If youre visiting in June, be sure to check out the annual Great Galena Balloon Race. Popular offerings include Pazzi Di Pizza, a fantastic Italian restaurant, and Stray Hen Cafe, famous for breakfast. We are both active people so nice trails and fitness facilities nearby is key. Locals love baseball and the town has the distinction of having the largest Little League program in the country. ET First Published: June 7, 2021 at . Simply put, its gorgeous. One can sometimes forget that they're in the city, and then look up and find themselves mesmerized by the architecture. Plenty of sports, activities & clubs for students to participate in. 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! Tree-lined alleys, diverse entertainment scene, free music performances, great outdoor dining optionsthe list goes on. St. Charles has a lot going on, including two theaters, great restaurants, and lots of boutique shops. Okay, so our number one pick out of the best suburbs of Chicago with downtowns goes to Evanston. The citycan be accessed by the Rock Island District and Heritage Corridor Metra train lines. 985 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka. A nationwide survey ranked the best counties to live in around . Median home . Just about 3,500 people call Galena home and they know first-hand that there is plenty to do. Whats incredible about Mount Carroll is that it looks basically the same as it did 50 years ago. On the other hand, it is very expensive to live here. It's our opinion that it achieves this balance even better than Arlington Heights. There are some fun shops, as well as farmers markets and winter markets going on. Featured Review: Current Resident says Vibrant, diverse, beautiful, historical architecture drama, and still upcoming. There are many lovely red brick buildings throughout the downtown area, from government buildings to churches. Monticello. Ten, Marriott Dr. Lincolnshire, IL 60069. Thisfull service brewpub restaurantserves noteworthy craft beer, regularly features live entertainment, and hosts a three-day summer festival. It is a very safe and welcoming neighborhood. Even with its density, there's still a sense of community in Printers Row. Read 48 reviews. Market Research They are even planning to renovate their storage area to a family fitness center. Theres plenty to learn about even off campus, from the histories of the citys buildings (a surprising mix of Southern Colonial, Greek Revival, Gothic and other styles) to the Emerald Mound, the preserved remains of a Native American village and effigy mounds. Featured Review: Works Here says Love my school! Galena also has sprawling golf courses, luxurious spas, and some of the best skiing in all of the state. Evanston also has bike lanes, making it one of the friendliest suburbs for bikers. Featured Review: Current Resident says Great community. 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. #3 Best Suburbs to Live in Illinois.. Naperville. Facebook. Sue Reddel and Diana Laskaris. 44 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars. After grabbing a bite, its easy to find some great entertainment. We moved for the schools and a larger home and lot size. 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. A lovely suburb, Downers Grove is one of the most famous cool suburbs of Chicago. The 16 Best Healthy Restaurants in Chicago. I wish there was a bit more diversity and a younger population so kids could have more fun with other kids. Honestly, a lot of north shore suburbs have pretty decent downtown areas: Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, and Lake Forest come to mind in particular. If youre into interesting history, it doesnt get better than Nauvoo. There you have our top 10 picks for the best suburbs of Chicago with downtowns. Overall a great community!. Ottawa. If youre travelling with a family, youll love the Galesburg Railroad Museum and the Discovery Depot Childrens Museum. Here you can find the Graffiti Car Show, the county fair, the World Powered Parachute Championships, and the Agape Music Festival point of town pride for almost 40 years. 27.43 miles. Wilmette was hailed by Business Week as the 7th best place to raise a . 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. My family chose to live here for those two exact reasons; safety and good school districts. The city of Elmhurst boasts more than 40 unique dining options. But in the interest of picking just one and answering the above question, we'd have to go with Galena. There are gift shops, boutiques, specialized stores, and traditional offerings. Be sure to take home some Amish fudge. It has not been verified or approved by the developer or association. . 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. 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 . Read 30 reviews. Theres always a festival in Arcola see if you can time your visit to attend the Horse Progress days, the Raggedy Ann Festival, the Amish Country Bicycle Tour, or Oktoberfest. Current Resident: We have lived here since 2015 (moved from La Grange) and are very happy here. Galena. 16. The downtown area even hosts a farmers market on Thursday nights. The city is home to the Route 66 Raceway and theChicagoland Speedway, which hosts NASCAR events. According to the most recent census, Chicago makes up about a quarter of the population of Illinois. It's one of the most impressive artificial beaches in the United States. Always willing to help and encourage. Almost impossible to find, Elsah is tucked away in a ravine, surrounded by thick woods. A scoop of each, please!) Downtown of Galena, Illinois . 23 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars. Streeterville. This idyllic suburb lies 25 miles west of Chicago. youtubeembedcode.com/de/ OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. There's an outstanding balance of locally-owned stores, high-end boutiques, and traditional offerings. The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. Dont miss the extensive self-guided walking tour of notable Nauvoo buildings to help your imagination travel through time, too. Also frequently considered one of the most beautiful towns in Illinois, visitors will not be let down during their visit. Check out the Midsummer Music Festival if youre travelling in June. Well, according to Attraction of America's numerical list, this city has the best pizza in America (their words), the deep dish. Recently several wineries have joined forces to create the Shawnee Hill Wine Trail. Main Street. But the majority of the state is made up of cornfields, suburbs, rolling plains, and tight knit communities. The hottest shopping areas include Arlington Town Square Condos, the Annex of Arlington, and the Town & Country Center. Many homes contain recording devices, and buyers should be aware they may be recorded during a showing. Featured Review: Current Resident says I love West Loop! The historic, quaint jewel of northwest Illinois. The heart and soul of a state can truly be found in its small towns. You'll find loads of high-end boutiques, electronics stores, specialty stores, and more. Purple Pig. Only gripe here is that houses are way too overpriced. Read 44 reviews. The appeal of these towns is a simpler way of life. Downtown Oak Park, Illinois. Kohler, Wisconsin. . As the world starts to open up post-pandemic, chances are youre starting small: small gatherings with friends, limited seating in restaurants, and even short trips closer to homewhich is why a weekend getaway to a quaint small town is the perfect way to ease back into traveling. It is truly a mix of old (really old, like the courthouse and opera house) and new. It is directly next to Lake Michigan making it the perfect place for the. Former Resident: Overall, good. For high school they offer soccer, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, esports; middle school volleyball, basketball and wrestling. Admire the citys prominent windmill, brought over from the Netherlands, and pop into the gift shop to take home the buckwheat, rye, and other grains ground on-site. We've lived around the world, and I feel so fortunate to live here. Sports are improving every year. Phone +1 815-777-9131. Free shipping for many products! 8. Learn about and locate the most historic main streets in Illinois. Playlist; Program Schedule; . What's the most charming small town in Illinois? Here Are 20 Essential Items, According to a Profesh Traveler. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Pro Tip: Here are eight other things to do in Mitchell. Galena has a gorgeous downtown area, with some excellent restaurants, bakeries, and candy shops for you to choose from. The perfect place for walking or biking, its everything you want a small town to be. Restaurants. Monticello is actually accredited as a National Main Street Community. The Fox River is a pretty place for a stroll as you explore one of the best small towns in Illinois. There are escape rooms, nature centers, video game stores, golf clubs, and so much more. 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. Private, and two Parochial schools- all in town! Naperville, Illinois Market Report The restaurants are eclectic and sure to leave you talking. 93 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars. The 10 Best Restaurants In Winona, Minnesota. (847) 386-6053. Galena is best at showing off its impressive . Whats more picturesque than a covered bridge? Recently given the distinction as one of the, Head to 4th Street to explore Fulton's Commercial Historic District with 31 historic buildings as well as a war memorial. Over the centuries, its also been claimed by the French, the English, and the Spanish. 10 Chicago Suburbs with the Best Downtowns- https://www.youtube.. There are plenty of cool suburbs of Chicago, but which have the best downtowns? As with all Chicago suburbs, Oak Park has a lot of fine dining options. In particular, the Cold Stone Creamery makes delicious ice cream and cakes. In Naperville, you can have a great time without ever having to step foot in the city of Chicago. For nightlife, try the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre which produces both theatre and musical performance. 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. Did you know that Woodstock's ENTIRE downtown area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places? 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. Tucker, who specializes in downtown real estate. There are. Current Resident: I moved here from out of state and couldnt be happier. 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