Whether you need a break from city life or want to explore the local Chicago suburbs, Glen Ellyn, IL, is the perfect escape. The Village of Glen Ellyn has plenty of parks to unwind and a downtown area with highly rated, locally owned shops and restaurants.
Learn more about Glen Ellyn, its top neighborhood highlights, and why it’s worth visiting.
Where is Glen Ellyn, IL?
Glen Ellyn is a village in DuPage County, IL. It’s nestled between the surrounding suburbs of Wheaton, Lombard, Lisle, and Downers Grove. The commute to downtown Chicago from Glen Ellyn is minimally 45 minutes by train, closer to an hour+ by car, and 25 miles west. It also has its own Metra station and PACE commuter buses, allowing visitors and Chicago residents to travel easily.
The Village of Glen Elyn is a suburban getaway for a reason. This area has 29 parks with stunning natural scenery to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s a beautiful suburb with gorgeous forestry and neighborhoods that attract residents to move here. Yet, it offers plenty of activities at the same time with entertaining local destinations.
In fact, Glen Ellyn made Niche’s list of the 2024 Best Suburbs to Live in Illinois, with highly sought-after school districts as a top-ranking factor. Glen Ellyn is more than your average suburb.
5 Things to Do in Glen Ellyn, IL: The Best Local Destinations
Below are the five best things to do in Glen Elyn with public transit directions.
1. Visit Downtown Glen Ellyn
Credit: Discover DuPage
Glen Ellyn has a historic downtown area with vintage boutiques and award-winning restaurants. You’ll find beautiful public art murals throughout the area, with specialty antique shops and locally-owned places to eat that you won’t find anywhere else.
Downtown Glen Ellyn also hosts seasonal events and festivals year-round, including:
•Annual Festival of the Arts
•Friday Summer Concert Series
•Glen Ellyn Restaurant Week
•Great Winter Indoor Sidewalk Sale
It has a convenient location for visitors requiring public transportation. The Glen Ellyn Metra station takes you to the heart of downtown via the Union Pacific West (UP-W) Line. For drivers, downtown Glen Ellyn is on Main St, between Crescent Blvd and Pennsylvania Ave.
2. Soak in Nature at Lake Ellyn Park
Credit: Glen Ellyn Park District
Among the top-rated recreational destinations in Glen Ellyn is Lake Ellyn Park. You can explore over 28 acres, including loop trails, picnic/grill areas, a kid’s playground, and a boathouse with lakefront views for special events.
The Main/Linden bus stop is the closest public transit option via Bus 715 and is a seven-minute walk.
3. Tee Off at Glen Ellyn’s Gorgeous Golf Courses
Credit: Village Links of Glen Ellyn Website
The Village of Glen Ellyn is home to incredible golf venues. At Village Links of Glen Ellyn, you can enjoy nine-hole or 18-hole golf courses with beautifully maintained facilities and year-round dining at Reserve 22. It’s the hosting location for 48 PGA tours and USGA events, with numerous leagues and extensive junior programming available.
The closest public transit option is the Park/Sheehan/Winchell bus stop via Bus 715, a nine-minute walk to the entrance.
If you want a family-friendly golf outing, you can enjoy miniature golf at Holes & Knolls. It’s located within Maryknoll Park and has two seasonal 18-hole mini golf courses for all skill levels. The Maryknoll Clubhouse also has a concession stand for small bites and hosts events like children’s birthday parties. Since both golf venues are Glen Ellyn district facilities, they offer lower fees than your traditional ones.
The nearest public transit station to Holes & Knolls is the 751 Roosevelt Rd bus stop, taking less than a 10-minute walk via Bus 301.
4. The Moron Arboretum
Credit: The Morton Arboretum Website
Adventure south of Glen Ellyn to Lisle, and you’ll find The Morton Arboretum. Known as “The Champion of Trees,” it’s a massive public garden and world-renowned center for scientific research on trees and how to protect them.
The Morton Arboretum is perfect for all ages, with plenty of onsite activities and exhibitions, including:
•Guided tram tours on its global tree/flower collections and tree cultivation education
•Immersive children’s garden with giant tree root slides, secret streams, and hands-on learning
•16 miles of hiking trails throughout the 1,700-acre grounds
•Seasonal events like the Fall Color Festival, 5K Run and Walk, and more
The Glen Ellyn Metra takes you to the Lisle Metra station, a four-minute drive to the entrance via the BNSF Line.
5. Get the Best Local Glen Ellyn Eats
Below are some of the best places to eat in Glen Elyn, ranging from quick service to sit-down restaurants, and how to get there.
Blackberry Market
Credit: Blackberry Market Website
One of the hottest dining spots in Glen Ellyn right now is Blackberry Market. It’s a fast, casual cafe and bakery serving non-processed, handmade, and fresh food. From traditional breakfast sandwiches to gluten-free baked goods and premium coffee, the options are nourishing and delicious. Whether you choose coconut curry sweets, maple mustard Brussels sprouts, or chipotle sweet potatoes, any dish will satisfy any craving.
Blackberry Market is in the heart of downtown Glen Ellyn, with close access to public transit. The Glen Ellyn Metra is a five-minute walk via the UP-W Line. Multiple bus stops are also within a five-minute walk, including Main/Pennsylvania and Crescent/Forest/Glen Ellyn Metra.
fire + wine
Credit: fire + wine Website
As one of the top-rated restaurants in downtown Glen Ellyn, fire + wine is a must-try. It’s a wood-fired pizzeria that also serves quality Italian entrees. They have unique pizza flavors like fig & prosciutto and wild mushroom pies. Their New Zealand lamb chops with gorgonzola crust and smoked trout dip are also mouthwateringly delicious.
If you’re traveling from out of town and need public transportation, the Glen Ellyn Metra is only a three-minute walk via the UP-W Line.
A Toda Madre
Credit: A Toda Madre Website
At A Toda Madre, you’ll find authentic Mexican cuisine with locally sourced ingredients and seasonal menus. They serve brunch, lunch, and dinner, including hand-shaken cocktails from top tequilas, mezcals, and agave-based spirits. From octopus aquachiles to pastor marinated pork with pineapple pico and tres leches, you’ll surely have a flavor explosion with any dish.
Since A Toda Madre is a downtown Glen Ellyn restaurant, the Glen Ellyn Metra is a six-minute walk away via the UP-W Line if you require public transit.
Marché
Credit: Marché Website
For you cheese and meat lovers, Marché is the spot for you. It’s a cut-to-order artisan cheese and charcuterie shop with small-batch wines and spirits. You can customize your own charcuterie boards from 12 cheese and six meat options, with add-ons available. Their signature sandwiches, like the Italian artichokes with lemon ricotta and smoked rosemary ham with house-made pimento cheese, take your lunches to the next level.
Marché is also a restaurant in downtown Glen Ellyn with close access to public transit. The Glen Ellyn Metra station is a six-minute walk via the UP-W Line.
Settle Into the Glen Ellyn Suburbs with TLC Management Co.
Thinking about settling into Glen Ellyn or the surrounding suburbs? TLC Management is here to make your move as easy as possible.
We own and manage over 36 properties around and within Chicago, each with unique accommodations for all lifestyles. As a local company, we know the ins and outs of the Chicago suburbs and are committed to finding you the best apartment for rent in Glen Ellyn or nearby.
Our Arbors of Glen Ellyn Apartments offer convenient and comfortable amenities, including:
•Oversized windows and walk-in closets with five spacious floor plans
•Sand volleyball court, swimming pool with a sundeck, and BBQ/picnic areas
•Flexible lease terms and planned resident social events
Searching for places to rent around the Glen Ellyn area?
Browse our Chicago suburb listings or contact us at info@chicagorentals.com to start your move today!
