A sprawling village west of Chicago, Downers Grove dates back to 1832 and is known for its wealth of verdant parks and fascinating wildlife attractions. The village, which is on Chicago’s main train line, is also dotted with prominent shopping and dining hubs, where you’ll find some of the best restaurants in Illinois.
Nature lovers will love Downers Grove thanks to its multitude of peaceful parks, particularly The Morton Arboretum, which boasts the Center for Tree Science, a herbarium and a library with nature-focused texts. At the northern reaches of Downers Grove you’ll find the Lyman Woods & William F. Sherman, Jr. Interpretive Center, which features a lush oak forest, marshlands and enthralling walking paths through the various ecosystems.
Want to stay closer to the centre of Downers Grove? Chill out in Fishel Park, where you can watch live music at the outdoor auditorium or enjoy its variety of food trucks. It’s a short walk from the bars and restaurants on Main Street, including the ever-popular Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant, known for its live music, trivia and cornhole tournaments.
Getting there
Downers Grove is about 30 minutes’ drive from Chicago or around an hour if you catch the BNSF train from Union Station to Downers Grove station. Chicago is serviced by O'Hare International Airport.