Stretching from Evanston to Lake Bluff, the North Shore is undeniably one of Chicago’s most sought-after suburban regions. Each North Shore town has its own unique character, and all are renowned for their beautiful homes, tree-lined streets, Lake Michigan access, excellent schools, and vibrant community life. The close proximity to downtown Chicago also makes the area Shore highly desirable for those seeking suburban charm without sacrificing the convenience and culture of the big city.
Here are ten things about living and working on Chicago’s North Shore.
Apart from its big regional malls like Old Orchard and Northbrook Court, the North Shore is increasingly celebrated for its many fashionable boutiques. Discover unique finds that elevate your everyday look at Sunflower Boutique or Central Boutique in Highland Park. For high-end fashion, both Frances Heffernan and Neapolitan Collection in Winnetka offer clothing from designers whose collections regularly grace the runways of Paris, Milan and New York. If you’re looking to discover designer deals, North Shore Exchange in Glencoe and Wilmette features authenticated items from brands like Louis Vuitton and Prada, with profits benefitting local charities.
On the North Shore, you can tee off at some of the state’s best golf courses. The area is home to four of Golf Digest’s top 10 courses in Illinois: Shoreacres Golf Club, Old Elm Club, Skokie Country Club, and Conway Farms Golf Club – all members only. But almost every town along the North Shore also has its own highly regarded public course. Swing by the Glen Club and Glenview Park Golf Club in Glenview, Winnetka Golf Club, Wilmette Golf Club, Sunset Valley in Highland Park, Deerpath in Lake Forest, and more. Play them all!
Immerse yourself in the 385 acres of gardens and nature areas at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. For over 40 years, it has stood as one of the world’s premier living museums and conservation science centers. Explore its diverse array of gardens, such as the serene English Walled Garden and the tranquil Japanese garden, and be sure to visit the famed Bonsai collection. Enjoy seasonal festivals like Lightscape in the Winter, plus guided garden tours, art exhibitions and nature classes.
The North Shore’s summer calendar is filled with live music options, making it a go-to destination for music lovers. Ravinia Festival is North America’s oldest music festival, presenting popular artists like James Taylor, The Roots, and the Beach Boys, while also serving as the summer home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Find a spot in the Pavilion for a traditional concert experience, or grab a bottle of wine, a picnic basket and some candles, and join the crowd on the Lawn (our preferred location). For those seeking more of a street-festival experience, the annual Winnetka Music Festival has grown into one of suburban Chicago’s most well-attended concert events. The two-day festival features a full roster of up-and-coming artists and crowd-pleasing headliners. Genres range from country to funk to alternative. And if you’re just in the mood for a good old fashioned bar band, head on up to Highwood, where cover bands crank out favorites in beer gardens and dive bars nearly every night of the week.
Discover the rich history of Chicago’s North Shore through its many museums, education centers, and historic homes. Visit the Charles gates Dawes House in Evanston, the home of the former vice president, or marvel at the architectural wonder of the Bahá'í House of Worship in Wilmette, one of only seven Baha’i temples worldwide. Watch holograms of survivors tell their stories at Skokie’s Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, one of the largest Holocaust museums in the country.
The North Shore is also renowned for its vast collection of historic homes. Discover the elegance of European-style villas by David Adler, the iconic prairie-style of Frank Lloyd Wright, and sleek midcentury-modern marvels by Keck & Keck, Harry Weese and Edward Dart.
There is no shortage of beautiful beaches winding along Sheridan Road, each having its own perks. From Evanston’s spectacular Lighthouse Beach to Lake Bluff’s secluded Sunrise Beach, there’s a sandy spot for every sun-seeker. Glencoe Beach offers a snack stand, playground, volleyball courts and sun shelters, along with paddleboards, kayaks, and small sailboats. Park Avenue Boating Facility in Highland Park caters to sailors, paddleboarders, fishermen and powerboaters. Winnetka’s Lloyd Beach & Boat Launch provides facilities for launching and storing both non-motorized and motorized boats, and also offers kayak and paddleboard rentals. Winnetka has two beaches available for swimming: Tower Road Beach and Maple Street Beach. For dog owners, Gillson Beach in Wilmette is a great choice for furry companions to splash in the waves.
The restaurant scene on the North Shore has evolved significantly over the past several years, with new dining establishments opening and city-based restaurants expanding into the area. From fine dining to charming bistros, these restaurants provide a delightful alternative to the traffic congestion and hard-to-snag reservations of their downtown Chicago counterparts. Winnetka has many options, including Avli, serving traditional Greek cuisine, and both Mino’s and Tocco, relatively newer spots offering authentic Italian. Sophia Steak takes the Chicago steakhouse concept and gives it a comfortable neighborhood vibe at its two locations in Wilmette and Lake Forest. Explore new flavors at Le Colonial in Lake Forest, specializing in upscale French-Vietnamese cuisine. If you’re looking to pair your dinner with expertly crafted cocktails, Guildhall in Glencoe is a must-visit. Among our favorite quick-bites spots are Buck Russell’s in Wilmette, Michael’s in Highland Park, Barnaby’s in Northbrook, and La Taquiza and Guanajuato in Winnetka.
City bound? No problem! The North Shore makes getting to downtown Chicago a breeze with multiple commuting options. The Metra’s Union Pacific North line stops in every lakefront town, while the Milwaukee District North line serves the towns to the west, including Glenview, Northbrook and Deerfield. Cubs fans ‘in the know’ ride the CTA Purple/Red Line ‘L from Wilmette down to Wrigley. And if you’d prefer to drive into the city, you can take I-94, I-294 or DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
Evanston is the proud home of Northwestern University, a prestigious institution along the lakefront. Established in 1851, the university holds great significance in North Shore history, predating most of the area’s suburbs. In fact, the town of Evanston is named for one of the university’s founders, John Evans.
As “Chicago’s Big Ten University,” Northwestern invites students, alumni, local residents and visitors to cheer on the Wildcats’ football, basketball and 8-time NCAA champion women’s lacrosse teams; explore the Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art; or wander through the school’s Shakespeare Garden, featuring over 50 plants and trees mentioned in Shakespeare’s works.
While known for its luxury homes that consistent rank among Chicago’s priciest, the North Shore offers many housing options accommodating a wide range of budgets from vintage walkup condos to neat townhomes, luxury high-rises, and every shape and size of single-family residence. Sales prices in any given year can range from the low six figures to over $10 million.
In addition, some North Shore towns are pioneers in the affordable housing/workforce housing space. Notably, Highland Park established Illinois’ first community land trust to develop and preserve high-quality affordable housing. Evanston’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance expands housing opportunities to lower- and middle-income residents, maintaining economic diversity within the community. The city offers a wide range of housing to residents, whether they seek historic mansions, contemporary townhouses, or newer high-rise apartments.
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