Oak Park
For clever tourists and history aficionados, there is a treasure of a location only a short journey on the "L" train from Chicago.
The Village of Oak Park, Illinois, has a laid-back suburban charm that belies its historical significance as the site of Ernest Hemingway's
birth and the biggest concentration of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in the world. Along with a richness of historical interest, Oak Park also
has a bustling events calendar, international food, a walkable downtown, and family-friendly attractions.
From 1889 until 1909, Frank Lloyd Wright spent the first 20 years of his professional life in Oak Park. Numerous individual residences
and public buildings in the Frank Lloyd Wright neighborhood feature his distinctive Prairie School design. Significant locations are highlighted in
a guided walking tour, including the architect's residence and studio as well as the Unity Temple, a National Historic Landmark that just completed
a $25 million dollar renovation. A unique opportunity to view the interiors of privately owned Wright-designed homes is provided by the Wright Plus
Housewalk in May. The Gunderson District, the Ridgeland-Oak Park Historic District, George W. Maher's Pleasant Home, and the nearby town of Riverside,
which was planned by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and is home to more than 70 notable designs by 20th-century architects, are other
places that architecture enthusiasts will enjoy exploring.
Bringing little children along for the trip? Not an issue. Bring the group to the Brookfield Zoo to witness polar bears, pythons, and penguins,
among other animals. In the summer, there are additional evening performances. At any time of year, the Oak Park Conservatory's indoor botanical
gardens offer a free escape to the tropics. At the Hal Tyrrell Trailside Museum of Natural History, which also provides free entrance, see local
creatures and go on a trek in the woods. Play areas and interactive displays are available at Wonder Works Children's Museum. The largest video arcade
in the USA, according to The Galloping Ghost Arcade, is located there. Play 600 games from the 1970s through the 2000s to relive your youth.
You may satisfy every craving you may have at one of Oak Park's many restaurants. Among the must-try restaurants are Lou Malnati's for its
deep-dish pizza, Maya Del Sol for its bold Latin fusion, Hemmingway's Bistro for its French cuisine, Grape Leaves Restaurant for its Moroccan and
Lebanese food, Papaspiros for its Greek food, and Cucina Paradiso for its modernized versions of Italian classics. Thursday Night Out in downtown
Oak Park features free entertainment and inexpensive eating from May through August. Thirsty? Order a craft beer from Oak Park Brewing or Kinslahger
Brewing Company, or visit Quincy Street Distillery in Riverside to experience small-batch spirits. Particularly delicious whiskey has persimmon and honey
infusions.