Riding the Rails
by Mark LoehrkeDespite what the real estate agent might have you believe, one inescapable geographic fact about Naperville is that it’s not all that close to Chicago—closer than Des Moines, perhaps, but still no picnic for those who choose to call our fair little borough home, while holding down a job in the Windy City. So it’s not surprising that many of those commuters opt for the ease of mass transit via the Metra Burlington Northern-Santa Fe (BNSF) line instead of a couple of hours spewing invective and exhaust from their idling cars on the Eisenhower or the Stevenson. Enough do make that choice, in fact, that the Route 59 and Naperville stations consistently rank as the two busiest stops across the entire 11-line Metra system.
Given the daily crush of humanity converging upon these two stations, the weekday schedule thankfully features a number of rush-hour trains that run express or semi-express to and from Union Station in Chicago, saving Naperville passengers almost thirty minutes each way compared with the local trains. Despite the convenience, however, this single-minded focus on getting there faster almost certainly means missing some of the great things along the way.
Is there anything worth stopping for amid that 60-mph blur outside the window? What hidden treasures lie between zones C and G? After detraining at eight different stops along the BNSF line in search of something to do and something to eat within a half-mile of the station, we weren’t disappointed. Whether you’re a hardcore express commuter trying to find out what you’re missing on the all-stop milk run or a weekend adventurer looking for some nearby family fun that doesn’t require a car, a short ride can offer a convenient spring field trip to one of Naperville’s neighbors to the east. Suburban hobos, your train is departing.
Station: Lisle
Zone: E
Train Time: 10 minutes from Route 59; 5 minutes from Naperville
Grab a bite:
Barone’s of Lisle
4729 Main Street
630.852.5050
Skip the chains and settle in at this comfortable and congenial family-owned Italian eatery.
Spend time:
French Market
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Main Street and Burlington Avenue
630.964.0052
www.vil.lisle.il.us/home/index.asp?page=421
Nothing says “welcome back, warm weather” quite like the return of outdoor farmers’ markets, and the Village of Lisle puts on a good one every Saturday, featuring the typical fresh produce staples alongside upscale breads, cheeses, wines, flowers, and gift items.
Station: Downers Grove-Main Street
Zone: E
Train Time: 17 minutes from Route 59; 12 minutes from Naperville
Grab a bite:
Ballydoyle Irish
Pub & Restaurant
5157 Main Street
630.969.0600
www.ballydoylepub.com
Don’t wait around for next St. Patrick’s Day. One of the most satisfying plates of corned beef and cabbage you’re likely to come across—as well as a huge selection of other Irish specialties—is available year-round at this charming downtown pub, which also features live music on weekends.
Spend time:
Tivoli Theater
5021 Highland Avenue
630.968.0219
www.classiccinemas.com
Catch a discount second-run talkie and enjoy the ambience and organ music of this massive, one-screen movie house right across the street from the station. And if you have some time to kill between the end credits and your train back to Naperville, roll a few frames at the old-school Tivoli Bowl right around the corner.
Station: Westmont
Zone: D
Train Time: 21 minutes from Route 59; 16 minutes from Naperville
Grab a bite:
Westmont Brat House
18 N. Cass Avenue
630.437.5415
www.westmontbrathouse.com
You don’t have to travel to Munich—or even Milwaukee—to enjoy authentic schnitzel, sauerbraten, and spaetzle thanks to this German outpost in downtown Westmont.
Spend time:
Red, White & Bar-B-Q Festival
May 24-25
Ty Warner Park
Plaza and Blackhawk Drives
630.654.2894
This one strains our half-mile radius rule rather severely—in fact, it all but obliterates it at around 1.5 miles from the Westmont station. But once you catch that unmistakable scent of summer, you’ll likely float most of the way there anyway. And the trip back? Well, let’s face it—you’ll probably be due for some exercise at that point anyway.
Station: Clarendon Hills
Zone: D
Train Time: 24 minutes from Route 59; 19 minutes from Naperville
Grab a bite:
Scapa Italian Kitchen
31 S. Prospect Avenue
630.323.7000
www.scapaitaliankitchen.com
A dozen pasta specialties, a handful of fresh fish choices, and nine different preparations for your chicken or veal highlight the broad menu at this moderately upscale but decidedly down-to-earth anchor on the south end of the Hills’ main drag.
Spend time:
Daily Scoop Ice Cream Shoppe
9 S. Prospect Avenue
630.655.4115
Kreative Kids Bookstore
102 Prospect
630.325.3535
You might miss the little patch of retail that is downtown Clarendon Hills if you blink, but you’ll have a hard time avoiding the continuous stream of folks heading in and out of the Daily Scoop. Grab a cone and amble up the road to Kreative Kids, a tiny sister store of Chicago Kids Bookstore and More, and about as far from the industrial-scale chain book factories as you can get.
Station: Hinsdale
Zone: D
Train Time: 27 minutes from Route 59; 22 minutes from Naperville
Grab a bite:
Toni Marie’s Sweets
and Savories
51 S. Washington Street
630.789.2020
www.tonisweets.com
Why just “save room for dessert” when you can make dessert the main course instead? The delectable pastries and elaborate cakes in this compact storefront make a strong argument for bypassing the meal altogether.
Spend time:
Tree Top Kids
36 E. Hinsdale Avenue
www.treetopkids.com
After nearly 50 years as a civic institution, C. Foster Toys gave way last year to this D.C.-based retailer of kids’ toys, clothes and books. With an expansion/renovation set to wrap up in May, the new owners are promising to carry on their predecessor’s strong community tradition.
Station: Western Springs
Zone: D
Train Time: 30 minutes from Route 59; 25 minutes from Naperville Grab a bite:
Vie Restaurant
4471 Lawn Avenue
708.246.2082
www.vierestaurant.com
Probably best saved for a grown-ups’ night out—and maybe once that tax rebate check shows up—Chef Paul Virant’s gourmet creations are unrivaled in the western suburbs for both creativity and price.
Spend time:
“Morning Star”
May 29-31, June 1-8
The Theatre of Western Springs
4384 Hampton Avenue
708.246.4043
www.theatrewesternsprings.com
In its spring production, this 79-year-old institution presents playwright Sylvia Regan’s period account of a widow trying to hold her family together on New York’s Lower East Side in the early 20th century.
