The Enclave at The Grove

Pros

• The Grove is amazing.
• The Grove is an outstanding destination for wildlife and bird photography.
• It's a family-friendly place, with staff who take real pride in their work and are always extremely helpful.
• The grounds are beautifully maintained, making every visit enjoyable.
• The wildlife is abundant, with numerous bird species and deer.
• The interpretive center is amazing for kids, with interactive exhibits and a variety of animals on display.
• The original estate grounds and buildings are beautiful.
• The Grove offers great hiking and local history, and the Redfield Estate is a lovely wedding venue.

Cons

• The reviewer was incredibly disappointed with their experience at The Grove in Glenview, Illinois.
• The staff's behavior was completely unprofessional and alarming.
• The staff were blatantly sexist, treated students unfairly based on gender, and screamed at a classmate.
• The staff openly made hateful and discriminatory remarks, including saying they do not like gay people.
• The entire situation felt unsettling, almost as if something illegal or suspicious was happening.
• There was a strong chemical smell in the parking lot, and three unmarked black vehicles were parked nearby.
• Overall, it was not the safe, educational, or welcoming environment that it should have been.
• There was not enough space for the large alligator snapping turtle in the tanks where multiple aquatic animals were housed.

Review

The Grove in Glenview shines as a beautiful, tranquil escape that pairs a refined, elegant party room with a generous embrace of nature. Visitors repeatedly note its easy accessibility from the suburbs and its seemingly paradoxical feel of being deep in the wilderness while still being conveniently nearby for summer outings or winter strolls. The grounds themselves are praised for their thoughtful maintenance, and many who come away from a visit speak of a place that feels both welcoming and serene, a rare combination that makes it an attractive destination for families, couples planning gatherings, and solo nature lovers alike.

Seasonal visits seem to reveal different kinds of magic. In the heat of summer, people describe a wilderness atmosphere on the doorstep of urban life, a place to wander through shaded trails and experience nature up close. In winter, the landscape offers a refreshing change, with snow trails inviting calm and contemplative walking. Across the seasons, the experience is enhanced by easy access to a variety of living creatures and habitats, which helps visitors feel connected to the broader natural world even as they stay close to home.

A standout feature for many is the animal display and interactive elements of the site. The Grove provides an area where visitors can get up close to turtles, snakes, fish, and a host of other wildlife, making it an engaging experience for curious minds. The interpretive center and its exhibits - ranging from live animals to taxidermy displays - are frequently highlighted as excellent for learning about local wildlife and the broader ecology of the Illinois region. Several reviews specifically mention the giant snapping turtle and other notable residents, along with opportunities to see blacksmithing demonstrations and other historical crafts that help connect natural history with human history.

Education and family-friendly programming appear to be core strengths. Families and school groups are repeatedly drawn to the site for guided learning, history lessons about pioneer life, and a broad spectrum of hands-on experiences. The interpretive center is described as kid-friendly and highly engaging, with favorites like Stashy the squirrel, Big Al the alligator snapper, and an opossum that kids enjoy watching. Visitors note that the area offers a wealth of activities for children, from observing birds at a feeder to exploring an array of animal specimens, and many remark on the accessibility and educational value of the experience. Several reviewers also point out that the grounds are free to visit, with some mentioning a well-organized, easy-to-navigate space that is ideal for a casual family day or a more structured field trip.

Bird and wildlife photography is a common pursuit at The Grove, with many visitors calling it an ideal spot to practice and improve nature photography. The abundance of wildlife - deer, varied bird species, dragonflies, damselflies, and other creatures - makes the grounds a favorite among both seasoned photographers and beginners. The welcoming environment, coupled with fellow nature lovers who congregate there, adds a social dimension to the hobby and reinforces the site as a go-to place for those who want to connect with nature and their peers through photography.

The combination of natural beauty and historical elements also comes through in reviews that highlight the historic estate grounds and buildings, including a mention of the Redfield Estate as a wedding venue. People appreciate how the site blends nature walks with cultural and architectural touches, from preserved estates to stations that explain early American life in the region. The presence of a sizable, well-curated interpretive center with taxidermy and live displays provides a comprehensive experience that showcases both ecological and historical narratives, making The Grove feel like a well-rounded destination for educational outings and family celebrations alike.

Among the more practical observations, several visitors praise the space's walkability and accessibility: wide trails, shaded routes, and wheelchair-friendly paths enable a broad range of visitors to enjoy the environment. The park's cleanliness and well-maintained grounds are frequently mentioned, and many appreciate the way the site supports quiet strolls as well as more energetic explorations. For some, the combination of natural beauty, educational resources, and a free, accessible experience turns The Grove into a reliable, repeat-worthy destination for weekend adventures, school field trips, or simple, restorative time spent outdoors with loved ones.

Of course, not all feedback mirrors universal praise. One review stands out for its exceptionally negative treatment of a visit, detailing an experience that the reviewer felt was unprofessional and unsettling. The account describes staff behavior that is sexist and discriminatory toward students based on gender and sexual orientation, including screaming at a classmate and making hateful remarks about gay people. The reviewer also raises concerns about a chemical smell in the parking lot and the presence of unmarked, suspicious-looking vehicles, framing the incident as unsafe and inappropriate for an educational setting. The reviewer concludes that the environment was not safe, educational, or welcoming and urges management to take immediate action. This single account is deeply troubling and stands in stark contrast to the generally positive experiences described by other visitors, underscoring that, like any public space, The Grove can be a place of strong praise and equally strong concerns depending on the encounter.

Taken together, the collection of reviews paints a rich portrait of a place that many find deeply rewarding: a peaceful, nature-filled sanctuary that offers educational value, family-friendly activities, and opportunities for wildlife observation and photography. The Grove is celebrated for its well-kept grounds, its engaging interpretive center, and its ability to connect visitors with both natural habitats and historical contexts. While it remains a beloved local destination for countless families, photographers, and nature enthusiasts, the divergent experiences highlighted by one particularly critical review also serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and safe space for all who visit.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Rise Dispensaries Niles (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Glenbrook Hospital (1.1 miles)
• NCH Northwest Community Hospital (6.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Wildfire (2.1 miles)
• Panda Express (2.3 miles)
• Portillo's Hot Dogs (2.7 miles)
• Glenview Dairy Bar (2.8 miles)
• Beacon Tap (3.9 miles)
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers (4.1 miles)
• McDonald's (4.1 miles)

Parks

• Clarkson Park (4.5 miles)
• Briarwood Park (5.6 miles)
• South Park (5.7 miles)
• Lake Arlington (6 miles)
• West Ridge Center (6.3 miles)

Physicians

• Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group (5 miles)
• NorthShore Medical Group (5.3 miles)
• Physicians Cosmetic Institute (5.6 miles)
• Resurrection Medical Center Professional Building (6.6 miles)
• Arlington Eye Physicians (7.3 miles)
• Ferber, Stuart Nch Buffalo Grove Outpatient Care Center (7.3 miles)
• North Shore Physicians Group (7.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (5.8 miles)
• Starbucks (6.2 miles)
• Starbucks (6.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.7 miles)

Transportation

• O'Hare Multi-Modal Facility (6 miles)
• Metra (6.2 miles)
• Cta (6.5 miles)
• United Club (7.1 miles)
• Admirals Club (7.2 miles)
• Airport Transit System (7.2 miles)
• Concourse L (7.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Congregation Solel (6.4 miles)
• North Shore Congregation Israel (7.1 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Village Crossing Theatre (6.7 miles)
• AMC Rosemont 18 (6.8 miles)