Things to do in Forest Park, Illinois
- Forest Park was formerly incorporated as the Village of Harlem in 1884 before changing its name in 1907.
- The village contains 17 cemeteries within its borders, leading to the local moniker 'Village of Cemetery Dwellers'.
- It served as the site for the original Speedway Park, a two-mile wooden board track that hosted major automobile races in the 1910s.
- Forest Park contains a higher density of burial plots per capita than almost any other municipality in the United States.
About Forest Park, Illinois
Forest Park is a western suburb of Chicago situated along the Des Plaines River, historically known as the final resting place for over 100,000 people across its numerous large cemeteries. The community serves as a transit hub, hosting the western terminus of the CTA Blue Line. Residents and visitors access the nearby Oak Park Conservatory and Columbus (Christopher) Park to enjoy managed green spaces and botanical collections. The town maintains a distinct character through its proximity to the architectural legacy found at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio and the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum.
Highlights of Forest Park, Illinois
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Zoos
This expansive zoo features global animal habitats and conservation programs just minutes from the village border.
Museums
Explore the residence and design laboratory where the Prairie School style of architecture was pioneered.
Parks
The facility houses a Mediterranean-style glass conservatory showcasing a diverse collection of exotic plant species.
Parks
This site features a landmark landscape design by Jens Jensen, focusing on native prairie restoration.
Museums
Visitors can tour the preserved childhood home of the Nobel Prize-winning author.
Parks
This nature preserve offers quiet trails along the Des Plaines River for local outdoor recreation.
Top things to do in Forest Park, Illinois
The 134 highest-rated places in Forest Park, Illinois, ranked by travellers.
1
Zoos
Brookfield Zoo, operated by the Chicago Zoological Society, is a 235-acre facility housing over 3,000 animals across div...
2
Venues
The Rosemont Theatre is a 4,400-seat multi-purpose venue located in Rosemont, Illinois, designed specifically for concer...
3
Venues
SeatGeek Stadium is a 20,000-seat multi-purpose venue located in Bridgeview, Illinois, approximately 15 miles southwest...
4
Museums
The Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio served as the architect's private residence and professional workspace from 1889 to...
5
Parks
Schiller Woods is a large, forested preserve within the Forest Preserves of Cook County, characterized by mature deciduo...
6
Temples
The Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, Illinois, is one of the most prominent and long-standing Islamic centers in the Uni...
7
Venues
Impact Field is a 6,300-seat baseball stadium located in Rosemont, Illinois, serving as the home ballpark for the Chicag...
8
Parks
The Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center serves as a gateway to the Palos Preserves, the largest concentration of protec...
9
Parks
Marquette Park is a 323-acre green space located in the Chicago Lawn community, representing one of the largest parks ma...
10
Parks
Catherine Chevalier Woods is a 184-acre forest preserve managed by the Forest Preserves of Cook County, located along th...
11
Parks
The Norridge Park District facility serves as a primary hub for community recreation in Norridge, Illinois. The campus i...
12
Parks
The Oak Park Conservatory is a historic glass-enclosed botanical garden housing a collection of over 3,000 exotic plants...
13
Museums
Graue Mill & Museum is an operating 19th-century water-powered gristmill located along Salt Creek in the Fullersburg Woo...
14
Parks
Columbus Park is a historic 135-acre landscape designed by renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen as a masterpiece of...
15
Parks
Thatcher Woods is a 280-acre preserve situated along the Des Plaines River in Cook County, Illinois. It serves as a rare...
16
Parks
Shabbona Park is a 19.5-acre municipal recreational area located in the Dunning neighborhood on the Northwest Side of Ch...
17
Parks
Wilder Park is a 17-acre municipal recreational site located in the heart of Elmhurst, Illinois. It serves as the primar...
18
Museums
Wonder Works Children's Museum is a non-profit, community-driven interactive space designed specifically for children ag...
19
Parks
Berens Park is a premier recreational facility in Elmhurst, Illinois, centered on organized sports and family-oriented o...
20
Parks
Scoville Park is a historic 3.5-acre green space located in the heart of Oak Park, Illinois, managed by the Park Distric...
21
Parks
The Park District of Forest Park is a multi-functional community facility centered around the 15-acre Roos Recreation Ce...
22
Parks
Taylor Park is a 13-acre community green space managed by the Park District of Oak Park, situated at the border of Oak P...
23
Temples
St. Joseph Ukrainian Catholic Church in Chicago is a prominent center for the Byzantine-Ukrainian rite, recognized for i...
24
Parks
West Lawn Park is a 14.73-acre neighborhood facility located in the West Lawn community of Chicago. It features a modern...
25
Parks
Barrie Park is a 7.7-acre community park managed by the Park District of Oak Park, notable for its significant environme...
26
Museums
The Elmhurst Art Museum is a premier institution for modern art, design, and architecture located in Chicago's western s...
27
Parks
La Follette Park is an expansive Chicago Park District facility spanning approximately 18 acres in the Austin neighborho...
28
Parks
Butterfield Park is a community recreation space managed by the Elmhurst Park District, located at 385 E Van Buren St. T...
29
Parks
30
Parks
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Forest Park, Illinois on the map
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Plan your visit to Forest Park, Illinois
May through September, when the local parks and nearby outdoor botanical sites are fully operational and weather is conducive to walking.
2 days, which allows enough time to explore the local historic districts and the adjacent cultural sites in neighboring Oak Park.
The city is highly accessible via the CTA Blue Line, and local travel is best accomplished by car or bicycle, as the area is largely residential.
Stay along Madison Street to be within walking distance of the primary dining district and public transportation links.
Mid-range, as the area offers suburban pricing that is generally more affordable than downtown Chicago accommodations.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 134 curated attractions in and around Forest Park, Illinois, ranked by traveller ratings.
Brookfield Zoo is the highest-rated place to visit in Forest Park, Illinois right now.
The largest category is parks, with 64 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Downtown Los Angeles, Bayonne, New Jersey, Washington, D.C..
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