Named after a Potawatomi word meaning “marsh”, Skokie is an urban village in the north-west of Chicago. It was originally established as a farming community for German and Luxembourger migrants of Jewish heritage and is home to the Illinois Holocaust Museum.
In the south-west corner of Skokie is Village Crossing, a popular shopping mall with fashion retailers, electronic stores and a multi-screen cinema complex. You can refuel at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Mr. Falafel or Chili’s Grill before taking advantage of the recreational facilities in Laramie Park.
Want to escape the hustle and bustle of urban Chicago? Head to the Emily Oaks Nature Center, which preserves a beautiful tract of woodland with ancient oak trees and native wildflowers. Explore the interactive exhibits to learn about the coyotes, turtles and flying squirrels that occupy the area, then let the kids run loose in the playground.
Getting there
Skokie is around 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of Chicago and O’Hare International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Metro services stop at the Oakton-Skokie and Dempster-Skokie subway stations and buses travel through the village. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around Skokie.