The quaint university city of Evanston
Evanston is a small and friendly Illinois city, bordering the buzzing metropolis of Chicago in the south and the shimmering, ocean-like Lake Michigan to the east. The city is the home of the exclusive Northwestern University – with its leafy tree-lined campus – and because of this boasts a youthful and academic atmosphere. Shoppers will love Evanston, as the central streets celebrate a mix of low-rise shopping areas and eclectic boutiques. From family houses to lake-view apartments, there are Evanston vacation rentals to suit every type of traveler.
Evanston architecture and inspiring artwork
Architecture enthusiasts can’t miss the Bahá’í House of Worship, an enormous star-white stone temple capped by a vast dome inlaid with intricate lace-style patterning, and surrounded by lush gardens, which include a serene reflecting pool. For interesting architectural contrast, see the Charles Gates Dawes Houses, a 19th-century lakefront Chateauesque mansion – now a house museum – which once belonged to former Vice President Charles Dawes. Art fiends can amble through the tranquil Northwestern campus to the Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, a modern glass-walled building with nearly 5,000 artworks, focusing on modern and contemporary Western artists.
Evanston is a paradise for specialty shoppers
Venture into Evanston and treat yourself to a shopping trip. Central Street sings with specialty, antiques, and independent clothing stores, while Downtown offers more traditional brand-name stores, and Dempster Street delights with hip boutiques – including vintage shops and local art galleries. If you’re traveling in summer, outdoor adventurers can rent a kayak and drift out across the deep-blue waters of sparkling Lake Michigan. If you’d rather relax on the shore itself, visit Greenwood Street Beach, a small and secluded stretch of soft sand, set far back from the busy road, offering a peaceful view over the lapping lake.
Sun-kissed summers and frosty winters in Evanston
When traveling during the summer months, book an Evanston vacation rental with a garden and BBQ to really soak up the honey-like Illinois sunshine. Summer in Evanston sees highs of 85 degrees, pleasantly undercut by the kiss of a Lake Michigan breeze. Bear in mind that the month of June brings the most rainfall to Evanston. For slightly cooler – but nevertheless balmy – temperatures, travel in September, when highs hit the mid 70s. During winter, temperatures plummet below freezing, so a trip in this season will be largely spent in front of your Evanston vacation rental fireplace.
Evanston’s wilderness and beaches
Evanston is based 13 miles north from downtown Chicago itself – about a 30-minute drive, depending on traffic. To the north, Evanston is bordered by the peaceful residential village of Wilmette, and the larger village of Skokie to the west. Here, you’ll find the Skokie Lagoons marshland – a prime spot for boating and fishing, which is rich with lush plants and grasses, full of bass, pike, and catfish, and blessed by abundant birdlife. Evanston’s stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline, meanwhile, is specked with sandy beachfront and green public parks.
Traveling to and around Evanston
The nearest airport is in Chicago O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD), located 12.1 mi (19.5 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you could also fly into Chicago Midway Airport (MDW), which is 17.9 mi (28.9 km) away.
If you prefer to travel by train, Evanston Davis Street Station, Evanston Main Street Station and Evanston Central Street Station are the main stations that serve the city. You can get around Evanston by catching a ride on the metro at Davis Metro Station, Dempster Station or Foster Station.
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