Antioch, IL

Antioch sits right on the edge of the Chain O' Lakes, just south of the Wisconsin border. Originally established as a small mill town in the 1830s, it blossomed into a popular summer getaway when the railroad arrived in the late 19th century. Chicagoans flocked here by train to escape the summer heat, staying in lakeside cottages, boarding houses, and resort hotels. Today, the town keeps that easygoing vacation-town spirit, with historic brick storefronts lining Main Street and quiet reminders of its resort past scattered throughout the neighborhoods.

ATTRTheCatalyst31 / CC BY-SA 4.0

Main Street serves as the local gathering spot, filled with neighborhood restaurants, independent boutiques, coffee shops, and the long-running PM&L Theatre. For everyday errands and big grocery runs, commercial centers sit just down the road along Route 173. Commuting is straightforward as well. The Antioch depot marks the northern end of Metra's North Central Service, giving residents a direct weekday train ride into downtown Chicago, while drivers have convenient access to Interstate 94 for trips across Lake County or up toward Milwaukee.

ATTRSteve Shook from Moscow, Idaho, USA / CC BY 2.0

Life in Antioch naturally revolves around the water and the outdoors. Chain O' Lakes State Park is right nearby, giving boaters, kayakers, anglers, and campers plenty of ways to enjoy the lakes and the Fox River. Surrounding forest preserves like Raven Glen and Ethel's Woods offer quiet miles of scenic trails for walking, running, and biking. The community calendar stays full year-round, too, featuring weekly farmers markets, summer concerts in the park, lively fall festivals, and family traditions like the annual holiday train rides.