West Cook - Melrose Park, IL

One of the oldest neighborhoods surrounding Chicago, West Cook county was settled in the 1830s, when the city experienced a rapid increase in population. Its location was important for the shipping industry, as the local canals connected the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River.

Cultural events are small, but well-attended. Every September, the West End Arts Festival brings art to the streets with exhibits displayed along the main road. Meet local artists and purchase one-of-a-kind artwork.

Brookfield Zoo, one of the largest zoos in the United States, calls this area home, and although it attracts tourists, never think of it as a tourist trap. Local families spend a great deal of free time at the zoo, which sponsors child-friendly events, and evening wine and beer tastings. Purchasing a yearly membership is the most economical way to visit, and most families in the area are members. Make sure to enter the Australian exhibit, where bats can fly freely around visitors.

Burgers, bistros and bakeries all lie just minutes away. Take a trip down the main thoroughfare, LaGrange Road, and you will quickly realize you're in a food lover's dream. Both international and American cuisine stake a claim in West Cook, providing a restaurant for every mood and taste.

When your tastebuds demand a trip to India, Kama Bistro satisfies them. Dim lights and intimate seating make it the perfect setting for romantic occasions. Begin with samosas, fried to perfection and accompanied by hot and sweet dipping sauces. Follow your appetizer with the rich lamb vindaloo. Some temper the spice with creamy coconut milk and caramelized onions, but the most adventurous eaters choose ghost peppers for a side. The cocktail menu puts a special Indian twist on old favorites, and locals rave about the mango martini with chutney and lime.

Sometimes all you need is a beer and a burger, and Palmer Place Restaurant & Biergarten serves these comfort-food favorites in a relaxed atmosphere. Devoid of all pretentiousness, the menu features traditional bar fare, but never bland or greasy. With 40 beers on tap, choosing a pint can be overwhelming, but friendly and knowledgeable bartenders are always willing to assist you. Order a three cheese mushroom burger, but grab plenty of napkins and prepare yourself for a generous topping of melted cheese. Arrive late to escape the summer heat, and pick a seat in the two-level beer garden.

Start your weekend with brunch at Prasino. Three simple words sum up the atmosphere: sleek, clean and bright. Sit under wall-to-wall windows and soak up the morning sunlight, while enjoying fair-trade coffee and tea. Try the chicken chilaquiles, a spicy mix of chicken, eggs and cheese, topped with cool sour cream and avocado. Dig through the layers with fresh tortilla chips for a complex blend of flavors and textures. Prasino also takes vegetarians into consideration with menu items such as the chipotle tofu scramble, which comes packed with peppers, tomatoes and onions for intense flavor.

Most of the area's nightlife centers around downtown LaGrange. Evenings find the streets full of people. The old movie theater still operates daily. In contrast to modern multiplexes, it shows only two movies at any given time.

Wine and art lovers should spend the evening at Bottle and Bottega La Grange. Here art classes and wine glasses combine to bring out the inner Picasso in everyone. After three hours of painting, leave with an original work of art, which, depending on wine consumption, you may proudly display in your living room or in your closet.

Tucked away from the busier streets, the Willowbrook Ballroom beckons with live music and a huge dance floor, but it's not your typical club. An old-fashioned venue for salsa, swing and ballroom dance, the Willowbrook is a piece of the past. Dress up in your favorite vintage outfit, and arrive early for dance lessons. The usual crowd is friendly to newcomers, so you won't end up a wallflower. On your way home, keep your eye out for the famous ghost, Resurrection Mary.

West Cook county residents drive almost everywhere, and living minutes from Interstate 55 makes it easy. In certain suburbs, residents are slightly less dependent upon cars because many stores and necessities are within walking distance.

Though the area lacks bike lanes, cyclists are frequently seen on the roads. Unfortunately, weather does not permit bike travel for a good portion of the year, and traffic makes biking dangerous on some streets.

Buses make frequent stops throughout the area and are a popular choice for commuters who need to get to the train station but want to avoid high-priced, train-station parking.

Metra train stations dot the area, making travel into and around Chicago convenient. Take one of the express trains to cut your travel time nearly in half.

Uber car service does not extend to this area, and taxis must be called in advance. Typically, taxis only provide service to and from the airports, rather than everyday transportation.

Chicago Midway International Airport is just a short distance away and has the distinction of being Chicagoland's less expensive airport.

West Cook county lacks the number of parks found in other parts of the county, but more than compensates with hundreds of acres of preserved wetlands and forests. Walkers and cyclists enjoy miles of paved and unpaved trails. Only leashed dogs are permitted in the forest preserves.

Take the Salt Creek Trail, and learn about Illinois' wildlife. Signs placed along the trail name various species of plants and animals. Walking the trail takes less than an hour, so it's appropriate even for young children. Watch for nesting swans, but do not approach, as they aggressively defend their nests.

For an outdoor experience that is a little more domesticated, visit Gordon Park. At almost 20 acres, this park maintains several basketball courts, baseball fields and tennis courts. All are free to residents and visitors. Even when leashed, dogs are not allowed in the park and are barred from most parks in the area.

While not astronomical, rents here are on the high end of average. A one-bedroom apartment costs between $800 and $900 a month, but many see this as a great deal for such a convenient location. Cost of living is comparable with the rest of Cook County, which has a higher cost of living than other nearby counties. Gas prices generally increase with proximity to Chicago and are higher here than in more distant suburbs.

This area forms a little oasis of specialty shopping in a sea of big-box suburban banality. The main restaurant district is also the home of a large number of independently owned shops. Knick-knack stores abound, as do clothing boutiques, but this neighborhood has a few shops that are hard pressed to find anywhere else.

The Casa De Montecristo sells fine cigars from around the world and also houses a luxury smoking lounge. Non-smokers will find that the experienced staff makes choosing gifts a cinch. If you're curious about the bad habits of the rich and famous, make your way upstairs to take a peek at some of the world's most expensive cigars.

While you can stop into one of several shops offering handmade jewelry, sometimes it's more rewarding to create your own. This is when you head to Circle of Stones. Like a dragon's lair, walls covered in thousands of strands of beads, crystals and gems supply you with the raw materials to create anything you can imagine. However, imagination doesn't equal technique, so sign up for one of the Thursday night classes to learn tricks of the trade.

Several nights a week, a crowd gathers inside Chimera's Comics. In addition to selling comic books, the store hosts costume contests, game nights, and meet-and-greets with comic book artists. If you don't enjoy comic books, stop by anyway, as you won't find a better spot for people watching.

There is no need to travel far for grocery shopping, as each suburb in the area provides at least one Jewel Osco. A centrally located Trader Joe's satisfies all your organic food needs.

Summer and Fall bring local fruits and vegetables to the Farmer's Market in LaGrange. On Thursdays from May to October, pick up ingredients for a salad, a loaf of freshly baked bread and a bouquet of flowers for the table.