The Chicago area is home to some of the most beautiful suburbs in the country and Great Lakes like Lake Michigan. From charming historic towns to bustling modern communities, there is something for everyone in the Chicago suburbs.
If you are looking for a place to visit that is close to the city but still has a small-town feel, then you should definitely check out one of these 10 popular Chicago suburbs!
If you are looking for a place to visit that is close to the city but still has a small-town feel, then you should definitely check out one of these 10 popular Chicago suburbs!
Oak Park
Oak Park, Illinois is a popular Chicago suburb that was once the home of the world-famous writer Ernest Hemingway. This historic suburb is filled with delightful restaurants, charming shops, and unique attractions. The downtown area is bustling with activities such as shopping and dining, while the surrounding neighborhoods are filled with beautiful parks and historic homes.
Food lovers will love the Oak Park Art District, where some of the best home-grown restaurants and cafes in the area can be found. In addition, this lively suburb is home to the Hemingway Museum, which has several exhibits dedicated to the author and his works.
If you are looking for a great spot to spend a day in the Chicago suburbs, then Oak Park is the way to go. With its unique attractions, excellent restaurants, and cultural events, you are sure to find something interesting here each time you visit. www.oak-park.us/
Food lovers will love the Oak Park Art District, where some of the best home-grown restaurants and cafes in the area can be found. In addition, this lively suburb is home to the Hemingway Museum, which has several exhibits dedicated to the author and his works.
If you are looking for a great spot to spend a day in the Chicago suburbs, then Oak Park is the way to go. With its unique attractions, excellent restaurants, and cultural events, you are sure to find something interesting here each time you visit. www.oak-park.us/
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River Forest
River Forest is another suburban community that is located only a few miles from the heart of Chicago. This vibrant town is filled with plenty of activities to enjoy all year round, making it popular among locals and tourists alike.
For outdoor enthusiasts, there’s the expansive Irving, Morton, and Forest Woods parks, and the Riverside bike path that takes visitors along the banks of the Des Plaines River. This peaceful setting offers plenty of opportunities for strolling, jogging, biking, and picnicking.
The downtown area of River Forest is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Here, you’ll find charming boutique stores, fun restaurants, and cafes, giving visitors plenty of places to eat, shop, and have fun. Aside from that, the town is home to numerous festivals and events held throughout the year, making it a great destination for a day trip or weekend getaway. www.vrf.us/index.html
For outdoor enthusiasts, there’s the expansive Irving, Morton, and Forest Woods parks, and the Riverside bike path that takes visitors along the banks of the Des Plaines River. This peaceful setting offers plenty of opportunities for strolling, jogging, biking, and picnicking.
The downtown area of River Forest is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Here, you’ll find charming boutique stores, fun restaurants, and cafes, giving visitors plenty of places to eat, shop, and have fun. Aside from that, the town is home to numerous festivals and events held throughout the year, making it a great destination for a day trip or weekend getaway. www.vrf.us/index.html
Hinsdale
Located on the north side of Chicago, Hinsdale is a great place to visit for those looking to enjoy some of the best the city has to offer. With an abundance of detached, single-family homes and leafy streets, this suburb exudes a feeling of tranquility, while still offering plenty of recreational activities, dining, and shopping amenities.
For the outdoor enthusiast, there are plenty of parks and green spaces to explore, with the prestigious Lydia Home grounds being a favorite spot. From here visitors can take advantage of a variety of activities, including tennis, swimming, horseshoes, baseball, and more.
Shoppers and diners will be happy to know that Hinsdale has no shortage of shops and restaurants. From chic boutiques and stylish restaurants, to casual eateries and cafes, there is something to enjoy for everyone. Aside from shopping and eating, Hinsdale also has plenty of art and cultural activities, including art shows, concerts, and art galleries. www.villageofhinsdale.org/
For the outdoor enthusiast, there are plenty of parks and green spaces to explore, with the prestigious Lydia Home grounds being a favorite spot. From here visitors can take advantage of a variety of activities, including tennis, swimming, horseshoes, baseball, and more.
Shoppers and diners will be happy to know that Hinsdale has no shortage of shops and restaurants. From chic boutiques and stylish restaurants, to casual eateries and cafes, there is something to enjoy for everyone. Aside from shopping and eating, Hinsdale also has plenty of art and cultural activities, including art shows, concerts, and art galleries. www.villageofhinsdale.org/
Downers Grove
Situated in the north-west part of the city, Downers Grove is another popular suburb of Chicago. It features a diverse mix of natural settings, cozy homes, and amenities that make it a great spot for a visit.
The suburb is defined by a mix of parks, golf courses, and nature reserves that make it an attractive spot for those seeking some outdoor fun. For the adventurous spirit, there are plenty of biking and hiking trails around. Those looking for some tranquil time outdoors can find plenty of grassy open spaces, parks, and ponds.
Downers Grove also has some great shopping and dining options. The vibrant downtown area is full of boutiques, galleries, cafes, and restaurants—a great place to browse, eat, and mingle with locals. Meanwhile, the nearby shopping center features a wide range of stores, from popular chains to independent fashion boutiques. www.downers.us/
The suburb is defined by a mix of parks, golf courses, and nature reserves that make it an attractive spot for those seeking some outdoor fun. For the adventurous spirit, there are plenty of biking and hiking trails around. Those looking for some tranquil time outdoors can find plenty of grassy open spaces, parks, and ponds.
Downers Grove also has some great shopping and dining options. The vibrant downtown area is full of boutiques, galleries, cafes, and restaurants—a great place to browse, eat, and mingle with locals. Meanwhile, the nearby shopping center features a wide range of stores, from popular chains to independent fashion boutiques. www.downers.us/
Elmhurst
Just west of Downers Grove, Elmhurst is one of the 10 most popular suburban areas of Chicago. In Elmhurst, you can find it all – from cozy homes, great schools, and outdoor activities for the whole family.
The area is full of green spaces, like the Salt Creek Municipal Park, which is a popular spot for people looking for an outdoor escape. Try your hand at kayaking, fishing, or hiking. Golf enthusiasts have the Elmhurst Country Club at their disposal, too.
Like Downers Grove, there are plenty of great shopping and dining options near Elmhurst, too. Be it boutiques, cafes, galleries, or popular chains, you can find it all in the city. And, of course, the locals are always more than happy to recommend their favourite restaurants. www.elmhurst.org/
The area is full of green spaces, like the Salt Creek Municipal Park, which is a popular spot for people looking for an outdoor escape. Try your hand at kayaking, fishing, or hiking. Golf enthusiasts have the Elmhurst Country Club at their disposal, too.
Like Downers Grove, there are plenty of great shopping and dining options near Elmhurst, too. Be it boutiques, cafes, galleries, or popular chains, you can find it all in the city. And, of course, the locals are always more than happy to recommend their favourite restaurants. www.elmhurst.org/
Schaumburg
Schaumburg is located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, about 25 miles from downtown. The population of the city is around 75,671, making it the tenth most populous suburb in the region.
This city is home to a variety of local attractions including the popular Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg Medieval Times, the Schaumburg Park District, the Schaumburg Boomers baseball team, and the Schaumburg Convention Center.
Schaumburg’s parks have something for everyone. At Busse Woods, you can take a walk down one of the paths and keep an eye out for the deer and other wildlife that make their home in the reserve. Or, you can rent a canoe and take a leisurely paddle on the lake. Adventurers can try their hand at mountain biking or take a walk around the lake in Jens Jensen Park. www.villageofschaumburg.com/
Arlington Heights
Located about 15 miles northwest of downtown Chicago is the suburb of Arlington Heights. With a population of around 75,000, Arlington Heights is the ninth most populous suburb in the Chicago area.
Arlington Heights has something for everyone. For families, there are a variety of outdoor activities from walking the paths of Recreation Park or exploring the grounds of the lush churches to playing a game of disc golf at Camelot Park. The city also features an array of charming small businesses from boutiques and restaurants to coffee shops and entertainment venues.
Those looking for nightlife activities can find something for everyone from live music and comedy shows to dance clubs and a variety of bars. For those looking for some outdoor fun, the city hosts several festivals throughout the year including the popular Arlington Million horse race in August and the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations among many others. www.vah.com/
Glen Ellyn
Located 18 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, Glen Ellyn is the tenth most populous suburb in the Chicago area. Home to nearly 30,000 people, the village of Glen Ellyn offers an array of attractions and activities for all types of travelers.
One of the most popular attractions in Glen Ellyn is The Morton Arboretum, a 1,700-acre living museum and open-air laboratory established in 1922. Departments at the arboretum include research, conservation, and education housed in over 40 buildings, of which many are open to the public.
The village of Glen Ellyn also features a variety of restaurants to fit everyone’s tastes. From classic American fare, upscale steakhouses, to Italian bistros, the village is a perfect destination to explore the diverse flavors of the region. The village also features a variety of small businesses from boutique shops to cafes and entertainment venues.
For those looking for outdoor fun, the village of Glen Ellyn hosts several festivals throughout the year including the Glen Ellyn Festival of the Arts in June and the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in March, among many others. www.glenellyn.org/
Wheaton
Wheaton is the eleventh most populous suburb of the Chicago area, located 21 miles west of the city. With a population of over 52,000 residents, Wheaton is an ideal destination for those looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
One of the main draws to Wheaton is the unique historical architecture and culture. Unlike other parts of the Chicago suburbs, Wheaton retains a “small town” feel, with plenty of local businesses to explore and quaint streets lined with Victorian-style homes.
Wheaton also offers an array of cultural attractions, like The Allianz Theater, the McAninch Arts Center, and the DuPage County Historical Museum. The DuPage County Historical Museum takes visitors through Wheaton’s history with displays of artifacts, documents, and photographs from the past.
For those looking for outdoor fun, Wheaton Park District offers a variety of activities for all ages. The park district is home to many sports courts, playgrounds, golf courses, and more. Plus, Wheaton Park District hosts several events throughout the year including an annual Fourth of July Parade and the Arts & Eats Festival. www.wheaton.il.us/
This city is home to a variety of local attractions including the popular Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg Medieval Times, the Schaumburg Park District, the Schaumburg Boomers baseball team, and the Schaumburg Convention Center.
Schaumburg’s parks have something for everyone. At Busse Woods, you can take a walk down one of the paths and keep an eye out for the deer and other wildlife that make their home in the reserve. Or, you can rent a canoe and take a leisurely paddle on the lake. Adventurers can try their hand at mountain biking or take a walk around the lake in Jens Jensen Park. www.villageofschaumburg.com/
Arlington Heights
Located about 15 miles northwest of downtown Chicago is the suburb of Arlington Heights. With a population of around 75,000, Arlington Heights is the ninth most populous suburb in the Chicago area.
Arlington Heights has something for everyone. For families, there are a variety of outdoor activities from walking the paths of Recreation Park or exploring the grounds of the lush churches to playing a game of disc golf at Camelot Park. The city also features an array of charming small businesses from boutiques and restaurants to coffee shops and entertainment venues.
Those looking for nightlife activities can find something for everyone from live music and comedy shows to dance clubs and a variety of bars. For those looking for some outdoor fun, the city hosts several festivals throughout the year including the popular Arlington Million horse race in August and the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations among many others. www.vah.com/
Glen Ellyn
Located 18 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, Glen Ellyn is the tenth most populous suburb in the Chicago area. Home to nearly 30,000 people, the village of Glen Ellyn offers an array of attractions and activities for all types of travelers.
One of the most popular attractions in Glen Ellyn is The Morton Arboretum, a 1,700-acre living museum and open-air laboratory established in 1922. Departments at the arboretum include research, conservation, and education housed in over 40 buildings, of which many are open to the public.
The village of Glen Ellyn also features a variety of restaurants to fit everyone’s tastes. From classic American fare, upscale steakhouses, to Italian bistros, the village is a perfect destination to explore the diverse flavors of the region. The village also features a variety of small businesses from boutique shops to cafes and entertainment venues.
For those looking for outdoor fun, the village of Glen Ellyn hosts several festivals throughout the year including the Glen Ellyn Festival of the Arts in June and the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in March, among many others. www.glenellyn.org/
Wheaton
Wheaton is the eleventh most populous suburb of the Chicago area, located 21 miles west of the city. With a population of over 52,000 residents, Wheaton is an ideal destination for those looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
One of the main draws to Wheaton is the unique historical architecture and culture. Unlike other parts of the Chicago suburbs, Wheaton retains a “small town” feel, with plenty of local businesses to explore and quaint streets lined with Victorian-style homes.
Wheaton also offers an array of cultural attractions, like The Allianz Theater, the McAninch Arts Center, and the DuPage County Historical Museum. The DuPage County Historical Museum takes visitors through Wheaton’s history with displays of artifacts, documents, and photographs from the past.
For those looking for outdoor fun, Wheaton Park District offers a variety of activities for all ages. The park district is home to many sports courts, playgrounds, golf courses, and more. Plus, Wheaton Park District hosts several events throughout the year including an annual Fourth of July Parade and the Arts & Eats Festival. www.wheaton.il.us/