Visit Riverdale Cook Illinois and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover Riverdale, Illinois: Experience the home of Archie Comics and enjoy the historic centre, the Museum of Comics and the local flair. A must: River's Edge Restaurant & Brewery!
Travelers from all over the world appreciate Riverdale's attractions because the inconspicuous suburb feeling is paired here with a surprising layer of history. I remember driving over the old railway bridge that was built in 1880 by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad – a relic that today still decorates the cityscape and at the same time carries the echo of a time when Riverdale was still a mere piece of farmland in the Township of Thornton.
The city was officially convened in 1895, and since then it has developed from a pure working-class colony to a mixed residential area that benefits from the proximity to Chicago without taking over the entire city. When you drive to the south with the Metra-Bergedorf line, you can immediately feel that the tracks transport more than just commuters – they carry stories from immigrants looking for a new life here.
A short detour to the I-94, which intersects the township, brings a rapidly pulsating heart of Cook County, while the local bus lines (CTA-Route 352) connect the city centre with the quiet residential streets – practical if you want to sniff a little “real” suburban flair. And yes, I don't quite understand the hype about the modern shopping malls, but the small family-run cafés along Riverdale Avenue are really great and give the place the certain something that you rarely find at the usual tourist destinations.
This guide invites you to take a look behind the gray suburbs of Chicago, where I discovered my favorite places in Riverdale – and yes, I know you're thinking that this is just another suburb, but wait.
First of all, Riverdale Parkthat hides right on the main street where I tried my first baseball bats as a child. The lawn is not exactly a golf course green, but the fields are well maintained and the small Skate Board ramp system is a real secret tip for young people who do not have a bump on expensive indoor halls. Parking is usually easy, except Saturdays, when local football teams storm the field and you find yourself between 20 cars and a stray ice car.
A short walk further Riverdale Cemetery, a historical cemetery ensemble that tells more stories than some museum text. I found the tomb of John H. McCarty, a former mayor, whose stone inscription is almost poetic. The cemetery is freely accessible, and the quiet green offers a surprisingly beautiful place to think – or just let the soul dangle while you hear the quiet rustling of the leaves.
If you're looking for a place where you can feel a bit like a real local, look at this. Riverdale Community Center on. I took part in a free yoga course led by a retired teacher who knew more about the history of the neighborhood than any city tour. The Center has a small swimming pool, a gym and an event room where local bands regularly occur – this is my personal definition of “support the local cultural life”.
Another jewel is the Riverdale Public Library, an inconspicuous construction, which has a surprisingly extensive range of local archives. I found an old urban planning document that shows the original division of the village from the 1920s – a real treat for history freaks. The library has free Wi-Fi, comfortable reading chair and a small café that serves the best coffee in the area when you are ready to sacrifice a few dollars for a latte.
For those who seek the word “nature” not only in Instagram hashtags, there is Calumet River Walk, a narrow path along the river that is perfect for a quiet walk or a little bird watching. I have seen rare rows there, and the water has in some places an almost mystical mirror smoothness that dips the cityscape into a gentle blue. Access is free, and you can take your bike – this is a plus if you don't want to sit in the car all day.
A short detour leads you to Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canalwhere you can feel the industrial heritage of Chicago. I visited an old lock house, which today serves as a viewpoint. The view over the vast water that is traversed by load ships is a bit like a film set from the 1950s – only that you don't see actors here, but real workers who do their shifts. Parking is a bit tricky here because the area is mostly reserved for traffic, but a few free places can be found when you arrive early enough.
And because I must not forget, here is a short hint for the search engine drivers among you: Riverdale Attractions are not just a keyword, but a real promise that you have more to discover in this small village than you suspect at first sight.
Finally, a personal tip: If you're in Riverdale the next time, just take your time to talk to the locals – most of them have a story to tell that's not in every guide. And believe me, this is often the most interesting thing you can find here.
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