Evanston:AHiddenGemintheMidwest

EvanstonisasmallcitylocatedinCookCounty,Illinois,justnorthofChicago.Withapopulationofapproximately75,000people,Evanstonisknownforitsvibrantartsandculturescene,diversepopulation,andbeautifullakefrontparks.Whileoftenoverlookedbytourists,EvanstonisahiddengemintheMidwestthatoffersplentytoexploreanddiscover.

ArtsandCulture

Evanstonishometoathrivingartsandculturescene,withnumerousartgalleries,theaters,andmusicvenues.TheNorthShoreArtLeagueshowcasesworkbylocalartistsandoffersartclassesforallages.TheFleetwood-JourdainTheatrepresentsadiverserangeofproductions,includingplays,musicals,anddanceperformances.AndtheSpaceisapopularmusicvenuethathostsbothlocalandnationalacts.

Inadditiontothesevenues,Evanstonalsohostsnumerousartfestivalsthroughouttheyear.TheEvanstonArt&BigForkFestival,heldannuallyinAugust,featuresover130artists,crafters,andfoodvendors.AndtheEvanstonEthnicArtsFestival,heldannuallyinJuly,celebratesthecity’sculturaldiversitywithmusic,dance,andfoodfromaroundtheworld.

Diversity

EvanstonisoneofthemostdiversecitiesintheMidwest,withapopulationthatincludespeopleofmanydifferentraces,religions,andnationalities.Thecityhasalonghistoryofwelcomingimmigrants,andthisisreflectedinitsdiversefoodscene.FromEthiopiantoThaitoMexican,Evanston’srestaurantsofferawiderangeofinternationalcuisine.

Inadditiontoitsdiversefoodscene,Evanstonalsohostsnumerousculturaleventsthatcelebratethecity’sdiversity.TheEvanstonDiversity&InclusionSummit,heldannuallyinNovember,bringstogethercommunitymemberstodiscussissuesrelatedtodiversity,equity,andinclusion.AndtheEvanstonStreetsAlive&CusterFair,heldannuallyinJune,isamulticulturalstreetfestivalthatfeatureslivemusic,danceperformances,andfoodfromaroundtheworld.

LakefrontParks

OneofEvanston’sgreatestattractionsisitsbeautifullakefrontparks.ThecityishometoseveralparksthatofferstunningviewsofLakeMichigan,includingClarkStreetBeach,LighthouseBeach,andSouthBoulevardBeach.TheEvanstonLakefrontTrail,whichrunsthroughtheseparks,isapopulardestinationforjoggers,bikers,andwalkers.

Inadditiontoitslakefrontparks,Evanstonalsohasseveralparksthatofferrecreationalactivitiesforallages.TheDawesParkBeach&Lagoon,forexample,hasaplayground,basketballcourt,andpicnicarea.AndtheRobertCrownCommunityCenter,locatedintheheartofEvanston,hasanicerink,swimmingpool,andfitnesscenter.

Overall,EvanstonisahiddengemintheMidwestthatoffersplentytoseeanddo.Withitsvibrantartsandculturescene,diversepopulation,andbeautifullakefrontparks,Evanstonisacitythatiswellworthavisit.