Wildwood Facts

Location: About 12 miles northwest of the Loop.
Boundaries: Touhy Avenue to the north, Lehigh Avenue to the east, and Caldwell to the south and west
Bordering Neighborhoods: Edgebrook, Niles, Park Ridge, Norwood Park, Jefferson Park
Crime Statistics: Go to CLEARMap for crime stats on specific Chicago neighborhood, intersection, address or police beat.
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Then and Now

Wildwood neighborhood is part of the larger Forest Glen community, perhaps the most suburban of the 77 official Chicago community areas the city defined back in the 1920s. Wildwood shares much in common with its northerly neighbors -- Chicago neighborhoods Edgebrook, North Edgebrook, Sauganash, and Forest Glen -- including its history.

Before European settlers came to the region, Wildwood was inhabited by Native American tribes, who took full advantage of nearby forests for hunting and the North Branch of the Chicago River for fishing and transportation. In 1828, the United States granted a huge parcel of land (including what is now Wildwood) to Billy Caldwell, a Potawatomi chief who was part Mohawk Indian and part Irish. The land was Caldwell's payment for mediating several land treaties between the United States and the Potawatomi. He eventually sold the land to farmers, and the entire area was annexed to the city of Chicago in 1889.

Fortunately, a large part of the land -- running the length of Wildwood's south and west boundaries -- was set aside as forest preserves, lending a unique, almost rural setting to this metropolitan neighborhood. Today, Wildwood is almost exclusively residential, with just a smattering of businesses along Touhy Avenue.

The Park Is the Place

With expansive forest preserves lining its boundaries, Wildwood has an abundance of green space for outdoor activities. But when Wildwood residents want to play ball, take classes, get in a game of tennis, talk a brisk walk, or socialize with their neighbors, they go to their beloved community park, Wildwood Park (6950 N Hiawatha Ave, 773-631-7455).

The park's amenities include something for every member of the family: three baseball diamonds, a softball and football field, four basketball standards, two tennis courts, a horseshoe pit, a playground, a spray pool, and a walking trail. The park also hosts specialized camps for football, tennis, and leadership training. Visit Wildwood Park's gym, and you might catch a basketball or floor hockey game, or even a recreational tumbling show. But the park's claim to fame is its 34-year-old Junior Bears football program for little Wildwood residents age six to 15. And what would football be without cheerleaders? Wildwood offers cheerleading for children aged six to 14 who have spirit and want to use it to cheer on their neighborhood athletes.

While football and basketball and any other games utilizing a ball are quite common to most Chicago city parks, Wildwood Park has something unique that you won't soon find in any other neighborhood recreation area. For a taste of Wildwood community history, check out the collection of photos and news clippings that cover the walls and ceilings of the park's fieldhouse. The hodgepodge of memorabilia pays tribute to the residents who have contributed to the development and of the park and to the Wildwood neighborhood over the years. It's really something to see, and something you won't soon forget.
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Real Estate

Wildwood's housing is among the most desirable in Chicago. The large residential blocks boast a mix of well-kept Georgians, Colonials, English Tudors and brick ranches (to name a few) on beautifully landscaped, oversized lots. Expansive green yards are in abundance here, and many homes sport side driveways and attached garages. Massive oaks and maples shade backyards where plenty of Wildwood residents enjoy barbeques in the warm weather months and building snow forts after a fresh blanket of white shrouds the neighborhood in the winter.

Property around these parts varies in value, however, there are quite a few large, four- or five-bedroom newer homes that bear a million dollar plus price tag. If that seems a little steep for your budget, perhaps the more moderate dwellings, which are still very attractive and spacious, are more your style. A two-bedroom single-family ranch starts in the low $300,000s in this northwest side Chicago neighborhood. The average sales price for a three-bedroom place is approximately $520,000, although there are several properties that sell for $400,000 or less. Whether you prefer an adorable one-story with shutters and a front porch or a grand estate with privacy bushes and a three-car garage, Wildwood is a stunning Chicago neighborhood with everything you could want in a home.

Forest Glen Residential Real Estate Info (Includes Wildwood Neighborhood)

Source: Multiple Listings Service of Northern Illinois
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What's on the Menu?

Although there are just a few dining options within Wildwood's borders, neighborhood residents can take a short walk or ride to nearby Edgebrook or the neighboring suburb of Niles, when hunger strikes.

When you plan on staying in Wildwood for dinner, head up to Touhy Avenue for the best selection of restaurants. For quick, homemade Greek food, Chicago hot dogs, and more, we go to Papa Chris' Place (6235 W Touhy Ave, 773-631-4322). Their gyro sandwiches are our favorite, but the hot dogs and Greek chicken are close seconds. Portions are very large and warrant sharing among lighter eaters, so Papa Chris' can be a great choice for an inexpensive meal. When there isn't time to sit down and eat, fax ahead your carryout order and the friendly staff will have it waiting for you when you arrive.

On the north side of Touhy Avenue (technically in Niles, Illinois), Al's #1 Italian Beef (5948 W Touhy Ave, 847-647-1577) serves a true Chicago classic. For newcomers to Chicago, an Italian beef is a mouthwatering sandwich of thinly sliced roast beef simmered in a broth of garlic, oregano, and spices, piled on crusty Italian bread. Al's has been voted the best Italian beef in the city by several critics. Stop in to see what all the fuss is about -- you won't be sorry.

For crispy brick-oven pizza, plus steak, pasta, seafood, and much more, Wildwood residents flock to Graziano's (5960 W Touhy Ave, 847-647-4096). This bustling restaurant's roomy dining area sports high ceilings and an open kitchen, and walls adorned with colorful vintage European posters. But the highlight at Graziano's is the food. Our perfect dinner starts with the oven-roasted calamari (in spicy Cajun garlic butter) for an appetizer, continues with Tuscan brick chicken with roasted potatoes for the entree, and ends with a delectable Sambuca cake for dessert. If that doesn't send your tastebuds tingling, how about a wood-roasted shrimp salad, baked ziti chicken ragu, or horseradish-crusted ribeye steak? We've only touched the surface of Graziano's extensive menu, which also includes several low-carb offerings and a kids' menu that features a peanut-butter-and-jelly pizza. The restaurant has impressive wine and beer lists, and unique specialty cocktails like a Sicilian margarita made with tequila and amaretto. And don't forget about the brick-oven pizza. For a taste adventure, try the vodka prosciutto or the cheeseless maribella pie, topped with eggplant, zucchini, caramelized onions and other heavenly ingredients. Of course, Graziano's has all of your favorite pizza toppings so you can create your own masterpiece as well.
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Best Shopping Stops

Shopaholics will have a field day at the Village Crossing retail center at Touhy Avenue and Carpenter Road, just minutes from Wildwood's borders. Even if you're not big into shopping, you'll delight in the center's collection of more than 60 stores, restaurants, and services. Popular businesses include PetSmart, Dick's Sporting Goods, Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, OfficeMax, and many more. And if you get hungry, you can stop at Chili's, Outback Steakhouse, Corner Bakery, and several other familiar casual restaurants.
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Mark Your Calendar

Wildwood residents get together every year to celebrate with their friends and neighbors at the Fourth of July Parade and Picnic. Sponsored by the Edgebrook Community Association, the patriotic party starts at Edgebrook School (6525 N Hiawatha Ave) and ends at Wildwood Park (6950 N Hiawatha Ave). Children get into the Independence Day spirit by decorating their bikes and wagons in full red-white-and-blue regalia for the parade -- after all, the most creative and American displays win prizes. Everyone's invited to join the procession, alongside the marching bands, classic cars, floats, and more. While the parade is great fun, the picnic afterward is even better. There's usually live music, a moonwalk, and great food, including sandwiches, popcorn, brats, hot dogs, pop, and corn on the cob. Wildwood's summertime bash is a can't-miss neighborhood event.
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Getting Around

You'll have no trouble getting from Wildwood neighborhood to downtown Chicago, the northern suburbs, or O'Hare International Airport, whether you plan to drive or take public transportation.

The Metra Milwaukee District North Line provides train service from Fox Lake, Illinois to Chicago's Union Station just outside the Loop. Stops in between include Morton Grove, Glenview, Deerfield, and Gray's Lake. Wildwood residents can simply walk across Lehigh Avenue and pick up the train at the Edgebrook station (6402 N Central Avenue). If it's more convenient for you to drive to the station, no problem, you will find ample parking where it is safe to leave your car until your return.

Several Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus routes stop right at the Edgebrook station, too. Route #84 runs east down Caldwell, Peterson, and Ridge avenues to the CTA's Red Line train station at Bryn Mawr Avenue, and the #85A bus heads north to Touhy Avenue and south to the Jefferson Park CTA terminal. Pace bus route #290 serves several nearby suburbs, including Niles, with east/west service on Touhy Avenue between the Howard Street CTA station (where commuters can pick up the CTA's Red and Purple rapid transit trains), and the Cumberland CTA station (where riders can pick up the CTA Blue Line to O'Hare). Stops in between include the popular Village Crossing and Lincolnwood Town Center suburban shopping centers.

And last but not least, drivers have easy access to the Edens Expressway (I-94), with an entrance ramp at Touhy Avenue. This highway connects with the Kennedy (I-90) and then heads straight into the downtown Chicago Loop. One word of warning, if you plan to commute into the city for work, the rush hour traffic can be pretty aggravating, so if you're not a fan of bumper-to-bumper congestion (and really, who is?), then you might want to reconsider taking the train into the office.
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School's in Session

Wildwood's elementary schools include a private Catholic academy and a fully authorized international baccalaureate world educational facility that has been voted among the ten best neighborhood schools in Chicago. In addition to the following list, you can find more information on Wildwood's scholastic institutions and Chicago area schools at our Chicago Guide Schools page.

Saint Mary of the Woods School 7033 N Moselle Ave - (773) 763-7577
Wildwood Elementary School 6950 N Hiawatha Ave - (773) 534-1188
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Basic Needs

We've compiled a sampling of some of the places you can get your bare necessities in Wildwood, from gardening supplies to groceries, prescriptions to pizza.

Grocery Stores

Costco 7311 Melvina Ave - (847) 972-3003
Happy Foods 6415 N Central Ave - (773) 774-4466
Jewel-Osco 5667 West Touhy Ave - (847) 647-6880

Post Offices

(Edgebrook) U.S. Post Office 5424 W Devon Ave - (773) 736-5370

Pharmacies

Costco 7311 Melvina Ave - (847) 972-3002
Jewel-Osco 5667 West Touhy Ave - (847) 647-1933
Target Pharmacy 6150 W Touhy Ave - (847) 588-2808

Gyms

Acceleration Illinois 6000 W Touhy Ave - (773) 763-1600
Leaning Tower YMCA 6300 W Touhy Ave - (847) 674-8222

ENTERTAINMENT

Fourth of July Parade 6525 N Hiawatha Ave - (773) 775-4065)
Fourth of July Picnic at Wildwood Park 6950 N Hiawatha Ave (773-775-4065)
Kerasotes Theatres Village Crossing 18, 7000 Carpenter Rd - (847) 673-8581
Wildwood Park 6950 N Hiawatha Ave - (773) 631-7455

DINING

Al's #1 Italian Beef 5948 W Touhy Ave, 847-647-1577
Graziano's 5960 W Touhy Ave, 847-647-4096
Papa Chris' Place 6235 W Touhy Ave, 773-631-4322
Touhy Grill 6145 W Touhy Ave, 773 763-8818

ASSOCIATIONS/COMMUNITY GROUPS

Niles Chamber of Commerce
Wildwood Seminole Football Parent Association

ETC.

Chateau Wildwood Incorporated 6926 N Ionia Ave - (773) 594-9091
Frank's Wildwood Barber Shop 6201 W Touhy Ave - (773) 763-3067
Meinke Garden Center 5803 W Touhy Ave - (847) 647-9455
Wildwood Construction and Remodeling 7040 N Mankato Ave - (773) 631-0450
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Sometimes it makes more sense to view the city of Chicago as a bunch of separate neighborhoodsespecially when it comes to real estate. Whether you are in the market for a loft, condo, townhome, or house, it is just as important to inspect the surrounding area as it is to inspect the home's foundation. Wildwood neighborhood is just one Chicago community with an abundance of residential properties, and a life all its own. From where you send your kids to school to where you dine at night, the information we provide is an essential piece of the puzzle when you're trying to decide whether or not to buy that beautiful loft or adorable house in Wildwood.
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