Welcome to Evanston
Vibrant urban college town.
Located on the shore of Lake Michigan, the first community north of Chicago, Evanston is famous for being the setting and location of many of John Hughes’ iconic films. Evanston is widely seen as a wonderful place to live. A vibrant college town with an engaged community, Evanston has a diverse mix of amenities with a booming restaurant scene and a downtown shopping area. It’s home to the eleventh-best university in the nation, Northwestern University, so education is a priority here, and the public school system is highly regarded.
What to Love
- A college town with a booming economy
- Many beaches and water activities available
- Small businesses along the Main-Dempster Mile, Evanston Central Street District, and Downtown Evanston
- Environmentally friendly with an array of transportation options
Local Lifestyle
Evanston has been planned to be extremely walkable and bikeable with nearby amenities. It also has a robust public transportation system. This lakefront town is full of natural beauty and has plenty of green spaces and parks. Many community organizations put on events that help residents to feel like they are part of something special.
Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping
Evanston is a great place to call home and visit, and it’s famed in the area for its thriving downtown restaurant scene.
Voted best Asian cuisine in the area six years running, Koi Fine Asian Cuisine and Lounge is located in the thriving downtown area and offers residents and visitors an exceptional menu matched by exceptional service.
Another staple located in the Main Street area of Evanston, Campagnola is known for serving sophisticated yet rustic Italian cuisine and its commitment to simple dishes made with seasonal, locally grown ingredients. A personal favorite is Cross-Rhodes Restaurant, which serves delicious Greek fare like pitas and gyros.
An eclectic, funky diner that has been a perennial local favorite for 30 years, The Lucky Platter loves to shake things up with an often-changing menu of creative takes on comfort classics made from scratch daily.
Found takes its responsibility as a part of Evanston and the human community seriously. Featuring locally sourced organic foods with recycled and repurposed decor and a commitment to using staffing opportunities to support people rebounding from homelessness, this restaurant personifies the dedication to others that is such a strong force in this community. Their sister restaurant, The Barn, is a fantastic steakhouse located in a former stable; all meals are prepared using the highest quality ingredients, meats, and angus beef. It’s also a great place to go for cocktails.
Things to Do
If you’re looking to get to know Evanston’s food scene, check out the annual Taste of Evanston event, which features delicious food and drink from Evanston's most popular restaurants, local breweries, and wine shops. Funds from the event support two respected local nonprofits and the ongoing philanthropic projects of the Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club.
The Starlight Concert and Movie series is another fun way to get together with the community and takes advantage of Evanston’s many green spaces.
Fitting for a community with a reputation for being highly bikeable with lots of green spaces, the annual Bike the Ridge festival is a popular event. This festival opens up parts of town that do not usually have bike access. It’s a great way to connect with friends and neighbors!
Evanston is home to many cultural institutions and an active art community. The Evanston Art and Big Fork Festival is a well-attended event art festival that brings local artists together with the broader community.Schools
From higher education to highly rated elementary, middle, and high schools, Evanston residents have access to an excellent education system.
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Evanston Township High School has been rated one of the best high schools in America by U.S. News & World Report four times in the past ten years.
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Northwestern University is rated the 11th-best university in the United States.
