Overview
Downers Grove is a village in Chicagoland. With a 2005 population of 49,000, Downers Grove has developed into a major Chicago suburb. It contains the headquarters of many major companies, including Sara Lee and Butterball, and has a bustling, trendy downtown.
4 sights · 2 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Downers Grove
Downtown Downers Grove
like many other suburban downtowns, clustered around the Metra Station. Most of the shops are along Main St. The downtown is a decent size with plenty of unique stores and restaurants, including a brewery.
Tivoli Theatre
is a French and 1920s style movie palace that plays second-run movies. It opened in 1928 as only the second theater in the world designed for sound motion pictures. On weekends you can listen to the music of a Wurlitzer …
St. Therese Shrine
in nearby Darien, is dedicated to Therese Martin, a French Carmelite nun who wrote Story of a Soul. Her admirers travel here from around the world to see her prayer book and other artifacts.
Main Street Cemetery
In 1856, Samuel Curtiss donated part of his sheep pasture for use as a cemetery. He was later paid $15 for the land, money from individuals who formed a cemetery association in 1864. Nearly 100 members of Downers Grove's…
Belmont Prairie
is a 10.4 acre nature reserve with 135 species of plant and animal wildlife. A nature trail provides pedestrian access and is served by a six-car parking lot located on Cross St.
Patriots Park
The 5.8-acre Barth Pond was constructed in 1978, as a joint venture with the Village of Downers Grove. The pond was originally developed to serve as a storm water detention facility, but also serves as a popular fishing …
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 20°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Jun. (climate data from nearby Chicago)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ORD Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Chicago — 13 mi away (major hub). Directions
- MDW Chicago Midway International Airport, Chicago — 13 mi away (major hub). Directions
Downers Grove is located at the intersection of I-88 and I-355, giving it a very easily accessible location. In addition it has three Metra stations on the BNSF line (Main St. , Belmont, and Fairview Ave.), connecting it to Chicago Union Station and Aurora.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Tivoli Theatre, Main Street Cemetery, Patriots Park
- Lunch Giordano's
- Afternoon Belmont Prairie, Downtown Downers Grove
- Dinner Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant
- Evening Emmet's Ale House
Day 2
- Morning St. Therese Shrine
- Lunch Eagle Restaurant
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Downers Grove is located at the intersection of I-88 and I-355, giving it a very easily accessible location. In addition it has three Metra stations on the BNSF line (Main St. , Belmont, and Fairview Ave.), connecting it to Chicago Union Station and Aurora.
Get around
Car is the best way to get around, but Downers Grove does have extensive Pace Bus service throughout town (Routes 461, 462, 463, and 464) and to Oak Park (Rt. 313) and Joliet (Rt. 834). Fares are generally $2 per ride.
See
See Downtown Downers Grove
like many other suburban downtowns, clustered around the Metra Station. Most of the shops are along Main St. The downtown is a decent size with plenty of unique stores and restaurants, including a brewery.
See Main Street Cemetery
In 1856, Samuel Curtiss donated part of his sheep pasture for use as a cemetery. He was later paid $15 for the land, money from individuals who formed a cemetery association in 1864. Nearly 100 members of Downers Grove's early families, including Israel Blackburn, a freedman, and members of the Blanchard, Curtiss and Wells families are buried here. The cemetery was used until 1939 when Emma Foster Miller was the last to be interred. It is one of the few American cemeteries located in a main business district.
Do
Do Patriots Park (Barth Pond)
The 5.8-acre Barth Pond was constructed in 1978, as a joint venture with the Village of Downers Grove. The pond was originally developed to serve as a storm water detention facility, but also serves as a popular fishing spot. In May, you can spot goslings of the many Canada Geese at the park.
Buy
Eat
Eat Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant
has a comfortable atmosphere, live music, and good food including Guinness Stew and Corned Beef (yes, it's not real Irish food, but it's still delicious).
Eat Eagle Restaurant
has been owned by the same Greek family for years, has some of the best gyros around as well as classic Chicago fare like hot dogs, Italian beef, and Polish sausage.
Eat Giordano's
Chicago-style pizza has an outlet downtown.
Drink
Drink Emmet's Ale House
downtown is an inviting place for food and beer. Emmet's is a microbrewery where you can not only eat and drink but also check out the tanks where the beer is brewed. If you don't know what to try they have a "Sampler Paddle" for a taste of several of their beers.
Sleep
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