The DuPage Sports Commission and Discover DuPage are proud to welcome the NJCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championship to DuPage County! We're excited to showcase our destination and invite athletes, coaches, and spectators to experience everything our communities have to offer. This year, NJCAA takes over the College of DuPage for the NJCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championship. From November 12-14, women's volleyball teams from two-year colleges all over the country will travel to DuPage County to compete for a national title.
Glen Ellyn is located near the center of DuPage County, making it easy to explore the area's restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and attractions between matches or after the day's competition. Use this blog as a guide for recommendations on what to do in Chicago's western suburbs while in town for the competition.
Event Spotlight
- 11/12-16 Annie | Drury Lane Theatre & Events (For group tickets, please email groups@drurylane.com)
- 11/12-16 Bear Down: Football in the Windy City | Elmhurst History Museum
- 11/12-16 Resisting the Long War: A Revolution of Values | Elmhurst Art Museum
- 11/12-16 Warrenville Mercantile: Pop-up Marketplace | Leone Schmidt Heritage Park, Warrenville Park District
- 11/12-16 Lousia May Alcott's Little Women | Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage (on-site!)
- 11/14 Wheaton French Market | Downtown Wheaton
- 11/14-16 Illumination and 11/14 Illumibrew | The Morton Arboretum
Looking for more to do in DuPage County? Visit our Events Calendar page for more happenings around the area.
Activities for an Open Evening
Whether you are looking for team-bonding activities or simply something to do on a free evening, here's a list of things to do in the area.
- Take a cooking class at Weber Grill
- Encounter animals at Brookfield Zoo Chicago or Cosley Zoo
- Enjoy a friendly competition at Dave & Buster’s or Game Show Battle Rooms
- Test your aim at Sure Shot Pickleball
- Explore military history and breathtaking gardens at Cantigny
- Go see a movie at Hollywood BLVD Cinema, Marcus Addison Cinema or the Tivoli Theatre
- Play a round at Topgolf Naperville or Puttshack
- Go bowling at Stardust Bowl or Pinstripes
- Race go-karts Enchanted Castle Entertainment Center or Haunted Trails Entertainment Center
Restaurants for Teams & Families
Long tournament days call for great food. This year's championship concessions will be provided by Gia Mia and Alsies Ice Cream, making it easy to grab a fueling meal, snack, or refreshing sweet treat without leaving the venue. For teams and families looking to explore beyond the court, DuPage County offers great dining options near the competition.
- Reserve 22, Village Links of Glen Ellyn | Glen Ellyn
- Gia Mia | Downers Grove, Lombard, Bolingbrook, Wheaton, Elmhurst, and Naperville
- Billy Bricks | Naperville, Lombard, and Wheaton
- Maggiano's Little Italy | Naperville and Oak Brook
- Ditka's Grill | Wheaton
- Schmaltz Delicatessen | Lisle
- Little Pops New York Pizzeria Trattoria | Lisle
- Cooper's Hawk | Bloomingdale, Burr Ridge, Downers Grove, and Naperville
- Bibibop Asian Grill | Naperville, Oak Brook, Willowbrook, and Bloomingdale
- Buona | Glen Ellyn, Naperville, Itasca, Bolingbrook, Darien, and Glendale Heights
- Arrowhead Restaurant & Bar | Wheaton
- Fogo de Chão | Naperville and Oak Brook
- Purple Pig | Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook
- Wildfire | Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook
Billy Bricks Lombard Yorktown
Shopping and Entertainment
Need a little bit of retail therapy in between matches? Chicago's western suburbs are packed with shopping centers, boutiques in the charming downtowns, and even locally made goodies from small businesses.
If you are looking for shopping centers, consider checking out the Oakbrook Center. Conveniently located close to I-88 and I-294, it is one of the largest outdoor premier shopping destinations in the country. Filled with luxury stores, stellar dining options, and entertainment centers like Puttshack and Pinstripes, it's an easy choice to shop, dine, and play all in one place.
Oakbrook Center
A few other shopping centers in the area to consider:
Yorktown Center | Town Square Wheaton | Fashion Outlets of Chicago
Of course, you can't forget about DuPage's charming downtowns. While there are many great options around the county, here are a few quick recommendations for downtowns near the venue:
Get Fresh Air Between Games
Did you know that DuPage County is home to sixty forest preserves and over 500 miles of trails? With many of these forest preserves and trails connecting and close-by to Glen Ellyn, it's easy to get outside and explore between matches.
A few favorites for outdoor serenity are listed below along with their drive time from College of DuPage.
- The Morton Arboretum | Lisle (5-minute drive)
- Danada Forest Preserve | Wheaton (7-minute drive)
- St. James Farm | Warrenville (11-minute drive)
- Cantigny | Wheaton (15-minute drive)
- Waterfall Glen | Darien (20-minute drive)
With the NJCAA DIII Women's Volleyball Championship happening in mid-November, the weather is going to be getting colder in Illinois. Make sure you dress accordingly!
Day Trip to Chicago
Just 20 miles outside of downtown Chicago, DuPage County offers convenient transportation options to visit the city on a day-off from the tournament. Whether you choose to hop on one of the many Metra stations found around the county or drive from the suburbs, it's easy to spend a few hours exploring one of the nation's most well-known destinations. Here are a few iconic Chicago experiences to consider during your visit:
Skydeck Chicago
Special Offers
Hollywood BLVD Cinema in Woodridge was gracious to extend a special offer for NJCAA DIII Women's Volleyball Championship teams, families, and coaches. To redeem, use the code DUPAGESPORTS26 for a buy-one-get-one deal on movie tickets.
Make the most of your trip with a visit to Flyover Chicago, an immersive attraction located inside Navy Pier. Get 10% off tickets by using this special link: https://www.experienceflyover.com/chicago/tickets-prices/. The discount is automatically applied and valid on any date or time.