Named one of the top walkable cities in the U.S., west suburban Wheaton is located in DuPage County, about 25 miles west of Chicago, which is easily accessible from Wheaton’s downtown Metra station.
Residents and visitors are drawn to the blend of big-city comforts and small-town charm. Wheaton is also home to top-notch schools, colleges, beautiful parks and nature preserves. Read more about Wheaton in our family guide.
Quick stats about Wheaton
- Population: 53,673
- County: DuPage
- Median house value: $430,600
- Median rent: $1,673
- School district: Community Unit School District No. 200
- Top schools: Wheaton North High School (A+), Wheaton Warren South High School (A+), Hawthorne Elementary School (A)
- Transportation: Walk Score 40/100 (Car Dependent), Transit Score 23/100 (Minimal Transit), Bike Score 51/100 (Bikeable)
- Random fact: In Niche’s 2024 Best Places rankings, Wheaton was ranked No. 24 in Best Suburbs for Young Professionals in Illinois.
*Information provided by Redfin and Niche.
Fun things to do with kids in Wheaton
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Wheaton has so many great activities for families! Whether you live there or want to visit the town for the day, check out these stories:
And here are our top picks for things to do with kids in Wheaton.
- Top Indoor Play Places Around Wheaton
- Discover The Most Fun Playgrounds Near Wheaton
- Best Places to Eat with Kids Near Wheaton
- 5 Must-Try Desserts Near Wheaton
Cosley Zoo
- Address: 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton
Part of the Wheaton Park District, Cosley Zoo is a five-acre zoo featuring farm animals and wildlife native to Illinois. The Zoo is home to white-tailed deer, fox, Blanding’s turtles, coyote’s, and more. Cosley Zoo is also a center for animal education and conservation, offering programs that teach young and old how to care for the world around them.
Cantigny Park
- Address: 1 S. 151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
Cantigny Park is the 500-acre former estate of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. Open to the public for more than 65 years, Cantigny is home to beautiful gardens, walking trails, a golf course, visitor center and education center. It also houses The First Division Museum, dedicating to interpreting and promoting U.S. Military History Through the Lens of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division — also known as the Big Red One.
Moore Toys & Gadgets
- Address: 107 E. Front St., Wheaton
This charming store in historic Downtown Wheaton has a wonderful selection of high-quality, unique gadgets, toys, games and puzzles with a special focus on STEM. They offer a vast selection of microscopes, botany kits and robotics toys. While toy stores can often be overwhelming, Moore’s is sectioned out by age and interest so parents and kids can easily find age-appropriate gifts. Moore also offers same-day delivery to nearby addresses.
Wheaton Public Library
- Address: 225 N. Cross St., Wheaton
The Wheaton Public Library is home to an Early Childhood Center designed for birth through 2nd grade. Here, kiddos can engage in imaginative play, color, read a book or play on a computer or iPad. The Tween Center caters to elementary aged children, offering a vast selection of books and storytimes. There’s a beautiful fireplace in the Quiet Room waiting for a good book to be read.
Seven Dwarfs Restaurant
- Address: 917 E. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton
The Seven Dwarfs Family Restaurant in Wheaton is a charming old-school diner that takes their theme very seriously. Young diners are greeted with a full-length wall featuring Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and the rest of the place follows suit. The menu is heavy on breakfast and sandwiches, and kids can get classics like pancakes and burgers.
Northside Park
- Address: 1300 N. West St., Wheaton
At 68 acres, Northside Park is Wheaton’s largest public outdoor park. The impressive playground has climbing features, monkey bars, swings, a zipline, a large water and sand area, and extremely long slides that kids of all ages will enjoy.
302 Wheaton
- Address: 302 W. Front St., Wheaton
This is a popular hotspot known for its burgers, tap beers, kid (and adult) milkshakes and family-friendly outdoor patio. The inclusive atmosphere has brought rave reviews from parents of children with developmental differences and food allergies. (There’s a separate fryer to ensure the fries are gluten-free).
Suzette’s Crêperie
- Address: 211 W. Front St., Wheaton
This French bistro offers a bakery, sit-down restaurant and wine bar. Enjoy quiches, crepes, French onion soup and more. Perfect for breakfast, brunch or lunch!
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