Its also a family friendly place be sure to check out Kids Adventure Hunts which lets parents and children explore the downtown area by following clues and taking pictures of their discoveries. The Fox River Trolley Museum is a cool place to visit in St. Charles. Overall I really enjoy living here. Read 56 reviews. Thank you! Sure, Chicago has a downtown, but it's massive and often out of the way of many suburbs. This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. Oakland, CA. Now, Greenville is a college town filled with festivals. I like this area overall, as you can see there are many upsides to living here. 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? 676 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars. Facebook. The last updated plan was released in 2019. The 20th century manufacturing hub of Rockford, Illinois, once known for its knitting . For thoseurbanites who want to move but dread the suburban lifestyle, you're in luck. By resurrecting and repurposing legacy buildings, thereby revitalizing the faceand spiritof a downtown. It used to be a mining community and now is one of the top two tourism stops in Illinois. Always willing to help and encourage. 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. 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. Visit the Elmhurst Historical Museum to view some of the poets archives. Allegory is another top-rated restaurant in the area offering fine dining. Thisfull service brewpub restaurantserves noteworthy craft beer, regularly features live entertainment, and hosts a three-day summer festival. Galena. It offers fine dining like no other in the area. Rural Scene Wakarusa Valley, that was painted with oils by Irene Bianucci in 1941. This idyllic suburb lies 25 miles west of Chicago. Pete's Fresh Market is a staple of the area, as are DuPage County Historical Museum. We are both active people so nice trails and fitness facilities nearby is key. A post shared by Dry City Brew Works (@drycitybrew). 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. Pendry Manhattan West Is New York Citys Number One Hotel but Whats It Like to Stay There? It is a convenient location in regards to restaurants, grocery stores, coffee shops, fitness studios and so forth. 40 Places to See in California Before Your Kids Are All Grown Up, 30 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in California, 15 Best Things to Do in Middleborough (MA). Burlington is also naturally scenic. In June 2017, the Village Council adopted a new Comprehensive Planfor the development of Downers Grove over the next 15 to 20 years. 3. You can enjoy beautiful walks along the river here as well. These towns sit blessed with natural beauty and replete in downtown sights for the best weekend getaway from the city. Ottawa. Whats more picturesque than a covered bridge? 13. There are escape rooms, movie theaters, parks, lakes, and more. I've worked in the entertainment industry for much of my adult life and I love photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world! And because Downtown San Rafael is pretty centrally located, it's easy to get to on foot or via the public transit system. 10. Paducah, Kentucky. The Alcove in Evanston is one of the most renowned fine dining spots in all of Chicago. The neighborhood is beautiful, the schools are great, and the activity and nightlight is exceptional. There's the namesake brewery, with its cult-status Spotted Cow ale, the award-winning Alp and Dell creamery and Minhas Craft Brewery, the country's second-oldest brewery. Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House - Naperville is a posh seafood restaurant in the Main Street Promenade offering lunch and dinner choices. Love Illinois? Read 48 reviews. They are ranked top 10 in the state and truly give your children a great education. Also the school district is really good, most/if not all of the students attend Stevenson High school, an amazing school full of great opportunities! View. Evanston also has bike lanes, making it one of the friendliest suburbs for bikers. The city has a lot of rich heritage that it embraces to this day. The neighborhood is beautiful, the schools. Former Resident: Wilmette, Illinois is a wonderful place to grow up and raise a family. 10 Most Beautiful Small Towns in Illinois. The downtown is home to 37 restaurants, coffee shops, and more. The Two Brothers Roadhouse is one of the most famous restaurants in Aurora. It's also only a block away from the lake. As kids and teens, we rode our bikes all over, and there are stop signs on every corner so kids can safely walk everywhere. Downtown of Galena, Illinois . Our kids simply love going to school at CJDS, which is an exhilirating to witness as a parent. Thank you! According to the most recent census, Chicago makes up about a quarter of the population of Illinois. Galena also has sprawling golf courses, luxurious spas, and some of the best skiing in all of the state. Heard of it? 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. 676 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars. Lisle has a small-town feel but is close to larger suburbs and retail areas as well as about 30 mins from downtown Chicago. Galena is best known for its amazingly up kept historic buildings, some of the best in all of Illinois. 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. Those who . I wish there was a bit more diversity and a younger population so kids could have more fun with other kids. Shaped by the rolling praires that surround it, Galesburg is a step back in time. Mount Carroll, Illinois, was incorporated as a town in 1855 and then as a city in 1867, but with a population of under 1,600, it has maintained a small-town feel. While you may not see an onslaught of other people in these little Illinois towns, youll still find a throng of things to do, from visiting a stop along the Underground Railroad to whizzing around a racecar track. Sue Reddel and Diana Laskaris. Dont miss the extensive self-guided walking tour of notable Nauvoo buildings to help your imagination travel through time, too. If that's a question you've been asking yourself, then you're in the right place. On the other hand, it is very expensive to live here. It's a celebration involving both food and drink. 2. Naperville, IL is located 28 miles west of the city and is Chicago's largest suburb. 206 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars. The town was hugely influential to Orson Welles, a famous resident. The perfect place to learn to ride a bike, sit on the beach right on the lake, chat on the porch with neighbors, bbq in the backyard, etc. Downtown Highwood, LF, and Lake Bluff are awesome. Read on to learn about seven towns and small cities that also happen to have some of the best downtown areas in Illinois. Downtown is definitively among the most premium real estate in Indianapolis," says Realtor Lynn Wheeler from F.C. Centennial Beach is a public aquatic park complete with sand. Galena, Illinois. Had your fill on murals and snacks? There are more than 60 restored historic buildings in Nauvoo including the Browning Home and Gunsmith Shop, several museums, the former home of Brigham Young, a working blacksmith shop, and a downtown area where you watch candle making, bread making, and a variety of other pioneer demonstrations. I wouldn't change it for anything! The City of Good Neighbours is an historically agricultural town. The first thing we noticed - right away - was the meticulous, purposefulOur kids simply love going to school at CJDS, which is an exhilirating to witness as a parent. DuPage is one of Illinois' healthiest spots, according to an annual survey. There are over 100 stores to check out and love in the downtown area. 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. The town was founded in the 19th century and attracts a large number of artists and their wealthy patrons. 128 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars. They have Concept Young Scholars mentoring program at this school. If youre into interesting history, it doesnt get better than Nauvoo. Featured Review: Current Resident says This is a fantastic place to relocate if you want to move a little closer to Chicago. 3,625. solitairespider.co/freecell It is a very safe and welcoming neighborhood. 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. Boston has been "lit" ever since Paul Revere looked for lantern light in the tower of the Old North Church way back in 1775. 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. Music. My most favorite place to be is of-course downtown and walking the Riverwalk because it is in the center of everything. 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. $50,617.0. 3. 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. Very pretty village and neighborhoods. Read 19 reviews. . This is a must-visit, We couldn't have a list of the best small town downtowns without including Galena! Not only that, but Aurora is also a favorite among outdoor lovers. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. 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! 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. You will find over 4.5 miles of paved trails downtown, and you can try your luck at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. They are even planning to renovate their storage area to a family fitness center. 44 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars. Arcola may be slightly better known, as its where the Raggedy Ann doll was first invented around the turn of the 20th century. If you adore Chicago pizza, then you'll love living close to this gem. I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. Galena has a gorgeous downtown area, with some excellent restaurants, bakeries, and candy shops for you to choose from. Featured Review: Current Resident says I love where I live. Meanwhile, many suburban areas are seeing a population increase. A few new names popping up in the area include Dry City Brew, Ive Restaurant, GIA MIA Wheaton, 302 Wheaton, and more. These 10 towns in Illinois represent the best of the best, with awesome shops, restaurants, and other attractions to explore. 10 Chicago Suburbs with the Best Downtowns- https://www.youtube.. The 10 Most Charming Small Towns Near Chicago. 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. This village is steeped in historic charm with gas lamps and a one-lane covered bridge. Clarendon Hills is an extremely well run town. Meanwhile, in Arthur, The Great Pumpkin Patch awaits with 300+ varieties of squash and gourds grown on-site, plus a variety of baked goods to snack upon while admiring the farms llamas, exotic chickens and other animal residents. 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 . If you want to stay longer than a day, you can book a room at a vintage riverfront hotel. But it's true. The downtown area even hosts a farmers market on Thursday nights. Naperville is one of the most beautiful Chicago suburbs. Kohler, Wisconsin. 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