Evanston

Evanston is a city on the North Shore of Illinois along the shores of Lake Michigan, just north of Chicago. It has many identities: college town, dining destination, cultural center, and gateway to the wealthy North Shore. Named after John Evans, one of the founders of Northwestern University, Evanston maintains a parklike campus along Lake Michigan's shore. The city is ethnically and economically diverse, far from the homogeneous image the North Shore sometimes projects.

The climate mirrors Chicago's—cold, windy winters with temperatures dropping below freezing and warm, humid summers perfect for the city's lakefront beaches. The best time to visit is late spring through early fall (May–September) when the beaches are open, festivals are running, and outdoor dining is pleasant. Evanston is well-connected to Chicago by the CTA Purple Line and Metra, making it an easy day trip or overnight stay from the city.

By Plane

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the nearest major airport. Public transportation options include the CTA Blue Line to Clark/Lake, then transfer to the Purple Line express (rush hour) or Red Line to Howard, then Purple Line. Pace bus 250 runs directly from O'Hare to Evanston Davis Street. American Taxi offers flat-rate service between O'Hare and Evanston.

By Train

The Metra Union Pacific North Line runs from downtown Chicago with stops at Main, Davis, and Central in Evanston. The CTA Purple Line runs express from Belmont (during rush hour) to Howard, then all-stops to Evanston. Davis station is in the heart of downtown.

By Car / Road

Interstate I-90/94 (Edens Expressway) runs about 5 miles west of Evanston. Street parking (meters, 2-hour limit) and three city-operated parking garages are available downtown.

The CTA Purple Line makes stops at South Blvd, Main, Dempster, Davis, Foster, Noyes, and Central. Pace and CTA buses connect at many of these stations. Evanston is very bike-friendly with bike lanes on many streets. Walking is pleasant in the downtown area. Local birds are so accustomed to the CTA line that pigeons have been observed riding the Purple Line from Davis to South Boulevard!

• Northwestern University — Tours from the Office of Undergraduate Admission, 1801 Hinman Avenue. Parklike campus along Lake Michigan with neo-Gothic to modernist architecture, an outdoor sculpture garden, art galleries, and a working lighthouse.

• Shakespeare Garden — Northwestern's campus, created by the Garden Club of Evanston in 1917 and designed by Jens Jensen.

• Grosse Point Lighthouse — Intersection of Central Street and Sheridan Road on Lake Michigan. Built in 1873. Tours of the museum in the former keepers' quarters June–September, Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 2, 3, and 4PM.

• Mitchell Museum of the American Indian — 3001 Central St, +1-847-475-1030. Tu-W F Sa 10AM–5PM, Th 10AM–8PM, Su noon–4PM. $5 adults, $2.50 children/students/teachers/seniors.

• Frances Willard House — 1730 Chicago Ave, +1 847-864-1396. $15 admission.

• Lighthouse Beach — 2611 Sheridan Rd. A kid-friendly beach at the northern tip of Evanston with a playground near the shore. Evanston's beaches are safe and well-maintained.

• Music Institute of Chicago — +1-847-905-1500. Nichols Concert Hall at 1490 Chicago Avenue hosts faculty and guest artist concerts.

• St. Luke's Episcopal Church — 939 Hinman Ave. Completed 1909 in neo-Gothic style with a historic 1922 Skinner pipe organ and acclaimed choir. Bella Voce performs Handel's Messiah annually in November.

• Budget: Buffalo Joe's — 812 Clark St, +1-847-328-5525. 11AM–midnight daily. Wings at three heat levels (mild, hot, "suicide") and burgers.
• Budget: Gigio's — 1001 Davis St, +1-847-328-0990. M-Sa 11AM–1AM, Su 2PM–10PM. Thin-crust pizza by the huge slice.
• Budget: Al's Deli — 914 Noyes St, +1-847-475-9400. Th-Tu 11AM–4PM, closed W. French-inspired soups and sandwiches with cookies voted Chicago's best. Sandwiches $6–$9, soup $3–$4.
• Mid-range: Hecky's — 1902 Green Bay Rd, +1-847-492-1182. M-Th 11AM–9PM, F Sa 11AM–10PM, Su 11AM–8PM. Creole barbecue since 1983.
• Mid-range: Lou Malnati's — 1850 Sherman Ave, +1-847-328-5400. M-Th 4PM–10PM, F Sa 11AM–11PM, Su 11AM–10PM. Chicago's famous deep-dish pizza. Order ice cream pizza for dessert.
• Splurge: Oceanique — 505 Main St. Upscale contemporary seafood dining.

Evanston has a lively bar scene concentrated along Sherman Avenue and Church Street near the Davis CTA station. The downtown area features cocktail bars, craft beer spots, and wine bars. Several establishments along Central Street in northern Evanston offer casual drinking in a neighborhood setting. The university area near Northwestern also has bars popular with students and faculty.

• Budget: Budget motels along the I-94 corridor offer rooms from $70–$100/night.
• Mid-range: The Hilton Orrington/Evanston (+1 847-866-8700) in downtown Evanston offers modern rooms near the Davis CTA station. The Homewood Suites by Hilton Evanston (+1 847-866-9600) provides suites with kitchenettes.
• Upscale / heritage: The Hilton Orrington is Evanston's premier hotel, a historic property with full-service amenities in the heart of downtown.

• Downtown Evanston (Davis Street) — The central shopping district with small, fashionable yet unpretentious boutiques.
• Central Street — Two blocks from Green Bay Road to Hartrey Avenue, featuring high-end boutiques, cafes, and bakeries including the Spice House, Table Manners, and Tag's Bakery.
• Main Street — Gentrifying area with Ten Thousand Villages, Dave's Down to Earth Rock Shop, and Vogue Fabrics.
• Bookends and Beginnings — 1712 Sherman Ave (entrance in rear), +1 224 999-7722. Daily 10AM–6PM. Independent bookstore, formerly Bookman's Alley.

• Chicago (12 miles south) — World-class museums, architecture, dining, and nightlife accessible by CTA Purple Line in 30 minutes.
• Wilmette (3 miles north) — Baha'i House of Worship and charming downtown shops.
• Skokie (3 miles west) — Shopping at Old Orchard Mall and the Illinois Holocaust Museum.
• Highland Park (10 miles north) — Historic homes, Ravinia Festival (summer music venue), and Lake Michigan beaches.
• Libertyville (15 miles north) — Charming downtown with independent shops and restaurants.