AHOY! As kids and teens, we rode our bikes all over, and there are stop signs on every corner so kids can safely walk everywhere. 150 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars. Another town in Illinois perfect for a day trip is Woodstock. 20 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars. Wedding cake? Playlist; Program Schedule; . The area surrounding Chicago ishome to a number of suburbswith their own urban feel and lively downtowns. If youre visiting in June, be sure to check out the annual Great Galena Balloon Race. Home to endless fun, Santa Cruz is among the greatest cities with the best downtowns. Very pretty village and neighborhoods. Read 19 reviews. 3. The 20th century manufacturing hub of Rockford, Illinois, once known for its knitting . There are escape rooms, movie theaters, parks, lakes, and more. What are some fun small town day trips in Illinois? Read 15 reviews. The 10 Best Restaurants In Winona, Minnesota. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! 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. You'll never have to venture too far to find what you're looking for in Elmhurst. Recently several wineries have joined forces to create the Shawnee Hill Wine Trail. A post shared by Elmhurst City Centre (@elmhurstcitycentre). The schools are extraordinary, teachers top of their game and school resources phenomenal. It's an artsy city as well, with its Annual Festival of the Arts held downtown each year. There are gorgeous high rises, fabulous restaurants, bike lanes, and more. We are both active people so nice trails and fitness facilities nearby is key. The Riverwalk makes this a truly charming place to walk around. 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. 16 Niche users give it an average review of 4.4 stars. Read 10 reviews. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Explore the best downtown areas of the small towns in Illinois. The town, located off the I&M canal, has a nostalgic feel. Arcola may be slightly better known, as its where the Raggedy Ann doll was first invented around the turn of the 20th century. My family chose to live here for those two exact. Former Resident: I grew up in Winnetka as did my mom. The downtown area isn't large in size, but it does offer a number of Tudor-style buildings. You're within a 30 minute drive from literally everything! Sports are improving every year. Within Northbrook, there are also many businesses for both shopping and eating. They are even planning to renovate their storage area to a family fitness center. 30 Niche users give it an average review of 4.4 stars. It's a celebration involving both food and drink. Memorial Park is home to the city's annual Taste of Wheaton festival. 10 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars. (847) 634-0100. People look out for each other and come together whenever tragedy strikes one of their neighbors. Evanston also has bike lanes, making it one of the friendliest suburbs for bikers. 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. Even though Vernon Hills is a great place to raise families and send kids to school, there are still a few things the suburb could work on improving like diversity, affordability, and the housing market. Read 128 reviews. Every year for Labor Day weekend, Buffalo. Current Resident: I have lived in Western Springs since I was about 1 year old. Only 30 miles east of Indianapolis, Shelbyville is the perfect place for a quiet getaway. City in Illinois,. Rural Scene Wakarusa Valley, that was painted with oils by Irene Bianucci in 1941. Tree lined streets, diverse walks of life, public parks everywhere, huge gardens, shops and locally owned businesses for. Current Resident: I like that Vernon Hills is a tight community where most of the elementary schools are feeder schools into the middle schools which allows kids to stay in touch with their friends. This is a must-visit, We couldn't have a list of the best small town downtowns without including Galena! Its really a rather dramatic oasis in the midst of the flat Midwestern plans. Not only that, but Aurora is also a favorite among outdoor lovers. Each May the town hosts the Dutch Days festival and they are home to one of the only authentic Dutch windmills in the United States. It has a 4.5 overall guest rating based on 1363 reviews. Take one look at the menu . Kohler, Wisconsin. Neighborhoods.com is not affiliated with the builder, developer, or the association of any communities displayed on this website. 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. For an in-depth look into Galena's history and its important place in American culture, visit the Galena and U.S. Grant Museum, located in a beautiful Italianate mansion originally built as a residence by merchant Daniel Barrows. City in Illinois,. Let us know which one we missed in the comments. You can check out the 19th century Bartlett Depot Museum at the original railroad station. Stillwater, MN, USA. 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. It is a beautiful town with much to do for all ages. Truly authentic upscale Italian restaurant and bar located in the heart of the North Shore in Winnetka's Hubbard Woods district. The local downtown area looks as magnificent as it did . Visit Lake Storey Recreational Area for swimming and picnicking in the summer, and in winter try ice skating and cross country skiing. Most people of color in Vernon Hills live in townhomes or apartments which is another thing I would like to see improve. The affluent suburb is also known for its beautiful homes, plus you can take the Metra train right to Downtown Lake Forest. Read 676 reviews. 48 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars. For nightlife, try the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre which produces both theatre and musical performance. Our real estate brokerages: Neighborhoods.com, Neighborhoods Home Source, Inc. CA BRE # 02003453 | (855) 744-2846. There are over 100 stores to check out and love in the downtown area. But you will also find some higher end stores like lululemon. GreatSchoolsRatings provided byGreatSchools.org, Copyright 2023 Neighborhoods.com All Rights Reserved, 5 Chicago Suburbs With the Best Downtowns, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, CHECK OUT MORE FROM OUR '7 DAYS OF SUBURBS' WEEK. It's one of the most impressive artificial beaches in the United States. Stroll past historic monuments, period architecture and the sites that have shaped Illinois' rich past. . When searching for the best places to live in Illinois, there is a 4/5 chance you will come across the name Wheaton. Naperville is diverse and has outdoor dining and more affordable dining options as well. You will find over 4.5 miles of paved trails downtown, and you can try your luck at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. It is a convenient location in regards to restaurants, grocery stores, coffee shops, fitness studios and so forth. A post shared by Downtown Evanston (@downtownevanston). Local artists have made murals around town as part of a restoration project. Ranking based on data from the U.S. Census, FBI, BLS, CDC, and other sources. The appeal of these towns is a simpler way of life. Small town vibe in and around a big bustling city. Everyone here says hello and knows one another. Elmhurst takes our pick for the best balance between entertainment, dining, and shopping. Give us a call to learn more about local areas, discuss selling a house, or tour available homes for sale, Youtube Native Americans once settled here and geologist love to study the pre-historic rock formations nearby. Top restaurants include the original Barone's of Glen Ellyn, an excellent Italian restaurant. Antique Towns - The 50 Best Small Towns for Antiquing in America. Cuisine is pretty diverse in Evanston, and some favorite local spots include Found Kitchen, Peppercorns Kitchen, and Terra & Vine. Downtown Aurora overlooks the Fox River, and it's the last Metra stop on the BNSF line. In the 1840s it was home to the Mormon Church, when they sought refuge and a plot of land to live undisturbed by the United States government. If you have young children, this is the perfect place to raise them. Read 180 reviews. If youre travelling with a family, youll love the Galesburg Railroad Museum and the Discovery Depot Childrens Museum. 23 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars. Geneva has some fantastic dining options in addition to its riverfront. Featured Review: Current Resident says We have lived here since 2015 (moved from La Grange) and are very happy here. Located 25 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, Arlington Heightsmay be best known as the former home of the Arlington Park Racetrack. You can also enjoy stand-up comedians and live music while dining here. Featured Review: Current Resident says Oak Park is a wonderful neighborhood! Another site to see in town? To enjoy the great outdoors, you can always take a stroll through the Willowbrook Wildlife Center. Read on to learn about seven towns and small cities that also happen to have some of the best downtown areas in Illinois. The City of Good Neighbours is an historically agricultural town. There are escape rooms, nature centers, video game stores, golf clubs, and so much more. During the summer months, RiverEdge Parkand Millennium Plazahost locally and nationally recognized artists. Easy access to Chicago, or by driving via Sheridan Rd to Lake Shore Drive or Edens expresssway. Just ten miles from the Mississippi River is Mount Carrol. It's our opinion that it achieves this balance even better than Arlington Heights. Love Illinois? Galena. There you have our top 10 picks for the best suburbs of Chicago with downtowns. Purple Pig. The last updated plan was released in 2019. The area is gorgeous, the people are friendly, the schools are great. A few new names popping up in the area include Dry City Brew, Ive Restaurant, GIA MIA Wheaton, 302 Wheaton, and more. There are many parks and nature trails that follow the Fox River. 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. In particular, the Cold Stone Creamery makes delicious ice cream and cakes. This small town is known for its antique shopping and boutiques, as well as perfectly preserved 19th century buildings. There are plenty of cool suburbs of Chicago, but which have the best downtowns? Only gripe here is that houses are way too overpriced. Read 44 reviews. The city has a lot of rich heritage that it embraces to this day. While youre in the area, dont forget to hop over the borderjust a couple of miles awayto stock up on New Glarus beer, another treat with a cult following thats sold only in Wisconsin. Front Street downtown is quickly becoming a hot spot for new businesses in the area. Dont miss the extensive self-guided walking tour of notable Nauvoo buildings to help your imagination travel through time, too. As with all Chicago suburbs, Oak Park has a lot of fine dining options. Free Admission. So many towns in Illinois have some wonderful downtown business districts. Shopping areas include Evanston Plaza, Sherman Plaza, the Evanston Center, and more. Galena. 10 Most Beautiful Small Towns in Illinois. 4: Burlington, Vermont. It's also one of the more diverse suburbs. Featured Review: Former Resident says Wilmette, Illinois is a wonderful place to grow up and raise a family. Facebook. Since opening in 2009, Purple Pig has established itself as one of the best restaurants in the city. 1. Places to Eat in Marion. But it was a wealthy benefactor named Luther Bartlett who brought the railroad in and made modern day Bartlett what it is. Photograph: Neal O'Bryan. These towns in the Land of Lincoln all fit the bill!. There are many animals, birds, and reptiles there for you to observe. Read 10 reviews. You hardly ever have power outages and never a problem with flooding. Here, horse drawn buggies share the road with cars, the food is hearty, and tradition is everything. Monticello is a truly charming town that is all about trains. Send heirloom and handmade gifts home from your trip through Amish country, and youre sure to be a hit. The orchards there are famous for peaches and apples. Web Visit website. 8. LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton. 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