About Winnetka

Winnetka is a quintessential Midwest town located just 30 minutes north of Chicago along Lake Michigan.  It is characterized by large trees, lovely older (and many newer) homes, sidewalks, parks, and beaches.

One of the major draws of Winnetka is its proximity to downtown Chicago either by Metra Rail or car.  There are three train stations in town making it the most convenient and affordable way to commute to work.  The trains run often and are remarkably on schedule. Check the Winnetka train schedule here.

Schools in Winnetka are top rated and feed into New Trier High School, one of the best high schools in the state of Illinois. There are three elementary schools for K-4 grades:  Hubbard Woods, Crow Island, and Greeley.  After that, all students come together at Skokie School for grades 5-6, and then Washburn Junior High for grades 7-8.  There are also several private schools – North Shore Country Day,  Saints Faith Hope & Charity, and Sacred Heart.

 There are three swimming beaches in Winnetka – Tower Road, Maple, and Elder.  In addition, Lloyd Beach is for boating and sailing, and Centennial Beach is just for dogs.  Tower Road Beach is the largest with concessions, bathrooms, and play lots.  The beaches generally open in early June and close in September – entrance can be purchased daily or beach passes for the season are also available.







And parks?  I'm not sure I can name them all, but there will definitely be a park nearby your home. 

 








Winnetka has several vibrant shopping areas including East Elm, West Elm and Hubbard Woods. A variety of local boutiques, grocery stores, and coffee houses can be found in all three, plus cafes and restaurants.  A popular breakfast and lunch spot is Cafe Buongiorno at 566 Chestnut that serves up made-from-scratch pancakes, omeletes, muffins, and lunch fare. 

Getting back to that Midwestern charm – Winnetka offers many diversions, especially during the summer months.  There are evening concerts on the lawn at Hubbard Woods Park, Fourth of July fireworks at Duke Childs Field, parades, outdoor ice skating, tennis, jogging and biking trails, and a myriad of other activities.  June brings the 2-day Children's Fair to the Village Green for rides, games, contests and hot dogs.

Winnetka is home to many historic homes, some that have survived from the mid 1800s.  The Winnetka Historical Society has a fine display of the early history of Winnetka, which was originally settled as early as 1836.  There has been much controversy in Winnetka lately over the issue of teardowns and the true "historicness" of homes.  Architectural styles are plentiful including Queen Anne, Tudor, Victorian Gothic, Arts and Crafts, Prairie and even some bungalows. 


The current population of Winnetka is approximately 12,300 and the median home price range is $1,350,000.  Houses for sale in Winnetka range from condos listed in the mid $100,000s up to  $6-10 million for beachfront mansions.  There are many different condo and townhome complexes for sale or rent as well.  There are winding, meandering streets throughout Woodley Road, beachfront homes along Sheridan Road,  and everything in between in this lovely village of Winnetka.

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