This weekend, you might find yourself in Oak Park to explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural gems or to enjoy an arts fest on Harrison Street.
Located west of the city, the suburb saw an influx of residents and a development boom after the Chicago Fire of 1871. Around that time, Oak Park banned the sale of alcohol, making it a “dry town” for 100 years.
Today, the area is probably best known as the home of Wright as well as the birthplace of Ernest Hemingway.
Eric G., an Oak Park native, moved back to the west burb during the pandemic because of the community, the schools for his kids, and to be near family. He shared his recs with us.
🍪 Something to eat: “Everything is good at Broken Tart, but they might make my favorite chocolate chip cookie EVER. Hang at the patio at Maya Del Sol and get some great tacos. Or sit on the awesome rooftop at One Lake Brewing and have a beer and a sandwich.”
📽️ Something to see: “See a movie at the restored Lake Theatre. If you insist on a Frank Lloyd Wright fix, skip the home studio and check out Unity Temple. (Say hi to my mom since she's on the board!) Don't miss the Oak Park Farmers Market Saturday — it's been around since 1976.”
💿 Something to do: “Buy records from Val's halla, one of the coolest record stores in the world. Get hard-to-find books at The Book Table. Take a stroll through the Oak Park Conservatory.”
The boundaries of Oak Park (Google Maps)
Eric is a reader who shared his Oak Park recs. Want to share your neighborhood guide? Let’s talk!
