Interested in visiting some of the Midwest’s best restaurants, theaters and shopping centers, but don’t want to pay top dollar? If so, head over to DuPage County, a collection of cities offering everything from museums and galleries to acres of green spaces and more than 15,000 hotel rooms, all affordable and well-appointed.
Located less than 30 minutes west of Chicago, DuPage is one of the fastest growing counties in the country.
"DuPage County is a perfect example of classic, post-war suburbia," says Robert J. Schillerstrom, county board chairman. "Prior to World War II, it was an agricultural community like the rest of Illinois. But people coming back from the war were looking for housing, and since then the county has really taken off. In 1950, we had around 150,000 people living here and now it is close to a million."
Increased population meant more commerce and less need to venture to the area’s "windy" neighbor.
"In the past, people would take the train into Chicago to go to work and then come back," Schillerstrom says, adding that the county is easily accessible to both of Chicago’s airports. "Now we are a job center. We have more than 130 corporate headquarters right here. Today, more people come into the county than leave it."
With rapid growth has come an influx of wealth and amenities, including high-end eateries.
"DuPage has a great variety of restaurants," Schillerstrom says. "I live in Naperville and the restaurants are top-notch. Sullivan’s Steak House is a great place to go and so is Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House.
"Almost every great restaurant you are going to find in the city of Chicago you can find here, but the parking is easier and the wait time is often less."
For those who like to get out and enjoy the fresh air, DuPage offers a variety of parks and gardens.
"More than 20 percent of the county is open space," Schillerstrom says. "We have an incredible trail system and you can ride your bike or go for a jog. We also have a tremendous arboretum."
Attracting almost 1 million people each year, The Morton Arboretum in Lisle is a DuPage County must-see. The 1,700-acre attraction was founded in 1922 by Joy Morton, of Morton Salt, and today features more than 4,000 varieties of trees as well as a plethora of colorful gardens. Spaces are also available for rental.
A few miles away in Wheaton sits Cantigny, a 500-acre park gifted by former Chicago Tribune magnate Robert R. McCormick to the people of DuPage for the purpose of experimental farming. Today, Cantigny is home to a variety of gardens, two museums and a golf course, and space for groups to meet.
Along with its dining and green space, DuPage County is also known as a shopping hub, according to Schillerstrom.
"We have world-renowned shopping centers," he says. "We have great shopping at Oakbrook Center and Yorktown Center in Lombard."
Rounding out the county is its cultural highlights.
"There are great cultural opportunities here," Schillerstrom says.
A simple stroll down the streets of Lombard, Lisle, Naperville and Downers Grove reveals several art galleries that highlight local artists. Travelers can also visit the DuPage County Historical Museum and Naper Settlement, a living history museum available for group rentals.
Over in Oakbrook Terrace, Drury Lane Theatre is a live performance venue specifically geared toward groups. The Broadway-style theater, complete with oversized chandeliers, seats 971 people and brings in musicals, comedy acts and plays. Surrounding the theater are 12 meeting rooms and 50,000 square feet of meeting space.