Summary
This affluent western suburb is situated approximately 25 miles west of the Chicago Loop, in an area rich with nature reserves and expansive parks.
One notable location in Wheaton is Cantigny Park, established in the 19th century by the publisher of the Chicago Tribune, which features two exceptional museums and splendid gardens to explore.
Indeed, there are several attractions in and around Wheaton that attract visitors from throughout the region, including the research-oriented Morton Arboretum and the DuPage County Museum located downtown.
Additionally, consider dedicating an hour or two to navigate through the downtown streets, where graceful historic buildings accommodate galleries, independent shops, and a diverse selection of restaurants.
1. Cantigny Park
Situated to the west of downtown Wheaton, this distinguished park was previously the estate of Joseph Medill (1823-1899), the publisher of the Chicago Tribune, and his notable grandson, Robert R. McCormick (1880-1955).
Shortly after McCormick’s death, the park was opened for public enjoyment and remains a multifaceted attraction.
Visitors can explore the Robert R. McCormick Museum, located in the 35-room mansion constructed by Medill in 1896-97. Furthermore, there exists an impressive museum dedicated to the 1st Infantry Division, which is detailed further in this article.
The park features a public 27-hole golf course, vast gardens and ornamental landscapes, a playground, picnic areas, a restaurant, and hiking trails.
Cantigny Park also hosts a variety of concerts, festivals, workshops, and lectures throughout the year, particularly in the summer months.
2. First Division Museum
The second museum within Cantigny Park focuses on the 1st Infantry Division of the United States Army, where Robert R. McCormick served as a colonel during World War I.
The museum, housed in a building designed by Andrew Rebori, is situated within the “Tank Park,” an outdoor space where impressive tanks and artillery from WWI to contemporary times are displayed alongside winding pathways.
Inside, visitors can explore engaging and immersive exhibits that showcase uniforms, weapons, equipment, and additional artifacts.
These exhibit narratives detail the history of the 1st Infantry Division from WWI through Vietnam and continuing from the 1970s to the present, with periodic special exhibits.
A significant event on the annual calendar includes a two-day Revolutionary War reenactment that occurs each September.
3. Downtown Wheaton
Well worth a leisurely walk, downtown Wheaton can be found along Main Street, Hale Street, and their intersecting thoroughfares.
This picturesque part of the town is characterized by its turn-of-the-century architecture and sidewalks adorned with trees and vintage-style lighting.
Visitors will be captivated by the abundance of flourishing independent businesses. The culinary offering is remarkably diverse, catering to various tastes, whether one desires Thai cuisine, pizza, sandwiches, crêpes, sushi, Vietnamese dishes, Mexican fare, Latin fusion, contemporary American meals, deli options, or delectable desserts ranging from cupcakes to ice cream.
Moreover, there exists a vibrant selection of local shops, including galleries, artist studios, day spas, flower shops, toy and gadget stores, bicycle shops, jewelers, and wine merchants.
4. DuPage County Historical Museum
This grand Richardsonian Romanesque structure in downtown Wheaton was designed by Charles Sumner Frost (1856-1931), renowned for his work on Chicago’s Navy Pier.
Completed in 1891, this building originally served as Wheaton’s first public library, constructed with rusticated limestone blocks and featuring imposing gables on each façade.
The DuPage County Historical Museum opened its doors in 1967, showcasing two galleries dedicated to permanent exhibits that narrate the county’s history, alongside three galleries for temporary displays.
One pivotal theme addressed is the significance of railroads in the local development, which includes a historic HO gauge model. The museum also provides a rich variety of events and programs, allowing for tours, summer camps, and an annual fundraising casino night.
5. Cosley Zoo
Located on the grounds of a historic train station, this zoo is operated by the Wheaton Park District and provides visitors the opportunity to observe native Illinois wildlife and domestic animals.
Across 20 exhibits spanning five acres, Cosley Zoo endeavors to recreate the animals’ natural environments. Among the species on display are bobcats, coyotes, white-tailed deer, red foxes, raccoons, and various snakes and turtles.
The zoo also features several domestic animals for engaging interactions, including miniature donkeys, Shetland ponies, Nubian goats, llamas, and Montadale sheep.
For details regarding daily activities, including opportunities to feed certain animals and learn about the resident coyote, visit the zoo’s website.
6. French Market
An event that adds vibrancy to downtown Wheaton during the spring and summer seasons is this immensely popular outdoor market.
Operating on Saturdays (from 8 am to 2 pm) from April through late November, the French Market features a rotating selection of fresh fruits and vegetables according to the season, as well as cheese, baked goods, honey, eggs, herbs, flowers, and a tempting array of prepared foods.
Depending on the week, visitors may find dishes such as gumbo, crêpes, hot dogs, fried chicken, and more, accompanied by a range of stalls offering artisan jewelry, fashion items, and unique gifts.
7. Illinois Prairie Path
Primarily located on the former railbed of the Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad (1902-1959), the Illinois Prairie Path became the nation’s inaugural rail-to-trail conversion when it was inaugurated in the early 1970s.
This initiative inspired a nationwide rail-to-trail movement, and as of the latest updates, the Illinois Prairie Path network encompasses more than 60 miles across DuPage County, along with portions of Kane and Cook Counties.
Wheaton serves as a central point, featuring three trailheads all in proximity to the Wheaton Train Station. From this location, visitors can cycle north into Lincoln Marsh towards Elgin, east through downtown Wheaton towards Forest Park, or southeast, past the prestigious Chicago Golf Club, extending to Aurora or Mooseheart.
8. The Morton Arboretum
Established nearby in Lisle in 1922 by the salt magnate Joy Morton, this cherished regional attraction is home to approximately 4,100 types of trees across its 1,700 acres.
The Morton Arboretum boasts a total of 222,000 plants, inviting visitors to explore this natural beauty alongside stunning outdoor art exhibitions along its 16 miles of trails.
One insightful way to experience the arboretum’s remarkable collections is through the Acorn Express, a road tram that traverses the woodland, wetlands, and prairies on a gentle, hour-long tour.
The Gateway to Tree Science functions as a fascinating living exhibit that details the arboretum’s vital tree research, while the Visitor Center showcases captivating exhibits from the arboretum’s extensive collections.
Highlights include several sub-gardens, such as the enchanting Children’s Garden, the living puzzle at the Maze Garden, and the serene May T. Watts Reading Garden.
9. Billy Graham Center Museum
The renowned Christian evangelist Billy Graham (1918-2018) significantly influenced American culture, spending sixty years on television and serving as a spiritual advisor to every president from Truman to Obama.
Graham graduated from Wheaton College in 1943, and the museum in his honor was inaugurated here in 1981.
While the college conducts its Bible and theology classes at the museum, visitors can also gain insight into Graham’s career and ministry, along with the broader narrative of Christian evangelism in the United States.
10. Blackwell Forest Preserve
Located to the west of Cantigny Park is a vast area of natural beauty extending into neighboring Warrenville.
Encompassing nearly 1,400 acres, Blackwell Forest Preserve ranks among the most popular in the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.
This gently undulating landscape features oak and hickory forests, wetlands, grasslands, and prairies, serving as a habitat for a variety of wildlife, including great blue herons, bald eagles, and red foxes.
Visitors can navigate the preserve’s trails on foot, by bike, on horseback, or via cross-country skis. Additionally, there exists a chain of ponds suitable for fishing. Boating, stand-up paddleboarding, and camping are also available at Blackwell Forest from May to September.
11. Northside Park
This cherished and spacious park is situated along the banks of Winfield Creek, which forms a picturesque pond.
During the winter months, this area becomes a sought-after location for ice skating, while a nearby hill provides opportunities for sledding and other snow-related activities.
As summer arrives, public swimming is available at the Northside Family Aquatic Center, which features a large pool and a kiddie pool.
The park also offers excellent fitness stations along its trails, as well as a playground filled with imaginative equipment, including a zip line.
12. Lincoln Marsh
This natural area is one of several in Wheaton that connects via the Illinois Prairie Path. Lincoln Marsh is situated near the DuPage County Fairgrounds, within walking distance to the west of downtown.
Covering 150 acres, this space features open water marshes, woodlands, prairies, and savanna, surrounded by urban development.
The marsh includes a network of trails composed of woodchip, boardwalks, or limestone. Visitors will find two elevated overlooks, bird blinds near the water, rustic benches made from fallen trees, informational kiosks, and an abundance of interpretive signage.
A unique feature is the Prairie Patch Play Area, which integrates local vegetation and landscape elements into a space designed for children’s play.
13. Dry City Brew Works
Distinct from other craft breweries, Dry City Brew Works is situated directly on N Main Street downtown, rather than in an industrial area on the outskirts.
This boutique operation’s smaller scale enables it to continually experiment with new beers, thus consistently refreshing its lineup.
Typically, there are at least six beers on tap, which generally include a Pale Ale, Porter, IPA, Golden Ale, German-style Weißbier, Belgian Dark Beer, and Stout.
On weekends, the brewery features live music and food pop-ups, while trivia nights are generally held on Wednesdays.
14. Kline Creek Farm
Located at the Timber Ridge Forest Preserve, just minutes from downtown Wheaton, Kline Creek Farm offers a glimpse into rural life in Illinois during the late 19th century.
This idyllic location features a series of restored farm structures, including a charming farmhouse and a barn.
Visitors can interact with costumed interpreters showcasing historical farming equipment and techniques, and the farm cares for a variety of domestic animals, such as Percheron workhorses, Southdown sheep, and chickens.
As a working farm, the activities conducted here shift with the seasons, involving sowing, tending to the orchard and kitchen garden, repairing wagons, curing sausages, and harvesting honey from the apiary.
15. DuPage County Fair
As the county seat, Wheaton is home to the fairgrounds located on the west side of town near the courthouse.
This five-day event, taking place in late July, has been a local tradition for more than 180 years and showcases Illinois rural life in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere, attracting upwards of 100,000 attendees.
A carnival operates throughout the event, accompanied by an array of entertainment and activities, including animal displays, competitions, art exhibitions, demonstrations, market vendors, pig racing, street performers, horsemanship, live music, delicious food options, monster trucks, and much more.
