What makes Steger's sights so special is the unique mix of historical simplicity and the quiet pride of a small town, which has hardly been freed of its original charm since its foundation in 1876. I remember driving over the old railway line for the first time, which once formed the backbone of the village and today serves only as a silent witness of the early agricultural period. The city is located in the heart of Bloom Township, an area formerly dominated by wide corn fields and a few brave pioneers – today a patchwork of residential settlements and small businesses that still carry the scent of freshly mowed hay in the air when you drive off the main road.
If you come by car from Chicago, just follow the I‐57 south and take exit 317; the signage is hardly overlooked, because it does not strive for the “big” image that is known by metropolises. I have the feeling that people here – from the friendly shop owners to the enthusiastic high school alumni – have a little more time to talk when they are used to Cook County suburbs. And yes, I don’t always understand the hype about the “small cities” but the quiet moments at the old village square where the light falls through the trees are really great. If you are looking for a bit of authenticity, you will find in Steger not only a few Steger sights, but a small chapter of living history that you should not overlook.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey leads me to Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe – a place where I almost feel guilty because I spend more time between the rose beds than between the meetings. The 27 thematically designed gardens are a bit like an Instagram filter for nature, just that everything is real here. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't arrive on Saturday night with a horde wedding company, then the field becomes a battlefield. I once made a picnic with a friend who insisted that the lotus flowers look “like flying plates” – I just gave him a smile and amused about the quiet sum of the bees.
A short trip to Lisle brings me to Morton Arboretumwhere the trees have more personality than some politicians. The huge collection of over 4,000 species is a paradise for anyone who likes to lose himself in the green without triggering the forest fire alarm. I remember standing between the bright red maple trees in the autumn and thought that was the true “autumn feeling” that you never really spend in the commercials. Parking here is almost always free except when the annual “Tree-Trek” takes place – then you have to walk a bit around the block.
If you have enough of plants, the path continues to Union Illinois Railway Museum. This is not just a museum, which is a living testimony that people are still hanging on rails, although we now want to have flying cars. I have entered an old steam locomotive vehicle there and almost felt like landing in a Western film – only that the “horse” consists of steel and steam. Parking is a bit like a puzzle, because the visitor numbers fluctuate strongly, but usually you find a place if you don't come too late.
A bit more sporty it gets DuPage River Trail, who moves through the suburbs like a narrow, endless strip. I once tried to complete my morning jogging round, just to be overtaken by a group of dog owners who held their four-legged racers to the leash. The trail is well developed, and parking at the access points is usually easy – unless the weather is perfect and suddenly it becomes a hotspot for families.
For those who prefer to shop in an air-conditioned environment, this is Oak Brook Center a surprisingly pleasant place. It is not exactly a museum, but the mixture of high-end shops and a small collection of sculptures makes the visit almost a cultural experience. I once discovered a café that supposedly serves the best latte in the area – no joke that was actually good, although I was skeptical, because I usually don’t drink coffee when I see “art”.
A short trip to Naperville brings me to Naperville Riverwalk, a promenade along the DuPage River, which has more charm than some downtown area. The wells, the cafes and the occasional street musicians give the place a light, almost romantic flair. I spent a few hours there because I thought a little “city flair” would be nice, and in the end I learned more about local history than I would find in every guide. Parking is a bit tricky here because the places are quickly occupied, but a few blocks further there are still free places.
Last but not least, Chicago Portage National Historic Site not forgetting that is located near Lemont. This place marks the old waterway that was once used by explorers and trappers – a piece of history that can easily be overlooked if you are looking for only the big attractions. I found a small sign there that explains how the water once fled between the Michigan Sea and the Mississippi. It's amazing how much story is in a seemingly inconspicuous piece of land. Parking is practically always present here because the area is not overflowing.
So the next time you think about what you can do in the area of Steger, Bloom Township, Cook, Illinois, remember: Steger Attractions are not only the well-known points in the city, but also the surrounding treasures that I have compiled here with a little cynicism and a lot of enthusiasm for you.
Those who come to Steger for the first time will immediately notice that the city has more to offer than the usual suburban fleet expected from most suburbs around Chicago.
I must confess, my personal favorite spot is that Steger Historical Museum – a tiny but surprisingly well-stocked museum in the old school building on Main Street. There I like to hang my jacket over the chair, while I ran through old school books, photos of horse cars and a dusty original city plan copy. Last year, I spent almost half an hour reading a handwritten diary of a 1920s vintage that was traded by a local farmer who claimed he had planted the first corn field in the area. This is not just a piece of history, that is a piece of Steger identity, and the museum is free – parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem.
A short walk further leads you to St John the Baptist Catholic Church, an imposing brick building from 1908, which with its high tower tip almost touches the sky. I took part in a Sunday fair, just to see that the organ sounds are so deep and resonant that they themselves overtone the loudest cars on the adjacent main road. If you're looking for a little rest, sit in the back benches – this is the perfect place to escape the city's hustle and bustle without leaving the village.
Of course you can Steger Public Library not overlooked. She is small, but her offer is surprisingly wide: from local history books to a well-stocked children's department, which I often visited as a child to browse through the latest comic. I remember once borrowing an old town plan from the 1970s to plan my own little “Steger-Schnitzeljagd” – a fun I would put to every visitor.
Another highlight is the Weber Community Parkwhich extends along the Des Plaines River. There is not only a playground, but also a small amphitheater where local bands occasionally occur in the summer. I made a picnic there last summer, while a jazz quartet from the neighborhood played – that was really great, especially because the sun just went down above the river and the water was dipped in gold. If you want a bit of movement, try out the nearby Des Plaines River Trail; he is not spectacular, but he leads you through a few quiet forest sections that you hardly find in the area.
For those who prefer to stay inside, there is Weber Community Center with an indoor swimming pool that is surprisingly clean and where I visited a swimming course for adults – no joke, that was a real test of my endurance. The Center also offers yoga classes and occasional art exhibitions by local artists, which makes the whole village a bit more cultural than one would suspect at first glance.
If you ask yourself what Steger Attractions you really have to have seen, then take the time Steger Fire Department Hall to visit. It is not a museum in the classical sense, but the walls are covered with old firefighter helmet and hoses, and on the wall there is a photo of a firefighter car from the 1950s, which still shines in its original colour. I met a former fireman there who told me how he extinguished a burning barn fire in winter at icy temperatures – that was a real highlight of my trip.
Finally there is the small, but fine Steger Diner at the corner of Main and 1st Street. That's not exactly a tourist destination, but the homemade pancakes and coffee are so good that I'll watch over there almost every morning when I'm in the area. The owner knows every customer by name and always has a story – for example, how he operated the diner with candlelight during a power failure, because the whole quarter was suddenly without electricity. This is the true heart of Steger: people who fill their small corners with personality.
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