Home Magazine Articles Guides Videos Galleries Sitemap

Skokie

Overview

First settled by German immigrants as Niles Centre, Skokie was renamed in 1940 to become a part of Chicago’s North Shore community. Just west of Evanston, Skokie thrives off that same vibrant, modern lifestyle common to Chicago’s suburbs, while managing to maintain a small-town feel.

Shopping

Stand-alone shops and home decor stores are rife in Skokie, but the 900-pound gorilla here is definitely the Westfield Shoppingtown Old Orchard. Major shopping stores call it home, and shoppers wander through what is one of the largest outdoor shopping malls in the country.

Dining/Nightlife

The seasonal Farmer’s Market is located right in the heart of the village, at 5127 Oakton St. Also worth a visit is Sculpture Park at Dempster St. & McCormick Blvd. They all contribute to the warm community atmosphere that you’ll experience while visiting Skokie, which is also apparent at the dining establishments here.

Culture & Attractions

If cultural pursuits are more your speed, the North Shore Center for Performing Arts is a Skokie favorite. The Skokie Park District also maintains a fairly extensive network of natural areas and lagoons, so it's not a common sight to leave the hustle and bustle only to see a family fishing from a nearby bridge.

The Down Low

This neighborhood is ever-bustling today, and has a somewhat turbulent history as one of the epicenters of the civl rights movement thanks to discrimination against the large Jewish community that calls Skokie home. That strife seems to be in the area's past, as it is now a must-visit destination.