With a fabulous location directly on the shores of Lake Michigan, the enchanting lakefront community of Wilmette is located just 16 miles north of downtown Chicago and is easily accessible by car, bus, bike and even boat! Many visitors to Wilmette choose to enjoy the ease of Metra, Chicago’s premier commuter rail system, which makes a convenient stop in the center of one of Wilmette’s most exciting shopping areas.
A progressive community with a strong commitment to its history, Wilmette abounds with glorious tree-lined cobblestone streets, an antique street lighting system (which was first installed in 1925!), gorgeous turn-of-the century Victorian-style homes, stately mansions, interesting boutiques and shops, wonderful restaurants, and, of course, its spectacular lakefront beaches and parks.
Shopping in Wilmette is pure delight! With several distinctive shopping districts, Wilmette offers something for everyone. From the revitalized Village Center, an eclectic set of outstanding restaurants have made downtown a go-to dining destination. The Wilmette Theatre brings diverse entertainment options including movies and popcorn. The quaint smalltown atmosphere of Wilmette’s Village Center also welcomes visitors to shop for gifts, apparel, and home goods. Wilmette also features the neighborhood retail district of 4th & Linden, the architectural beauty of Plaza del Lago (the North Shore’s oldest shopping center, which runs along Lake Michigan) the Ridge Road Corridor and the Skokie Boulevard Corridor, home to the Chalet, one of the North Shore’s premier nursery and garden centers. The Residence Inn by Marriott is Wilmette’s sole hotel, combining comfort and affordability with a great location off of the Edens Expressway.
For those who enjoy natural beauty, Wilmette is a recreational paradise. The village boasts 18 beautifully landscaped public parks and playgrounds on 300-plus acres of land. Wilmette also offers scenic lakefront jogging and biking trails, an outdoor amphitheater featuring live shows and concerts, two well-manicured golf courses, and Gillson Park with its gorgeous sandy beaches ideally suited for picnicking, swimming, sailing or a pick-up game of volleyball.
Wilmette is also home to one of the world’s most spectacular architectural wonders, the famed Bahá’í House of Worship. With its filigree dome and exquisite gardens and fountains, the Bahá’í House of Worship was the first of its kind to be constructed in the Western Hemisphere, and attracts over 250,000 visitors annually from every part of the globe. Another cultural point of interest is the Wilmette Historical Museum dedicated to encourage the exploration and appreciation of Wilmette’s past.
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