This Stunning European-Inspired Village In Illinois Is The Perfect Place For A Day Trip
By Linze Rice|Published September 25, 2023
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Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
Chicago is known for its amazing architecture, but its suburbs are also strong contenders. When I moved to a small town just 15 minutes outside the city, I was enthralled with the variety of home styles in my new neighborhood. Exploring the area quickly led me across Harlem Avenue into Riverside, a town unlike any I had ever seen. Now, a small town day trip to Riverside, Illinois is a quick getaway I recommend to everyone looking for great local food, shops, and historical buildings.
Here’s why:
The Village of Riverside is a charming small town located just 9 miles from Downtown Chicago. Nearly the entire town is considered a historic landmark for its incredible architecture.
Many of the most notable architects, engineers, and designers of the time had influence in the town's look, including Frank Lloyd Wright, Joseph L. Silsbee, Louis Sullivan, William Drummond, and R. Harold Zook.
Formerly known as Aux Plains, it was the first planned community in the United States. Frederick Law Olmsted, also the designer of Central Park in New York, was the architect behind the town's layout in 1869 — which also uniquely incorporates the natural landscape into its design.
Here, large yards and parks are incorporated into the overall look and feel of the town — blending nature and architecture in an exceptional way.
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Looking at a modern map, it's clear to see how Riverside stands out from adjacent communities that chose the grid-style layout, which is common for the area.
A drive through town can be a bit confusing, but it provides amazing views at every turn.
Most of Riverside is included in the Riverside Landscape Architecture District, which was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1970. Its distinctive downtown area features cobblestone walkways, a train station, shops and restaurants, and the city's famous Swiss-inspired water tower.
I highly recommend stopping by The Chew Chew cafe, 33 E. Burlington St., for a bite to eat, and Quincy Street Distillery, 39 E. Quincy St., for a taste of house-made whiskey or gin.
The water tower was in part designed by William Le Baron Jenney, who also designed the world's first skyscraper in Chicago.
Another distinctive building is the Arcade Building, which was one of (if not the) first commercial buildings in the U.S. designed with the purpose of being part of a residential community, according to the village.
This breathtaking building was created by Frederick Withers in the Gothic style.
Another magnificent gem is the chateau-style Riverside Town Hall, built in 1895. The massive building is noted for its steep roof with copper ridges, limestone and brick, and decorative stone details.
Its homes showcase a number of architectural styles, including Tudor style, American Four Square, Gothic Revival, Queen Anne style, Italianate style, Victorian style, Prairie style, and more.
Linze Rice
One of my favorite pastimes is taking a leisurely drive through the town to admire the gorgeous homes. Any time of year they're spectacular — flower-filled in the summer, festive in the fall, and colorful at Christmas.
