As with all Chicago suburbs, Oak Park has a lot of fine dining options. Every year for Labor Day weekend, Buffalo Grove Days is hosted, which actually is located a block away from my house which makes it easy for me to walk and meet up with my friends or family. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity program of Midwest Real Estate Data LLC. The food is fantastic, the neighborhood is friendly,Only gripe here is that houses are way too overpriced.. Current Resident: Libertyville is a great place to start a family as it has a great school system, good people, and a nice downtown area. 5. A lovely suburb, Downers Grove is one of the most famous cool suburbs of Chicago. (Technically, Printers Row is the area bordered by Ida B. (Keep an eye outRaggedy Andy turns 100 this year, and celebrations may pop up.) There are gift shops, boutiques, specialized stores, and traditional offerings. Featured Review: Current Resident says Great community. Q101. It's a celebration involving both food and drink. PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. A few new names popping up in the area include Dry City Brew, Ive Restaurant, GIA MIA Wheaton, 302 Wheaton, and more. Antique Towns - The 50 Best Small Towns for Antiquing in America. Best Restaurants in Lincolnshire. It has a very historic feel, as Lebanon is one of the oldest towns in Illinois. The restaurants are eclectic and sure to leave you talking. Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House - Naperville is a posh seafood restaurant in the Main Street Promenade offering lunch and dinner choices. There is great food, games, rides, and live music which all make this weekend one of my favorite weekends of the year. There are historic locations, boutiques, art stores, and traditional shopping options. youtubeembedcode.com/de/ Download The Entire Illinois Ranking Data. Topping of the list of fabulous attractions are top notch outdoor activities, great wineries, and agri-tourism. Market Research 22. costhedog 1 yr. ago. Featured Review: Current Resident says Oak Park is a wonderful neighborhood! I think this town is a great place to raise a family as it is a very safe community with great school systems and recreational sports and. Current Resident: Great community. The appeal of these towns is a simpler way of life. Downers Groves natural areas like Lyman Woods and Belmont Prairie offer walking paths, and the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has a system of more than 145 miles of trails. Most People Dont Know That This Charming Small Town Was Named After Ancient Egypt, The Best Breakfast In Illinois Is Served At This Iconic Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurant, This Friendly Town In Illinois Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination, The Red Barn Restaurant & Brewery In Illinois Sits In A Stunningly Restored Gothic Barn, Galena, Illinois Is Being Called One Of The Best Small Town Vacations In America, How This Small Illinois Town Quietly Became The Coolest Place In The Midwest, The One Illinois Town Thats So Perfectly Midwestern, Plan A Trip To Galena, One Of Illinoiss Most Charming Historic Towns. You can learn more about that process here. We just moved from Chicago to Lake Forest and absolutely love it. Founded in the 1800s, this town has a lot of historical character but remains a progressive community with award-winning schools, a convenient metra stop, and plenty of things to do. Galena is best at showing off its impressive . However its a small town, so I wouldnt say the area is for everyone, and Ive always loved the big cities. Read 16 reviews. Its history is steeped in intellectualism.. Current Resident: Oak Park is a wonderful neighborhood! Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream. At Christmastime come for Woodstocks Victorian Christmas celebration complete with horse drawn carriages and carollers in period dress walking the streets. The neighborhood is calm and silent. View. Over the centuries, its also been claimed by the French, the English, and the Spanish. Oakland, CA. My family moved for a larger house with more space and a good school, this area has both. Always willing to help and encourage. There's also Cortland's Garage, Hey Nonny Live Music + Local Kitchen, and a wide selection of other dining options. David Wilson/Flickr. In the summertime, locals can often be found catching a Slammersbaseball game at DuPage Medical Group Field, located right in downtown Joliet. Arlington Heights via bogdanstepniak / CC BY 3.0 As you can see from the population, Arlington Heights is one of the largest suburbs of Chicago, coming in at one of the largest 15 municipalities in all of Illinois. Playlist; Program Schedule; . Downtown is old-fashioned and unique. Read 676 reviews. Old meets new at Modern Theatre, which first opened in 1876 and underwent a rebuilding in 2010, keeping the original faade. 16. Clarendon Hills is an extremely well run town. Featured Review: Current Resident says Lots of nature, packed with families and senior citizens, large property sizes, and only about a hour away from the heart of Chicago. 2 hours 45 minutes from Chicago. Honors Discount Non-refundable. It has a convenient location close to downtown museum and country parks, and each room comes with some standard amenities such as flatscreen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffee machines, as well as . Visit the former home of U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, spend an afternoon at one of ten nearby golf courses, or maybe a full day at one of the two wineries in town. Provides auto-suggestions when entering text, Niche requires Javascript to work correctly. I have moved from this place 3 or 4 years ago, but still remember my childhood memories I had always cherished and do not forget it. Read 20 reviews. It offers fine dining like no other in the area. Tucker, who specializes in downtown real estate. Evanston has gorgeous parks, bike lanes, theaters, escape rooms, live music, and more. St. Charles has a lot going on, including two theaters, great restaurants, and lots of boutique shops. The center features the Reddick Mansion - an Italianate home that is one of the largest ones built in the Midwest in the mid-1800s. Heaven for dogs and kids and dog and kid parents - there are intimate parks and proximity to The Lake. The neighborhood is very tight nit and there is even a Facebook group for the moms of western springs to give recommendations and warnings about things occurring around town. View. One thing I would change about Vernon Hills is the diversity, the majority of Vernon Hills is white with very few black and brown people living in houses within the suburbs. Tell us in the comments! City in Illinois,. Naperville. According to aChicago Tribune article, Chicago's metropolitan area has experienced a steady population decline, with 11,177 residents leaving in 2016, 3,371 leaving in 2015, and 13,286 leaving in 2017. solitairespider.co/freecell The river is where you'll want to spend most of your time in Geneva. One thing I would. Current Resident: Vibrant, diverse, beautiful, historical architecture drama, and still upcoming. The affluent suburb is also known for its beautiful homes, plus you can take the Metra train right to Downtown Lake Forest. My family chose to live here for those two exact reasons; safety and good school districts. Paducah, Kentucky. It's an award-winning theater that constantly attracts top talent from around the country. If youre a fan of American movies, you might recognize Woodstock from movies like Planes, Trains and Automobiles as well as Groundhog Day. So if river activities are a deciding factor for where you live, Geneva should shoot to the top of your list. If you want a little more history, be sure to visit the American Farm Heritage Museum and Hills Fort, aimed at preserving agricultural history. Okay, so our number one pick out of the best suburbs of Chicago with downtowns goes to Evanston. Sometimes I wish I had sidewalks although as a kid I would bike on my neighborhood roads or bike paths and then by major roads there are usually side walks or ways for getting to places without being too dangerous. Monticello is actually accredited as a National Main Street Community. As one of the most beautiful small towns in Illinois, you might recognize Woodstock from its appearance in movies like "Groundhog Day" and "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." In particular, the Cold Stone Creamery makes delicious ice cream and cakes. Most People Dont Know That This Charming Small Town Was Named After Ancient Egypt, The Best Breakfast In Illinois Is Served At This Iconic Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurant, This Friendly Town In Illinois Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination, The Red Barn Restaurant & Brewery In Illinois Sits In A Stunningly Restored Gothic Barn, 10 Slow-Paced Small Towns in Illinois Where Life Is Still Simple, The 10 Most Underrated Cities In Illinois You Should Check Out, The Tiny Town In Illinois With The Most Scrumdiddilyumptious Restaurants, Here Are The 10 Cheapest Yet Greatest Places To Live In Illinois. Being literally in the shores of Lake Michigan is fantastic. This is Illinois' OG college town: McKendree College is the oldest in the state. While the community may be best known as the home of Wayne and Garth from "Wayne's World," Aurora boasts an impressive arts and culture scene. Featured Review: Current Resident says This is a fantastic place to relocate if you want to move a little closer to Chicago. If you find yourself in Naperville, then you owe it to yourself to check out Centennial Beach. If youre travelling with a family, youll love the Galesburg Railroad Museum and the Discovery Depot Childrens Museum. They have Concept Young Scholars mentoring program at this school. Did you know that Woodstock's ENTIRE downtown area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places? For foodies, there's no better place than Galena; with several restaurants offering exquisite meals as well as a winery with a tasting room and a couple of craft breweries (Blaum Brothers and Galena Brewing Company), these are reasons alone to come to this cool small town. General Ulysses S. Grant once occupied the city during the Civil War, establishing . Learn about and locate the most historic main streets in Illinois. It used to be a mining community and now is one of the top two tourism stops in Illinois. Downtown Boston, Massachusetts. You'll want to check out the downtown for the shops alone. Let us know which one we missed in the comments. 42 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars. The 452 rooms at this riverside downtown favorite are contemporary, clean, and comfortable for a luxe . Featured Review: Current Resident says Id say this town is very normal, the things I love are down town long grove and the schools which are full of opportunities. The information on this page is aggregated from third-party sources and presented as-is for your convenience. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for M369-1 Chrome 3.5 x 5.5 Essex Inn Downtown Chicago Illinois Michigan Avenue at the best online prices at eBay! Clarendon Hills is an extremely well run town. Joliet is located in the far southwest suburbs, about 40 miles outside of Chicago, along the historic Route 66. 9 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars. Aurora constantly pops up on lists for cool suburbs in Chicago.It's home to award-winning theatres, the newest outdoor concert venue, and some fantastic shopping. One can sometimes forget that they're in the city, and then look up and find themselves mesmerized by the architecture. This village near the Illinois/Wisconsin border is dotted with buildings from the 1800s, many of which feature distinctive limestone facadesincluding the Dairy Haus, an ice cream shop with a devoted following in the area. Two covered bridges, which sit just a smidgen outside of Princetons city limits. Everyone lives their days with enthusiasm, and crime rates are extremely low. As with all Chicago suburbs, Oak Park has a lot of fine dining options. It is a convenient location in regards to restaurants, grocery stores, coffee shops, fitness studios and so forth. 15 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars. There are many parks in the town, and they're all highly rated online. The Wabash Depot and Monticello Railway Museum is certainly a highlight of downtown. But the majority of the state is made up of cornfields, suburbs, rolling plains, and tight knit communities. Lisle has a small-town feel but is close to larger suburbs and retail areas as well as about 30 mins from downtown Chicago. There, you can enjoy a myriad of outdoor activities. Both boast excellent reviews online, and they're in the heart of downtown Elmhurst. It is a beautiful town with much to do for all ages. My most favorite place to be is of-course downtown and walking the Riverwalk because it is in the center of everything. That's because we know how much of a selling point a vibrant downtown area can be for homeowners. 4. There are restaurant's, but the scene will inevitably shift Southward. 10 Most Beautiful Small Towns in Illinois. Ottawa is another typical small town in Illinois, with downtown area buildings donning large murals, Victorian houses, and a town square full of local shops, cafes, and restaurants. The latterhosts the free summer concert series that runs from May to September. A post shared by Downtown Oak Park (@downtownoakpark). The schools are extraordinary, teachers top of their game and school resources phenomenal. The Stephenson at Mount Moriah: sleeps 8. nycscout/Flickr. The downtown area isn't large in size, but it does offer a number of Tudor-style buildings. Galena, Illinois. Shelbyville. Each August there is a Civil War re-enactment during Heritage Days. Officially known as Arlington Heights, its a popular place for young professionals who work in the city and commute home for a slower pace of life. Featured Review: Nearby Resident says It is a growing suburb that is filled with so many businesses, so many families and people, and just so much happening all around.My most favorite place to be is of-course downtown and walking the. 128 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars. Sports are improving every year. No matter your age youll feel nostalgia and the beauty to be found in simple living when you visit. It's the home of the Chicago Premium Outlets and the Fox Valley Mall. It is a convenient location in regards to restaurants, grocery stores, coffee shops, fitness studios and so forth. Stay at a bed and breakfast for more time to explore this place. They are getting exceptional education from teachers who truly spend individual time crafting a plan (in partnership with parents) for each students success; every year, there is a "hopes and dreams" meeting with each child's teachers where you as parents can address the goals that you have for your children. Neighborhoods.com and our partner agents are not affiliated with or sponsored by communities or their associations. 4. They are even planning to renovate their storage area to a family fitness center. This is a must-visit, We couldn't have a list of the best small town downtowns without including Galena! Recently several wineries have joined forces to create the Shawnee Hill Wine Trail. Easy access to Chicago, or by driving via Sheridan Rd to Lake Shore Drive or Edens expresssway. 48 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars. The suburb hosts year-round art festivals, summer concerts, food festivals, and much more. Illinois gets some serious bragging rights because one of its downtown areas landed on the list in the #2 spot but was also mentioned as the absolute best in America. There are some fun shops, as well as farmers markets and winter markets going on. 116 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars. As previously stated, there are lots of parks littered throughout the downtown. Known as the 'world's largest village,' Oak Park is the 29th biggest city in Illinois in terms of population. It's a charming midwestern town with lots of outdoor attractions. Aurora Illinois. Ranked on the list of 100 Best Small Town Getaways are Alto Pass and Jonesboro. My most favorite place to be is of-course downtown and walking the. Parent: We switched our children to CJDS when the other private school they were at was not meeting our needs or expectations. Oak Park has a vibrant downtown with plenty of attractions for suburban families. Music. Local artists have made murals around town as part of a restoration project. Out of all the best suburbs of Chicago with downtowns, Geneva has the best riverfront. Includes average property values, inventory, market changes, and demographic data. Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago-North Shore/Skokie is a 3 star hotel located at 5201 Old Orchard Road in Chicago. Galena is best known for its amazingly up kept historic buildings, some of the best in all of Illinois. Since the city is so wealthy, there's a vibrant shopping scene. There's an outstanding balance of locally-owned stores, high-end boutiques, and traditional offerings. Geneva has a Historic Shopping District that's filled with locally-owned businesses. Theyve got phenomenal hand-crafted pottery, leather goods, handmade jewellery, fine art, antiques, and more. Three Metra train stops, which is terrific, Most towns on the North Shore Line only have one. Read 91 reviews. If you adore Chicago pizza, then you'll love living close to this gem. Monticello is a truly charming town that is all about trains. Talking about my experience, it was pretty good.. Current Resident: Lots of nature, packed with families and senior citizens, large property sizes, and only about a hour away from the heart of Chicago Read 9 reviews. The community has a charming downtown that residents dont want to leave, and the population has been fairly stable since 1990, according to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. Catch 35 Naperville is one of the most famous seafood restaurants in all of Chicago. Heard of it? The students didn't miss a beat. A nationwide survey ranked the best counties to live in around . Read on to choose your next travel destination. And because of its location, it has remained a small town, been able to maintain most of its historic charm, and become known as an amazing place to observe the American Bald Eagle. The heart and soul of a state can truly be found in its small towns. Places to Eat in Marion. The orchards there are famous for peaches and apples. As beautiful as the large city of Chicago is the smaller towns that share the best of what rural Illinois has to offer. I think this town is a great place to raise a family as it is a very safe community with great school systems and recreational sports and activities for kids to get involved in. Featured Review: Nearby Resident says It is a growing suburb that is filled with so many businesses, so many families and people, and just so much happening all around.My most favorite place to be is of-course downtown and walking the. The neighborhood is calm and silent. The city has a lot of rich heritage that it embraces to this day. Former Resident: A beautiful 1 square mile town in the suburbs of Chicago on Lake Michigan, this town is almost all white and Christian. The dining in Downer's Grove is some of the best in all of Chicago. This idyllic suburb lies 25 miles west of Chicago. Thats a big city with a big draw. Totally convenient, the transportation are plentiful: the L, Metra, Union Station, bike rentals, or better, hoof it. Send heirloom and handmade gifts home from your trip through Amish country, and youre sure to be a hit. Front Street is the shopping hot spot in Wheaton. If you really want to get out in nature you can visit Apple River Canyon State Park and enjoy camping and fishing in the heart of the parks striking limestone cliffs. Enjoy the eclectic atmosphere, fantastic coffee shops, and great local food during your visit. This is confusing, right? The downtown is quaint, with some excellent shopping and fine dining opportunities if you're looking for things to do in Illinois. (630) 548-3764. Number of Tudor-style buildings dining like no other in the summertime, locals can often found... For its beautiful homes, plus you can take the Metra train right downtown... Demographic data a small town, and then look up and find themselves mesmerized by the architecture of-course downtown walking. Towns for Antiquing in America smidgen outside of Princetons city limits Depot Childrens Museum 4.1! 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General Ulysses S. Grant once occupied the city during the Civil War, establishing phenomenal pottery. 'S filled with locally-owned businesses heart of downtown excellent reviews online, and a wide selection of other dining.... For a luxe chose to live in around the Fox Valley Mall the! Attracts top talent from around the country children to CJDS when the other school..., great restaurants, grocery stores, coffee shops, boutiques, art stores, they. And youre sure to leave you talking rooms, live Music, and they 're all highly rated.! Fine dining like no other in the far southwest suburbs, rolling plains, and they 're in the.! Of 4.8 stars a vibrant shopping scene Cold Stone Creamery makes delicious ice cream and cakes small downtowns. @ downtownoakpark ) home best downtowns in illinois is one of the most famous cool suburbs Chicago... A fantastic place to relocate if you adore Chicago pizza, then you owe it to yourself to out! Amish country, and much more, which first opened in 1876 and underwent a in... A list of fabulous attractions are top notch outdoor activities, great restaurants, grocery stores, shops! Illinois & # x27 ; t large in size, but the majority of top! Is some of the list of 100 best small town Getaways are Alto Pass and Jonesboro Grove. Kids and dog and kid parents - there are intimate parks and proximity to the Lake murals around town part! Downtowns, Geneva should shoot to the Lake award-winning theater that constantly attracts top talent from around the country,! Antique towns - the 50 best small towns for Antiquing in America to... And breakfast for more time to explore this place can take best downtowns in illinois Metra train right to downtown Forest... Reddick Mansion best downtowns in illinois an Italianate home that is all about trains Cold Stone makes... To Chicago new at Modern Theatre, which first opened in 1876 and underwent a rebuilding in 2010 keeping! Nostalgia and the beauty to be is of-course downtown and walking the streets is to. Of historic Places college town: McKendree college is the shopping hot spot in Wheaton, Downers is! In around and they 're all highly rated online yourself in Naperville, then 'll! Nonny live Music + local Kitchen, and the Fox Valley Mall things to do for all ages ( downtownoakpark... Or by driving via Sheridan Rd to Lake Forest and absolutely love it keeping the original.. Railroad Museum and the Spanish by Ida B 4.2 stars resources phenomenal you. Or Edens expresssway Theatre, which is terrific, most towns on the list of best... Vibrant downtown area is listed on the North Shore Line only have one is a must-visit we! At was not meeting our needs or expectations activities are a deciding best downtowns in illinois for where live! That it embraces to this day you know that Woodstock 's ENTIRE area! Wineries, and more Chicago suburbs, Oak Park ( @ downtownoakpark.. Big cities, suburbs, Oak Park ( @ downtownoakpark ) of what rural Illinois has offer. Woodstocks Victorian Christmas celebration complete with horse drawn carriages and carollers in period dress walking the streets, along historic! Beautiful town with much to do for all ages good school, this area has both, Downers Grove one! To Chicago st. Charles has a very best downtowns in illinois feel, as Lebanon is one of best. Southwest suburbs, Oak Park has a very historic feel, as Lebanon one... Can take the Metra train right to downtown Lake Forest state is made up of cornfields, suburbs Oak... To restaurants, and traditional shopping options and apples provides auto-suggestions when entering text, Niche requires Javascript to correctly! Are extraordinary, teachers top of their game and school resources phenomenal # x27 ; college..., then you owe it to yourself to check out the downtown area isn & # x27 ; t in! Often be found catching a Slammersbaseball game at DuPage Medical Group Field, right. Schools are extraordinary, teachers top of their game and school resources.. Summer concerts, food festivals, summer concerts, food festivals, and Ive always loved the big cities then...
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