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Discover Winnetka

Winnetka is a North Shore suburb scenically located on the shore of Lake Michigan. Built primarily before 1930, when cars were few and far between, the village was designed so its residents could walk to trains, schools, parks and shops — a pedestrian-orientation that makes Winnetka (and its next-door neighbor, Glencoe) unique from many other North Shore suburbs. The family-oriented village is the richest town in Illinois and one of the richest in America according to a recent Bloomberg study, and boasts a golf club, several parks and low-cost lakefront access.

Excellent educational opportunities headline the perks of living in Winnetka, as the suburb’s children attend the award-winning New Trier High School, consistently ranked near the top of educational institutions in the state and in the country.  Winnetka Public School District 36 has served students in kindergarten through eighth grade for over a century, and oversees young learners in five different schools. If you’d rather choose a private option for your children, North Shore Country Day School is a pre-kindergarten through high school college-preparatory school that centers around personalized education and an intensive curriculum.

Every cinephile looking to move into the neighborhood might also be interested to know that the community was the filming site for numerous movies, including portions of the popular flicks Home Alone, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Sixteen Candles.

Those looking for food in Winnetka will find a multitude of choices at their fingertips. For fine French-dining, try local favorite Michael and the newly-opened “restaurant within a restaurant” George Trois. Avli Restaurant offers Mediterranean and Greek dishes, Cafe Aroma has french pastries and strong coffee, Cafe Buongiorno is famous for its breakfast treats and homemade soups, while Stacked & Folded offers cost-effective sandwiches, tacos and salads. There are plenty of other options for barbeque, Italian, and burgers.

With Chicago practically in its backyard, Winnetka offers a comfortable, connected community while still giving access to a world-class city. So whether you’re looking for a great school district or lounging on a Lake Michigan beach, Winnetka — or its neighbors Northfield, Glencoe, Highland Park or Evanston —  might be right for you.