Sycamore Apartments for Rent

The Quintessential Small Town

If you’re looking for an apartment in a small town with a rich history, a busy schedule of events, and around 17,500 friendly neighbors, well, you’re pretty specific in your search, but Sycamore, Illinois may just be the place for you. Renters who move to Sycamore can party wholesome at festivals and celebrations throughout the year, including the Pumpkin Festival, a weeklong fair that attracts tens of thousands of people from all over. Between festivals, renters can recharge their batteries with a stroll through one of the many parks, or with a night out with the neighbors at a locally-owned restaurant. If you ever felt the need to head out of town, Chicago—with its sports teams, theaters, and music—is just over an hour away. It may be a little far to commute back and forth often, but it’s close enough to enjoy an occasional evening or weekend out in the city.

If I Could Turn Back Time

Sycamore, which was established in the middle of the 1800s, prides itself on being the quintessential small midwestern town. As was the case in many other settlements in the area, Sycamore relied heavily on farming, a tradition that is still very much alive today. Renters can learn more about the town’s history by heading down to the Sycamore History Museum or by strolling through the Victorian Era houses and buildings in the town’s historic district. History buffs and fans of classic cars should also make sure to make it out for the Turning Back Time Car Show—if they can find a way.

Steam Powered Sycamore

Steam is making a comeback. Sure, electric and gas-powered gadgets can get the job done but, as fans of steampunk will tell you, if you’re not wearing old-fashioned goggles on your tractor to keep the hot air out of your eyes, you’re just not having as much fun. Each year, Sycamore is host to the Northern Illinois Steam Power Club’s Steam Show and Threshing Bee. Though the main purpose of the event is to show off the incredible power of steam at the steam-powered sawmill, on the steam-powered railroad, and in the fields for a little steam powered threshing, the four-day event also includes parades, live music, a flea market, and some of the best BBQ around.

The Original Mr. Pumpkin

There’s no doubt about Sycamore’s favorite holiday. Halloween is a huge to-do in this town—tens of thousands of out-of-towners come to Sycamore every year in order to participate in the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival. This grassroots festival began in 1956 when a local man by the name of Mr. Pumpkin (okay, his real name is Wally Thurow) decorated a couple of pumpkins and placed them on his lawn. While this wasn’t a new idea—carving vegetables is an ancient practice and the jack-o-lantern has been around since at least 1837—the people of Sycamore were blown away by Mr. Pumpkin’s spectacularly decorated squashes. The modern-day festival spans the entire last week in October and has arts and crafts, a parade, a carnival, and just a touch of spooky fun.

Get out and Play

Surrounded by farmland and forest, Sycamore is a great town for renters who love to make the most out of every sunny day that comes their way. The town is home to more than a dozen parks, a community golf course, a clubhouse, a pool, and a number of sports fields. Biking and walking paths run through the parks, and play structures provide kids with places to climb, slide, and swing. The park district is extremely active and provides renters with dozens of activities, classes, and fitness programs to join. If you’re new in town and looking for a way to meet a few new friends, signing up for a couple of classes is a great way to meet some likeminded people. The park district also organizes a number of special events each month, filling up all the weekends between holiday celebrations and fairs. Music lovers should be sure to head out to the Good Tymes Shelter to enjoy one free show after another in the summer concert series. Sycamore may be a small town, but renters won’t ever have an excuse to be bored living in such a vibrant community.