Wilmette

Along the shores of Lake Michigan, Wilmette is a charming and sophisticated town just 16 miles north of downtown Chicago. There are over 28,000 residents that are drawn to the community for its historic appeal, its expansive green spaces, beachfront and recreational facilities.

Real Estate: Ranked by Chicago magazine as one of the Chicago area’s best places to live, Wilmette is a vibrant town with a wealth of amenities. The community is known for its historic streets adorned with quintessential Cape Cod, Victorian, and Colonial residences, some of which are on clay-fired brick streets dating back to the 1800s. Alongside these charming single-family homes, other real estate options are beachfront condominiums and townhomes.

Education: Wilmette Public School District 39 includes a significant portion of Wilmette and a small portion of adjacent Glenview. Children in grades K-4 attend one of four existing neighborhood elementary schools: Central School, Harper School, McKenzie School, or Romona School. Students in grades 5 and 6 attend Highcrest Middle School and 7th and 8th graders attend Wilmette Junior High School.

The Avoca School District 37 serves students from parts of four surrounding communities: Glenview, Northfield, Wilmette, and Winnetka. There are two schools in the district: Avoca West, a K-5 elementary school; and Marie Murphy, a 6-8 middle school.

Graduates of Wilmette Public Schools Districts 37 and 39 attend the acclaimed public New Trier High School. There are also multiple private schools such as St. Francis Xavier School, St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Loyola Academy, Regina Dominican High School, and Baker Demonstration School in Wilmette.

Shopping and Dining: Wilmette offers seven distinctive commercial districts, each with its own unique character, providing diverse shopping experiences. From the Village Center, a bustling hub around the Metra Station, to the Green Bay Road District and Linden Square, there’s a diverse range of shopping and services. Plaza Del Lago stands out with its Spanish-inspired architecture and a mix of eateries and retail shops, while the Ridge Road District earns its nickname “Antique Row” for its charming antique dealers. Finally, the West Lake Avenue and Skokie Boulevard Districts cater to major national retailers, making it the village’s largest shopping destination. Some of well known restaurants in Wilmette include Sofia’s Steakhouse, Pescadero, Au Ceval, Convito Café and Walker Brothers Pancake House.

Fun Facts: Wilmette is home to the Baha’i House of Worship, where its stunning architecture is and beautifully landscaped gardens draw visitors from around the globe. There are nine Baha’i Houses of Worship around the world, each located on a different continent.

Recreation and Lifestyle: The Wilmette Park District oversees an extensive network of parks covering over 300 acres, including the notable Gillson Park and Beaches. Gillson Park is a central attraction featuring a large beach area, dog-friendly beach areas, and amenities for various activities like beach volleyball, soccer, and tennis. It also houses a Wilmette Harbor marina, grilling areas, and the Wallace Bowl hosting summer performances. Additionally, there are three public beaches in Wilmette. Wilmette has a beautiful Community Recreation Center that has a 10,000-square-foot gymnastics facility, and the Wilmette Platform Tennis Club provides four paddle tennis courts and a warming hut. Centennial Park is another community hotspot with a public swimming pool, tennis courts, and indoor ice skating facilities. The Ice Center hosts skating classes and accommodates several hockey clubs and tournaments. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy the public Wilmette Golf Course, open to the public and managed by the Wilmette Park District. For those seeking a private club experience, Westmoreland Country Club and the Canal Shores Golf Course straddle the border of Wilmette and Evanston, offering golfing opportunities in the area.

Transportation: Wilmette’s Metra station and access to I-94 make commuting to downtown Chicago a breeze, but there’s plenty of reasons to stay local. Wilmette is also serviced by Chicago’s urban Purple Line elevated train, which provides rapid transit train service to the Howard Station in Chicago, as well as the Loop. Wilmette is also a 30 minute drive from O’Hare International Airport.