Overview
Wheaton is a suburban city of 53,000 people (2019) in Chicagoland.
4 sights · 4 things to do
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Wheaton
Wheaton College
Sometimes referred to as "The Harvard of Evangelical schools", Wheaton College is known for being an interdenominational destination school for devout Christian students seeking an elite liberal arts education.
Billy Graham Center
Named for the college's most famous alumnus, which contains a museum dedicated to both the history of American evangelism and the international ministry of Billy Graham. It features conceptual exhibits intended to convey…
Cosley Zoo
An AZA-accredited zoo founded in 1974, housing over 200 animals that represent over 70 species.
DuPage County Historical Museum
Cantigny Park
The park has two museums, one relating to the Chicago Tribune, and the other devoted to the First Division of the United States Army, as Robert McCormick was a colonel in the First Division during World War I.
Cantigny Golf Club
A public 27-hole golf course.
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 — 19 mi away (major hub). Directions
Wheaton can be reached via 2 Interstate highways:
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 Wheaton College, Cosley Zoo
- Afternoon Cantigny Park, The Illinois Prairie Path
Day 2
- Morning DuPage County Historical Museum, Billy Graham Center
- Afternoon Cantigny Golf Club, Grand Theater
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
It is about 25 miles (40 km) west of Chicago.
Get in
By car
Wheaton can be reached via 2 Interstate highways:
- I-355 (Veterans Memorial Tollway) at North Ave, Roosevelt Rd, or Butterfield Rd
- I-88 (Regan Memorial Tollway) at Naperville Rd/Freedom Dr or Winfield Rd just west of the city
Two Illinois State Routes run east–west through Wheaton:
- Illinois Route 38, also known as Roosevelt Road, runs through the center of Wheaton.
- Illinois Route 56, also known as Butterfield Road, runs through southern Wheaton.
- Illinois Route 64, also known as North Ave, is an east–west route that runs just north of Wheaton city limits. Access to North Ave from Wheaton can be from County Farm Rd, Gary Ave, or Main St (turns into Schmale Rd at Geneva Rd).
By train
Wheaton is home to 2 Metra stations on the Union Pacific West Line.
Go Wheaton Station
Go College Avenue Station
See
See Billy Graham Center
Named for the college's most famous alumnus, which contains a museum dedicated to both the history of American evangelism and the international ministry of Billy Graham. It features conceptual exhibits intended to convey Christian ideas.
Do
- The 135-acre (55 ha) Lincoln Marsh Natural Area has over 300 species of prairie and wetland plants and animals, and a regionally acclaimed ropes course.
- The Danada Forest Preserve and Equestrian Center is located on the site of the former estate of Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice, after whom Danada is named. In the 1940s, the Rices added a barn to the estate to house horses. In 1965, their horse Lucky Debonair won the Kentucky Derby. The Danada Farm estate was acquired by the county in 1980 and 1981.
- DuPage County Fair in late July at the DuPage County Fairgrounds.
Do Grand Theater
An historic theater built in 1925, with a lighted dome ceiling dotted with stars. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Buy
Wheaton boasts a vibrant downtown with many restaurants, shops and services. The Downtown Wheaton Association hosts many events throughout the year to promote local businesses, including the French Market, the Chili Cookoff, Vintage Rides, Boo-palooza (Downtown Wheaton Trick-or-Treat), A Dickens of a Christmas, Wheaton Wedding Walk, and Wheaton's Wine & Cultural Arts Festival.
- Downtown Wheaton is home to perhaps one of the narrowest stores in the Chicago area. The Little Popcorn Store on Front Street used to be an alley between two buildings, and features the exposed brick walls of its neighbors. The store has been around since the 1920s and sells candy, and fresh popcorn.
- Danada Square West and Danada Square East are on the north side of Illinois Route 56 (Butterfield Road), on the west and east side of Naperville Road. The flagship stores in Danada Square West include Jewel-Osco, TJ Maxx, and Chili's Bar & Grill. The flagship stores in Danada Square East include Whole Foods Market, Starbucks, Petco, KFC, and PNC Bank.
- Rice Lake Square, another shopping center, is next to Danada Square East Shopping Center on the north side of Illinois Route 56 (Butterfield Road). The flagship stores in Rice Lake Square include Stein Mart, PetSmart, and Sports Authority.
- The Town Square Shopping Center is on Naperville Road, two miles (3 km) north of I-88 & one mile (1.6 km) south of Roosevelt Road in Wheaton. This outdoor mall features clothing boutiques and restaurants such as Banana Republic, Express, Francesca's Collections, Gap, L'anne Restaurant, Lenscrafters, Noodles & Company, Nothing Bundt Cakes, The Perfect Thing, Starbucks, and Victoria's Secret.
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My experience
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