For immediate release
Chicago, IL - November 5, 2026
From the post-World War II American dream to the North Shore’s distinctive residential enclaves, Chicago’s northern suburbs are rich with contrasts, fascinating history, and unexpected discoveries. Native American heritage, utopian religious communities, breathtaking lakefront vistas, fine dining, and notable names are all part of the story. In WTTW’s new special, CHICAGO’S NORTHERN SUBURBS, Emmy Award-winning Geoffrey Baer journeys through 19 communities, uncovering remarkable stories, visiting celebrated landmarks, and introducing the people and places that have shaped this distinctive region.
CHICAGO’S NORTHERN SUBURBS premieres on Tuesday, December 8, 2026 at 7:00 pm on WTTW, the PBS app, and wttw.com/northernsuburbs. Watch the trailer >>
With his signature curiosity, humor, and engaging storytelling, Geoffrey brings the region's colorful past and present to life. Highlights include:
- A symphony on the lawn at Ravinia and a nosh at Max’s Deli in Highland Park, plus a return to their high school roots with Steppenwolf Theatre founders Gary Sinise and Jeff Perry;
- Lake Forest’s King Mansion, a real-life inspiration for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby;
- The stunning architecture of Wilmette’s Bahá’í House of Worship;
- Jazz Age scandals at Plaza del Lago, once part of a lawless “no man’s land”;
- A sports car ride through the winding ravines along Sheridan Road in Winnetka and a visit to the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe;
- The stories of pioneering women Frances Willard and Grace Durand;
- Navy Band Great Lakes in North Chicago and its connection to legendary bandleader John Philip Sousa;
- A ride along the Edens Expressway in a rare, Evanston-built 1951 Muntz Jet and the origins of Old Orchard Shopping Center;
- Northbrook, the childhood home and inspiration of filmmaker John Hughes (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Home Alone, and Sixteen Candles);
- A historic Deerfield log cabin, Lake County’s oldest building and a former stop on the Underground Railroad;
- Broadcasting legend Bill Kurtis and the Mettawa tallgrass prairie he helped restore;
- The iconic American Eagle wooden roller coaster at Six Flags in Gurnee;
- And more!
Visit the companion website at wttw.com/northernsuburbs beginning December 8 to explore the stories of 19 distinct communities and discover what life was like before the suburbs became suburbs. And visitors can plan a northern suburbs adventure with a helpful guide to the region’s historic landmarks, lakefront gems, scenic trails, family-friendly attractions, and more.
“Geoffrey Baer brings his signature curiosity and warmth to Chicago’s Northern Suburbs, revealing their fascinating history, surprising connections, and unexpected stories,” said WTTW President & CEO Sandra Cordova Micek. “This new special reminds us that some of the most fascinating stories are right in our own backyard, waiting to be discovered.”
“I grew up in the northern suburbs, but this journey introduced me to places I'd never visited and stories I'd never heard,” said Geoffrey Baer. “That's what I love about exploring Chicago and its surrounding communities – there's always something new to discover, even in your own backyard. I can't wait to share what I found.”
Geoffrey Baer is an Emmy Award-winning writer, producer, and host for WTTW. Known for programs about the architecture and history of Chicago including Riding the Rails, Chicago Works, Touring Chicago’s Lakefront, Chicago Mysteries, The Most Beautiful Places in Chicago, Chicago by ‘L’ and The Chicago River Tour, Geoffrey also hosted the PBS series 10 that Changed America and the PBS special Weekend in Havana. Geoffrey has been a docent for the Chicago Architecture Center since 1987 and has been honored by the American Institute of Architects Chicago, the Society of Architectural Historians, the American Society of Landscape Architects, and the Chicago Headline Club.
CHICAGO’S NORTHERN SUBURBS WITH GEOFFREY BAER is hosted and co-written by Geoffrey Baer, co-written by Alex Dawson, and produced and co-written by Daniel Andries. Associate Producer and co-writer: Tim Ferrin.
Lead support for CHICAGO’S NORTHERN SUBURBS WITH GEOFFREY BAER is provided by The Negaunee Foundation. Lead corporate support is provided by BMO. (as of 11/4/26)
WTTW is the PBS member station in Chicago, committed to creating and presenting unique media content across distinct television and digital channels – WTTW, WTTW Prime, WTTW Create, WTTW PBS Kids 24/7, wttw.com, and the PBS/WTTW video app. Recognized for award-winning journalism and local productions – such as Chicago Stories, Firsthand, Chicago Tonight, Touring Chicago’s Lakefront, and Riding the Rails – WTTW presents the very best in public affairs, arts and culture, nature and science, history and documentary, and children’s public media content. Connect with WTTW on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
