Living in Winnetka: Things to Do and See in Winnetka, Illinois

Winnetka… A Village in a Natural Setting

Conveniently located just 17 miles from downtown Chicago, and only 20 minutes from O'Hare International Airport, is the beautiful village of Winnetka. This affluent and picturesque community, uniquely situated on the North Shore of Lake Michigan, provides its 12,000-plus residents with a quintessentially refined lifestyle.

Winnetka was founded in 1869 as a vacation retreat for Chicago’s prominent business owners who wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. With the extension of the railroad to Chicago’s North Shore, and a prime waterfront location on Lake Michigan, the village proved to be the ideal place to build their grand mansions. Today, these impeccably restored lakefront estates can be viewed in all their splendor on Sheridan Road’s beautiful tree-lined "mansion row."

For more than 200 years, Winnetka has retained its original charm, superb amenities, and picturesque views. Both residents and visitors alike will enjoy the village’s quaint shops, excellent beaches, sailing and lake sports, cycling trails, and golf club. The Winnetka Community House (www.winnetkacommunityhouse.org) offers abundant cultural and recreational activities, while the AC Nielsen Center features USTA national and international tennis tournaments as well as lessons from professional instructors. Nearby, are the Chicago Botanic Gardens and the Ravinia Festival, which hosts a summer concert series featuring world-renowned musicians.

This charming lakefront community ensures year-round entertainment, premier recreation, and a refined lifestyle all within easy access to the world-class cultural, educational, and business institutions of America’s third-largest city.