The Yorktown ReserveBlog

Historic Downtown Lombard: Small-Town Charm Minutes from Yorktown Reserve

Striking a rare balance of modern livability and old-school charm, downtown Lombard is a popular, busy area where people enjoy the best the town has to offer. Often called the “lilac village”, named for its blossoming park Lilacia,  Lombard is just 20 miles west of Chicago, giving the convenience of location and also the strength of the local community. 

Whether you want to explore local boutiques, indulge in excellent food, or settle into one of the nearby apartments like the Yorktown Reserve, downtown Lombard is rich with history and fun. 

History of Lombard, Illinois

Downtown Lombard has deep historical roots, turning from a farm village to a thriving suburb of the growing Chicago. Anchoring at the corner of St. Charles Rd. and Park Avenue, “ was constructed in 1858 and operated as a hotel named Babcock’s Grove House (Lombard and Glen Ellyn were both known as Babcock’s Grove at the time). Fast-forward 150 years, and this building enjoys life, once again, as Babcock’s Grove House… a critically-acclaimed restaurant featuring a Midwestern-inspired menu with locally sourced ingredients”. According to lukinshomenetwork.com, “The 3-story limestone building” is as deep-rooted as it gets. 

When you walk through downtown, you may come across Maple Street Chapel, built in 1870 and standing since. It has features of classic Gothic architecture, featuring beautiful stained-glass windows, wooden pews, and views for days inside and out.  

Dining and Fun in Lombard

Downtown Lombard and the Yorktown Center are filled with some of the best restaurants in the Chicagoland area. Some of the local favorites, according to Kelly Stetle, a local real estate agent, include “Babcock’s Grove House, a family-owned restaurant in a historic building that offers a seasonal menu […], Gnarly Knots is another favorite and offers an array of stuffed hot pretzels that celebrate texture and taste[…].Head to Rosemary & Jeans for delightful Italian dishes in an elegant setting and Billy Bricks for wood-fired, brick oven Neapolitan style pizza!”

If you’re craving a Chicago-style hot dog and want to zip into the city, there’s a Metra stop downtown that will take you right to Union Station. This makes it easy to spend a day in the city shopping, visiting museums, and enjoying the views.

More than food, there are some amazing community events and things to do. In the summer, there are a plethora of outdoor activities, such as summer concerts, farmers’ markets, and even a Halloween festival. The downtown is also home to your pick of breweries, cocktail bars, karaoke spots, and places to put your feet up after a long day. 

If you prefer to spend time in the great outdoors, many people are attracted to the easy access to stellar parks and outdoor activities that come with living near downtown Lombard. Liliac Park is Lombard’s top-visited location, bringing in people from all over the area to experience its beauty in the spring. Another thing that brings in people from all over is the Enchanted Castle, a fun-for-the-whole-family place, with bumper cars, go karts, laser tag, arcade games, and more. 

Top-Tier Residential Options in Lombard

Just down the road from downtown Lombard is Yorktown Reserve, a new project that redefined luxury living in suburban Chicagoland. With 600 new apartment units and green space, you have easy access to the best shopping, dining, and entertainment the area has to offer.

Offering a host of amenities, the ease of modern living is the factor that will make you fall in love with living at Yorktown Reserve. With a community park that features entertainment spaces, a playground for children, a gym, and a dog park, you have everything you need at your fingertips. Its proximity to downtown Lombard and the Yorktown Center makes it a popular place to live. 

There are a lot of other appealing places to live near downtown that can provide a range of options, but people are flocking to Yorktown Reserve to experience its luxury finishes, resort-style perks, and quick access to the best schools, downtown Lombard, and beyond. 

Great Community in Lombard

Living, working, or visiting downtown Lombard will have you noticing how tight-knit of a community resides here. Happy for new people to join the community daily, it will welcome you in and make you feel at home. People visiting coffee shops where the barista knows their order, people walking down the street and greeting each other, and people showing up for each other. Festivals, local events, and the great attitude of the locals bring a sense of belonging that can be missing from larger suburbs outside of Chicago. 

More than just a place to visit, Downtown Lombard has deep historical roots, an intense sense of community, and access to some of the best dining, shopping, and fun around. For people seeking a small-town feel while being near a big city, living at the Yorktown Reserve might be the right choice for you.