights is a peaceful suburb of Chicago with an intimate, small-town feel. Our luxury apartments in Arlington Heights boast world-class amenities, including a resort-style pool, top-notch workout facilities, and sunny, spacious floorplans the whole family will love.

What’s more, when you live here at our Arlington Heights apartments in Northwest Chicago, you live just steps away from one of the world’s most premier, historic thoroughbred horse-racing tracks in the world. Described as “the most beautiful track in America”, the Arlington International Racecourse is a must-see near our luxury Northwest Chicago apartments.

The History of Arlington International Racecourse

Founded in the 1920s by a California Businessman named Harry D. “Curly” Brown, the Arlington International Racecourse had its opening day in 1927, when they welcomed their first  20,000 visitors. Arlington International Racecourse features a 6-story grandstand and lush gardens, and has long been a favorite place for people to gather with friends and family, relax, and watch an invigorating thoroughbred race.

Arlington International Racecourse has made its mark on the history of horse racing. They were the first to install the first all-electric totalizer, which helped reduce time between races, and the largest closed-circuit color TV in all of sports. They were also the proud home of the very first million-dollar thoroughbred race.

The track survived The Great Depression and World War II, but in 1985, the legacy of Arlington Park was put to the test when a fire raged and spread throughout the grandstand, completely destroying the facility. Since the Arlington Million was set to take place just a month later, on August 25th, workers rushed throughout the clock to prepare the track in time. This was the rebirth of a legend in horse racing.

In 2000, Churchill Downs acquired the track, keeping it in the tradition of being one of the finest, most prestigious racing courses in America.

Racing Season at Arlington International Racecourse

Racing season runs from the first Friday in May to the second-to-last Saturday in September, so if you want to experience a darn good time, now is the time to get tickets. But first, be sure to check out their various events on their website to see which ones strike a chord with you and your family.

For starters, Arlington International has its very own Kentucky Derby Day, where you can celebrate the Kentucky Derby, even if you aren’t in the bluegrass state. According to their website, they offer “all-inclusive packages, Mint Juleps, live music, a hat contest, and ways to win big.” Bring your floppy hats and come with an appetite for fun!

The racetrack also offers exciting graded stakes, including the Arlington Million, in which thoroughbred horses aged 3 years and up race a distance of 1 ¼ miles on the turf. They also host the Secretariat Stakes, the American Derby, Arlington Oaks, and much more.

When you’re sitting in the stunning grandstands at Arlington International Racecourse, you can’t help but feel like you’re taking part in Chicago horse racing history.

Host Your Special Event or Wedding at Arlington International Racecourse

Among the exhilarating horse racing, there’s something else that Arlington International Racecourse is famous for: their lush gardens and gracious grounds. Every year, beautiful weddings are held at this world-class venue, with incredible food and drinks provided, exceptional event service staff, and event planning. It’s sure to become an event to remember.

According to their website, “whether it’s a wedding reception, fundraising gala, holiday party, or corporate banquet, Arlington International offers an astonishing venue with amazing food and drink to fashion your function.”

So if you’re looking to throw a fancy party or get married in Chicago, you might want to consider Arlington International, especially if you and your fiancé have an affinity for horse racing.

Arlington University: For Those Ready to Gamble!

Have you always been curious about betting during a horse race but wasn’t sure where to start? Arlington University helps with just that. They call themselves a “one-stop shop for quick and easy wagering education to help new betters feel comfortable placing bets throughout the day.”

They include individual and small group interaction, a run-down on how to read the Arlington Program, examples of different types of simple wagers, how to use a self-service terminal, and expert picks for every race. At Arlington University, you’ll learn the most important factor in predicting the outcome of a race, how to use the wagering machine, why the odds keep changing, how to find results of the races earlier, and how to collect winnings. It will turn you into a bonafide horse race gambler, and you’ll be able to keep up with your horse-betting friends!

Come Hungry, Eat Well

You’ll be amazed at how wonderful the food is here. Enjoy an ice-cold beer at Mr. D’s Sports Bar, where you can watch the races from the big screen and catch your favorite sports teams. Enjoy a juicy burger at Superfecta Grill, where they’re extra proud of their “fresh, never frozen fries, over-the-top milkshakes, and expanded section of craft beers.”

At Terrace Café, you can sit in the sunshine overlooking the track (adjacent to the finish line!) and dine on fabulous lunches. The Cowboy Grille is where you can hang out with your friends and fine on gourmet pub fare. At the Million Room restaurant, enjoy top-notch dining with menu items such as Scallops, Gnocci, Lobster, filet mignon, and more delicious options.

Whether you’re sipping on a Mint Julep, a Bloody Mary, or enjoying a gourmet hot dog unlike anything you’ve seen at a concession stand before, you’ll come for the racing and return for the food!

A World Class Experience At Affordable Rates Just Steps from Our Luxury Apartments in Northwest Chicago

The best thing about Arlington International is that you can experience all of this excitement without breaking the bank! If you head out to Arlington International Racecourse on a sunny Saturday in June, you’ll only pay $10 for adult tickets and $4 for anyone under 17. General admission includes entry into Arlington International, stunning views along the track rail and Paddock, the opportunity to picnic on the lawn in The Park, and access to April Level concession, mutual tellers, and Mr. D’s Sports Bar. What’s not to love?

You’ll be glad to live near such an American icon in thoroughbred racing. To schedule your free tour of our luxury Arlington Heights apartments, go to our website today, where you can get a glimpse of what life is like in our sunny, spacious floorplans and world-class amenities.

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