Glencoe: Wright Architecture, Garden and Beach

If you’re looking for a hotel in Glencoe, it helps to consider the themes that shape your stay: Wright architecture, the Chicago Botanic Garden, trails through green spaces, or a seasonal visit to the beach. The following features of the area offer concrete points of reference to help you plan your trip around your interests.

Wright Architecture in Glencoe

A distinctive feature of the area is the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. Thirteen buildings he designed remain in Glencoe. The Glencoe Historical Society describes this as the world’s third-largest concentration of such buildings. Ravine Bluffs provides a specific historical connection: the subdivision was planned with 25 houses designed by Wright; five were built in 1915. The 25 therefore refers to the plan, while the five refers to the houses actually built—two different numbers for different stages.

The Glencoe Historical Society offers docent-led tours of the Wright-designed Ravine Bluffs subdivision. Tickets are required. Before your trip, check current dates and availability if you’re planning to focus on architecture.

Garden, Tram Ride and Trails

The Chicago Botanic Garden covers 385 acres, offering nature, scenic beauty and opportunities for recreation. From the Braeside Metra station, it can be reached via a 0.8-mile accessible pedestrian path. This connection is a practical point of reference when planning if the garden is one of your destinations.

The Grand Tram Tour is a 2.3-mile narrated ride on an electric tram; its seasonal operating schedule may vary. So check before your trip to see whether the tour runs on your chosen date. Another option in the garden area is a 1-mile multi-use path connecting the Green Bay Trail and the North Branch Trail. It passes through McDonald Woods at the Chicago Botanic Garden and through Turnbull Woods. The North Branch Trail also connects cyclists with trails south of the garden. This gives you a choice between a narrated tram ride and a trail connection with a specified distance—two distinct ways to visit.

Glencoe Beach and Seasonal Planning

Glencoe Beach offers sunshine, sand and summer fun. The beach season begins on Memorial Day weekend and ends on Labor Day. If a beach visit is part of your travel plans, check the seasonal information before you go. The stated season dates give you a specific timeframe for planning a beach-focused stay.

Theater and Event Spaces

The Writers Theatre’s new, state-of-the-art building opened in downtown Glencoe in February 2016. This timeline adds another specific architectural feature in the town center to the area’s historic Wright buildings.

The Writers Theatre Center in downtown Glencoe offers spaces for weddings, celebrations, business events and pre-performance receptions. The spaces can accommodate up to 350 guests. If you’re visiting Glencoe for a celebration or business occasion, this capacity is a specific planning figure to help you choose an event space.

Discover more destinations: Homewood, La Grange, Glenview, Tinley Park, Bridgeview, Park Ridge, Westchester, Oak Lawn

For the broader travel overview: Cook.