The Evanston center point is about 1 mile southwest of Northwestern University and 1 mile south of Ryan Field.
The weather in Evanston is best in summer, and there are plenty of fun events. However, hotel prices are usually higher because the city has more visitors on vacation and for business events. If you're not visiting for a special event, try to see Evanston in spring or fall, when the weather is still nice but hotel rates are lower. Here are some of the events you can experience in summer.
The Custer Fair in June hosts over 300 local and regional artists, craftspeople, and vendors. Over 30 additional food vendors offer a full international menu with old favorites and new cuisine. You can also enjoy performances on three stages. The Festival Stage features some of the area's jazz legends, the Arena Stage shows theater, music, and novelty performers, and kids can get free balloon sculptures and face painting in Eiden Park on Washington Avenue.
The Chicago Food Truck Festival near Evanston is also in June. It has over 50 gourmet food trucks, games, live music, drinks, and more. The annual Brew To Be Wild tasting event at the Lincoln Park Zoo lets people who buy a tasting pass try over 75 specialty brews from more than 35 local and regional breweries. Visitors can also enjoy food, music, and lawn games. The Evanston History Center hosts its annual ice cream social in July, with free tours of the Dawes House, live music, ice cream, a magic show, and face painting for kids. You can even bring your children to the My Little Pony Fair and Convention that's also in July.
If you know where to stay, you'll be able to take advantage of great discounts during your trip to Evanston. Best Western Morton Grove Inn is only about five miles away from the middle of Evanston near Golf Mill Shopping Center. The rooms have cable LCD TVs, free wireless internet access, desks, and complimentary newspapers. There's also a 24-hour fitness center, a 24-hour front desk with multilingual staff, laundry facilities, and a free continental breakfast. The hotel was just renovated, and kids 12 and under can stay with their parents free. Business owners who sign up for Best Western's Business Advantage program will get 10 percent off their stay, along with their employees. AARP members, AAA members, and guests who are 55 or older will get 10 percent off as well. Tax-funded hospital and university employees, government contractors, active members of the military, and federal or state government employees will receive discounted rates with valid identification.
Super 8 Morton Grove/Chicago is also near the Golf Mill Shopping Center. The rooms have free wireless internet access, satellite TV, and desks. The bathrooms have hair dryers and the lobby has complimentary newspapers. The front desk is open 24 hours, and there's a free continental breakfast and a 24-hour business center. Active and retired members of the military and their spouses get a 15 percent discount with a valid military ID. AARP member can save up to 20 percent, and AAA members get 10 percent off. People 60 and over also get 10 percent off. Group discounts are available if you reserve 10 rooms or more. Government employees and some corporate employees can also get discounts.
Evanston has several mid-range hotels that are a good value for your money. Days Inn Chicago is near Wrigley Field and Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. The rooms look clean and modern, and they have flat-screen satellite TVs, free wireless internet access, and safes big enough for your laptop. There's also a free continental breakfast, free newspapers in the lobby, a 24-hour front desk with multilingual staff, a health club, a computer station, a meeting room, and laundry and dry cleaning services. An airport shuttle is available 24 hours per day for an extra fee.
Holiday Inn Chicago North Shore is less than five miles from the center of Evanston, near Skokie Theatre and Emily Oaks Nature Center. The rooms have refrigerators, microwaves, complimentary wireless internet access, satellite TV, safes, and desks. The hotel also has 15,000 square feet of conference space, meeting rooms, laundry service, fitness facilities, a bar, a restaurant, an indoor pool, a spa tub, a terrace, a gift shop, and a convenience store. There's a complimentary shuttle within 5 miles of the hotel, and children can stay and eat free.
There are lots of entertaining activities available in Evanston and the city is close to Chicago for even more fun. The Piccolo Theatre inside the Evanston Arts Depot shows live, family friendly comedies. The Skokie Sculpture Park along the western bank of the Chicago River is great for jogging, walking, or biking. The park has over 80 sculptures, and a cluster of international flags honors the diverse groups living in the community.
The Kohl Children's Museum near Evanston has interactive exhibits that kids will love. The Baha'i House of Worship is one of only seven Baha'i temples in the world. Formal gardens surrounded the beautiful dome and daily tours of the sanctuary are available.
It's tough to explore everything Evanston has to offer, but you can find great food, entertainment, and scenery no matter what your itinerary includes. With the right hotel for your budget, you can have a relaxing, memorable trip.
Below are reviews of the city of Evanston, IL from an actual visitor's perspective.
Safe neighborhood to walk the streets after dark even when elderly.
Evanston felt like a wonderful small town with interesting shops and restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. There was a fantastic farmers' market next to the hotel on Saturday. A little gathering place had musicians playing, there were artists creating their original art on the sidewalk. The streets were clean and free of graffiti. I felt safe walking around by myself. Truly a beautiful and diverse city.
It is a nice suburb. For comparison I'd say it reminds me of Princeton, NJ. We only had one appointment there, so didn't get much experience in the area. They have a Starbucks & lots of little stores and cafes. They are in little storefronts. Streets have lots of 2 hour parking spots.
Lots of food and shops within walking distance. Was good for accommodating our large group (50+ people).
There wasn't a whole lot immediately around the hotel (i.e. within walking distance, but there were plenty of stores, restaurants, etc. within a 5-10 minute drive, depending on what you were looking for. Didn't really explore Evanston.