Nestled in the quiet suburbs of the Chicago-land area, Northbrook is undoubtedly a gem of not just the Prairie state but the entire Midwest region. Before anything else, the first thing you’ll notice is the hospitality of the people. Northbrook is a small enough town that you’ll feel at ease walking the well-paved sidewalks in the early morning while simultaneously taking in the charming atmosphere, yet also large enough a place that you wouldn’t feel trapped in a “small-town” atmosphere void of interesting shops, restaurants, or other attractions.
If shopping is your thing, then look no further. Northbrook has something for everyone. If you’re looking for cheap knick-knacks, there’s a Dollar Tree right in the neighborhood. If you love malls, then you’ll love the Northbrook Court. It’s an expansive mall of around 130 acres which contains both the affordable options for clothes shopping such as: Macy’s, J.C. Penny, etc…; and also all of the brand name fashion retailers such as: Lord& Taylor, Victoria’s Secret, J.Crew, and Louis Vuitton (just to name a few). However, if fashion isn’t really your thing, have no fear! There’s an Apple Store for the tech lovers, a Lego store for the kid in all of us, and more specialty shops than I can list. But, if you’d prefer to just relax, there is a spa available right in the mall. It doesn’t matter how diverse your interest is, chances are, there’s something here for you. But if you do get bored, Northbrook is only a short drive from Chicago!
Of course, there’s more to Northbrook than just shopping. If you’d prefer for the fun to be indoors, we have one of the best theaters available in our mall and a bowling alley with bocce and bistro included nearby. However, if you’re the more into the outdoors, we have a fairly large park/playground in the Village Green, which is right next to downtown Northbrook and all its shops and diners.
However, your “can’t miss” park is within biking distance. The Chicago Botanic Garden is only a few miles away and is open every day of the year with free admission. This 385-acre garden has over 2.5 million plants and nearly a million visitors every year! There are a total of 25 display gardens, 4 natural habitats, and included is a multitude of architecturally stunning buildings.
Besides the garden, the architecture of the Northbrook Public Library is also worthy of note. A building of very modern construction, this library is anything but average with its white and silver outer appearance with an interior that allows for an abundance of natural light through its large windows on the second and third floors.
After a long day of shopping and exploring, you’re probably pretty hungry. You’ll definitely be impressed with the diverse eating experience that Northbrook offers. If you love pizza, you have to eat at Lou Malnati’s. There’s about a 30-minute wait for your deep-dish delight, but it’s certainly worth it. They make the pizza from scratch, and trust me when I say they know what they’re doing. Their pizza is legendary not only in Northbrook, but in the entire Chicago-land area! But, if you’re lactose-intolerant or just don’t like pizza (which is impossible, in my personal opinion); there’s no shortage of other options. Chinese food, Japanese food, Thai food, sandwich shops, Mexican food, I could go on and on about the choices you have available.
In the end, all you have to do fully enjoy Northbrook is to not just stay in your hotel. Whatever you choose to do, I know you’ll have fun doing it.
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