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1

River Forest METRA Station

River Forest is a Metra commuter railroad station in River Forest, a western suburb of Chicago, on the Union Pacific/West Line. Trains go east to Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago and as far west as Elburn, Illinois. Travel time to Ogilvie is 20 to 24 minutes. As of 2018, River Forest is the 107th busiest of the 236 non-downtown stations in the Metra system, with an average of 448 weekday boardings.[1]The station is at Central Avenue and Thatcher Avenue. The surrounding neighborhood is mostly characterized by single-family homes, baseball fields and tennis courts. Pace suburban buses stop one block to the north on Lake Street. To the east is an overpass that carries the Canadian National Railway's Waukesha Subdivision into Forest Park where the line rechristens itself to the CSX Altenheim Subdivision (B&OCT).The station building was originally built in 1915[citation needed] by the Chicago and North Western Railway and is also the River Forest Park District headquarters.Find train schedules here.Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Forest_station

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Trailside Museum

Housed in a vintage Victorian mansion, the Trailside museum is a gem of a tiny museum. Frequent programing for both children and adults help to reorient visitors to see the nature around them. Walk its trails, kayak, visit the museum, even play or listen to bluegrass music! This is one great little place.For more information go to: https://fpdcc.com/places/locations/trailside-museum-natural-history/

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Trailside Pavillion

The Pavillion is surrounded by fields and is a great place to picnic, hold a small gathering, or just go commune with nature. In the winter local bluegrass musicians meet once a month to play together.Check their website for rental information and activities: https://fpdcc.com/places/locations/trailside-museum-natural-history/Added benefit: I taught all 3 of my daughters how to parallel park in their parking lot!

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Dominican University/Performing Arts Center

Dominican University (DU) is a Catholic university in River Forest, Illinois affiliated with the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees, certificate programs, and a PhD in information studies. Dominican University offers more than 50 majors in the Rosary College of Arts and Sciences and 20 programs in five graduate academic divisions, offering graduate programs in library and information science, business, education, and social work.[5] Dominican university also has a School of Professional and Continuing Studies.Dominican also has a great Performing Arts Center that hosts nationally known artists, as well as local and student performances.Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_University_(Illinois)Dominican University Website: https://www.dom.edu/

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Alpine Food Shop

Located just across the Village boarder in Elmwood Park is the home of the best Italian Submarine sandwich, Alpine Food Shop. Call ahead or stop by for one of their original sandwiches. You won't be disappointed.

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Johnnie's Beef

In Chicago, every town has its favorite go-to place for Italian Beef. In River Forest, it's Johnnie's. Great Beef, Great Sasauge, even better Italian Ice! Check out Steve Dolinski's review!7500 W. North Avenue.

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River Forest Public Library

The River Forest Public Library opened its doors in 1905, in a small store front property on Park Avenue. The current library building, designed by Prairie School architect, William Eugene Drummond, was completed in 1929. An addition to the building was added in 1989. A more complete history of the Library can be found on the River Forest Public Library website.The library is a designated significant property, as determined in a 2013 survey commissioned for the Village of River Forest Historic Preservation Commission.[1]Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Forest_Public_Library

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Roosevelt Middle School

Roosevelt Middle School serves fifth through eighth grades, with an enrollment of around 600 students. Excellent academics, an environment suffused with the arts, dedicated staff, conscientious parents, and caring students are just a few of the qualities that make our school special. Find school report card here.

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WIllard Elementary School

From the school website: Francis Willard School is home to about 370 wonderful students in Pre-K - 4th grade. Willard’s school culture and community reflect the spirit of being a true neighborhood school! Children are at the heart of everything we do and our families and staff are passionate about working together to foster a caring, child-centered school community that supports individualized learning for students.As our talented faculty and staff collaborate to prepare students for success throughout and beyond their academic career, they are also committed to igniting children’s natural curiosity, wonder and desire to learn. Engaging children in building their content knowledge in all areas also involves high levels of student peer collaboration as children work together, learn together and play together. Our Willard Wizards follow The Willard Way:Be Safe Be Respectful Be Responsible Be Your BestWe invite you to learn more about our school by exploring our website. You can also reach us by calling Willard School at 708-366-6740 or by email. Find school report card here.

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River Forest Town Center

Businesses include:Noodles & Co.Boston ChickenCitiBankWalgreensStarbucksMen's Clothing WarehouseWhole FoodsPetCoDSW ShoesPanera...and more!

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Jewel Foods

From Apples to Zantac Jewel has it!

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Lincoln Elementary School

From the school website: Lincoln School is home to the Eagles, an exemplary teaching staff, and a supportive school community. We often refer to ourselves as The Lincoln School Family, and it is our desire that all who enter our doors experience the intimate and welcoming atmosphere that makes our school so special!We are a humble recipient of the 2015 National Blue Ribbon Award recognizing exemplary student achievement, innovative instruction, and collaborative relationships with all school stakeholders and community members. With the strong support of our Parent Teacher Organization, our staff works diligently to provide Lincoln School students with an academic experience that is rigorous and differentiated, and prepares them to be twenty-first century learners. School safety is a top priority at our school. In conjunction with local law enforcement, Lincoln students, staff, and community participate in regular safety drills that enable us to be adequately prepared for any type of emergency.At Lincoln, we are committed to consistent, positive, and informative communication. We welcome any and all inquiries about our school and hope you have a memorable experience while visiting us.Find the school report card here.

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Exit Strategy Brewing

For really great burgers and brew, try Exit Strategy! All beer is brewed on site. While technically in Forest Park, no passports are required to enter.

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Good Earth Greenhouse and Cafe

I love the Good Earth Greenhouse and Cafe! There's all sorts of great food, drinks availble plus plants, floral arrangements and on Saturdays frorm 10 - 1pm, bluegrass music! So what's not to like?

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River Forest Community Center

There's a little bit of everything here!Pre-school classes After school programs Cook County Accessor's office Gymnasium...and probably more! Check it out here: http://www.rfcc.info/

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Thatcher Woods: Grand Army of the Republic Memorial

Thatcher Woods Forest Preserve runs along side of Thatcher Ave. from North Ave. and Madison Street. The Grand Army of the Republic site is near Washington and Thatcher. The story is that no improvements of any kind are allowed in the Preserve... NONE. Trails are only beaten paths. Fallen trees may not be removed. Consequently, animal life abounds! Deer are ubiquitous, racoon, opposum, coyote, and fox, while more shy, can be seen frequently. The Des Plaines River runs through the Preserve and except for the intersection of Chicago and Thatcher and near where the river intersects Lake St., in the 20 years since I've lived here it's not spilled out into the residential areas. During flood stages the Village erects barriers at Chicago and Thatcher and Lake St. which have been successful in keeping the water at bay.What I love most about Thatcher Woods is this: In what other major American city can you be 12 miles from downtown and still see wildlife?