Westmont, a southwestern suburb of Chicago, is frequently overlooked for its neighbors Hinsdale and Downers Grove. But, the community is worth getting to know in its own right. Meet Westmont, Illinois.

Home Prices

Westmont is surrounded by some pricier suburbs. Just to the north, you’ll find the upscale community of Oak Brook that’s dotted with gated communities—like the Midwest Club, which has a median home sale price of $1,227,500. Westmont, on the other hand, has neighborhoods with more reasonably priced homes. For example, you’ll find a median sale price of $338,000 in Oakwood and a median sale price of $237,450 in Liberty Park.

On the Move

Westmont is less than 25 miles outside of the city. If there isn’t any traffic, you can be downtown within half an hour. As is true of most suburbs, you’ll probably want to own a car while you live in Westmont. The village has some walkability—Walk Score rates it as 51 out of 100—but not a ton of bike and public transit options.

If you’re looking to commute downtown, Westmont does have its own Metra stop right in the suburb’s downtown area. The BNSF Metra line will take you right into Union Station in the West Loop.

For drivers, Westmont is conveniently located right near Route 83, I-88, and I-294. These highways will take you nearly anywhere you need to go in the surrounding areas.

The Parks

Westmont has an extensive parks system, but Ty Warner Park is probably the most well-known. The 36-acre park, located at 800 N. Blackhawk Drive, is named for the man behind Beanie Babies. The park is home to tennis courts, baseball fields, soccer fields, a volleyball court, a sledding hill, a splash park, a playground, and a large gazebo. A large, paved walking path circles and wends through the park. The park serves as a community hub with multiple sports games going on, neighbors jogging and walking their dogs, and an impressive fireworks display on the Fourth of July. 

The suburb is home to a collection of other smaller parks including Blackhawk Park, Bellerive Park, Diane Main Park, Fairfield Park Tot Lot, Fritz Werley Park, Kiwanis Park, Lebeck Park, Lions Park, Mertz Memorial Park, Oakwood Park, Robert Bernas Park, Rotary Park, Sentinel Park, Smith Woods, Wilderness Park, Williams Cove Park, and Veteran’s Memorial Park. 

New Development

New developments in Westmont have made recent headlines. The suburb could be getting a new, indoor pool facility, according to the Chicago Tribune. Originally planned for an apartment development in Oak Brook, the 1,200-seat pool could now be built at Westmont’s Ty Warner Park.

“The park board has approved this in concept, pending the execution of a signed ground lease and the approval of all site plan and permit requirements through the village. We are confident everything will be addressed and resolved in short time,” Bob Fleck, the executive director of the Westmont Park District, told the Chicago Tribune.

While the pool is still a possibility in the works, a different project has already received approval. The suburb will be getting a 36,000-square-foot movie theater at 63rd Street and Cass Ave., according to another Chicago Tribune report. The new project will also bring a LA Fitness, a Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, and up to five other businesses to the site.

“This project will help kick-start the entire business district on the south side of our community. This project, along with a few other developments that are coming forward, represent over $100 million of investment in Westmont. It’s very exciting,” Harold Barry III, a village board member and chairman of the Westmont Economic Development Committee, told the Tribune.

Singing the Blues

An unlikely spot for musical fame, Westmont was actually home to pioneering blues musician Muddy Waters. He lived in the Chicago suburb from 1974 until his death in 1983. Since his death, the home has undergone foreclosure and landed in Cook County housing court, according to the Washington Post. But, Muddy Waters’ legacy remains alive and well in the village. During this year’s annual Taste of Westmont, the suburb held a Muddy Waters Blues Jam and a Muddy Waters Tribune.