Burlington is both a historic town and a college town, making it's downtown area an attractive mix of hip culture and old-time charm. Read 676 reviews. They are even planning to renovate their storage area to a family fitness center. 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. Or perhaps youlike so many othersare considering making a permanent move out of the city to take advantage of more space, breathtaking nature and cheaper cost of living. Music. No matter your age youll feel nostalgia and the beauty to be found in simple living when you visit. You can enjoy beautiful walks along the river here as well. Its not very diverse, however. Topping of the list of fabulous attractions are top notch outdoor activities, great wineries, and agri-tourism. Geneva has some fantastic dining options in addition to its riverfront. 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. Thats a big city with a big draw. There are gift shops, boutiques, specialized stores, and traditional offerings. There are escape rooms, nature centers, video game stores, golf clubs, and so much more. 4. 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. A post shared by Downtown Evanston (@downtownevanston). It features a carnival, live entertainment, food vendors, beer garden, and so much more. 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. The heart and soul of a state can truly be found in its small towns. Within Northbrook, there are also many businesses for both shopping and eating. There are over 275 local merchants that call downtown Elmhurst home. A post shared by Downtown Oak Park (@downtownoakpark). Read on to learn about seven towns and small cities that also happen to have some of the best downtown areas in Illinois. Not only that, but Aurora is also a favorite among outdoor lovers. Lincolnshire is a top-rated family resort ideal for families traveling with toddlers or infants. Looking for more impossibly charming Illinois towns? 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. Explore the best downtown areas of the small towns in Illinois. Galena. Places to Eat in Marion. Honors Discount Non-refundable. To enjoy the great outdoors, you can always take a stroll through the Willowbrook Wildlife Center. My family chose to live here for those two exact. Former Resident: I grew up in Winnetka as did my mom. Now, Greenville is a college town filled with festivals. According to the most recent census, Chicago makes up about a quarter of the population of Illinois. This is small town at its best. Ten, Marriott Dr. Lincolnshire, IL 60069. Naperville is truly a shopper's paradise. There are also cigar shops, clothing boutiques, specialty food stores, and more. For nightlife, try the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre which produces both theatre and musical performance. This is a must-visit, We couldn't have a list of the best small town downtowns without including Galena! Cuisine is pretty diverse in Evanston, and some favorite local spots include Found Kitchen, Peppercorns Kitchen, and Terra & Vine. 8. Events are in abundance in the area and surrounding areas, however, it would be. Current Resident: I love West Loop! Burlington, Vermont. Attractions include the Lake Theatre and Oak Park Festival Theatre. Featured Review: Current Resident says I have lived here my entire life, and I love how there have always been fun activities to do throughout the year provided by the village of Buffalo Grove. A post shared by Arlington Heights Living (@arlington.heights.living). 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 . Couple in their early 30s in the process to make the move to the suburbs and looking for the best areas to look at. Heaven for dogs and kids and dog and kid parents - there are intimate parks and proximity to The Lake. 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. Pete's Fresh Market is a staple of the area, as are DuPage County Historical Museum. Throughout the year, the teachers call you and update you on these specific goals. Love Illinois? I wouldn't change it for anything! Galena is best known for its amazingly up kept historic buildings, some of the best in all of Illinois. From* $139. Monticello. The Worlds One and Only Hippie Memorial, a public folk art installation dedicated to the tumult of the 1960s. Neighborhoods.com is not affiliated with the builder, developer, or the association of any communities displayed on this website. Locals love baseball and the town has the distinction of having the largest Little League program in the country. 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. It is attractive enough to bring tourists from all over, who love to stroll through downtown. A post shared by Elmhurst City Centre (@elmhurstcitycentre). Love Illinois? Featured Review: Current Resident says Great community. If youre travelling with a family, youll love the Galesburg Railroad Museum and the Discovery Depot Childrens Museum. Galena. In fact, it is the third-largest city in the state of Illinois as of 2022 right after nearby Aurora. You can learn more about that process here. So impressed with their plans & execution to keep their students in the classroom during the pandemic. 13. Outstanding administration, faculty & staff. And while the population is . I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. Free shipping for many products! Current Resident: I have lived here my entire life, and I love how there have always been fun activities to do throughout the year provided by the village of Buffalo Grove. Easy commute right into the city. If youre a fan of American movies, you might recognize Woodstock from movies like Planes, Trains and Automobiles as well as Groundhog Day. 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. Blackhawk Farms Raceway, in the neighboring town of South Beloit, welcomes spectators of car and motorcycle races, and offers the occasional driving school if youd rather take the wheel yourself. View. Charles Perkins, director of planning and community development, told the Daily Heraldthat the influx in activity in downtown Arlington Heights is a result of a strategic long-term plan that is finally taking shape. Not only that, but Aurora is also a favorite among outdoor lovers. For thoseurbanites who want to move but dread the suburban lifestyle, you're in luck. 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. It has been a wonderful experience for all of us. Read 150 reviews. Santa Cruz. Until then, you can still roam its grounds while reading more about the homesteads history. There you have our top 10 picks for the best suburbs of Chicago with downtowns. BG also has great public facilities, like the fitness center, golf course, driving range, park district building, schools, and public parks, just to name a few. Read 166 reviews. Galena. Featured Review: Parent says Couldnt ask for a better school family!Outstanding administration, faculty & staff. Ah, Galena! Visit the former home of U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, spend an afternoon at one of ten nearby golf courses, or maybe a full day at one of the two wineries in town. It's a charming midwestern town with lots of outdoor attractions. The City of Good Neighbours is an historically agricultural town. If you have young children, this is the perfect place to raise them. Read 180 reviews. Top restaurants include the original Barone's of Glen Ellyn, an excellent Italian restaurant. Elmhursts most popular resident is undoubtedly Carl Sandburg, a Chicago poet who brought a lot of positive attention to the city and the state. Arlington Heights via bogdanstepniak / CC BY 3.0 As you can see from the population, Arlington Heights is one of the largest suburbs of Chicago, coming in at one of the largest 15 municipalities in all of Illinois. The town was hugely influential to Orson Welles, a famous resident. The schools are top-notch, too. Where to stay: The River House: sleeps 6. So if river activities are a deciding factor for where you live, Geneva should shoot to the top of your list. But you will also find some higher end stores like lululemon. Because of the wonderful location and amazing schools- taxes are very high and the price of homes goes up each year. (Keep an eye outRaggedy Andy turns 100 this year, and celebrations may pop up.) Lots of village traditions and a lovely library. Nauvoo attracted both the Mormons and then later a group of French communists, and Bishop Hill attracted a group of Swedes hoping to form a utopian society under the guidance of Erik Jansson. Every year for Labor Day weekend, Buffalo. Current Resident: I have lived in Western Springs since I was about 1 year old. Its a wonderful town. Small town vibe in and around a big bustling city. 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