Welcome to Highland Park
Where luxury, culture, and nature come together
Majestic houses with views of Lake Michigan, stately homes in charming neighborhoods, and a bustling, vibrant downtown — this is North Shore living at its finest; this is Highland Park. This small city is over 150 years old and has a variety of architectural styles from different periods. There are historic Victorian houses, Prairie School homes, revival-style structures, and new modern builds. The varied designs work together to weave a rich tapestry, creating a beautiful picture of Highland Park’s past and present.
What to Love
- Urban vibe
- Community events
- Restaurants and shopping
- Easy commute
Local Lifestyle
Highland Park is filled with restaurants and shops, and they have an active music and art scene. This helps give the district an urban feel, which attracts a young crowd. Those who work in Chicago can ride the Metra for an easy commute. Parents like the city because it is family-friendly, with good schools and activities, including community events, parks, bike trails, and beaches. Locals enjoy living here so much that some homes are handed down from one generation to the next.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
With a casual, relaxing atmosphere, Bluegrass combines cajun and traditional American cuisine. They have seafood, burgers, and barbecue, something for every taste (the gumbo and the soup shooters are hometown favorites). From the outside, Viaggio does not look like something special, but once you step inside the mood changes. The dark wood and brick accents and the low lighting add a trace of romance to this Italian eatery. They serve traditional Italian food with large portion sizes. Chef Paulsen strives to make Abigail’s American Bistro a consummate dining affair. It has stylish decor and a city vibe. They use fresh, local ingredients with a changing seasonal menu. Locals cannot stop raving about this restaurant.
Annie Turbin is the flagship boutique of fashion designer Annie Turbin. The shop offers exclusive pieces for women from Turbin’s collection and select pieces from up-and-coming international designers. The Style Shack is a lifestyle boutique carrying home accents, jewelry, and personal accessories. Their stylists can assist you in finding the perfect accessories to complement your outfit. As you approach the entrance to Beanstalk, two toy soldiers stand at attention. Once inside, you will find an assortment of toys and books that will fill any child with wonder. The store hosts special events and allows children to play with toys before purchasing them.
Things to Do
Attracting more than 250,000 visitors, the Port Clinton Art Festival is a cannot-miss event. Artists specializing in different mediums come from all over to participate. Paintings, photographs, jewelry, and more can be found at this annual two-day event. The Bitter Jester Music Festival is held in Highland Park every year. The festival promotes new solo and group artists in a “battle of the bands”-style competition. It takes place downtown in June, with the grand finale competition culminating on July fourth before the fireworks display.
It seems like everyone shows up for Food Truck Thursdays. The party takes place at Jens Jensen Park during the summer. Food, drinks, and musical performances make it a fun time for singles and families. Jens Jensen Park hosts the Ravinia Farmers Market on Wednesdays from June through October. The market carries locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh baked goods, and other surprises. Support local farmers while enjoying nutritious food, interesting people, and acoustic music.
Highland Park has several public beaches. Dog owners love to walk their pets on the trails at Moraine Park. Rosewood Beach is the only beach where you can swim. There is a park above the bluff for kids, and a boardwalk runs the length of the beach. Concerts are performed at several venues at Ravinia. There are Pavilion and lawn seats for the Ravinia Festival, which has outdoor concerts of all genres.
The Martin Theatre has indoor seating with various music events. The Bennett Gordon Hall is open year-round and is a recital hall hosting solo and group musical artists. Meanwhile, the Ravinia Music Box features music and art installations using holographic images on a wraparound screen.
Schools
North Shore School District 112 and High School District 113 service the Highland Park area. Several area schools are shown below. One notable school, Deerfield High School, is a high-ranking institution and was named a National Blue Ribbon School for 2022. Students may attend:
