Des Plaines: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Oct. 28, 2026

News •

Metra UP-NW train hits vehicle in Des Plaines, delays service • Oct. 19, 2026, 11:27 PM ET (CBS)

Photos

Replica of Roy Kroc's first McDonald's restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois, with vintage cars outside.

Map highlighting the location of Des Plaines in northeastern Illinois, United States, near Lake Michigan. Surrounding states including Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, and Arkansas are also shown, with a small inset globe indicating the region within North America.

See All Images →

Topics

Chicago New York City Los Angeles Washington, D.C.San Francisco Philadelphia Boston Seattle Las Vegas Manhattan

Tower Bridge over the Thames River in London, England. Opened in 1894. Remains an Important Traffic Route with 40,000 Crossings Every Day.

Guess the City by Its River Quiz