If you’re looking for a place to visit in the heart of Michigan, you may want to check out Niles. This small city is nestled in Berrien and Cass counties near South Bend, Indiana. According to the 2010 census, Niles had a population of 11,600. However, if you look at the city’s metropolitan statistical area, Niles is larger than it looks. In fact, there are 156,813 residents in the entire area.
Niles offers a rich mix of points of interest
Niles is a small, but very interesting city located in Trumbull County, Ohio. The town is the birthplace of former US President, William McKinley, and it boasts a variety of points of interest. The city was founded in 1865 and incorporated in 1895. The town was originally a farming community and has now become a thriving community. Tourism and manufacturing have helped the city prosper.
For those who enjoy drinking beer, Niles has a brewery cafe and a historical museum. The Niles Brewery Cafe serves biweekly and weekly brews, and also offers BBQ and live music. The town also has a history museum run by the Niles Historical Society. This museum is housed in a beautiful, historic building and has a fascinating collection of objects.
Niles is home to the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, which is dedicated to preserving and showing silent films. The museum is located in the historic Edison Theater, a century-old nickelodeon movie theater. A half-block away, the museum also features the Niles Essanay Studios, where famous actors like Charlie Chaplin made their first movies. A cowboy movie star, Bronco Billy, also filmed several movies here.
The city is home to several parks. Bunker Hills Recreation Area is located in the south-eastern part of the town. The park features a diverse ecosystem, including wetlands, prairies, oaks woodland, and rare flatwood forest. The park is a favorite place for picnics and is also home to numerous birds and butterflies.
It has a large shopping mall
Niles is home to one of the largest shopping centers in the state. The Golf Mill Shopping Center is a 1.1 million-square-foot mall that borders Greenwood Avenue, Golf Road, and Milwaukee Avenue. It includes over 100 stores, five department stores, and an AMC theatre. It also includes an XSport Fitness gym and a 9-story office tower.
It is located in a tax increment financing district and would be financed by tax increment financing (TIF). The Sterling Organization is a Florida-based developer that is interested in developing the property. The company plans to build the mall in phases. The first phase is expected to be completed in 2023 or 2024. Future phases could include a hotel and new entertainment tenants. However, the company has chosen not to expand in this phase.
Although Niles has no downtown area, the location makes it an ideal shopping destination. Nearby Chicago suburbs offer a wide variety of goods and services. The city attracts shoppers from a 10-mile radius. Nearby OHare International Airport is a great draw for people who need to ship a package overnight.
The mall is currently undergoing a $50 million redevelopment project. It will include a 40,000-square-foot Dave & Buster’s, AMC Hawthorn 12 movie theater, and Maggiano’s Little Italy. It also will house more office space, residential buildings, and medical facilities.
It has a riverside preserve
Niles has a beautiful riverside preserve, which is a great place to take a walk, ride your bicycle, or simply spend some time relaxing. The town is located along the North Branch of the Chicago River and boasts a 20-mile trail that is free to use for local residents. If you prefer to stay in town, you can also take advantage of the city’s free public transportation system. The park district also has many attractions for children, including a water park, mini golf course, and batting cages.
It has a golf course
If you love to play golf, Niles has a number of great courses to choose from. In mid-2018, the Niles Park District purchased the golf course and completed several renovations. New tees were installed, drainage was improved, and 22 bunkers were constructed with aggregate liners. In addition, the greens have been made low-mow bluegrass.
The Tam O’Shanter Golf Course was originally part of the Tam O’Shanter Country Club, which was home to many great golf legends. One of the most memorable moments was when Lew Worsham holed a wedge on the last hole to win the 1953 World Championship of Golf. This tournament was one of the first to be broadcast nationwide. In 1974, the Niles Park District purchased half of the course and opened it to the public. It recently underwent a complete renovation, which makes it even more popular today.
The Niles Park District collaborated with golf course architects to improve the Tam O’Shanter Golf Course. They worked with Doug Myslinski, now of Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation, and Todd Quitno of Lohmann Quitno Golf Course Architects, Inc. The original nine-hole course, which was designed by Tom Fazio, was re-bunkered and had its drainage improved. Several PGA Tour events were held on this course from the 1940s until the 1960s. The 1953 World Championship was played at this course. The Niles Park District purchased the golf course in 1973, and the 18-hole course was reduced to nine holes.
It has a water park
When you are looking for a family outing, you might want to consider going to a water park in Niles, Illinois. The Niles District Oasis Waterpark offers a zero-depth pool, three slides, a diving board, and a splash pool for young children. The park also offers swim lessons and pool parties. Room rentals are available, too.
The Niles City Council is actively involved in planning and developing the city’s parks. They invite public input and strive to ensure the health and safety of its residents. The parks and recreation board also promotes sustainability and a natural resource-based economy. They also encourage good relationships and partnerships in the community.
However, creating a splash park is no small undertaking. A recent 1,800-square-foot splash park in neighboring Lincoln Township cost $270,000. That does not include annual maintenance costs. With that in mind, a water park in Niles could cost up to $450,000 or even more. Annual water and maintenance costs could add another $25,000 or so to the overall cost.
It has a museum
Visitors can take a trip back in time in Niles, Illinois, by visiting the town’s museum. The museum is located in an old house that was originally built as city hall. There, they can see 12 Sitting Bull pictographs, including a famous one that commemorates the Battle of the Little Bighorn, known as Custer’s Last Stand. Visitors can also take a frame-building class and visit the Studebaker Museum in South Bend.
Those interested in silent film history will enjoy the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, located in Niles’ hillside district. With more than 900 square feet of exhibit space, this museum is a treasure trove of items that celebrate the golden age of silent filmmaking. The museum’s extensive collection includes film projectors, editing equipment, and distribution methods used during this era.
The Niles Historical Society has converted a historic Victorian mansion into a museum. It features 14 rooms and is set on a five-acre site. Besides its museum, the museum grounds also have gardens and an arboretum of 56 varieties of trees. The museum also hosts seasonal art shows and workshops.
