What makes the Thornton sights so special is the unique mix of historical simplicity and the quiet whisper of a city that can never completely decide whether to be a suburb or an independent gem. I remember driving over the old railway bridge, which dates back to the 1880s â a relic that today is admired more by the daily commuters than by tourists. The township itself was founded in 1850 when the country was still dominated by farms and small wooden huts; Since then, the grid of Cook County has hardly changed, but people have developed a unique charm that swings between rustic honesty and slightly cynical self-satisfaction.
A short detour with the Metra to the south brings you to the pulsating heart of Chicago, but the true pleasure lies in slow strolling through the old streets of Thornton, where you hear the quiet sums of history between the brick houses. I don't quite understand the hype about the modern shopping malls, but the small, family-run cafĂ©s along Main Street are really great â here you get more personality than in any crowded shopping mall. And if you ask yourself how to come here: a short rideshare of OâHare or a short stop at the nearby bus station is enough to catapult you in the middle of the authentic life of this township.
With the map tool, you can plan the ideal location for a photo online in advance â taking into account the sun's path and the surroundings.
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To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Thornton, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
The first stop I never miss is that Museum of Science and Industry in the Hyde Park â a huge maze of old locomotives, huge aircraft and a real submarine that you can actually enter. I remember stumbled with my sister as a child in the summer because we thought we could use the submarine as a hiding place; the security personnel then sent us friendly, but surely, back to the exhibition. Parking is usually easy as long as you do not arrive on Friday night after the special exhibition â then the car park becomes a battlefield.
A short jump over the Chicago River leads to Pullman National Monumentwhere the history of the workers' movement is almost tangible. I have once made a guided tour where the guide told more about the strikes of 1894 when I've ever read in a history book â and that while we passed the original brick buildings that are today rented as chic lofts. The place is easily accessible on foot, and the bicycle lock at the entrance is almost always easy, so no problem to park the bike.
If you have enough of concrete and steel, it is worth a detour to Calumet Trail. This 9-mile-long path stretches through wetlands, old industrial plants and offers surprisingly clear views of Lake Michigan. I once organized a picnic with friends, which was almost completely taken over by a horde duck â a real ânature experience dayâ if you donât take the word âEntenâ too seriously. The trail is free, and parking at the entrance is usually an empty field as long as you don't arrive on Saturday morning when the Jogger community occupies the field.
A little further south, almost on the border with Indiana, this is Indiana Dunes National Park. I confess that I don't understand the hype around the sand â you can just lie on the beach there â but the dune landscape is a rare example of unspoiled nature in the middle of the West. I shot a photo of a sunset there that was so good that I even printed it out in the office (my boss was not thrilled because he thought I brought a picture out of the holiday). The entrance is free, and parking is usually sufficient at the main entrances as long as you do not arrive at lunchtime at the weekend.
Another highlight that is often overlooked is that Chicago Portage National Historic Site. There are some trade routes here, and today you can follow a small museum and a few information boards how the city of Chicago originated from a small waterway. I once found an old binocular that was probably left behind by an early explorer â at least it looked like that until I passed it to the hand of my little nephew who chased âpiratesâ in the park. Access is free, and parking is usually easy on the small side street next to the museum.
Last but not least a short trip to Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, which is a piece outside, but is easy to reach thanks to the Metra line. The gardens are a true paradise for plant lovers and offer more than just flowers â there are greenhouses, sculptures and even a small cafĂ© that serves surprisingly good pastries. I spent an afternoon there because I thought I could shoot some photos for Instagram; the result was rather a relaxed walk where I learned more about domestic plants than I ever experienced at school. Parking is paid, but the fees are manageable, and the staff is always friendly when you ask for a free space.
Whether youâre looking for industrial history, natural experiences or just a good place to stay â the Thornton environment offers a colourful mix that surprises every traveler. The Thornton Attractions wants to explore, find enough fabric for a day full of discoveries, a few unexpected encounters and enough fabric for the next round of talks in the favorite cafĂ©.
This guide invites you to stroll with me through the inconspicuous but self-willing Thornton â yes, just the small village you would easily overlook if you donât accidentally cross Highway 1 and suddenly discover a sign with âWelcome to Thorntonâ.
First of all, Thornton Quarry tell this gigantic hole in the ground that seems to be more stone than city. I once spent a few hours with my old off-road car because I thought it was a secret off-road spot. The result? A dusty but impressive view of the huge limestone walls that glow almost pink at sunset. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, it becomes a real problem because then the local rock bands hold their samples there and the terrain is suddenly full of loud guitar sounds.
A short detour leads to Thornton Community Center. I must admit I was skeptical because the word âcommunityâ always reminds me of boring senior courses. But the swimming pool there is really great â crystal clear water, a small jumping tower, and the staff who greets you with a âwelcome back, you old Haudegen!â when you dive after a long working day. The center also has a small gym that I occasionally use when I want to discard my excuse for âtoo much sittingâ in the office.
right next to the center Thornton Public Library. I did my first real research on the history of the city there, because I thought a bit of library romanticism could pluck up my Instagram story. The shelves are full of local archives, and the staff knows every regular in the name â no joke, they even call you when you go by âHey, have you read the new book about the Quarry?â If you're looking for some rest, sit in the reading corner on the window; the light falls right to read your notes without having the sun in your face.
A must for anyone who wants to Thornton Attractions interested, this is Thornton Historical Museum. The museum is small, but the exhibitions are surprisingly well curated â old photos, stone quarry tools and an original wooden chair, on which supposedly the first mayor of the village sat. I remember how I stood there and thought: âI donât understand the hype for mini mouses, but this is really fascinating.â The entrance is free, and the staff will even let you tell a few anecdotes from the founding period if you dare to ask for the way to the cafĂ©.
A short walk leads you to St. James Catholic Church. The church is not only a place of prayer, but also an architectural piece of jewelry with a stone façade that almost looks like a miniature limestone break â suitable when you consider where we were. I took part in a Sunday divine service there, just to hear the organ that was so loud that I thought the building would collapse. The congregation is warm, and the pastor gives every visitor a piece of homemade apple cake, if you have not enough of sweet surprises after the worship.
For a little fresh air and a little movement I recommend the Thornton Park. The park is small, but it has a well maintained playground, a few baseball diamonds and a small lake where ducks swim â yes, ducks that you can see almost every day because they seem to have a permanent stay here. I have often spent my lunch break, ate a sandwich and watched the ducks as they wind up the water. Parking is a children's game here because there is a small parking lot right at the entrance, and the whole area is well lit if you want to jog a bit after dark.
At the end of the day, a reference to Thornton Farmers Market, which takes place every Saturday morning at the municipal centre. I found the best fresh vegetables I've ever eaten there â crunchy carrots that were almost too sweet to cook them, and a few homemade jams that I immediately took home. The sellers are real characters that tell you stories about their farms while you're considering whether you have enough money for the handmade wooden board you don't need, but still take along because it is "a piece of home".
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