It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Chicago’s western suburbs. Excellent schools, vibrant town centers, and community amenities from wide-open green spaces to top-rated restaurants are just a few of the reasons why so many homebuyers settle here. If you’re a new resident or are looking for homes for sale, you’ll want to learn as much as you can about the area. We’re happy to help! Here are some “hidden gems” that in-the-know residents visit again and again. 

Wagner Farms, Naperville

Open from 9 AM until 6 PM daily from around the middle of July through October 31, Wagner Farms sells fresh produce at their working farm at 9937  S. Route 59 in Naperville. In addition to their own homegrown vegetables, Wagner Farms offers produce from Michigan and Burlington, Illinois. At Wagner Farms, the focus is on providing customers with the best natural produce. They don’t use genetically-modified seeds, they hand pick their crops and they use practices that help reduce pesticide use. Insider tip: Wagner Farms sells honey made from their own hives.

Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville

Residents in the Chicagoland area who want to escape to nature need only to travel to Blackwell Forest Preserve off Butterfield Road in Warrenville. A 62-acre lake, nine miles of trails and a family-friendly campground with both tent and RV sites, Blackwell Forest Preserve is the place to enjoy a variety of activities. Take a hike with the kids, rent a kayak or go sledding. Open year-round, this well-maintained preserve opens one hour after sunrise and closes one hour after sunset. Insider tip: Trout fishing season at Blackwell opens on October 21.

Arcada Theatre, St. Charles

A landmark since 1926, the Arcada Theatre is a historic entertainment venue located on Main Street in St. Charles. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the theatre offers shows, events and live music. The 897-seat building also hosts family theatre events and festivals such as the Little Italy Fest-West. Onesti’s Club Arcada is a nightclub and restaurant that’s open daily for dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Insider tip: Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.

Saw Wee Kee Park Mountain Biking Trail, Oswego

Saw Wee Kee Park Mountain Biking Trail is part of the Oswegoland Park District in Oswego. The 5.5 miles of trails offer different routes, lots of hills and sharp turns to keep mountain bikers engaged. Insider tip: The trail is bounded by private property as well as the Fox River so taking a map of the area is a good idea for newcomers.

Sovereign Restaurant, Plainfield

The idea behind Sovereign Restaurant, which opened in 2014 on West Lockport Street in Plainfield, grew from the desire of its creators to put people back in touch with their food. Their “farm to fork”concept is based on daily trips to local farms, such as Wagner Farms in Naperville, to purchase the freshest ingredients possible. In addition to a lunch and dinner menu that changes depending on what’s in season and fresh, this restaurant also serves brunch, craft cocktails and craft beer daily. Insider tip: Sovereign is located nearby Lake Renwick Preserve, a favorite nesting location for great blue herons and great egrets and a great destination for a pre-lunch walk.

Bien Trucha Mexican Restaurant, Geneva

Finding authentic Mexican food in the suburbs of Chicago isn’t difficult when you head to Bien Trucha Mexican Restaurant in Geneva. Open for dinner and lunch from Tuesdays to Sundays, Bien Trucha is located on West State Street. Add a Mexican beer or a handcrafted mojito to a swordfish taco and you might never head back to Chicago for Mexican food again. Insider tip: Use their call-ahead system to get a table. This popular restaurant accepts only a limited number of reservations each night.