The western suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, is an excellent area outside the City of Chicago. The suburbs feature similar weather to the city, seeing snowy winters and balmy, ideal summers with 189 sunny days annually. They also avoid some of the harsher conditions of being right on the coast of Lake Michigan. Chicago’s western suburbs extend from Berwyn as far as Aurora. Yet, residents can drive almost anywhere in Chicago in under an hour.
The western suburbs see less traffic and a more laid-back lifestyle. Being just outside of Chicago, residents have access to all the amenities of the big city, often without going into the city. There are many areas of greenery to break up the visual noise of the concrete jungle. The suburbs are very walkable, giving easy access to the many schools in the area.
What to Love
Close to the City of Chicago
Open space for activity
Highly rated schools in the area
Walkable neighborhoods with lively downtowns
Many events and activities year-round
Lifestyle
Many of Chicago’s western suburbs are laid-back, dense suburb areas. Because the neighborhoods are dense, residents know their neighbors, and the communities are tightly knit. Traffic in these areas is lower than in the city, making driving less of a hassle and reducing noise pollution. Residents enjoy cookouts or summer parties with friends and family without worrying about being disturbed by vehicles. In the suburbs, lively downtown activity is common as well. Many residents can enjoy a pleasant evening at friendly, local establishments.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
The western suburbs of Chicago are bustling with small and large shops alike. Residents of the area love the famous Chicago-style hot dogs sold specifically at Gene & Jude’s. Known by many as the best hot dogs in America, this establishment began in 1946 and still serves the same single item they always have. When locals feel like having chicken, they often visit White Fence Farm. Highly recommended, White Fence Farm uses a closely guarded recipe to create divine fried chicken. They also use soybean oil, which is healthier than other frying oils and avoids many allergies.
For a sit-in evening out, locals swear by Gibson’s Steakhouse. Gibson’s takes beef seriously, working directly with Midwestern ranchers to source the highest quality beef that meets their specifications. Their Prime Angus Beef is served with classic cocktails and fine wines for an elegant evening. Cooper’s Hawk is a fine dining winery with a would-respected wine collection. They serve modern American-style food along with their high-end, casual dining atmosphere.
Stepping away from heavy meat, Pappadeaux is a family-owned franchise that dates back to the 19th century. Known for high-quality food, they serve fresh seafood with great taste. They work tirelessly to reduce the time from catch to table to ensure freshness.
Things to Do
There is no lack of activities in the Western suburbs of Chicago. From theatres to museums, there’s plenty for locals to do. Drury Lane Theatre shows live performances of new musicals and classic plays. Their yearly lineup can be found on their website and shows the breadth of shows they perform. The Theatre of Western Springs is another theatre house putting on stellar performances year-round. They put on seven plays by adults, four by students, and a yearly holiday show.
Local wine connoisseurs never miss the Festival of the Vine in Geneva, Illinois. Initially a festival for all things vine-grown, it is now primarily a wine and food festival. It’s held in the autumn each year after their harvest and is a great event for friends and family to gather and enjoy good company and wine.
The locals of the western suburbs are big proponents of the arts. Naperville holds the Riverwalk Fine Art Fair held each year in September, hosted by Naperville Art League each year in support of the art local and greater art community, including the many students at local universities. Also in support of the community and learning is the DuPage Children’s Museum. Residents offer their support to education and fun through donations and visits to the museum, where children and adults can visit and enjoy a unique, hands-on experience with museums and learning.
Schools
The Illinois State Board of Education serves the western suburbs of Chicago.
