Riverwoods, IL Area Guide

Riverwoods was incorporated in 1959 by local steel magnate Jay Peterson, and the decision to form a village was driven largely by a desire to prevent annexation by neighboring municipalities and protect the wooded, rural character of the land along the Des Plaines River. That preservation ethos is still visible today in the large lots, tree-lined roads, and conservation areas that define the village's landscape. The area's story stretches back further than its incorporation, though: in 1885, a Wisconsin Central Railroad station was built near the intersection of Deerfield Road and North Milwaukee Avenue, drawing visitors and setting the stage for the river corridor to become a popular early 20th-century retreat for outdoors enthusiasts. One of Riverwoods' most enduring landmarks is Orphans of the Storm, an animal shelter founded in 1928 by Irene Castle, a celebrated dancer of the era. The shelter continues to operate today, making it one of the oldest institutions in the area and a living piece of its past. The nearby Ryerson Conservation Area also carries a sense of history, with its historic farm buildings set within a broader forest preserve that has long shaped how the community relates to the land around it.

The North Milwaukee Avenue corridor, shared with neighboring Lincolnshire and Buffalo Grove, serves as the area's main dining hub, offering casual dining, steakhouses, and a variety of worldwide cuisines. The neighboring communities of Deerfield and Lincolnshire round out the scene with additional sit-down restaurants and quick-service spots, making it easy for Riverwoods residents to find something to suit any craving with a short drive.

Riverwoods is a car-dependent community, and most residents rely on personal vehicles to get around. Interstate 94 serves as the primary route south to downtown Chicago, roughly 30 miles away. Deerfield Road and North Milwaukee Avenue connect the village to nearby commercial corridors and services. For those who commute by rail, several Metra stations are within a short drive: Buffalo Grove Station on the North Central Service line sits about 6 minutes away, and Deerfield Station on the Milwaukee District North line is similarly close, both offering service into the city. Chicago O'Hare International Airport is approximately 17 miles away, about a 25-minute drive, making regional and international travel accessible. The Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway, a multi-use path running along the river, offers residents a scenic option for cycling and walking, though the village itself lacks a traditional sidewalk grid given its wooded, low-density layout.

Riverwoods is surrounded by a rich network of natural preserves and green spaces that define everyday life here. Ryerson Conservation Area, just minutes away, is one of the region's premier Lake County Forest Preserves, offering hiking trails, nature education programs, and historic farm buildings. Within the same grounds, the Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods combines arts programming with the natural landscape. Nearby Rivershire Park and Nature Center and Potawatomi Woods provide additional woodland settings for walking and wildlife observation. The Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway, accessible within a short drive, is a multi-use path ideal for hiking and cycling. The Des Plaines River itself draws fishing enthusiasts, and Chevy Chase Country Club offers private golf amid scenic surroundings.

Nestled along the Des Plaines River about 30 miles north of Chicago, Riverwoods is a wooded, low-density village where conservation land, golf, and outdoor recreation take center stage. Ryerson Conservation Area, the Des Plaines River Trail, and Chevy Chase Country Club are close at hand, and Metra commuter rail stations in Deerfield and Buffalo Grove put downtown Chicago within easy reach.