Area Entertainment and Recreation | Argonne National Laboratory

Chicago is home to a world-renowned symphony, a major opera company and a wide variety of theaters and professional sports teams, and the city hosts many special events and festivals throughout the year.

Almost any day, you can visit world-class museums, dine at a Michelin-star restaurant or see a show in one of over 200 theaters. There are plenty of other things to do in Chicago, including tours, spectator sports, shopping and other attractions. And after hours there are bars and nightclubs, live music and comedy clubs.

The suburbs are home to their own activities and attractions, from farmers’ markets and art shows to zoos, museums, forest preserves, minor league baseball, a monthly flea market and much more. All cities and towns have web sites that will tell you about local events, and your co-workers are another great source of ideas for your free time!

Waterfall Glen

Argonne National Laboratory is surrounded by the Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve, inhabited by raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, and a variety of birds, insects and non-poisonous snakes indigenous to the area. There are three animals to be aware of that you may see there as well as near your home: coyotes, Canada geese and skunks.

Natural Resources Program

We proactively manage our precious resources to reduce invasive species populations and maintain habitat integrity, native species populations, and fulfill regulatory compliance regulations.

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Wildlife

Coyotes, a type of canine, grow to be about 30 pounds on average. They will generally stay away from people, but have been known to go after small dogs or cats. Don’t leave your pets unaccompanied outside.

Canadian geese are year-round residents on Argonne’s campus — and everywhere else where there is water and food. Adult geese have a wingspan of about four to seven feet, and they can live from ten to 24 years. They’re beautiful birds but are best admired from a distance. Geese are protective of their young and will hiss, extend their wings and even attack if they feel threatened. Give geese a wide berth and walk away if they display distress.

Steer clear of skunks, and keep your dog away from them too. You don’t want to be close when they spray — it is very hard to get rid of the smell.

Do not feed the wildlife either at Argonne or at your home. It encourages them to associate humans with food and decreases their natural fear of us. A healthy distance between wildlife and people is good for both our safety.

Poisonous plants

Hiking, gardening and other outdoor activities are fun for kids and adults. However, be aware that Illinois has some poisonous plants, such as poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Skin contact with these plants will result in a painful, itchy red rash that can spread to other areas of the body and even to other people through contact with anything that’s touched the rash.

Learn to recognize poison oak and poison sumac, and avoid contact with them by staying on walking paths and wearing long pants when walking through forest preserves.