Welcome to Northwest Suburbs
Chicago’s Northwest Suburbs are a group of communities with convenient transportation links to downtown Chicago and O’Hare International Airport; however, once you get here, you may never want to leave. In addition to the plethora of attractions, you also get more for your money in the Northwest Suburbs than in other Chicagoland areas. The diverse communities comprising the Northwest Suburbs offer a wide range of housing options, from classic and contemporary single-family homes to luxury properties, stylish apartments and condominiums, and attractive townhouses.
What to Love
- Wheeling Restaurant Row
- Affordable homes
- Excellent Transportation Links
- Local Festivals
The Communities of the Northwest Suburbs
Wheeling is a small, peaceful town with family-friendly appeal, while
Palatine, a popular choice for families, has grown rapidly since the 1970s and now boasts a revitalized downtown area with new condominiums and rowhouses.
Hawthorn Woods combines great shopping with parks and rural open spaces, and
Lake Zurich has topped many lists for being one of the best and most moderately priced places to raise a family in the country. In the Northwest Suburbs, one thing is clear: family-friendly is the name of the game.
However, that’s not to say only families will be happy in the Northwest Suburbs—quite the contrary, in fact, as the amenities are robust and attractive to singles and couples as well.
Park Ridge combines suburban living and urban appeal, with its Uptown district serving as a beloved shopping and dining destination. (Hillary Clinton and Harrison Ford are just two of its famous residents.) The historic village of
Buffalo Grove hosts several large festivals and has been named by Niche.com as one of the best suburbs in Illinois, and
Long Grove has a charming historic downtown area with lots of locally run shops and restaurants.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Arlington Heights, Palatine, and Long Grove have their own downtown areas with many unique shopping and dining options.
The Shops of Uptown in Park Ridge is a top local retail center with a Trader Joe’s and numerous specialty stores, boutiques, and services, and the pedestrian-friendly shopping center at
Deer Park Town Center has over 70 shops and restaurants. You can find familiar brands here, such as Apple, Banana Republic, Barnes & Noble, California Pizza Kitchen, and Panera Bread.
Wheeling’s
Restaurant Row has a wide variety of high-quality eateries, ranging from casual lunch spots to upscale fine dining experiences.
Kilcoyne’s Redwood Inn prepares hearty American classics, while
Bob Chinn’s Crab House serves delicious fresh seafood.
If you’re feeling lucky and want to try your hand at a bet or two, the racetrack at
Arlington Park hosts horse races throughout the year along with frequent special events.
The River Trail Nature Center in Allison Woods has three walking paths and many unpaved trails leading through the forests of the Des Plaines Trail System, and the nature center has exhibits exploring the region’s rich natural diversity.
Things to Do
The Northwest Suburbs area has several prestigious country and golf clubs with excellent amenities.
Steeple Chase Golf Club is a scenic public golf course surrounded by hills, lakes, wetlands, and woods. Members of
Hawthorn Woods Country Club enjoy access to an Arnold Palmer Signature Designed golf course that has hosted numerous tournaments, such as the Illinois Open.
The Northwest Suburbs put on events year-round for their residents, so there’s always something to do.
The Palatine Street Fest, for example, is a three-day festival that has live music, local cooking, and a variety of family-friendly activities and entertainment that takes place every August.
Rock ‘n’ Run the Runway takes place in Wheeling in July. The event features a 5K run and 1-mile walk on the runway at Chicago Executive Airport, followed by live music, food trucks, and fireworks. Park Ridge’s annual events calendar is packed with the
Taste of Park Ridge in July,
weekly open-air concerts between July and August, and a seasonal
farmers market held on Saturdays. Buffalo Grove hosts an
Invitational Fine Art Festival, ranked as one of the top arts events in the nation, along with the community-focused
Buffalo Grove Days festival over Labor Day weekend.
Schools
Top school districts serving the Northwest Suburbs include Township High School District 211, the largest high school district in Illinois. Many communities operate their own school districts for elementary and middle schools.
