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. The 10 Best Restaurants In Winona, Minnesota. 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. 9 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars. Photograph: Neal O'Bryan. There are large beaches and small pocket beaches at the end of all East-West streets. Every fall,downtown Downers Grovealso hosts an annualarts festival that's a popular event among locals and visitors. (Keep an eye outRaggedy Andy turns 100 this year, and celebrations may pop up.) To enjoy the great outdoors, you can always take a stroll through the Willowbrook Wildlife Center. Market Research We trust the leadership of the school explicitly: the NYT had an article during COVID about its swift and masterful pivot to online learning. Heard of it? (847) 634-0100. Free Admission. Includes average property values, inventory, market changes, and demographic data. Neighborhoods.com is not affiliated with the builder, developer, or the association of any communities displayed on this website. Featured Review: Current Resident says I grew up here and moved back one year ago. 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 is directly next to Lake Michigan making it the perfect place for the. Former Resident: Overall, good. The Worlds One and Only Hippie Memorial, a public folk art installation dedicated to the tumult of the 1960s. . Couple in their early 30s in the process to make the move to the suburbs and looking for the best areas to look at. Another town in Illinois perfect for a day trip is Woodstock. Ranking based on data from the U.S. Census, FBI, BLS, CDC, and other sources. The civic pride is on full display during the Prairie Path Clean-up, when the entire town gathers to take care of a 61-mile stretch of highway through town. You wont be sorry. Aurora constantly pops up on lists for cool suburbs in Chicago. Read on to learn about seven towns and small cities that also happen to have some of the best downtown areas in Illinois. Best Restaurants in Lincolnshire. There are over 275 local merchants that call downtown Elmhurst home. Another site to see in town? Yes, the entire downtown is on the National Register of Historic places, and that hasnt changed (try exploring it on a self-guided walking tour), but there are plenty of interesting places to swerve, too. David Wilson/Flickr. 116 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars. Whats more picturesque than a covered bridge? You will also love the little shops and restaurants in town. If you want a little more history, be sure to visit the American Farm Heritage Museum and Hills Fort, aimed at preserving agricultural history. Select Dates for Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown River North, opens new tab. This village is steeped in historic charm with gas lamps and a one-lane covered bridge. It was manufactured in the Netherlands and then shipped to Fulton in 2000. Fashionistas, renowned designer shops and boutiques await you. View. Listing information last updated on March 2nd, 2023 at 3:08am CST. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Address. youtubeembedcode.com/de/ Its history is steeped in intellectualism. Crime rates are extremely low and the educational system is way above average. You will find over 4.5 miles of paved trails downtown, and you can try your luck at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. There is truly a ton going on downtown. In June 2017, the Village Council adopted a new Comprehensive Planfor the development of Downers Grove over the next 15 to 20 years. What are some fun small town day trips in Illinois? There's nothing more delightful than spending a day in one of the Land of Lincoln's myriad small towns, whether it's taking a historic tour or checking out the best downtown shopping areas in Illinois. 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 20th century manufacturing hub of Rockford, Illinois, once known for its knitting . 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 downtown is home to 37 restaurants, coffee shops, and more. Pro Tip: Here are eight other things to do in Mitchell. And because Downtown San Rafael is pretty centrally located, it's easy to get to on foot or via the public transit system. 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. Antique Towns - The 50 Best Small Towns for Antiquing in America. Easy commute right into the city. Check out the Midsummer Music Festival if youre travelling in June. This urban centerputs on regular events throughout the year, and local restaurantslike Emmett's Brewing Companyand Mia's Cantinaprovide residents with a variety of dining choices. Those who . Dip into the Woodstock Opera House to hear a jazz quartet or catch a musical (pandemic reopening protocols pending), pop by one of several local farms and orchards to pick in-season produce or take a tour of world cuisines as you stroll past Woodstocks many diverse restaurants. youtubeembedcode.com/en/ Estimated tuition and fees for 2014-15 (per semester): $19,131. The city was founded in 1863 and has a bustling downtown centeras well as a park systemwith 76 parks, 50 playgrounds, and five public swimming beaches. Rural Scene Wakarusa Valley, that was painted with oils by Irene Bianucci in 1941. If youre visiting in June, be sure to check out the annual Great Galena Balloon Race. You'll never be without things to do in Downer's Grove. Thisfull service brewpub restaurantserves noteworthy craft beer, regularly features live entertainment, and hosts a three-day summer festival. The city has a lot of rich heritage that it embraces to this day. Home Travel Guides United States Illinois (IL) 15 Best Small Towns to Visit in Illinois. There are escape rooms, nature centers, video game stores, golf clubs, and so much more. Featured Review: Current Resident says This is a community that provides a safe and secure environment. Visit the Elmhurst Historical Museum to view some of the poets archives. Front Street is the shopping hot spot in Wheaton. Entrance Fee. General Ulysses S. Grant once occupied the city during the Civil War, establishing . Plenty of sports, activities & clubs for students to participate in. Download The Entire Illinois Ranking Data. If youre into interesting history, it doesnt get better than Nauvoo. Theyve got an active community playhouse, a wildly popular bowling alley, a historic (and beautiful) grain mill on the Wakarusa River, and a strong arts and music scene. AHOY! Check out the Amish own coffee shop, followed by the Amish bakery, and then take a visit out to see the popular quilt shows at Rockome Gardens. The Fox River Trolley Museum is a cool place to visit in St. Charles. We moved for the schools and a larger home and lot size. Galena. Love Illinois? Woodstock is famously the town where Groundhog Day was filmed, but no two days here are the same when you explore everything it has to offer. Often overlooked due to its neighbor Naperville, Aurorais home to about200,000 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In the warmer months, enjoy your theater experience . It's home to award-winning theatres, the newest outdoor concert venue, and some fantastic shopping. Old meets new at Modern Theatre, which first opened in 1876 and underwent a rebuilding in 2010, keeping the original faade. The hottest shopping areas include Arlington Town Square Condos, the Annex of Arlington, and the Town & Country Center. Lincolnshire Marriott Resort. The neighborhood is beautiful, the schools. Former Resident: Wilmette, Illinois is a wonderful place to grow up and raise a family. Only 30 miles east of Indianapolis, Shelbyville is the perfect place for a quiet getaway. The orchards there are famous for peaches and apples. There are lots of fun things to do in the downtown area. But in the interest of picking just one and answering the above question, we'd have to go with Galena. Attractions include the Lake Theatre and Oak Park Festival Theatre. Featured Review: Parent says Couldnt ask for a better school family!Outstanding administration, faculty & staff. I know what you're thinking, a beach in Chicago? Within Northbrook, there are also many businesses for both shopping and eating. The area now known as the Village of Bartlett was once a settlement for Potawatomi, Ottawa, Miami, and Cherokee tribes. We live a 5 minute drive away from down town long grove, which has three amazing fun festivals a year which include food and fun with your friends. Nearby Wheaton is known as a more conservative and traditional college town. On the other hand, it is very expensive to live here. And if you need a snack to power you through another round of Lincoln/Douglas historical sites, keep an eye out for the beloved Popcorn Wagon, a relic from the 1890s that still serves up fresh, salty kernels. Also,the extensive Metra train lines can help suburban homeowners get in and out of the city without developing a bad case of road rage. It's also one of the wealthiest. Strength is in numbers, and numbers in the community increase safety. At just under 1,000,000 citizens, DuPage county has been voted the best county to live in in Illinois in a recent survey. These 10 towns in Illinois represent the best of the best, with awesome shops, restaurants, and other attractions to explore. You will find some unique shops, like a cookie dough parlor and book shops. Many homes contain recording devices, and buyers should be aware they may be recorded during a showing. Heaven for dogs and kids and dog and kid parents - there are intimate parks and proximity to The Lake. I want to move to a walkable, historic, four-season town and have a budget of $30,000 a year where should I retire? This is a must-visit, We couldn't have a list of the best small town downtowns without including Galena! There's quite a bit to do in Arlington Heights. The Arlington Ale House is a great place to get a delicious meal and some great drinks. Well, according to Attraction of America's numerical list, this city has the best pizza in America (their words), the deep dish. Check prices. Read more on how this ranking was calculated. The Fox River is a pretty place for a stroll as you explore one of the best small towns in Illinois. This small town is known for its antique shopping and boutiques, as well as perfectly preserved 19th century buildings. If that's a question you've been asking yourself, then you're in the right place. Sports are improving every year. More unique storefronts are moving in, including pop-ups. For high school they offer soccer, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, esports; middle school volleyball, basketball and wrestling. We moved for the schools and a larger home and lot size. HSA Southwest basketball teams is raked up in last 2 years with experience coaches. There are over 100 stores to check out and love in the downtown area. 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. Whats incredible about Mount Carroll is that it looks basically the same as it did 50 years ago. Featured Review: Current Resident says This is a fantastic place to relocate if you want to move a little closer to Chicago. 1. Its really a rather dramatic oasis in the midst of the flat Midwestern plans. Lisle has a small-town feel but is close to larger suburbs and retail areas as well as about 30 mins from downtown Chicago. Read 15 reviews. Because of the wonderful location and amazing schools- taxes are very high and the price of homes goes up each year. Just about 3,500 people call Galena home and they know first-hand that there is plenty to do. 20 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars. Downtown Oak Park, Illinois. There is great food, games, rides, and live music which all make this weekend one of my favorite weekends of the year. Simply put, its gorgeous. Both boast excellent reviews online, and they're in the heart of downtown Elmhurst. And for history buffs, there's no shortage of points of interest in Galena, as 85 percent of the town is on the National Register of Historic Places! The adjacent colleges and prestigious public schools add to the intellectual urbanity. There are. Current Resident: I moved here from out of state and couldnt be happier. Galena. You can't beat a quaint suburb with a stellar downtown filled with great restaurants and entertainment. 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 Wabash Depot and Monticello Railway Museum is certainly a highlight of downtown. The best antipasti, pizzas and pasta. Shopping areas include Evanston Plaza, Sherman Plaza, the Evanston Center, and more. The best places for intriguing shopping are the Amish towns of Arthur and Arcola. Clarendon Hills is an extremely well run town. 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. So if river activities are a deciding factor for where you live, Geneva should shoot to the top of your list. Featured Review: Current Resident says 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. In particular, the Cold Stone Creamery makes delicious ice cream and cakes. . 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. 19 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars. It has a 4.5 overall guest rating based on 1363 reviews. There are plenty of cool suburbs of Chicago, but which have the best downtowns? It is a beautiful town with much to do for all ages. Downtown Downers Groveis the kind of suburban downtown where everyone knows each other. As far as Bay Area downtowns go, San Mateo is one of the more affordable options in terms of housing. 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! We just moved from Chicago to Lake Forest and absolutely love it. You're within a 30 minute drive from literally everything! PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. Q101. Some properties which appear for sale on this website may subsequently have sold and may no longer be available. Wilmette was hailed by Business Week as the 7th best place to raise a . 3. Includes average property values, inventory, market changes, and demographic data. The schools are top-notch, too. Just ten miles from the Mississippi River is Mount Carrol. You can check out the 19th century Bartlett Depot Museum at the original railroad station. Likewise, Naperville is about a 38-minute drive from the Loop and has one of the best downtown districts of any Chicago Suburb. The Alcove in Evanston is one of the most renowned fine dining spots in all of Chicago. Read 93 reviews. When people try to sell their homes within the suburbs it takes a long time for the houses to sell and sometimes they don't even sell at all. Not only that, but Aurora is also a favorite among outdoor lovers. ET First Published: June 7, 2021 at . Web Visit website. At Christmastime come for Woodstocks Victorian Christmas celebration complete with horse drawn carriages and carollers in period dress walking the streets. 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