Founded in 1832, Downers Grove is a small suburban community in DuPage County. This quaint town has a lot to offer its residents and visitors, including an excellent transit system, abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation, and a welcoming community.
Tourist Attractions And Visit In Downers Grove, Illinois
Located within 20 miles of Chicago, Downers Grove is a great place to live in Illinois. The area is home to many unique boutique shops, restaurants, and community events, including the Tivoli Theatre.
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Downtown Downers Grove is also a popular dining and shopping destination, with over 140 community festivals and events held every year. The Village of Downers Grove is governed under a council-manager form of government. The Village Council consists of the Mayor and six Commissioners elected at-large.
A major part of the Village’s transportation is Metra commuter rail. It has three stops in Downers Grove, including Belmont Road and Main Street. It is also served by Pace Bus Service. Downers Grove is home to many parks.
One of the most popular is Barth Pond, a large and picturesque pond that’s perfect for fishing. The pond is surrounded by a scenic paved walkway. Willowbrook Wildlife Center is a wildlife rehabilitation facility and nature preserve that takes in sick and injured animals.
The facility has a visitor center and is open to the public. Downers Grove is home to many reputable companies and institutions, including Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Midwestern University, First Health Group, and Zachry Engineering.
These businesses employ a diverse range of workers, including physicians, nurses, dental hygienists, and accountants. Downers Grove also has plenty of outdoor fun to enjoy. You can picnic in a nearby park, go fishing or play tennis.
There’s a lot to do and see in Downers Grove. There’s a vibrant downtown with boutique shops, restaurants and community events.
Tivoli Theatre #1
Tivoli Theatre is a beautiful historic movie theater located in Downers Grove, Illinois. It was one of the first cinemas to show “talkies” and it is still in operation as a single-screen theater. A trip to the Tivoli Theatre is a special experience.
The venue was built in 1928 and it has been meticulously restored to resemble a French Renaissance-style theater. The seating is spacious with red and gold horsehair upholstery, a ladies rest room, and a two-manual 6 ranks Wurlitzer pipe organ.
The interior was completely redecorated in 1996 by painters Gary and Eric Reynolds to bring the theatre back to its original French Renaissance design. Guests of the Tivoli Theatre can enjoy a full-service bar and free popcorn and fountain drinks.
There are also comfortable reclining seats, and the theatre is equipped with 7.1 surround sound and 4K projection. The Tivoli Theatre is a great place to catch a show, especially if you love watching Broadway shows. This theater features a variety of seating options, including orchestra, mezzanine, and balcony sections.
| Address | 5021 Highland Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA |
| Phone | +1 630-968-0360 |
| Opened | 1928 |
The Morton Arboretum #2
When Joy Morton established The Morton Arboretum in 1922, he envisioned a “great outdoor museum of trees.” Nearly 100 years later, his vision continues to inspire people of all ages and interests to appreciate, learn about and protect trees for a greener world.
The grounds of the Morton Arboretum include cataloged collections of trees and other living plants, a library and herbarium and an active program in tree research. The Arboretum is also home to a restored prairie. For families, the Arboretum’s newest feature is a children’s garden with a large interactive pond and play area.
There’s also a walking trail that circles Barth Pond, which is a popular fishing spot. There are also a number of family-friendly events at the Arboretum, including a holiday lights show and educational programs around Arbor Day.
You can even make a donation to support the Arboretum’s work in planting and protecting trees for a greener, healthier future. The Arboretum’s annual Illumination holiday lights show is a one-of-a-kind experience that takes place throughout 50 acres of the arboretum grounds and features six new displays, as well as returning favorites.
There’s even a new late-night event called Electric Illumination, which is geared to those 18 and older and will feature an eclectic mix of house, progressive and other DJ tunes that sync with the animated light displays.
| Address | 4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL 60532, USA |
| Phone | +1 630-968-0074 |
| Founded | 1922 |
Hidden Lake Forest Preserve #3
Hidden Lake Forest Preserve is a lovely area in Downers Grove that offers trails, lakes and more. This 390-acre preserve is a great place to hike, fish, paddle and picnic. The preserve is home to two large lakes and a river, with more than 2 miles of trails around the lake.
It’s also a popular fishing spot, with Round Meadow Lake and Eagle Lake offering bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish. Boating season at Hidden Lake begins April 1 and continues until October 31 on non-gasoline-powered boats, such as fishing boats, rowboats and kayaks.
In addition to fishing, there are several hiking and biking trails to explore as well as a boardwalk across the middle of Eagle Lake. An historic bridge dating back to the 1870s will be refurbished and reinstalled at Hidden Lake Forest Preserve near Downers Grove later this year. Work on the wrought-iron pony truss bridge will include sandblasting and painting, as well as replacing it with a new wooden deck.
| Address | Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA |
| Phone | +1 630-933-7683 |
Downers Grove Museum #4
Located in downtown Downers Grove, the Downers Grove Museum has a variety of interesting displays and collections that are sure to interest everyone. The museum is open to the public every day from 10 AM-5 PM except on Monday and holidays.
The museum is run by the Park District and has many volunteers from all walks of life that help make this place a great community resource. If you would like to volunteer at the museum, you can get more information by contacting them.
This museum has a wide range of different exhibits that showcase various different parts of the history of this town. They are sure to be fun and educational to see as well as a great way to spend some time with friends or family members.
The Downers Grove Museum is housed in a historic building that dates back to 19th century and is a must-visit destination for any history buffs out there. It is an excellent place to learn more about the history of this city and it is free to enter.
| Address | 831 Maple Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA |
| Phone | +1 630-963-1309 |
Alter Brewing Company #5
In the burgeoning suburb of Downers Grove, three men with a passion for beer came together to form Alter Brewing Company. Today, this brewpub is an enjoyable destination where novices and experts alike can get lost in their appreciation of craft beer.
The brewery is located in Ellsworth Industrial Park, off Belmont Avenue and features a spacious taproom with 12 rotating beers, a 20 barrel brewing system and canning line, and two private event spaces. It’s a friendly hub of fun and excitement that welcomes you to enjoy a good time with friends, family or a coworker, one taste at a time.
They’ve also got a great food and drink menu, with an extensive wine list as well as a couple of craft cocktails. And, they’re not afraid to brag about their solera system – wooden beer-aging vessels that house the souring program for all of their locations.
| Address | 2300 Wisconsin Ave UNIT 213, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA |
| Phone | +1 630-541-9558 |
Graue Mill & Museum #6
Graue Mill & Museum is a unique place to learn about the history of Downers Grove, Illinois. Located on York and Spring Roads, between 31st Street and Ogden Avenue (US 34), this waterwheel gristmill dates back to 1852. The historic site is owned by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.
Visitors can enjoy the scenic dam and pond, while exploring a working mill race powered by Salt Creek. You can also walk along the 1.2-mile hiking trail that surrounds the grounds. The pond is an important part of the local ecosystem and is home to many types of birds, including eagles and blue herons.
During your visit, you can participate in an educational experience with four floors of exhibits and a variety of activities. There are hands-on activities such as spinning wool and weaving, as well as living history presentations.
The museum is a great place to learn about the history of the town, and it’s especially interesting if you’re interested in learning about slavery and the Underground Railroad. The basement was reportedly a station on the Underground Railroad, and the upper floors have items that depict pioneer life on the Illinois prairie from the middle and late 1800s.
| Address | 3800 York Rd, Oak Brook, IL 60523, United States |
| Phone | +1 630-920-9720 |
| Opened | 1852 |
Mayslake Peabody Estate #7
Built in 1919, Mayslake Peabody Estate is a historic mansion that once belonged to coal baron Francis Stuyvesant Peabody. It features a Tudor Revival style and is nestled in the heart of the Mayslake Forest Preserve.
Tour this nationally registered landmark, which is undergoing extensive renovations to bring it back to its glory days. The home is set against a lush, rolling landscape filled with forests and a lake.
Its regal exterior is in the final stages of restoration, with plans to make it weatherproof to avoid moisture and pests. The mansion, which is open for tours, also offers a variety of activities for the whole family.
Seniors are drawn to the village of Downers Grove for its wide-open spaces and laid-back ambiance that contrasts with the busy Chicago region. It has a higher than average senior population, with 18.7% of residents over the age of 65.
| Address | 1717 31st St, Oak Brook, IL 60523, USA |
| Phone | +1 630-206-9566 |
| Built | 1919–1921 |
Yorktown Center #8
Yorktown Center, located in Lombard, Illinois, is a two-level shopping center with over 150 specialty shops. Its anchors are Von Maur and JCPenney, and the mall also features a variety of other stores and amenities.
Originally opened in 1968, Yorktown Center ushered in the rise of the suburban shopping mall. However, it would lose multiple department store chains over the years. The first was Wieboldt’s, which closed in 1987; the anchor remained vacant for seven years before Von Maur remodeled it and opened its first Chicago-area store in 1994.
The center’s current ownership, Pacific Retail Capital Partners, has sought to re-imagine the mall by turning it into a destination that provides the best in retail, dining, and entertainment. This has led to the addition of a variety of new retailers and restaurants, as well as fitness studios and activities.
The mall has also launched a Heart & Sole Walking Club, which encourages shoppers to get active and make healthy choices while shopping. The club hosts fitness classes and events, as well as offers exclusive deals and discounts from its retail partners.
| Address | 203 Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard, IL 60148, USA |
| Phone | +1 630-629-7330 |
| Opened | 1968 |
FAQs about Downers Grove Illinois
What is Downers Grove famous for?
Downers Grove is a suburb of Chicago known for its vibrant downtown area, beautiful parks, and historic architecture. The village has been ranked as one of the best places to live in the Midwest, and is home to several well-known institutions, including the Avery Coonley School and Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital.
What is a fun fact about Downers Grove?
A fun fact about Downers Grove is that it was the birthplace of composer and conductor Victor Young, who won an Academy Award for Best Original Score for the 1956 film “Around the World in 80 Days.” He also composed the music for many classic films, including “The Quiet Man” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls.”
