Lorenzi

Looking for quaint towns in the outlying areas of Chicago, probably west & southwest to visit during Christmas week. Particularly those that have more Christmas spirit, decorations, atmosphere, etc.
I have enjoyed Hinsdale & Frankfurt & was wondering what others may be out there.
Any that are better at night due to lighting decorations vs day time ?
Thanks.

ms_go

You might take a look at Geneva, on the Fox river about 40 miles directly west of Chicago. I haven't been over there yet this year to see what the decorations are like, but it is a charming town at any time of the year. The central area, with all the boutiques, is just west of the river and south of State (rte. 38/Roosevelt Rd). There also are some decent restaurants in downtown Geneva.

cd

Galena ILL is a couple hours from Chicago and a quaint little town. Have not been there during the Holiday's so don't know what the decorations are like.

Retired_teacher

Woodstock out in the northwest boonies might be worthy of the two hour drive time out from the city. It has a lovely city square that served as the location for the "Groundhog's Day" movie. You could also visit the Dick Tracy Museum in the Old Courthouse and learn how cartoonist and local resident, Chester Gould, used Woodstock locals as some of the characters in his comic strip. The historic Woodstock Opera House is also located right on the square. Celebrities including Orson Wells and Paul Newman have performed on its stage. Go to www.woodstocktheatre.com/event-brochure.htm to see a list of stage offerings in December. You could also take the Northwest Metra train out of the city which would shorten your travel time somewhat. All the above mentioned attractions are located within two blocks of the train station. There is also a decent hotel and several restaurants located right on the square if you decide to stay for a theatre production and enjoy the beautiful lighting displays on the square at night.

JJ5

If you are primarily after the holiday decorations, you would be amused by the houses in Tinley Park, Orland Park areas. They are suburbs, Southwest suburbs of Chicago- closer than Frankfort, but I travel quite a bit and seldom see the lights I see at home.

Old downtown Tinley Park is similar to Frankfort's and features a restaurant row near the Eastern Metra station in the historic downtown Tinley. It's rather small but the old lamplights, bradford pear trees all aglow etc. are quite nice. You are also near the I-80 corridor and good lodging there- and if you ride through any of the 20 or so subdivisions that surround Lagrange Rd. (called Manheim farther North towards the city)between 159th to I-80 you will be amazed at what people have done. It is not usual to see cul-de-sacs or half blocks where neighbors have gone in together to do combo displays. I notice a 100 yard section of fencing has the wise men (about 15 feet tall each and in silhouette) following their star already.

It's not Long Grove for shops, but there is best access to seeing Christmas decorations in this area than any around. Lots of mobile displays, and light projection effects, etc. Reindeers are flying between houses everywhere.

Another area that is similar is in Naperville and some areas near Brookfield and the zoo. A small and very old enclave is interesting in Lockport (I&M Canal Historic area) near the 159th St. bridge. This later has the antique shops etc. but is not decorated as highly as the former.