For foodies, there's no better place than Galena; with several restaurants offering exquisite meals as well as a winery with a tasting room and a couple of craft breweries (Blaum Brothers and Galena Brewing Company), these are reasons alone to come to this cool small town. Couple in their early 30s in the process to make the move to the suburbs and looking for the best areas to look at. Plenty of sports, activities & clubs for students to participate in. This small town is known for its antique shopping and boutiques, as well as perfectly preserved 19th century buildings. On the Galena River you can boat, canoe, or kayak, and just 13 miles from town flows the mighty Mississippi. In June 2017, the Village Council adopted a new Comprehensive Planfor the development of Downers Grove over the next 15 to 20 years. There is great food, games, rides, and live music which all make this weekend one of my favorite weekends of the year. It features a carnival, live entertainment, food vendors, beer garden, and so much more. 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. Likewise, Naperville is about a 38-minute drive from the Loop and has one of the best downtown districts of any Chicago Suburb. 676 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars. Nature wakes up from under the snow cover and reveals its fresh-faced glory to the world. 1. Just ten miles from the Mississippi River is Mount Carrol. It is attractive enough to bring tourists from all over, who love to stroll through downtown. It's the home of the Chicago Premium Outlets and the Fox Valley Mall. Read 93 reviews. 211 S Bench St, Galena, IL 61036, USA. Monticello is a truly charming town that is all about trains. 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. 93 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars. As kids and teens, we rode our bikes all over, and there are stop signs on every corner so kids can safely walk everywhere. This idyllic suburb lies 25 miles west of Chicago. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream. Wheaton has seen some explosive growth in recent years. In particular, the Cold Stone Creamery makes delicious ice cream and cakes. Lebanon, Il. But even if you manage to see every home, mural, and fowl in Quincy, youre still in luck: Hannibal, MOand its treasure trove of Mark Twain attractionsis just half an hour and a hop across the Mississippi away.`. I think this town is a great place to raise a family as it is a very safe community with great school systems and recreational sports and activities for kids to get involved in. The area is. Former Resident: There is a nice sense of community in Glencoe. There are plenty of cool suburbs of Chicago, but which have the best downtowns? You can see what pioneer living was like when you visit Heritage Canyon, see the history of the area at Martin House Museum, and check out everything else the town has on offer Andresen Nature Centre, the historic downtown, two gorgeous national scenic by-ways, and the Great River Bike Trail. Capri of Downer's Grove is one of the most famous in the area. Calling all history buffs: Nauvoo, IL is a small town with a big impact on the history of Mormonism. As kids and teens, we rode our bikes all over, and there are stop signs on every corner so kids can safely walk everywhere. 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? Local artists have made murals around town as part of a restoration project. 1. Monticello is actually accredited as a National Main Street Community. Pete's Fresh Market is a staple of the area, as are DuPage County Historical Museum. The suburb hosts year-round art festivals, summer concerts, food festivals, and much more. Featured Review: Parent says Couldnt ask for a better school family!Outstanding administration, faculty & staff. Dining. There are many parks and nature trails that follow the Fox River. TRAVEL The 50 Most Beautiful Towns to Visit in Each US State. The civic pride is on full display during the Prairie Path Clean-up, when the entire town gathers to take care of a 61-mile stretch of highway through town. . 100. And for history buffs, there's no shortage of points of interest in Galena, as 85 percent of the town is on the National Register of Historic Places! The historic downtown district, with the courthouse, lift bridge and Main Street, takes you back through Minnesota's 166-year history. 56 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars. The city was founded in 1863 and has a bustling downtown centeras well as a park systemwith 76 parks, 50 playgrounds, and five public swimming beaches. Featured Review: Former Resident says I grew up in Winnetka as did my mom. Only 30 miles east of Indianapolis, Shelbyville is the perfect place for a quiet getaway. It's a celebration involving both food and drink. At Christmastime come for Woodstocks Victorian Christmas celebration complete with horse drawn carriages and carollers in period dress walking the streets. Until then, you can still roam its grounds while reading more about the homesteads history. Downtown of Galena, Illinois . 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. There are not many facilities to attend, however, everything should be good for the family people. Downtown Galena. It's a charming midwestern town with lots of outdoor attractions. Its history is steeped in intellectualism. I want to move to a walkable, historic, four-season town and have a budget of $30,000 a year where should I retire? 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. My family chose to live here for those two exact reasons; safety and good school districts. Looking for more impossibly charming Illinois towns? It is a convenient location in regards to restaurants, grocery stores, coffee shops, fitness studios and so forth. Everyone here is very supportive! Send heirloom and handmade gifts home from your trip through Amish country, and youre sure to be a hit. There's an outstanding balance of locally-owned stores, high-end boutiques, and traditional offerings. The Alcove in Evanston is one of the most renowned fine dining spots in all of Chicago. Those who . In Naperville, you can have a great time without ever having to step foot in the city of Chicago. 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. Everyone here is very supportive! Stroll tree shaded streets and enjoy the towns architecture and beauty. What's the most charming small town in Illinois? Though firmly a Midwestern town, its often referred to as the New England of the Midwest, thanks to its distinctive architecture. 9. View. The town was hugely influential to Orson Welles, a famous resident. From one of America's best diners, to authentic wood-fired fig pizza and incredible candies, Goshen is a foodie's dream! Dip into the Woodstock Opera House to hear a jazz quartet or catch a musical (pandemic reopening protocols pending), pop by one of several local farms and orchards to pick in-season produce or take a tour of world cuisines as you stroll past Woodstocks many diverse restaurants. 5. There are over 275 local merchants that call downtown Elmhurst home. Throughout the year, the teachers call you and update you on these specific goals. Each August there is a Civil War re-enactment during Heritage Days. Sue Reddel and Diana Laskaris. Elmhursts most popular resident is undoubtedly Carl Sandburg, a Chicago poet who brought a lot of positive attention to the city and the state. Discover more cool places to visit in the Chicago area by signing up to our newsletter here. Sometimes I wish I had sidewalks although as a kid I would bike on my neighborhood roads or bike paths and then by major roads there are usually side walks or ways for getting to places without being too dangerous. As previously stated, there are a ton of dining options in Wheaton. Heard of it? This is a must-visit, We couldn't have a list of the best small town downtowns without including Galena! Theres a large stone memorial that marks the exact spot where both Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln made speeches while they were running for president in 1858. 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. Both boast excellent reviews online, and they're in the heart of downtown Elmhurst. 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. What are some fun small town day trips in Illinois? From lively food and beverage scenes to artisan shops and glimpses of the culture of faraway lands, these towns provide the chance to discover and explore. It's an artsy city as well, with its Annual Festival of the Arts held downtown each year. For thoseurbanites who want to move but dread the suburban lifestyle, you're in luck. My children received. Current Resident: I love where I live. 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. The Fox River is a pretty place for a stroll as you explore one of the best small towns in Illinois. I know what you're thinking, a beach in Chicago? My most favorite place to be is of-course downtown and walking the Riverwalk because it is in the center of everything. The neighborhood is calm and silent. Every year for Labor Day weekend, Buffalo Grove Days is hosted, which actually is located a block away from my house which makes it easy for me to walk and meet up with my friends or family. Entrance Fee. Web Visit website. I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. It was manufactured in the Netherlands and then shipped to Fulton in 2000. The neighborhood is beautiful, the schools are great, and the activity and nightlight is exceptional. The schools are top-notch, too. The 10 Best Restaurants In Winona, Minnesota. If youre in the mood to live in the moment instead, explore your options for boating and fishing along the Mississippi River. Wilmette. It is a very safe and welcoming neighborhood. It's also only a block away from the lake. The village adopted a downtown master plan in 2007, which sought to increase density in order to create a more cultural and urban suburb feel. You can enjoy beautiful walks along the river here as well. 44 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars. 4. TRAVEL The 10 Most Beautiful Counties In Wisconsin, USA. Allegory is another top-rated restaurant in the area offering fine dining. 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. 10 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars. It is directly next to Lake Michigan making it the perfect place for the. Former Resident: Overall, good. We hope that you're able to use this list to find the picture-perfect suburb for you to call home. Now, Greenville is a college town filled with festivals. 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. #3 Best Suburbs to Live in Illinois.. Naperville. Home to endless fun, Santa Cruz is among the greatest cities with the best downtowns. Looking to start a family very soon as well so would like to find a suburb that is a good mix of young families, growing, and a nice downtown area. 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