From its palatial lakeside estates to its alpine-village-style shopping district, Winnetka stands out from the moment you enter this village's boundaries. Situated in the heart of the North Shore area, Winnetka stretches along Lake Michigan and offers public beaches and boat launches all wrapped in a gorgeous natural setting just 16 miles north of Downtown Chicago. Dating back to 1836, many of the buildings and homes in Winnetka were built before 1930, adding a touch of historic value to the village.
Because it is such a beautiful community, Winnetka is often used for filming. It features the house used in the Home Alone movies as well as scenes from Ocean's 12, National Lampoon's Vacation, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Uncle Buck, Risky Business, and several other major movies and television shows.
