The brown-brick, historic Hotel Baker stands beside Main Street and the Fox River. Photo: Nejdet Duzen

St. Charles, Illinois

Sitting on the outskirts of Chicago, Saint Charles, Illinois, aka "The Pride of the Fox," offers a respite from the big-city without sacrificing its own brand of fun. This DuPont/Kane County community is family-friendly, dog-friendly, nature-soaked, and rich in attractions that tailor to both young adults and retirees alike. Libraries and playgrounds? You bet. Coffee shops and breweries? Oh yes. Riverside pathways and parks? And how! St. Charles is the type of place where people actively smile and wave at strangers, and it is the spot in which a core part of my family has called home for over a decade. So if anyone bound for "The Windy City" is looking for a wholesome detour, scoot on over to St. Charles: a quintessential American town.

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Geography

A peaceful riverside path leads into town on a partly cloudy day — A pristine section of St. Charles' riverfront path. Photo: Andrew Douglas

St. Charles is situated in the northwest corner of Illinois, perched along both sides of the north-south Fox River. Chicago is a mere 40 miles to the east, and O'hare International Airport (one of the 10 busiest airports in the United States) is even closer (i.e. ~35 to the northeast). Travelers destined for St. Charles can get to/from this substantial flight hub without having to contend with the worst sections of metropolitan traffic. Midway International Airport (which served over 22 million passengers in 2023) is another viable outlet for both domestic and international travelers, and can be reached from St. Charles in almost exactly an hour (i.e. <50 miles), depending on the time of day.

Along with the ample amenities offered by the Chicago metropolitan area, St. Charles is also within shouting distance of the southwest shoreline of Lake Michigan (one of the Great Lakes), and scores of surrounding state parks/forest preserves. At the same time, the local Fox River Valley is replete in green spaces and varied outdoor recreation, so there's no need to stray from St. Charles in order to experience the state's subtle natural beauty. I love zig zagging the river paths and pedestrian bridges on my morning jog, or taking my sister's dogs to the pleasant public parks. And by the looks of things, much of the community feels similarly inspired.

Climate

A bed of red and yellow tulips in the foreground of a cute riverside town — Even on a relatively cool April day, the tulips are as vibrant as can be. Photo: Andrew Douglas

Being part of the Midwest, St. Charles embraces all four seasons. In terms of the Köppen classification, it experiences what is known as a hot-summer humid continental climate. So as the verbage suggests, expect hot/humid summers, but also cold, snowy winters, and mild, albeit somewhat capricious shoulder seasons. Temperatures can swing anywhere from 20 degrees Fahrenheit in the depths of January to 85 or so in the thick of the summer. Finally, St. Charles is roughly inline with the national average for both precipitation (i.e. moderate rain and snow).

Community

A quiet pedestrian street lined with brick buildings and yellow umbrellas — The 1st Street pedestrian strip on a quiet evening. Photo: Andrew Douglas

The people of St. Charles (all 32,750 of them, according to the latest United States Census Bureau estimates) are not only cordial, but also relatively diverse in their ideas and cultural backgrounds. From a statistical point of view, the community is predominantly white (79%) but hosts a significant hispanic/latino community (9.6%). Additionally, 3.5% of St. Charlesians are black/African American, 4.4% are of Asian descent, and 6% of people identify with two or more races. Looking beyond the numbers, when I cruise around St. Charles, I hear riverpath walkers speaking in Spanish, I see Muslim families having picnics and prayer sessions in Pottawatomie Park, and I pass an array of mouth-watering ethnic restaurants (be they Mexican, Himalayan, Southeast Asian, Irish, or Italian-themed). St. Charlesians also appear to be an expressive bunch. Passing through the idyllic neighborhoods, one will invariably see a mixture of front-yard American flags, pride flags, and proclamatory signs such as "Save the Dam," "Science if Real," and "Don't Tread on Me."

From a young-family's perspective, the litany of communal amenities is ideal. Kids can frolic amongst well-maintained jungle gyms, splash around at Swanson Pool, play some rounds of mini-golf at not one, but two local venues, spend time at the interactive St. Charles Public Library, and get a sweet treat at one of many local ice cream parlors. Add in quality schools and safe neighborhoods and St. Charles certainly looks like a great place to lay down roots.

When it comes time for just the adults to socialize, St. Charles has a vibrant, compact, and pedestrian-friendly downtown core. For starters, there is no shortage of classy coffee shops in which to plug away at remote work or catch up with friends. Single folks, those with a babysitter for the night, or retirees whose progeny have long-since flown the coop might also set their sights on the collection of breweries/distilleries/pubs.

Hear From the Locals

A family of four at a local park fun run.

"We love living in the Fox Valley, specifically St. Charles, for the small-town culture and community. There are beautiful parks and trails, cute coffee shops and breweries, and tons of activities in the summer, such as farmers markets, concerts, and festivals. We are lucky to have found a neighborhood with a great school for our kids and lifelong friends next door."

- Bronwen and Eric

A Brief History

A large riverside statue of an indigenous (Potawatomi) chief watching over a wide, flowing river. — *Ēkwabet* ("Watching Over"): A statue in commomoration of the Potwatomi Nation as seen when approaching Pottawatomie Park from the east side of downtown St. Charles. Photo: Nejdet Duzen

The Potawatomi Nation, known internally as the Neshnabek (i.e. the "People"), were forced into several migrations during the first few centuries of European colonialism. One such wave brought a group of Potawatomi into modern-day Illinois, and to the shores and tributaries of the Fox River. Here they remained until 1837, when they were once again removed in the wake of the Black Hawk War (1832), and the founding of St. Charles (1834). Because of the tribe's amicable relationship with the newly-arrived settlers, a large riverside statue stands before Pottawatomie Park (note: an alternative spelling) - a small act of commemoration and reconciliation. The statue was named Ēkwabet (meaning "Watching Over") by Billy Daniels of the Forest County Potawatomi Trive. Today, the Potawatomi have 38,000 tribal members who live in the Great Lakes region, Oklahoma, and elsewhere across the country.

Following the Black Hawk war (which involved indigenous groups separate from the Potawatomi), treaties were signed that opened the Fox River Valley for legal settlement. In 1833, Evan Shelby staked out a site, and the following year, in conjunction with Ira Minard and Read Ferson, founded the town of Charleston. However, because there was already a nearby community by that name, it was soon after rebranded as Saint Charles (1839). Camps, bridges, dams, and other basic infrastructure were erected throughout the remainder of the 19th century. The 20th century saw the arrival of the still-rocking Arcada Theatre (1926), the beloved Hotel Baker (1928), which is now listed on the National register of Historic Places, the Delnor Hospital (1939), and the town slogan: "The Pride of the Fox" (1969), to name just a few highlights.

Attractions

A flight of craft beer samplers from a window front table at a riverside brewery — Enjoying a flight of local craft beers as the Alter Brewing open mic kicks off. Photo: Andrew Douglas

St. Charles is blessed with 62 parks, 5 theaters, 11 hotels, 7 craft breweries, 120+ restaurants, and a plethora of other independent businesses. The best way to get to know this hidden gem is to walk (or ride) up and down the Fox River paths, with exploratory detours along Main Street and its subsidiary side streets. Invariably, a well-kempt park, an intriguing historic building, or some coffee-shop/bookstore combo (shout out to Town House) will present itself.

Pay particular attention to the historic Hotel Baker, which is not only available for lodging, but hosts regular events and allows casual visitors to peruse its elegant interior. You may even recognize it from the recent David Fincher/Michael Fassbender Netflix movie, The Killer, which features this unique boutique hotel for no less than 15 minutes of its total screen time.

Look across the street from Hotel Baker and you'll spot the riverside Alter Brewing + Kitchen, as well as the rest of the inviting, pedestrian-friendly 1st Street, which flows seamlessly into St. Charles Square. I just so happened to float into Alter Brewing in time for their Tuesday night open mic. Host, Katie Bogle, kicked off the casual evening with her captivating blend of original indie tunes. If you're looking to keep the craft-libation-party rolling, Pollyanna Brewing & Distillery, Penrose Brewing, and Art History Brewing are also well-worth a visit.

The 15 Most Beautiful Towns In AmericaAcross this enormous and eclectic land, there are special places nestled between mountains, tucked within enchanting forests, or surrounded by enthralling waters. These scenic towns are also steeped in stimulating histories, and full of modern character quirks.

Final Thoughts

St. Charles, Illinois is more than just a suburb of Chicago. It is home to a friendly and fun community with plenty of destination-worthy attractions. At the same time, it's proximity to Sweet Home, Chicago, makes it an easy-going basecamp for additional business, entertainment, and travels. So for a glimpse into the better angels of America, look no further than St. Charles and its sister cities of the Fox River Valley.