Chicago's Underrated Suburb Is A Charming Day Trip Filled With Parks, Diverse Dining, And Family Fun

Several suburbs have emerged as a result of Chicago's increasing population, including communities like Aurora and Elgin, which have as many inhabitants as other mid-sized cities across the U.S. Others are more under the radar, like little Hanover Park. Not only has its population moved to this quaint suburb, but it has taken plenty of cultural influence from Chicago and its inhabitants with it.

Hanover Park is dubbed "America's Global Village" because of the 80 nationalities living here and the 30 languages spoken among its approximately 38,000 residents. Plentiful parks are found throughout the village, with nearly two dozen green spaces and playgrounds to entertain every age group. After frolicking outside, palates are expanded at Hanover Park's restaurants, which showcase the diverse array of cultures living in the area and include Indian, Korean, and Latin offerings. This Chicago suburb is located just 20 miles from Chicago O'Hare International Airport, meaning visiting it for a day of family fun and exploratory dining is an easy trip from America's third-largest city. 

Hanover Park was incorporated as a village in 1958. Similar to nearby North Park, Chicago's peaceful suburb with woodlands and restaurants, it has a suburban feel. Its tranquility and remote feel with abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation make it an idyllic day-trip destination for all ages. 

Hanover Park has 17 playgrounds to let little ones loose and run out all of their energy. The Community Park has walking trails, equipment for kids to play on, sports fields, picnic tables, and a pond to fish from. Discovery Park is ideal for children of all ages, with a splash pad in summertime, chess boards and cornhole, plus two playgrounds — an obstacle course for older kids and another designed for younger ones. 

While Chicago boasts a massive botanical garden spanning 385 acres, you can find preserves where the landscape remains in its largely untouched glory. Wandering around the wetlands and woodlands of the 948-acre Mallard Lake forest preserve is a great way to connect with nature. You can walk upwards of 4 miles of trails, spotting beavers, bullfrogs, and great blue herons along your way. Cross a bridge or two and arrive at the nearby Hawk Hollow Forest Preserve, a 1,172-acre area rich with rolling green meadows and native plants. It's frequented by many avian species that birdwatchers will revel in spotting. 

After working up an appetite exploring the outdoors, visit some of the diverse restaurants in Hanover Park. Raki Restaurant puts a modern spin on traditional Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. Try the mussels cooked in ouzo and dill, beef kabobs with truffle vinaigrette, or the grilled whole branzino. Raki is rated an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars by more than 200 reviewers on Google at the time of writing, many of which laud its delicious food and hospitality.

Bbqland, also with 4.9 stars on Yelp, serves Tandoori chicken, tikka masalas, and curries, among dozens of other Indian-inspired items. It also has family-sized feasts like its Mix BBQ platter, which can feed a group. Fogón Mestizo, equally highly rated on Yelp, serves traditional Mexican cuisine like chilaquiles, flautas, enchiladas, and pork belly tacos with jicama, to name a few options. 

Timing a trip to Hanover Park is important. It's located just about 30 miles from the shores of Lake Michigan, one of America's five stunning Great Lakes, and it can get chilly from November to March. However, there are sledding hills and outdoor ice rinks to bundle up and enjoy each winter. June through mid-September are the ideal months to visit, weather-wise.