Major city · United States
BarringtonBarrington, Illinois
Half a day or a meal stop on a Northwest Suburbs drive: the historic downtown and the Arboretum are the draws, not a full-day destination.
Barrington is a leafy commuter town about 50 km northwest of Chicago, known for its preserved downtown with independent shops and the large open-air Arboretum of South Barrington. Most visitors use it as a lunch or shopping stop while exploring the Northwest Suburbs, not as a base.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some outdoor attractions limited)
- Airports
- ORD · MDW
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Barrington911 ▾
- Police911
- Fire and ambulance911
- Barrington Police non-emergency+1 847-304-3300
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Barrington, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and ambulance · +1 847-304-3300 Barrington Police non-emergency
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckORD Chicago O'Hare International (About 30–40 min by car; Metra from Barrington to O'Hare Transfer station then shuttle (check)).
- Getting aroundCar is easiest.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Sit-down mealDinner entrée at a sit-down restaurant$15–30
- Street or quick mealLunch sandwich at a café$10–15
- BeerBeer (pint)$5–8
- Budget bedEntire home (via Airbnb), a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedBudget chain hotel room (e.g. Motel 6), a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedBudget chain hotel room (e.g. Motel 6), a night, per roomUS$130
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ORD Chicago O'Hare International (About 30–40 min by car; Metra from Barrington to O'Hare Transfer station then shuttle (check)) · MDW Chicago Midway International (About 1 h by car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Feb
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Mar
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest Apr (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Barrington: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
10 rd
Feb
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
9 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
11 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is easiest. Metra Union Pacific Northwest line runs from Barrington station to Chicago Ogilvie (about 1 h 15 min). Rideshare and taxis available but infrequent.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 20 min
Car via I-90, about 15 min
Woodfield Mall, Legoland Discovery Center and IKEA.
Door to door: About 25 min
Car via US 14, about 15 min; Metra about 15 min
Arlington Park racecourse (check season) and downtown dining.
Chicago
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Metra Union Pacific Northwest line, about 1 h 15 min
Full day; last train back before midnight.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown Barrington
Walkable to restaurants and the Metra station; limited hotel options.
South Barrington / I-90 corridor
Near the Arboretum and highway; chain hotels, car needed.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel room (e.g. Hampton Inn)1 × 1 night × US$160 | US$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Metra round trip to Chicago2 × US$14 · check | US$28 |
| Gas for a day of driving1 × US$20 | US$20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$45 |
| Trip total≈ US$247 per person per day, bed included | US$493 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Lunch sandwich at a café | $10–15 |
| Dinner entrée at a sit-down restaurant | $15–30 |
| Beer (pint) | $5–8 |
| Metra one-way to Chicago | $7.00 (check) |
| Gas (per litre) | $0.90–1.10 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Downtown parking is free but fills on weekends.
- Arboretum hours vary by store; check individual listings.
- Metra trains run less often on weekends; check the schedule.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
- Barrington Police non-emergency
- +1 847-304-3300
Pocket card
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BarringtonBarrington, Illinois
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this address, pleaseTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Fire and ambulance911
- Barrington Police non-emergency+1 847-304-3300
Embassy
The nearest US embassy is in Washington, DC. Consular services for visitors: Chicago Passport Agency (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Metra Barrington → Chicago Ogilvie: about $7.00 one-way, about 1 h 15 min (check)
- Taxi from O'Hare to Barrington: $50–70
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (how much is it)
- Where is the bathroom? — Where is the bathroom? (where is the bathroom)
English is the primary language; no phrasebook needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Barrington. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some outdoor attractions limited) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the Arboretum of South Barrington and Crabtree Nature Center with hours and entry fees.
- Eat pages with last-order times for downtown restaurants.
- Metra schedule fixture for Barrington station.
Sources
Ask about Barrington
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