The weather in Chicago has been perfect these last few weeks so Ted and I wanted to do something different. We debated where to go, but weren’t in the mood to go very far so we took a drive up to Evanston, IL for a fun “faux day trip.”
Evanston of is a unique mixture of urban college town, suburbia, and even has a bit of a “beachy” vibe to it. It sits right on the lake and is known for its cute shops, the Northwestern University campus, and gorgeous historic homes. If you’re looking to “get away for the day” but stay close to Chicago consider spending the weekend in Evanston. Read on below to see what we did.
Take a bike ride around the old neighborhoods
You can rent Divvy bikes (or bring your own) and bike around the neighborhoods looking at the gorgeous old houses that Evanston is known for. They’re super pricey but a girl can dream!
Dawes House / Evanston History Center
I used to intern at the archives here when I was in college and love the history of this home and its architecture. It was owned by Charles Dawes, who was Vice President under Calvin Coolidge and served as a prominent general in WWI. I stopped by to check in on the space and its still as beautiful as ever.
Explore the cute shops
Evanston is full of cute streets with unique shops and restaurants. Many are centered in the main downtown area but you can also find gems on smaller streets. One of my favorites is the Spices shop on Central Street.
Lunch at Next of Kin Restaurant
We stopped at Next of Kin Restaurant and I had the Nordic Kale & Beet salad. It was phenomenal. Other places that are on my list to try are Found Kitchen and Social House and the Hearth Restaurant.
Gross Pointe Light House
After lunch we headed further north to the Gross Pointe Light House. This area is full of beaches, gorgeous old homes, and kinda feels like Door County with all of the boats and light house nearby.
Bahai Temple
Construction on this beauty started in 1912. It’s the world largest dedicated temple of worship for those of the Bahai faith. The architecture and craftsmanship are stunning. The space is so welcoming as you’ll see religious symbols of all the world’s faiths carved in the domed interior.
Gillson Beach
We finished our day by relaxing and reading at Gillson Beach. Evanston has many beaches but this one is my favorite. I come here many times during the year to walk around, take in the calming lake waves, and admire the boats docked in the piers nearby.
So that’s it! Evanston is such a gem and one of my favorite neighborhoods in the Chicagoland area. It’s not a far drive but it still has cool things to see and do! If you don’t have plans for Labor Day yet or don’t want to go far, try exploring Evanston !
