Lyons

Welcome to Lyons, the “Gateway to the West,” where thousands of early settlers once traveled across a small area of land connecting the Chicago River and the Des Plaines River, paving the way for Chicago to become a center of trade.

Lyons is also home to one of the most impressive historical sites in the region, the Hofmann Tower, an eight-story concrete castle built by George Hofmann Jr. in 1908. Once the tallest building west of The Loop, the tower is at the center of the village’s sprawling recreational area, where residents enjoy picnicking and canoeing on the Des Plaines River.

Area parks such as Veterans Park and Amelia Park provide recreational centers, playgrounds, basketball courts, soccer fields, and paths for residents to explore. Spanning 67 acres, Cermak Woods offers paved trails and an aquatic center with a water playground, slides, and a lazy river. Anglers can fish at Cermak Quarry.

Metra service to downtown Chicago is available at stations in nearby Riverside, Brookfield, and Berwyn on the BNSF Railway, as well as via three Pace Bus routes. Lyons’ convenient location also gives drivers access to I-55, I-294, and I-290, and the village is just a quick 10-minute drive to Midway International Airport.