Only gripe here is that houses are way too overpriced. Read 44 reviews. Whats your favorite small town around the Prairie State? Dont miss the extensive self-guided walking tour of notable Nauvoo buildings to help your imagination travel through time, too. 48 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars. Honors Discount Non-refundable. Neighborhoods.com is not affiliated with the builder, developer, or the association of any communities displayed on this website. Even with its density, there's still a sense of community in Printers Row. It's the perfect suburb to call home if you love beautiful parks and talking long walks. While its streets are steeped in history (Ulysses S. Grant famously called the town home, and Lincoln and Douglas gave speeches on the balcony of the DeSoto House Hotel, which still stands today), Galena is anything but a sleepy small town. Of all the places in Wilmette, Sheridan Road is considered as the most restrictive in terms of real estate. It's our opinion that it achieves this balance even better than Arlington Heights. Home to 28,000 people, Wilmette is one of the best Chicago Suburbs that provides the best of both worlds - small town atmosphere and big city features. 10 Most Beautiful Small Towns in Illinois. It's an award-winning theater that constantly attracts top talent from around the country. The perfect mix of contemporary culture and history, Burlington's downtown has a quaint small-town feel with gorgeous views of Lake Champlain: It gives the other cities on this list a run for their money as one of the best downtowns in the U.S. Its really a rather dramatic oasis in the midst of the flat Midwestern plans. Lebanon, Il. The school districts in the North Shore are incredible. The 452 rooms at this riverside downtown favorite are contemporary, clean, and comfortable for a luxe . (847) 634-0100. Uptown Winnetka is great and so is Hubbard Woods. Geneva has a Historic Shopping District that's filled with locally-owned businesses. The architecture is very pretty, and the public schools here are fantastic if. Current Resident: This is a community that provides a safe and secure environment. It offers fine dining like no other in the area. You can enjoy beautiful walks along the river here as well. Let us know which one we missed in the comments. 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. Joliet is located in the far southwest suburbs, about 40 miles outside of Chicago, along the historic Route 66. Glen Ellyn has a nice downtown area just off of the Metra, featuring some cute shops like a candy store and a movie theater that plays more artistic films. Free shipping for many products! Explore the best places to live in the U.S. based on crime, public schools, cost of living, job opportunities, and local amenities. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! There are also multiple theaters for both movies and live performances. There are plenty of cool suburbs of Chicago, but which have the best downtowns? My experience here. Works Here: Love my school! Location. Its history is steeped in intellectualism. 180 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars. It is a very safe and welcoming neighborhood. 150 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars. Downtown is old-fashioned and unique. Plenty of sports, activities & clubs for students to participate in. Here, horse drawn buggies share the road with cars, the food is hearty, and tradition is everything. There are escape rooms, movie theaters, parks, lakes, and more. Listing information last updated on March 2nd, 2023 at 3:08am CST. Wilmette was hailed by Business Week as the 7th best place to raise a . Web Visit website. 10 Chicago Suburbs with the Best Downtowns- https://www.youtube.. Whats more picturesque than a covered bridge? Free outdoor concerts, summer vintage car shows, and the Wine and Cultural Arts Festival, make Wheaton a small town cultural mecca. Love Illinois? I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. Photograph: Neal O'Bryan. Sports are improving every year. Cedarburg, Wisconsin Population: 11,500. Entrance Fee. It's a charming midwestern town with lots of outdoor attractions. 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. Likewise, Naperville is about a 38-minute drive from the Loop and has one of the best downtown districts of any Chicago Suburb. Meanwhile, many suburban areas are seeing a population increase. The neighborhood is calm and silent. 22. costhedog 1 yr. ago. Take one look at the menu . 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. Theres also rare bird watching available and an annual rattlesnake migration which isnt so much something you want to go and watch, but rather something to be fascinated by. The American Midwest is on full display in this list of the 15 best small towns to visit across the state: Consistently ranked as one of the best places to visit in the American Midwest, Galena is a big draw for honeymooners, foodies, and city dwellers who need a little rest and relaxation. Studded with well-maintained Victorian homes (and with the requisite charming downtown youd expect on this list), Ottawa puts its own twist on the small-town experience with an abundance of modern murals to mix the old with the new. The 10 Most Charming Small Towns Near Chicago. On the other hand, it is very expensive to live here. A post shared by Elmhurst City Centre (@elmhurstcitycentre). Chester is a true Illinois small town and thus there are a not a ton of accommodation options here, but you can find comfort at the Best Western Chester. 13. You can't beat a quaint suburb with a stellar downtown filled with great restaurants and entertainment. Take yourself on a driving tour of the citys smattering of mid-century modern homes, or follow this guide to public art installations, which also includes tips on where to grab curbside food and drink as you go, so you can create your own combination art and pub crawl. You're within a 30 minute drive from literally everything! Santa Cruz. The Arlington Ale House is a great place to get a delicious meal and some great drinks. The dining in Downer's Grove is some of the best in all of Chicago. 166 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars. Heard of it? Purple Pig. The neighborhood is beautiful, the schools. Former Resident: Wilmette, Illinois is a wonderful place to grow up and raise a family. Though firmly a Midwestern town, its often referred to as the New England of the Midwest, thanks to its distinctive architecture. Move Over Napa, the Hottest Wine Destination for Californians Is South of the Border, The Always Sold-Out Quince Suitcases Are Backin Stock (and They're Less than $200), The 31 Coziest Winter Weekend Getaways from NYC, Instagram's FavoriteDagne DoverDuffel and More Travel FavesAre on Sale Right Now, What to Pack in a Carry-On Bag? General Ulysses S. Grant once occupied the city during the Civil War, establishing . The only thing is that it is quite a bubble and sheltered place, not exposing kids to very much and allowing them to live a more privileged life. Read 42 reviews. 6 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars. View. Ottawa. OK, yes, you haveit has Oprahs stamp of approval as one of the most charming small towns in the country, among other accoladesbut its so well-known for a reason. There are not many facilities to attend, however, everything should be good for the family people. You can see what pioneer living was like when you visit Heritage Canyon, see the history of the area at Martin House Museum, and check out everything else the town has on offer Andresen Nature Centre, the historic downtown, two gorgeous national scenic by-ways, and the Great River Bike Trail. As the above list of best downtown areas in Illinois indicates, it's hard to pick just one or two (or 10) charming small towns in the Prairie State. The 16 Best Healthy Restaurants in Chicago. Be sure to take home some Amish fudge. 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. Known as the 'world's largest village,' Oak Park is the 29th biggest city in Illinois in terms of population. Now, Greenville is a college town filled with festivals. . Easy commute right into the city. You will find over 4.5 miles of paved trails downtown, and you can try your luck at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. It's especially desirable to families. It seems Illinois has a history of attracting large groups looking for freedom of some kind. The neighborhood is calm and silent. Discover the schools, companies, and neighborhoods that are right for you. Please. If youre travelling with a family, youll love the Galesburg Railroad Museum and the Discovery Depot Childrens Museum. Morris has a decent amount of offerings in its downtown, with plenty of places to get a really good dinner and some great shops. The best places for intriguing shopping are the Amish towns of Arthur and Arcola. You're within a 30 minute drive from literally everything! The information being provided is for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Monticello is a truly charming town that is all about trains. Talking about my experience, it was pretty good. But you will also find some higher end stores like lululemon. Located 25 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, Arlington Heights may be best known as the former home of the Arlington Park Racetrack. To enjoy the great outdoors, you can always take a stroll through the Willowbrook Wildlife Center. Featured Review: Former Resident says There is a nice sense of community in Glencoe. 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. Ten, Marriott Dr. Lincolnshire, IL 60069. Being literally in the shores of Lake Michigan is fantastic. You'll never have to venture too far to find what you're looking for in Elmhurst. Home to endless fun, Santa Cruz is among the greatest cities with the best downtowns. For most of its history, it has been a railway centre for Illinois. The Paramount Theatre is a local favorite for live music, and it regularly hosts free community events. You can learn more about that process here. Galena. (847) 386-6053. Featured Review: Former Resident says Overall, good. Galena is best known for its amazingly up kept historic buildings, some of the best in all of Illinois. On either side of the ravine are large bluffs with a view down to the Mississippi River. Nearby Wheaton is known as a more conservative and traditional college town. 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. Homes for sale in Naperville. Each May, the town hosts "Dutch Days," a festival celebrating its Dutch heritage. Kernel's Gourmet Popcorn and More provide a refreshing take on a traditional snack. Very pretty village and neighborhoods. Read 19 reviews. But even if you manage to see every home, mural, and fowl in Quincy, youre still in luck: Hannibal, MOand its treasure trove of Mark Twain attractionsis just half an hour and a hop across the Mississippi away.`. The village adopted a downtown master plan in 2007, which sought to increase density in order to create a more cultural and urban suburb feel. This is our ninth time ranking the best small places to live in Illinois. Simply put, its gorgeous. 9. Most people of color in Vernon Hills live in townhomes or apartments which is another thing I would like to see improve. Download The Entire Illinois Ranking Data. 676 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars. Featured Review: Current Resident says Libertyville is a great place to start a family as it has a great school system, good people, and a nice downtown area. There are over 100 stores to check out and love in the downtown area. youtubeembedcode.com/de/ It also has a lot of entertainment options. In this video we go over the 10 Chicago Suburbs with the Best Downtowns Book an appointment with Rafael- https://bit.ly/3qtvpxk Book an appointment. The city has a lot of rich heritage that it embraces to this day. Give us a call to learn more about local areas, discuss selling a house, or tour available homes for sale, Youtube This is Illinois' OG college town: McKendree College is the oldest in the state. Located 25 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, Arlington Heightsmay be best known as the former home of the Arlington Park Racetrack. There are many lovely red brick buildings throughout the downtown area, from government buildings to churches. Ranked on the list of 100 Best Small Town Getaways are Alto Pass and Jonesboro. Oak Park is a suburb of Chicago and is known for its beautiful architecture and downtown. Throughout the year, the teachers call you and update you on these specific goals. Some great drinks activities & clubs for students to participate in from around the Prairie State of life, parks. The former home of the Arlington Park Racetrack ninth time ranking the best small town around country. Are Alto Pass and Jonesboro live here the town hosts `` Dutch Days ''., Sheridan Road is considered as the 7th best place to raise a family, youll the... Rooms at this riverside downtown favorite are contemporary, clean, and Discovery... 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