Excellent schools, quiet neighborhoods, and one of the top shopping and dining areas in Chicagoland (“The Glen Town Center”) make Glenview a suburban village that’s easy to love!
Mostly farmland until 50 years ago, Glenview has gone through a startling transformation in the last 20 years. The biggest change was the construction of The Glen Town Center. Once the Glenview Naval Air Station, “The Glen” is now an attraction across the north suburbs for its movie theaters, big-name retailers, and restaurants. That’s not all there is to this charming village, however.
With some of the best schools in Illinois, a beautiful parks system, and lovely homes — Glenview is the full package.
Glenview Village Guide
Glenview is a distinctly modern suburb featuring sprawling commercial areas, busy intersections, and charming tree-lined neighborhoods. But with lovely natural areas, great schools, and an array of amenities–it also offers residents classic suburban charm.
Great Eats
Glenview has become a restaurant hotspot in recent years. Featuring a variety of restaurant styles and cuisines, the village offers everything from fine dining to familiar chains and Chicago dives. Local favorites include Jölane’s, a date night spot serving contemporary food with a European flair, and Hackney’s, a family restaurant famous for its burgers, beer, and delicious onion loaf.
Everyone loves the Walker Brothers Pancake House, just named one of the ten best pancakes houses in the nation. The area also has its fair share of comfy neighborhood bars including the Glenview House, for an extensive wine list and cocktails, and Meier’s Tavern, a great local dive.
What’s Nearby?
Since the construction of “The Glen”, Glenview has become a northern suburban shopping destination. The state-of-the-art shopping and entertainment area features national retailers, local boutiques, and great restaurants. For entertainment, the area offers several golf courses, a 10-screen movie theater, and the Kohl’s Children’s Museum.
The community also has some unique assets. The Grove is a 145-acre nature and historic area. Visitors can enjoy an authentic log cabin, a nature center, and lovely hiking trails. Wagner Farm is one of the last working dairy farms in Cook County. A great asset for the local schools –kids and adults alike can explore ice cream parlor, greenhouse, and an authentic 1930s grocery store.
Wagner Farm also hosts the Glenview Farmer’s Market and live musical performances in the summer. The local community comes together every June for the annual Glenview Summer Festival. Featuring live music, great food, and artists displaying the work, the festival is fun for all ages.
That’s not all–Glenview is close to great north suburban attractions like downtown Evanston, the Old Orchard Mall in Skokie, and beautiful Lake Michigan beaches.
The Great Outdoors
Surrounded on the east and west by nature preserves and with one of Chicagoland’s best park districts, sports and nature lovers appreciate their community. Residents enjoy 26 parks and nearly 850 acres of parkland. With youth sports, arts programming, and pristine sports fields, tennis/basketball courts, the community is well served.
Community amenities include the Park Center, an award-winning community center featuring an indoor waterpark, gyms and a fitness center, several public golf courses, and the Glenview Ice Center.
Glenview History
Becoming Glenview
Glenview, originally named South Northfield, was first settled by Euro-American farmers in the 1830s. The 82-acre plot of one of these first families, known as “The Grove”, is maintained as a National Historic Landmark. After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, mainly Chicagoans relocated with the help of the recently constructed Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad (today used by the Metra). In 1895, with a vote of 52-46, the village was renamed Glenview. In 1899, with a population of 351, Glenview was incorporated.
From Farms to a Modern Suburb
In the early 20th century, the village took on characteristics of a modern suburb. Farmland was gradually converted into residential developments, golf courses, schools, and commercial districts. During World War II, Glenview became home to a U.S. Naval Base, eventually training 17,000 pilots during the war. In the 1950s, many Chicagoans moved into the area and the population swelled. The last working commercial farm closed in 1995.
Glenview Today
The final piece of the modern Glenview came in 1995. The Glen Town Center, built on the recently closed Glenview Naval Air Station, has become the village’s hub of commerce with movie theaters, major retailers, and several residential neighborhoods. Major businesses including Kraft Foods, Zenith Electronics, and Scott, Foresman & Co. have also moved their headquarters to the area. The lovely village, now with over 47,000 residents, has grown into an exciting modern suburb.
Glenview Homes
Glenview offers residents a variety of strong home options ranging from older homes to brand new construction. Like most suburbs, the majority of the housing stock consists of single-family homes. These range from single-story and split-levels, through two-story Prairie-style and Colonials, all the way to sprawling multi-million dollar estates.“The Glen” is a unique, pedestrian-friendly residential development near shops, restaurants, and attractions.
Glenview offers potential residents a great, welcoming and family-friendly community to put down roots. With great schools and lovely parks, Glenview offers the perks of the suburbs. But with “The Glen” development, it also has the attractions of a bigger city. Come check it out!
