Saturdays and summer: What a winning combination. The two often meet at Arlington Park, with its made-to-order opportunities for grabbing a tan, admiring the racehorses, and maybe even accruing a little cash along the way.
MORNING
We’ll start with breakfast at Cafe Fourteen (300 N. Northwest Highway, Palatine, 847-705-6330), a restaurant that has hearty breakfasts, constantly full cups of coffee and super-efficient waitresses. We’re always pleased with the steaming bowl of oatmeal that comes with sides of raisins and brown sugar.
Then it’s time for a little exercise. Palatine Trail has nearly 9 miles of paved nature trails that accommodate cyclists and joggers as well as anyone who enjoys a good walk. Visit the park district’s Web site, palatineparkdistrict.com/trail.html, for information.
AFTERNOON
Time to play the ponies. Arlington Park (2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights, 847-385-7500), is one of the premier horse-racing venues in the country. There’s plenty of free parking, and general admission is $6 (free for those 17-and-under when accompanied by a parent), which includes a Daily Racing Guide. There are restaurants on the premises — including the fancy, dress-code-required Million Room and the more casual Paddock Pub — but we’re fond of the reasonably priced and multifaceted Cobey’s Food Court (hot dogs, taco salads and pizza are just the start). Plus, if you’re really on a budget, there is lots of lawn space so you can bring your own picnic — “your own” being the operative words. Commercially prepared foods — and glass containers and alcoholic beverages — are not allowed. On Saturdays, the first race typically starts at 1 p.m., with races every 30 minutes. If you’re new to the wagering game and/or Arlington Park, the Web site (arlingtonpark.com) will give you all the information you need.
EVENING
We didn’t eat too much at Arlington so we could cultivate an appetite for one of our favorite things: the thin-crust pizza at J.J. Twigs Pizza & Pub (150 S. Northwest Highway, Palatine, 847-358-1400), a five-minute drive from the park. While you’re waiting for the savory, tender-crusted pie, you can grab a basket and nosh on the free peanuts.
If we’re still not ready to call it a night, we could head over to Peggy Kinnane’s Irish Restaurant and Pub (8 N. Vail Ave., 847-577-7733, peggykinnanes.com), which usually has live music Saturday evenings with a $5 cover. Tonight, however, is an exception because the restaurant is one of the sponsors of Irish Fest — so we’ll go there instead. The festival will be from 2 to 10 p.m. on the grounds of the nearby Arlington Heights Historical Museum (Euclid and Vail Avenues, ahmuseum.org). Admission is $7 for adults; $2 children ages 3-14.
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