Chicago insider's guide to fall suburban getaways
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The North Shore "coast." Photo: Carrie Shepherd/Axios
We've all been there — we need a vacation but don't have time to take an extended fall trip before the holidays.
May we suggest a getaway to one of Chicago's beautiful suburbs?
It's Chicago Confidential: Suburban edition.
North Shore
Standard choice: Glencoe. This affluent town is surrounded by scenic drives, elegant juice bars and is close to the famous Walker Bros. Original Pancake House.
Insider's pick: Lake Bluff. At the tippy top of Sheridan Road, Lake Bluff is like a small, charming town on the East Coast. Stop by the beach, of course, and bring your pup to Left Bank for a hot dog and then some ice cream at The Peanut Gallery (these are both Lake Forest, but close enough).
- For dinner, grab a bite at The Otherdoor, pizza at The Silo or Elawa Farm for a fresh farm-to-table meal.
Northwest 'burbs
Standard: Long Grove. This is a huge tourist attraction for its food festivals and quaint downtown, complete with the state's most infamous bridge.
Insider's pick: Woodstock. The gem of McHenry County, Woodstock has a town square that rivals any of the cutesy North Shore suburbs and is home to the incredibly vast Roscoe Woodstock Antique Mall. It's also where they shot the movie "Groundhog Day."
- It's a perfect destination for a wandering day trip. You could hop route 14 back to the Chicago area, stopping off at Uncle Jerry's Pizza Company in Cary, Illinois, or secure your holiday decorations early at Tree Time in Barrington.
Western 'burbs
Standard choice: Naperville, regularly on those "Best Places to Live" lists. It's worth it just to visit the downtown Riverwalk.
Insider's pick: Elmhurst. Hop on the UP West Metra and in a few stops you'll be at this quaint town with a great art museum that has an actual Mies van der Rohe house attached to it.
- Get a coffee and scone at Brewpoint Coffee.
Southland
Standard: Frankfort. It's hard to argue with this lovely little town. You'll have a fantastic time enjoying local shops, the bike and walking paths and, if timed right, a kick-ass Bluegrass festival.
Insider's pick: Make it a whole day exploring Chicago's Southland. Start out with breakfast at White Sheep in Orland Park. Then, hike the stairs at Swallow Cliff Woods in Palos Park or tour the historic golf course in Olympia Fields. You can also visit the first post-war planned community in Park Forest, explore the Illinois Locksmith Museum in Steger, and end the day with a meal at Aurelio's Pizza in Homewood.
Northwest Indiana
Standard choice: The Indiana Dunes, which is beautiful and feels like a world away from the city. After all, it's a National Park!
Insider's pick: Michigan City is a somewhat sleepy beach town that you can still enjoy in fall and winter.
- Lubeznik Center for the Arts is a free museum that keeps its exhibitions fresh and offers a stacked events calendar with workshops and artist talks.
- Shoreline Brewery and Restaurant has a huge menu with everything from fish and chips to pizza to healthy fare. Order the kettle chips doused in blue cheese fondue!
Pro tip: Drive north on Lake Shore Drive and gawk at the huge, beautiful homes overlooking Lake Michigan. Just keep heading north … annnnnd now you're in Michigan.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to remove a reference to the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, which is located in Oak Brook, not Elmhurst.