Just 20 miles west of the city, DuPage offers a mix of urban sophistication and small town charm. Did you know it’s a treasure trove of history with ties to the Windy City? From former Chicago institutions finding new life in DuPage to people that played a role in shaping the region, traces of Chicago’s vibrant past weave seamlessly into the fabric of this neighboring county.
Step One: Book Your Hotel
Plan your weekend now! With more than 100 hotels – featuring a mix of resorts, extended stays and upscale modern boutiques – DuPage County offers a variety of places to stay for your getaway. Some hotels even offer specific packages for your stay.
Ivan Albright, Warrenville
Chicago native Ivan Albright remains one of the most provocative, yet distinguished, artists of 20th Century and American art. Though now known for his art in its entirety, Hollywood's "The Picture of Dorian Gray" is what brought him national publicity and prominence in the art world. Ivan was a longtime Warrenville resident where his “most productive years” took place in the former Warrenville Methodist Church which he used as a studio and gallery alongside artist and father, Adam Emory Albright, and twin brother, Malvin “Zsissly” Albright. His painting of the corrupted Dorian Gray, and many of his works, were donated by Ivan to the Art Institute of Chicago, where they currently reside. The Warrenville Historical Society & Art Gallery has originals and digital reproductions of all three Albright artists in their collection.
John Belushi, Wheaton
John Belushi was raised in Wheaton, Illinois, with his brother, Jim. Both brothers attended the College of DuPage for a short period. Shortly after, John created his own comedy troupe in Chicago and caught the interest of Bernard Sahlins, the founder of The Second City. Sahlins asked him to join the cast of the prestige comedy club and from there, he made a lasting impact on comedy acting through his energetic performances, bold physical comedy, and rebellious persona.
Cantigny, Wheaton
Cantigny is the former 500-acre estate of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. Cantigny was named after a small village in France, where Colonel McCormick commanded an artillery battalion in 1918 as a member of the U.S. Army’s First Division. Cantigny isn't just an estate with beautiful landscape; it's also a former movie set. A League of Their Own was filmed on the grounds of the mansion; specifically, the scene where Jimmy Dugan and Walter Harvey are talking about him coaching one of the women's teams.
Elmhurst Art Museum, Elmhurst
The McCormick family's presence continued beyond Wheaton, Illinois. Elmhurst Art Museum is known for having the McCormick House on their property. This home was for Robert Hall McCormick III, and his wife, the poet Isabella Gardner. Mies van der Rohe, one of the great architects of the 20th century, designed the home in 1952. The McCormick house is one of only three residences designed and built by Mies in the United States - and one of only two open to the public. The home originally served two purposes: it was a home for the McCormick family and a prototype for a proposed group of smaller, affordable mass-produced modular homes in the western Chicago suburbs that McCormick and co-developer Herbert S. Greenwald were hoping to build.
Mies's influential career in Chicago and the United States altered the course of architecture forever. His sleek, bold glass and steel structures are now a hallmark of Chicago’s skyline, including the Lake Shore Drive apartment towers that had a direct influence on the McCormick House.
William L. Gregg House, Westmont
Shortly after the Chicago fire of 1871, William L. Gregg, the son of a prominent Philadelphia brick press company, incorporated the “Excelsior Press Brick Manufacturing Company of Chicago,” and bought property in what is now known as Westmont. As time went on, the home he lived in became rundown and was going to be demolished. In 1976, the Westmont Area Historical Society was formed to save the building. It was moved one block from its original location of 107 Cass Avenue to its current location on Westmont Park District property in 1977. The home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. After extensive restoration, it opened as a museum in the fall of 1981.
The Morton Arboretum, Lisle
When Joy Morton, founder of the Morton Salt Company in Chicago, established The Morton Arboretum in 1922, he envisioned a “great outdoor museum” of trees. True to his vision, The Arboretum conducts ongoing leading scientific research on tree health and tree improvement, collects and displays trees for study and enjoyment on the grounds, offers educational programming for adults and children and presents nature-related activities year-round for people of all ages and interests. The living collections continue to inspire visitors to appreciate, learn about, plant, and protect trees.
Route 66, Bolingbrook, Burr Ridge, Darien, Willowbrook
Route 66 was one of the United States's first continuous stretches of paved highway, and served as a major path for those who migrated West. It starts in Chicago and goes through four communities in DuPage. Route 66 is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026!
Muddy Waters, Westmont
Known as the godfather of the Chicago blues, Muddy Waters lived in Westmont for ten years until he passed in 1983. Some of his famous songs include "Trouble No More", "Forty Days and Forty Nights", and "Hoochie Coochie Man". The band The Rolling Stones was named after the Muddy Waters song of the same name. He won six Grammy Awards for his contributions to music.