Things to do & places to visit in Oak Park, Illinois, United States

Architecture buffs will be well acquainted with Oak Park, once the home of Frank Lloyd Wright, where he designed and built some of his earliest buildings. Unity Temple, the Nathan G. Moore House and Wright's own former home and studio are among the many Wright buildings still preserved in the village, while buildings such as the Cheney Mansion were designed by his students. Oak Park is also the famed birthplace of Ernest Hemingway, whose childhood home is now a museum open to visitors.

Oak Park city in Illinois, United States. Timezone: America/Chicago, current date and time: Saturday, April 27, 2024, 19:11.

Top things to do (25)

Top places to visit (27 attractions)

5.0 Wright Plus Architectural Housewalk (115 reviews)
- Great Experience
Spent More than 3 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

Join the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust on May 22, 2021 for the annual Wright Plus Architectural Housewalk. Wright Plus celebrates architecture, design, Frank Lloyd Wright's innovative vision and the talents of his fellow architects. It is an enjoyable day featuring rare interior tours of private homes and public buildings designed by Wright and his contemporaries. See more..
5.0 Oak Park Public Library (111 reviews)
- Can't go wrong here!
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Libraries

Beautiful building and nice interiors. The services offered inside are also wonderful. Knowledgeable librarians with study rooms and comfy chairs make this a great community resource. There are great programs for adults and children. See more..
5.0 Rickshaw Rick's Tours & Taxi (35 reviews)
- Frank Lloyd Wright Homes
Cultural Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Taxis & Shuttles • Bike Tours • Walking Tours

Our guide (Rick himself) was very friendly and very knowledgeable of his tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright homes. He was funny too! I would recommend this tour to all my friends! See more..
5.0 Oak Park Segway Experience Center (20 reviews)
- One of the best tours ever!
Segway Tours

We stopped in at the Oak Park Visitor's Center on Sunday and were joking around about doing a Segway tour but saw that they were closed on Monday. The nice person at the Vistor's center said to just call and see if they would be available. She actually called the tour operators for us. They agreed to do a personal tour on Monday. We met with Luke and went through the orientation and test ride where we felt we totally ready to hit the streets. Luke was very knowlegable about all of the homes in the area, which was nice because he didn't totally focus on Frank Lloyd Wright. We needed to check in with Southwest close to the end of our tour so Luke took us back to the Visitor's Center and they let me check in and print my boarding passes. We then went off to tour more homes. At the end of the day we paid for a 1.5 hour tour that turned into close to 2.5 hours. Luke was an excellent guide and we enjoyed our tour with him immensely. See more..
5.0 Oak Park River Forest Gangster Tour (15 reviews)
- Find out where they lived
Historical & Heritage Tours

Enjoying an air conditioned touring bus on a very hot day, I learned a lot about the gangsters in my home town. John is an excellent tour guide :well informed and light hearted. I love architecture as well and one can't beat what Oak Park & River Forest has to offer. Thanks John for a delightful experience ! See more..
5.0 Oak Park River Forest Museum (5 reviews)
- Fascinating little gem!
Saturday: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent < 1 hour History Museums

From architecture and the arts to social activism and science, you'll discover the fascinating and inspiring stories that attract visitors to the villages of Oak Park and River Forest from around the world. See more..
5.0 THX Spa Massage (1 review)
- very good Thai massage
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 9:30 PM Spas

THX Spa Massage, in Oak Park, IL, is the premier massage spa serving Chicago, Berwyn, Melrose Park, Forest Park, River Forest, Maywood, Elmwood Park and surrounding areas since 2016. We offer Swedish, deep tissue, Thai and hot stone massage and much more. For your next massage, visit THX Spa Massage in Oak Park. See more..
4.5 Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio (1.334 reviews) from $27.00
- Learn about an American icon
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

In accordance with CDC recommendations, the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust requests that both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons wear a face mask indoors at all Trust sites. (8/3/21) The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park, Illinois served as Wright's private residence and workplace from 1889 to 1909--the first 20 years of his career. Today, Oak Park is home to the world’s largest collection of Wright-designed buildings. Wright used his first home to experiment with design concepts that contain the seeds of his architectural philosophy. In his adjacent studio, Wright and his associates developed a new American architecture - the Prairie style. Enjoy guided tours of the museum complex and neighboring historic district seven days a week. Trained interpreters offer insights into Wright's family life and architectural legacy. Tour details are available on the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust website See more..
4.5 Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple (207 reviews)
- Not to be missed FLW church.
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 11:15 AM Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

Unity Temple (1905-08) is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the 20th Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright List, and represents a defining moment in Frank Lloyd Wright’s early career. Designed in Wright’s Oak Park Studio for his own Unitarian congregation, it is one of the first public buildings in America to feature exposed concrete and is Wright’s greatest public building of his Prairie era. The harmony of the building’s strikingly geometric architecture and decorative elements exemplifies Wright’s theory of organic design. Unity Temple announced a new era of innovation in modern architecture. See more..
4.5 Oak Park Visitors Center (80 reviews)
- Friendly and helpful
Visitor Centers

Very warm and friendly staff with lots of good advice on the area. Big gift shop with some sale bargains to be had. See more..
4.5 Oak Park Conservatory (50 reviews)
- Green Oasis in Oak Park
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Gardens

This place is heaven. I went here on Sunday and I absolutely enjoyed myself. From the outside this place looks small, but you quickly step inside a leafy green oasis. Even for a weekend visit the place wasn't crowded and I only crossed one other couple in there. I didn't expect to spend a whole hour here & I'm looking forward to going back already. They also have parrots! Skipper, Sara & George! George was super vocal & adorable. Admission is free & street parking nearby is free. The inside is pretty warm & humid for the plants so expect to sweat a little. There's a cute back area that looks like it will be fun for kids. I definitely recommend going & enjoying yourself! See more..
4.5 Classic Cinemas Lake Theatre (47 reviews)
- Great affordable theater
Saturday: 9:30 AM - 11:30 PM Movie Theaters

Fully restored historic movie theatre with seven screens in Oak Park, IL with free refills on freshly popped popcorn, sodas and ICEEs. Get showtimes and tickets online to take a two-hour movie vacation with Classic Cinemas. See more..
4.5 Pleasant Home (35 reviews)
- Stunning architecture and stained glass by FLW contemporary.
Saturday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Historic Sites

While in Oak Park to visit the restored Unity Temple by FLW we finally decided to visit another Prairie Style house by a contemporary of FLW-George Maher. Much more ornate with stained glass but still in the Prairie Style this was a pleasant (no pun intended) surprise. The staff there were very friendly and enthusiastic. We couldn’t ask for a better way to finish our day in Oak Park. Although we had passed this house a number of times in years past somehow we never found time to visit it. We finally visited it this year and consider it a not to be missed architectural wonder in the area. See more..
4.5 Wonder Works Children's Museum (15 reviews)
- 10/10
Spent 2-3 hours Children's Museums

Creative and imaginative play are vital to a healthy child and Wonder Works Children’s Museum provides countless opportunities for both, giving children a safe space to explore. Wonder Works is committed to providing an environment where early learning flourishes through our seven thoughtfully designed “experience zones” and educational programming. Check website for special events offered throughout the year. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday-Saturday and noon -5 p.m. Sunday. Tuesdays for large field trips only. Three levels of memberships give unlimited experiences all year. See more..
4.5 Mills Park (15 reviews)
- Walk in the Park & Tour the Pleasant Home Mansion
Parks

Both the park and mansion are a delight to experience, and the docent-led mansion tour is fascinating. See more..
4.5 Oak Park Festival Theatre (11 reviews)
- Mini-Ravinia with a great cast/show
Theaters

This newly renovated park district (Austin Gardens Park) location (including concessions, indoor restrooms, free bug spray) is very close to downtown Oak Park....a few blocks away. Parking is easy as meters only run Mon-Sat til 6pm, but otherwise are free. Setting is in a park district owned park....some shade. Picnics encouraged including BYO chairs, wine, tables, blankets...etc... Like Ravinia but much smaller setting (about 200 people?). Easy in, easy out. Performance was incredible and price was right. Just 2-3 blocks from Green Line L station. See more..
4.5 St. Edmund Parish (7 reviews)
- 1st Catholic parish in Oak Park, beautiful architecture
Churches & Cathedrals

In 1907, Archbishop Quigley founded St. Edmund Parish. About three years later, the church was finished. It was built in a 14th Century English Gothic tradition. It has been renovated at least three times and the church, both the interior and the exterior are beautiful to behold. In 2010, the building was honored by the Oak Park Historic Preservation Committee. See more..
4.5 Euclid Square Park (3 reviews)
- Most amazing and pleasantly beautiful place to visit.
Parks
As it has been stated above and previously, this is a must see for observers.you will be surprising. See more..
4.0 Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum (139 reviews) from $20.00
- Great tour, great guide, friendly people
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality & Gift Shops • Historic Sites • History Museums

Ernest Hemingway's Birthplace Museum is nestled just west of downtown Chicago in Oak Park, Illinois. This is the ideal place to begin exploring the roots of the author's life and work. It is here that Ernest Hemingway was born in a second floor bedroom on July 21, 1899. This Queen Anne home was built in 1890 by his maternal grandparents and was the first home in Oak Park to have electricity. The famed Pulitzer Prize winning author spent the first six years of his life at what is now 339 N. Oak Park Ave. The restoration, which began in 1992, authentically returned the house to its 1890s’ Victorian heritage; ensuring that your experience of the furnishings and stories told reflect the young man who lived there. See more..
4.0 Poor Phil's (13 reviews)
- Amazing lobster
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 2:00 AM Bars & Clubs

It was my second time there. And fantastic again! Delicious Lobster with sweet corn and butter. Ill be there again as soon as I can! See more..
4.0 Grace Episcopal Church (5 reviews)
- Church featured in Homes Alone.
Spent < 1 hour Churches & Cathedrals

While visiting Unity Temple we passed this church along the way. Little did we realize years ago that this church was used in the popular Christmas movie “Home Alone”. Unfortunately we did not get to see the inside of this lovely church but did get to take a few shots and post on Facebook to quiz friends and family. Had we been available to go to the music venue the next night we would have enjoyed seeing the interior plus the music. Perhaps next visit. See more..
4.0 Kingslahger Brewing Company (1 review)
- Great Beer, Bring Your Own Food
Saturday: 12:00 PM - 11:45 PM Spent 1-2 hours Bars & Clubs • Breweries
Independent brewery focusing on lagered beer. Come join us in our taproom or ask for us by name at your favorite places for beer. See more..
3.5 Ridgeland Common Park & Pool (16 reviews)
- Kids Swimming Lessons
Saturday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Water Parks • Parks

THis is a great facility, clean, well laid out. The instructors are concientious and very good with the kids See more..
3.0 Bar Louie Oak Park (10 reviews)
- meh
Saturday: 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM Bars & Clubs
nothing special here, a fine place to watch a game. the beer is a little expensive and the food is even more expensive for what you get See more..
Comfort Spa (0 review)
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spas

Comfort Spa is an Asian massage spa designed to help you reduce stress, relieve build up chronic pain, and increase the overall quality of your life! We specialize in multiple affordable, customized treatments to meet the needs of a wide variety of clients in a peaceful setting! We are proud to be providing Authentic Asian Massage therapy services in our beloved community of Oak Park, IL! Our Professional Asian Staff are perfect To help you relax after a long stressful day of work! Here at Comfort Spa we are Providing a Modern Asian Atmosphere that will make your every visit highly satisfying and give you a new rejuvenated self! Come in and visit today, you can call us now to Create your appointment, or feel free to walk in! See more..
Third Generation Healing (0 review)
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Spas
See more..
Austin Gardens (0 review)
Parks • Other Nature & Parks
See more..