Welcome to Elmhurst
Bustling suburban city with recreation at Wilder Park
Elmhurst is a bustling suburban city in DuPage County and Cook County. Occupying a strategic location for commuters just 16 miles west of the Chicago Loop, Elmhurst is also within an 18 minutes’ drive of O’Hare International Airport and 33 minutes from Chicago Midway International Airport. This city is packed with diverse shopping and dining options. Readers of Chicago Magazine voted Elmhurst’s sprawling Wilder Park as the best suburban park in the Chicago area. Elmhurst’s wide-ranging real estate mix includes luxurious contemporary properties alongside mid-century ranches and townhouses.
What to Love
- Variety of housing options
- Thriving downtown district
- Convenient location
- Wilder Park
People & Lifestyle
Elmhurst has a lively suburban atmosphere within easy reach of Downtown Chicago. The city is comprised of friendly neighborhoods and frequent community events to bring residents together. Wilder Park provides a relaxing green space with cultural attractions and sports amenities.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Elmhurst has a thriving downtown district packed with unique shops and restaurants. 100 South Chop House & Grill serves mouthwatering steaks, fresh seafood, and tasty chicken and pasta dishes in a refined 1950s supper club setting. 100 South also has hand-shaken martinis and an extensive wine list. Other downtown businesses include stylish boutiques, laid-back pubs and taverns, hip craft beer breweries, and chic cocktail lounges.
More shops and restaurants can be found along Spring Road to the southwest of the main downtown district. Roberto’s Ristorante & Pizzeria is a classic white-tablecloth Italian eatery that has been a Spring Road favorite since the 1960s. Specialties at Roberto’s include gourmet pizzas, homemade pasta, and signature chicken parmesan.
Elmhurst Hospital is a major medical facility with 259 private inpatient suites and a wide array of services.
Things to Do
Spanning more than 17 acres, Wilder Park is a relaxing green space with numerous cultural attractions and many events throughout the year. Located at the northern end of the park, Elmhurst Art Museum exhibits work from some of the Midwest’s finest contemporary artists. The museum’s collection includes an entire home designed by pioneering modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Wilder Park is also home to the stately 1860s Wilder Mansion. Other amenities and attractions at Wilder Park include formal gardens and floral displays, a running trail, a soccer field, a veterans memorial, tennis courts, drinking fountains, picnic areas, and a large play area for kids. Flower shows are often held at the Wilder Park Conservatory. Other special activities at the park include Easter egg hunts, BBQs, movie nights, summer concerts, and a holiday tree lighting ceremony.
On Wednesday evenings in June and July, the Block to Block Party brings live music to the City Centre Plaza and North York Plaza in the heart of Elmhurst. September’s Rock the Block Party also features downtown live music as well as a family fun zone packed with kid-friendly activities and vendors selling food and drinks from some of Elmhurst’s best bakeries, taprooms, and restaurants.
Boo-tiful Saturday is a Halloween celebration with free kids-appropriate scary movie screenings and trick-or-treating at downtown businesses. Hometown Holiday Family Fun Day in December also features a family film screening along with free gifts for kids and a visit from Santa Claus.
Schools
Elmhurst is served by Elmhurst School District 205. Highlights include:
- Field Elementary School, Public, K-5
- Sandburg Middle School, Public, 6-8
- York Community High School, Public, 9-12