Hawthorne Race Course is a horse-racing venue at 3501 S. Laramie Avenue in Stickney, just outside Chicago. Founded in 1891, it has hosted Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing; check its operating hours and racing calendar before planning a visit.
- Location: 3501 S. Laramie Avenue, Stickney, IL 60804
- From a Chicago hotel: about a 7-minute drive from a hotel in Chicago
- Racing: the venue has hosted Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing
- Other operations: live racing, sports betting and off-track betting
Where Hawthorne Race Course is
Hawthorne Race Course sits in Stickney, near Chicago, at 3501 S. Laramie Avenue. The venue describes itself as the oldest sporting venue in Illinois, founded in 1891.
The Jockey Club’s track profile describes a one-mile main course with a 6½-furlong chute and a seven-furlong turf course measuring 184 feet. Hawthorne has hosted both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing, so its history spans two kinds of horse racing.
The Jockey Club records that the course opened on May 20, 1891, reopened in 1980 after a fire in 1977, and was renovated for the 1998 meeting. Those milestones help explain how a long-running venue has continued through major changes.
Checking race dates and admission
Check Hawthorne’s Live Racing calendar for race dates, and confirm admission details directly with the venue before setting out. Racing dates and entry arrangements can affect what you can see and how you plan your visit.
Hawthorne also operates sports betting and off-track betting alongside live racing. Its posted hours separate the clubhouse, Guest Services and sports betting, so check the schedule for the specific service you plan to use. The venue’s contact numbers are 708-780-3700 for the main line and 708-780-3733 for Guest Services.
Admission prices, ticket requirements, age restrictions and entry rules should be confirmed with Hawthorne before your trip. Don’t assume that the hours for one area apply to the others.
How do you get to Hawthorne Race Course from the Midway area?
Driving directions from I-55 approach the venue by way of Central Avenue or Cicero Avenue, then Pershing Road and Laramie Avenue. If you’re coming from I-55, use the route that matches your direction of travel:
- Northbound on I-55: exit at Central Avenue, go north on Central, east on Pershing, then north on Laramie.
- Southbound on I-55: exit at Cicero Avenue, go north on Cicero, west on Pershing, then north on Laramie.
If you’re flying into Midway, the trip from Midway Airport to Skylark Motel can help with that part of your Chicago travel.
Hawthorne is about 2.0 miles from Skylark Motel, with a drive of about 7 minutes. If you’re coming from elsewhere in the Midway area, use the venue’s address to check your own route; the I-55 directions give a specific approach from the expressway.
For local transport planning, getting around Chicago from the Midway area covers the broader area.
What to confirm before visiting
Before you go, check the official Hawthorne Race Course site for the current racing calendar, hours, admission information and access details. The venue’s posted schedules distinguish between clubhouse, Guest Services and sports betting hours, and its I-55 directions describe separate approaches for northbound and southbound traffic.
For questions about your visit, call the main line at 708-780-3700 or Guest Services at 708-780-3733.
FAQs
Where is Hawthorne Race Course?
It is at 3501 S. Laramie Avenue, Stickney, IL 60804, near Chicago.
What kinds of racing has Hawthorne hosted?
The venue has hosted both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing.
How can you check race dates?
Consult Hawthorne’s Live Racing calendar and confirm details with the venue before your visit.
Does Hawthorne offer betting?
Yes. The venue describes sports betting and off-track betting operations in addition to live racing.