A charming village along Lake Michigan with a strong sense of community
Winthrop Harbor is a small village nestled along the shores of Lake Michigan and bordered by Wisconsin's state line to the north. With established towns on each side, its size has remained the same over time, resulting in a locale prioritizing supporting locally owned businesses and befriending neighbors. "You go for a walk down the street and get to know everyone that way," says Michelle Battisfore, a local Realtor with Cornerstone Group Realty LLC. "Everyone is out in their yards spring and summer or walking their dogs." It is also full of pristine nature preserves and coastal beaches, which sit in the backyards of many homes and are appreciated year-round.
The shores of North Dunes Nature Preserve
Thanks to North Dunes Nature Preserve's sprawling terrain, residents can easily appreciate local wildlife and a sense of solitude close to home. Many head to the preserve to walk along its wooded trails and scavenge for unique stones along its rocky shores. A more traveled area is North Point Marina, the largest marina of the Great Lakes, which has recently added a community pool. From here, residents can enjoy swimming at Winthrop Harbor Beach, which reaches its best temperatures for swimming in August, or catch sunset views on the patio at The Tropics, an American-style eatery on the waterfront. A more traditional park experience is had at Village Park, home to a playground, busy skate park and the Schlader Recreation Center.
The homes of Winthrop Harbor
Winthrop Harbor’s oldest homes, seen in mid-to-late 20th-century ranch and tr-level styles, are situated toward the east, while new traditional styles built in the last 20 years are found on the west side. Though a plot of land for future development sits between each, these two residential areas offer a rural feel appreciated through wooded backyards and lived-in roads. Alongside this, friendly neighbors are more likely to say hello than not. Prices for houses in this community range from $170,000 to $400,000 for a newly built home or a recently updated mid-century house.
Sheridan Road's local spots
Supporting its local businesses, which make up most options within the neighborhood, is a big part of the community. Whether it's perusing the shelves of used books and petting the in-store cat at Galaxy of Books or grabbing crafting materials from The Black Cat Stitchery, it's not uncommon to be greeted and helped by the owners themselves. Similarly, friendly faces are seen grabbing morning bakes from Cindy’s Petite Sweets or sitting down for dinner at Stone Creek Grill, a cabin-style local hotspot for fish fries and drinks. “Locals head a few miles south to Zion to do their shopping,” explains Battisfore about its Jewel-Osco and Walmart. “However, many, including myself, drive over the state line into Kenosha to avoid getting taxed on groceries.”
The annual Summer Fair
The neighborhood has a very active community page where residents share important updates, photos of nearby wildlife, and posts about Winthrop Harbor’s many events. Its annual Memorial Day Parade is a staple here, and residents are welcome to gather from along Sheridan Road to Village Park to join in on the fun. For almost 20 years, the Summer Fair has provided locals with thrills via carnival rides, live music and a grand fireworks show over Michigan Lake to close the celebration.
Walking to Westfield School
Students prekindergarten through 4th grade will attend Westfield School, which has a B-minus on Niche, before heading to North Prairie Junior High School, which has a C-plus. These schools are on opposite corners of Village Park and within walking distance of many homes. Older students will take the bus to Zion-Benton Township High School, which holds a B-minus rating.
Commuting from Winthrop Harbor
Interstate 94 sits a couple of miles west, allowing for 46.4-mile drives north to Milwaukee and a slightly farther 68-mile trip south to Chicago. Though the community doesn’t use the Metra at Winthrop Harbor Station regularly, Battisfore noted that people will periodically take it to catch a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. The interstate also carries travelers to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, a 44-mile drive. Closer to home is the Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital, which is 10.6 miles away, off 94th Avenue.
Lake Michigan water safety
According to Forbes, the shores Winthrop Harbor’s North Point was the seventh most polluted beach in 2009. A test in 2006 shows that 89% of the beach’s water is unhealthy. However, this has improved in recent years thanks to weekly quality testing during its busy months, May to September, according to Swim Guide. Lake County also provides an in-depth guide on how residents can practice safe swimming in the lake.
Written By
Matthew Simmons
Photography Contributed By
Chris Jeong
