$586,036Average Value$208Average Price per Sq Ft26Homes For Sale
Suburbia surrounded by protected forests
In 1893, Chicago hosted the World’s Fair, attracting thousands of visitors with brand-new inventions like the Ferris Wheel, an automatic dishwasher and Edison light bulbs. As droves of people traveled to Lake Michigan to witness the magic of electricity, the city’s wealthiest residents decided to seek peace and quiet 25 miles inland. They set up the Sharpshooters Association in Palos Park, building spacious summer homes in the midst of the Cook County Forest. By the early 1900s, the village had become an artist’s retreat, and creatives like Claude Buck, Emile Grumieaux, Felix Russmann and Lorado Taft were inspired by the towering trees and clean air. “Palos Park was considered far from the city at the turn of the century,” says Barry Gaw with RE/MAX 10, a Palos Park local who’s accumulated nearly 50 years of real estate experience. “It was a place for artists and poets and writers from the University of Chicago to do their thinking and work on their projects. There were many little cottage-type homes in beautiful settings, and some of them still remain.” Palos Park was officially incorporated in 1914; the population has continued to expand, growing from less than 500 a century ago to approximately 5,000 today. Vacation homes have transformed into year-round residences, shopping centers are an easy drive away and the once-remote enclave is now a village with a top-rated school district.
Palos Park is a southwest suburb of Chicago.
Palos Park
1/2
Investment properties, mid-century modern homes and wooded estates
"Palos Park is more upscale than Palos Heights," says Laurie Mead, a Realtor with @properties. "It's more of an artsy, cultural area, and there are some really nice houses over here.” Prices range from the mid $300,000s to well over $1 million, and prospective buyers will find virtually any type of home; 1920s-era cottages in need of large-scale renovations sell for under $350,000, brick-sided mid-century modern properties with forest views hover around $550,000 and early-2000s estates with backyards swimming pools sell for $1 million. According to Gaw, plenty of homes here have some sort of historical significance, and families can live in former stagecoach stops or even old boarding schools. “About three years ago, I sold a home in Palos Park that was the first time a checkerboard brick design was done,” he says. Most properties sit on over an acre, and driveways are wide enough to accommodate multiple cars. Although space has been cleared for newer builds, the neighborhood is still heavily forested, just as it was over 100 years ago.
Palos Park has a number of homes from the 1920's.
Palos Park has a number of medium sized to larger homes.
1/2
Nearly 50 clubs to choose from at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School
Palos Park is also known for its top-rated public school system, and Palos East Elementary, Palos South Middle and Amos Alonzo Stagg High School all received A grades from the educational review site, Niche. Amos Alonzo Stagg High, part of Consolidated High School District 230, is home to nearly 50 clubs including a student-run newspaper, the Staggline, which welcomes cartoonists and photographers on staff as well as writers. The Marching Chargers, the school’s marching band, have flown to perform at Disney World several times.
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School is the typical school for residents of Palos Park.
Palos East Elementary serves the residents of Palos Park.
1/2
Stargazing, horseback riding and stair workouts in the Palos Preserves
Palos Park is surrounded by protected forest. To the west, find water features like Papoose Lake and Horsetail Lake in the midst of the Palos Preserves, designated the world’s largest Urban Night Sky Place in 2021. The wooded area emits less than one-thousandth of the artificial light of Downtown Chicago, and as a result, it’s become a popular destination for stargazing, night hikes, and owling. The Cap Sauers Holding Nature Preserve includes over 20 miles of unpaved trails ideal for committed mountain bikers and equestrians — in fact, strolling in the woods sometimes means stepping aside for a horse to pass by. There’s also Swallow Cliff, a former toboggan run now home to a popular stair workout. On the weekends, fish on the Saganashkee Slough or visit the Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens to admire the waterfall; make sure to pack a picnic.
Given the village’s hilly streets, runners from surrounding communities up for a challenge will drive here and park in the library’s lot.
Palos Park features a number of nearby forests great for taking a walk with the dog.
Palos Park
1/2
Homemade ice cream since 1937 and retail options in Orland Park
According to Mead, residents will make the 3-mile drive to Orland Park to run errands or order a bite from fast food stops like McDonald’s and Dairy Queen. Orlano Square, an indoor shopping mall home to large-scale retailers like Macy’s and JCPenney, is located off U.S. Route 45. Nearby grocery stores include Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, but there’s also Jewel-Osco and Aldi farther north. On warm days, residents order ice cream with a historic flair at Plush Horse Palos Park, which has been serving homemade flavors since 1937. “It’s a Palos Park landmark,” says Gaw. “Generations come from all over to enjoy the ice cream. My favorite is vanilla malt, and they have pumpkin in the fall.” At the intersection of South La Grange Road and 123rd Street, find Wu’s House, a regional chain known for its boba, hibachi lunch and sushi bar. Or for fresh-made Italian pasta dishes like spaghetti pomodoro and fettuccine with braised short rib, make a reservation at Francesca’s Vicinato.
For fresh produce from October through May, head to the Wednesday morning farmers market in the neighboring community of Palos Heights.
Stop by Plush Horse for your ice cream crave and morning coffee in Palos Park.
Palos Park residents love to get a treat a Plush Horse.
1/2
Live theater, outdoor festivals and Palos Parks’ artistic legacy
Watch the Palos Park Players perform live at the village’s small recreation center, or head to the Palos Park Village Green for their annual Concert in the Park event; plenty of space is cleared for dancing, and kids enjoy face painting booths, balloon animals and juggling. There’s also an Autumn in the Park festival in September, a weekend-long event complete with food vendors, a parade and a children’s petting zoo. Also make sure to stop by the Village Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Meanwhile, the Palos Park Public Library hosts a book discussion group and a bi-monthly movie showing. Right next to Francesca’s Vicinato, the McCord House Gallery and Cultural Center displays the work of local artists and offers classes, preserving Palos Parks’ legacy as an artists’ retreat.
Medical care, CTA buses and Metra stops
Palos Park residents can easily access medical care at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital, just a short drive — or even a walk — away from the neighborhood. The 425-bed facility has over 600 affiliated physicians and specializes in cancer care, emergency health, behavioral medicine and more.
Although the village is largely car-dependent, some residents make use of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). Route 379, for instance, heads all the way to Chicago Midway International Airport and the Midway Orange Line Station. There's also Chicago O'Hare, which offers more flight options farther north. Or take the Metra to Chicago Union Station, which serves as Amtrak’s premiere location in the Midwest.
Palos Park residents commute on the nearby Metra.
Residents of Palos Park can take Interstate 55 or 294.
Welcome home to Gleneagles in Lemont school district! We offer open concept plans for today's lifestyle. THIS HOME IS TO BE BUILT. Our Estate Series presents the Woodside, a beautiful family home with a soaring two-story ceiling in the gathering room. This home comes with a large 9' unfinished look/out basement with bath plumbing rough-in. Your 3-car garage has plenty of storage. You have a 1st
Just completed brand new roof, gutters and Hardie Board siding! Truly a Rare find! 3 bedroom 2 bath Palos Park Split on a private road with major Kitchen addition with granite, stainless, vaulted ceilings, newer sliding glass door, windows and 4 brand new skylights. Combo Living room / Dining room with multisided fireplace. Lower level Family room with wet bar and 2nd fireplace. Oversized and
Desirable Palos Park home sits comfortably off 88th Avenue on a wooded acre lot. Simply relax and take pleasure in the quiet and breathtaking view or enjoy entertaining from your new deck or enclosed porch. The mature trees make this backyard private and picturesque. On a cold winter's night cozy up next to the fireplace and watch the snow fall through a new large picture window. This all brick
A timeless retreat where custom-built luxury meets serene pond views and a cascading waterfall. Set on 3.107 private acres, this stately Palos Park estate offers an impressive 11,537 sq ft of total living space across four expansive levels-designed for multi-generational living, elegant entertaining, and future flexibility. Built from the ground up in 2000, the home welcomes you with a grand
Carina SawayaBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Christine Fischer,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public RecordsDisclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
