Wheaton

Widely considered one of the best communities to live in all of Illinois, Wheaton is the idyllic combination of small-town charm and urban convenience. There is a distinct appreciation for the past in this picturesque community. The town itself is filled with numerous buildings harkening back to an earlier time, and there is a clear dedication to historical preservation and maintaining a true sense of where they’ve come from.

Arriving from Connecticut in 1837, brothers Warren L. and Jesse Wheaton laid claim to hundreds of acres of land in the area, with many fellow New Englanders joining them in the community shortly after. The location was first incorporated as a village in 1859 but was turned into a city in 1890, becoming the official county seat in 1867.

Nowadays, known around the country for the exceptional Wheaton College that shares the same name, the town itself is an unbelievably vibrant and scenic community with a lively village center and beautiful homes in various styles.

The Wheaton community has a distinct appreciation for education. With the well-known Wheaton College nearby, it’s no wonder that so many in the town hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. As a result, most of the community is made up of white-collar professionals, with the average household income reaching nearly double the national average.

The area’s prosperity intermingled with the neighborhood’s small-town charms has made it the perfect place for young professionals looking to settle down with their families. There are several highly-rated schools in the area, in addition to numerous art and cultural activities for residents to partake in. There is also a deep appreciation for outdoor recreation in the community, which can be seen in the many busy parks and sport-designated areas.

The dining scene in Wheaton is widely considered one of the best in the surrounding area. With numerous highly-rated restaurants and a wide variety of different cuisines, residents can easily find anything they want to satiate their appetites.

Pa Lian Burmese Restaurant is a local favorite serving authentic Burmese dishes for guests to enjoy, such as green papaya salad, Kyarzan Thoke, and Moh-Hin-Gar, which is the country’s beloved national dish. The Ivy is another popular Wheaton fine-dining establishment, offering its guests exceptional American cuisine, including shrimp DeJonge, beef carpaccio, and pan-roasted duck breast.

When it comes to breakfast, the Egg Harbor Cafe is always at the top of everyone’s lists, with delights like their Farmers Market Benedict, Southern Shrimp and Grits, and a Morrocan spiced Shakshuka that will certainly get things going.

Families living in Wheaton love the numerous recreational activities and wide array of things to do. Nature lovers will rejoice over the outstanding parks in the area: Herrick Lake Forest Preserve, the Illinois Prairie Path, and the Cantigny Park, which is full of beautiful hiking trails and pristine gardens. Residents can also visit the various museums that this park has on-site, all of which are geared towards opening the minds and embracing each visitor’s creativity.

If you enjoy museums, you may want to visit the DuPage County Historical Museum as well. This outstanding organization is dedicated to preserving the area’s history, striving to instill in every guest an appreciation for where they’ve been to better understand where they’re headed.

The Town Square Wheaton is another local hotspot where residents can shop, dine, or simply socialize with their neighbors. With brands such as Talbots and White House Black Market, as well as restaurants like Warren’s Ale House and Noodles and Company, it’s no wonder that this is one of the most popular places in town.

The inarguable dedication this community has towards education can be seen throughout the numerous highly-rated institutions in the area, including: