Wilmette. You will find some unique shops, like a cookie dough parlor and book shops. Downers Groves natural areas like Lyman Woods and Belmont Prairie offer walking paths, and the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has a system of more than 145 miles of trails. Many homes contain recording devices, and buyers should be aware they may be recorded during a showing. There are many parks and nature trails that follow the Fox River. If you want a little more history, be sure to visit the American Farm Heritage Museum and Hills Fort, aimed at preserving agricultural history. As with all Chicago suburbs, Oak Park has a lot of fine dining options. TRAVEL The 50 Most Beautiful Towns to Visit in Each US State. Fulton provides another opportunity to step back in time, but with a distinctly Dutch vibe. I would recommend Northbrook to anyone looking for a peaceful environment. You can enjoy beautiful walks along the river here as well. From* $139. 56 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars. It was manufactured in the Netherlands and then shipped to Fulton in 2000. If you want more outdoor activities theres Giant City State Park, the Trail of Tears State Forest, the Ozark Hills, and Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge. Market Research While there's no single reason for this apparent exodus to the suburbs, Chicago's high cost of living, heavy taxes, traffic woes, and seemingly endless amounts of construction could cause enough frustration to warrant a relocation. There's also the Finley Square Shopping Center and Downers Park Plaza. Tree lined streets, diverse walks of life, public parks everywhere, huge gardens, shops and locally owned businesses for days. Discover the schools, companies, and neighborhoods that are right for you. Every fall,downtown Downers Grovealso hosts an annualarts festival that's a popular event among locals and visitors. 3. Capri of Downer's Grove is one of the most famous in the area. 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. (Technically, Printers Row is the area bordered by Ida B. Read 15 reviews. Crime rates are extremely low and the educational system is way above average. Median home . Explore the best downtown areas of the small towns in Illinois. Downtown keeps getting bigger and bigger. Downtown is definitively among the most premium real estate in Indianapolis," says Realtor Lynn Wheeler from F.C. Simply put, its gorgeous. Had your fill on murals and snacks? My family chose to live here for those two exact reasons; safety and good school districts. Cuisine is pretty diverse in Evanston, and some favorite local spots include Found Kitchen, Peppercorns Kitchen, and Terra & Vine. The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre is one of its most famous locations for live performances. Clarendon Hills is an extremely well run town. The neighborhood is very tight nit and there is even a Facebook group for the moms of western springs to give recommendations and warnings about things occurring around town. Featured Review: Current Resident says I moved here from out of state and couldnt be happier. The architecture is very pretty, and the public schools here are fantastic if you can afford the property tax. Read 6 reviews. Provides auto-suggestions when entering text, Niche requires Javascript to work correctly. The Best Celebrity Furniture and Home . Enjoy the eclectic atmosphere, fantastic coffee shops, and great local food during your visit. Check out one of the prime lookout spots for seeing bald eagles when they spend the winter in the area. Both boast excellent reviews online, and they're in the heart of downtown Elmhurst. 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. It's our opinion that it achieves this balance even better than Arlington Heights. Allegory is another top-rated restaurant in the area offering fine dining. Select Dates for Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown River North, opens new tab. Recently several wineries have joined forces to create the Shawnee Hill Wine Trail. 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. Ranked on the list of 100 Best Small Town Getaways are Alto Pass and Jonesboro. Centennial Beach is a public aquatic park complete with sand. Galena. Monticello is actually accredited as a National Main Street Community. Whether you're with a family or are looking for solo entertainment, Elmhurst has something for everyone. Tucker, who specializes in downtown real estate. 19 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars. Get more stories delivered right to your email. About 20 miles north of Milwaukee, the town of Cedarburg has a winery, brewery, and distillery sure to wet any whistle. Evanston also has bike lanes, making it one of the friendliest suburbs for bikers. There are over 275 local merchants that call downtown Elmhurst home. Sports are improving every year. I have moved from this place 3 or 4 years ago, but still remember my childhood memories I had always cherished and do not forget it. Read 20 reviews. The 16 Best Healthy Restaurants in Chicago. The Fox River is a pretty place for a stroll as you explore one of the best small towns in Illinois. They are ranked top 10 in the state and truly give your children a great education. While its streets are steeped in history (Ulysses S. Grant famously called the town home, and Lincoln and Douglas gave speeches on the balcony of the DeSoto House Hotel, which still stands today), Galena is anything but a sleepy small town. St. Charles, A Vintage Illinois Small Town. 22. costhedog 1 yr. ago. But it was a wealthy benefactor named Luther Bartlett who brought the railroad in and made modern day Bartlett what it is. As a suburb, it simply has it all. 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. Visit the Elmhurst Historical Museum to view some of the poets archives. While youre in the area, dont forget to hop over the borderjust a couple of miles awayto stock up on New Glarus beer, another treat with a cult following thats sold only in Wisconsin. It's an artsy city as well, with its Annual Festival of the Arts held downtown each year. Its mix of a city and suburban environment make it a great location for anyone. You wont be sorry. For thoseurbanites who want to move but dread the suburban lifestyle, you're in luck. 15 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars. This village is steeped in historic charm with gas lamps and a one-lane covered bridge. 4. The neighborhood is beautiful, the schools. Former Resident: Wilmette, Illinois is a wonderful place to grow up and raise a family. Cedarburg, Wisconsin Population: 11,500. 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. Love Illinois? We've lived around the world, and I feel so fortunate to live here. Quaint is the perfect word for Fulton, but then, so are charming and idyllic. 10 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars. One visit and you'll see why. Oakland, CA. Featured Review: Parent says We switched our children to CJDS when the other private school they were at was not meeting our needs or expectations. City in Illinois,. The Two Brothers Roundhouseis a neighborhood staple. I like this area overall, as you can see there are many upsides to living here. Likewise, Naperville is about a 38-minute drive from the Loop and has one of the best downtown districts of any Chicago Suburb. Morris has a decent amount of offerings in its downtown, with plenty of places to get a really good dinner and some great shops. You will also love the little shops and restaurants in town. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Nearby Starved Rock State Park may steal the spotlight from Ottawa, but its well worth trekking into town after youve finished your hike. 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. Read 10 reviews. 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. The Paramount Theatre is a local favorite for live music, and it regularly hosts free community events. I wish there was a bit more diversity and a younger population so kids could have more fun with other kids. If that's a question you've been asking yourself, then you're in the right place. This is small town at its best. Featured Review: Current Resident says Great community. Location. Not much bad to say about this town. Read 116 reviews. If you love shopping, eating at fantastic restaurants, and visiting spas and ice cream shops, you'll love strolling along Galena's main drag. 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. Read on to learn about seven towns and small cities that also happen to have some of the best downtown areas in Illinois. The orchards there are famous for peaches and apples. There are many parks and nature trails that follow the Fox River. 8. This idyllic suburb lies 25 miles west of Chicago. I know what you're thinking, a beach in Chicago? Read 48 reviews. 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. 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. We moved for the schools and a larger home and lot size. Other top-rated spots include Parker's Restaurant and Bar and the Brick House Tavern + Tap. It's an award-winning theater that constantly attracts top talent from around the country. 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. You see the library, the Centennial Beach, the Moser Tower, and so much more! The area is gorgeous, the people are friendly, the schools are great. This small town is known for its antique shopping and boutiques, as well as perfectly preserved 19th century buildings. 48 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars. This pretty small town is located in northern Illinois and is most famously known as a filming location for the ever-popular movie, Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray. It is directly next to Lake Michigan making it the perfect place for the. Former Resident: Overall, good. If youre looking for a sleepy town to get lost in, or maybe start the next great American novel, give Elmhurst a try. Ten, Marriott Dr. Lincolnshire, IL 60069. youtubeembedcode.com/de/ Theyve got phenomenal hand-crafted pottery, leather goods, handmade jewellery, fine art, antiques, and more. Not only that, but Aurora is also a favorite among outdoor lovers. Downtown is old-fashioned and unique. There are historic locations, boutiques, art stores, and traditional shopping options. Its where the heart and soul of the state truly lie! What's the most charming small town in Illinois? Talking about my experience, it was pretty good.. Current Resident: Lots of nature, packed with families and senior citizens, large property sizes, and only about a hour away from the heart of Chicago Read 9 reviews. Pendry Manhattan West Is New York Citys Number One Hotel but Whats It Like to Stay There? During the summer months, RiverEdge Parkand Millennium Plazahost locally and nationally recognized artists. Dont miss the extensive self-guided walking tour of notable Nauvoo buildings to help your imagination travel through time, too. Featured Review: Current Resident says We have lived here since 2015 (moved from La Grange) and are very happy here. The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. 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. 13. Former Resident: A beautiful 1 square mile town in the suburbs of Chicago on Lake Michigan, this town is almost all white and Christian. They focus on science and. Parent: Couldnt ask for a better school family! Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House - Naperville. 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. 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