Riverside

Riverside features winding streets inspired by the Des Plaines River that gives the town its name. It's all thanks to Frederick Law Olmsted and his partner's design in what would become the country's first planned community. One result is a series of triangular mini-park as the streets wind around and across one another around homes ranging from turn-of-the-century mansions to bungalows from the 20s. Adding to the charm are gas street lanterns in the architecture district. No wonder Riverside's 8,000+ residents love living here. Modern amenities, like exceptional restaurants and local boutiques in the town center, as well as well-regarded schools, make Riverside a consistently popular suburb. Commuters and city-goers can travel into Chicago from the historic train station by Metra.