Guidebook for Forest Park
Food Scene
5am-9pm (530am Sundays)
Sooo close! One block south on Elgin you will find the nearest Starbucks!
I once saw movie star Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio there getting her morning fix but left her alone. Just as lovely in person as in the movies!
23 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Starbucks
711 Lake St5am-9pm (530am Sundays)
Sooo close! One block south on Elgin you will find the nearest Starbucks!
I once saw movie star Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio there getting her morning fix but left her alone. Just as lovely in person as in the movies!
Right next to closest L on your way to downtown (Harlem Green Line) and on the way to Downtown Oak Park and the Frank Lloyd Wright architectural district.
Dunkin'
1940 Roosevelt RdRight next to closest L on your way to downtown (Harlem Green Line) and on the way to Downtown Oak Park and the Frank Lloyd Wright architectural district.
Opens 8am
This local coffee shop is top notch and also great for a brunch or lunch either inside or on their patio. About 6 blocks walk through shady Forest Park side streets.
12 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Blue Max Coffee
26 Lathrop AveOpens 8am
This local coffee shop is top notch and also great for a brunch or lunch either inside or on their patio. About 6 blocks walk through shady Forest Park side streets.
Opens 7am
One and 1/2 blocks south this is a classic American breakfast joint. Everything you would usually expect along with a few specialties like their giant apple pancakes!
Original Pancake House, The
7255 Madison StOpens 7am
One and 1/2 blocks south this is a classic American breakfast joint. Everything you would usually expect along with a few specialties like their giant apple pancakes!
Excellent for a fresh baked goods and other snacks.
Right next to closest Metra station (Oak Park) and on the edge of Downtown Oak Park and the Frank Lloyd Wright architectural district.
Prairie Bread Kitchen
103 North Marion StreetExcellent for a fresh baked goods and other snacks.
Right next to closest Metra station (Oak Park) and on the edge of Downtown Oak Park and the Frank Lloyd Wright architectural district.
Just three blocks away on Madison this ice cream shop is amazing with a huge selection of both traditional and wild flavors of ice cream and sherbet. Also carrot cake that looks about 1 foot thick! Occupies the original Forest Park Movie theater you can see the ghost of a ticket booth in the entry and look up and back to see the projectionist booth windows. Lots of seating in the back.
18 現地メンバーのおすすめ
The Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor
7347 Madison StJust three blocks away on Madison this ice cream shop is amazing with a huge selection of both traditional and wild flavors of ice cream and sherbet. Also carrot cake that looks about 1 foot thick! Occupies the original Forest Park Movie theater you can see the ghost of a ticket booth in the entry and look up and back to see the projectionist booth windows. Lots of seating in the back.
Fantastic local submarine sandwich shop (aka grinder) also with typical Chicago Greek gyro selections. They have some unexpected items as well (BG Fries!). Just one block north and two blocks west. Great for lunch a low budget dinner. Super clean and quick with plenty of seating and good people watching. Great for a late night nosh.
Submarine Tender
200 Des Plaines AvenueFantastic local submarine sandwich shop (aka grinder) also with typical Chicago Greek gyro selections. They have some unexpected items as well (BG Fries!). Just one block north and two blocks west. Great for lunch a low budget dinner. Super clean and quick with plenty of seating and good people watching. Great for a late night nosh.
McDonald's
626 N Harlem AveNo explanation needed!
If you want to walk to Mickey Dees, this is the better choice (vs the one on Harlem). It's about 6 blocks walk West on Madison)
8 現地メンバーのおすすめ
McDonald's
626 N Harlem AveIf you want to walk to Mickey Dees, this is the better choice (vs the one on Harlem). It's about 6 blocks walk West on Madison)
Drinks & Nightlife
Local fixture and for a long time was the only bar in Oak Park. On warm days outside seating to enjoy a drink and overlook classic brick-paved Marion Street. Great bar menu with a tilt towards New Orleans. Just a 5 minute walk.
20 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Poor Phil's
139 S Marion StLocal fixture and for a long time was the only bar in Oak Park. On warm days outside seating to enjoy a drink and overlook classic brick-paved Marion Street. Great bar menu with a tilt towards New Orleans. Just a 5 minute walk.
Classic Chicago Bar and Restaurant with a fantastic beer garden. Great place to watch a game, tip a pint and have an appetizer or full meal. Just one block walk south across Madison caddy corner from Starbucks.
17 現地メンバーのおすすめ
FATDUCK Tavern & Grill
7218 Madison StreetClassic Chicago Bar and Restaurant with a fantastic beer garden. Great place to watch a game, tip a pint and have an appetizer or full meal. Just one block walk south across Madison caddy corner from Starbucks.
Only a block and a half away this is a lovely Irish bar with original tin walls and ceiling and a classic bar with excellent on-tap and bottled selections. Mixed drinks as well and a decent menu to boot. Typical Chicago style bar environment with local friends chatting all days of the week. Great for an afternoon or evening.
O'Sullivan's Public House
7244 Madison StOnly a block and a half away this is a lovely Irish bar with original tin walls and ceiling and a classic bar with excellent on-tap and bottled selections. Mixed drinks as well and a decent menu to boot. Typical Chicago style bar environment with local friends chatting all days of the week. Great for an afternoon or evening.
Parks & Nature
This park is 3 blocks East across Harlem Avenue and was originally the grounds of a gilded age mansion (the house is still there!). Great for reading a book in the shade or tossing a frisbie. During the summer they often have classic movie showings on the porch (you'll need to google the schedule).
22 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Pleasant Home
217 Home AveThis park is 3 blocks East across Harlem Avenue and was originally the grounds of a gilded age mansion (the house is still there!). Great for reading a book in the shade or tossing a frisbie. During the summer they often have classic movie showings on the porch (you'll need to google the schedule).
This small park is tucked between downtown Oak Park and the Frank Lloyd Wright architectural district. Great spot for a short stroll, reading a book, or having a picnic. Plenty of food options on the way.
11 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Austin Gardens
167 Forest AveThis small park is tucked between downtown Oak Park and the Frank Lloyd Wright architectural district. Great spot for a short stroll, reading a book, or having a picnic. Plenty of food options on the way.
Essentials
Nearest pharmacy and general convenience store. All the essentials and a small liquor/grocery section.
Right next to closest L on your way to downtown (Harlem Green Line) and on the way to Downtown Oak Park and the Frank Lloyd Wright architectural district.
7 現地メンバーのおすすめ
CVS
9139 Broadway AveNearest pharmacy and general convenience store. All the essentials and a small liquor/grocery section.
Right next to closest L on your way to downtown (Harlem Green Line) and on the way to Downtown Oak Park and the Frank Lloyd Wright architectural district.
Shopping
Traditional hardware store in operation since the early 1900s century the custom service is top notch. Has most essential hardware supplies. Some cool old photos and the original balconies are still accessible.
Schauer Hardware
7449 Madison StTraditional hardware store in operation since the early 1900s century the custom service is top notch. Has most essential hardware supplies. Some cool old photos and the original balconies are still accessible.
This bookstore specializes in history and mystery books. Often has guest authors and speakers. The owners are super friendly and helpful and clearly love their subjects!
Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore
7419 Madison StThis bookstore specializes in history and mystery books. Often has guest authors and speakers. The owners are super friendly and helpful and clearly love their subjects!
"The Jewels"
Large grocery store and pharmacy. Typical American grocery store.
11 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Jewel-Osco
7525 Lake St"The Jewels"
Large grocery store and pharmacy. Typical American grocery store.
High quality grocery store. You can also grab a coffee and meal there.
47 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Whole Foods Market
7245 Lake StHigh quality grocery store. You can also grab a coffee and meal there.
High quality but lower price and eclectic grocery store. Also good for grabbing an affordable bottle of wine or beer to take home.
52 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Trader Joe's
483 N Harlem AveHigh quality but lower price and eclectic grocery store. Also good for grabbing an affordable bottle of wine or beer to take home.
Arts & Culture
Small but modern library with a good selection and a loverly neighborhood walk of 6 blocks to get there. Great for a restful rainy day of reading! Also has a small historic display of local historic items including Native American archeological items.
Forest Park Public Library
7555 Jackson BlvdSmall but modern library with a good selection and a loverly neighborhood walk of 6 blocks to get there. Great for a restful rainy day of reading! Also has a small historic display of local historic items including Native American archeological items.
Large modern library with huge windows overlooking Scoville Park. Great for a rainy day of relaxing reading.
21 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Oak Park Public Library
834 Lake StLarge modern library with huge windows overlooking Scoville Park. Great for a rainy day of relaxing reading.
Entertainment & Activities
Circle Bowling Lanes is typical American ten pin bowling. A local fixture and great for families. Also has a small bar and pool tables. Three blocks north it's an easy walk.
Circle Bowling Lanes
7244 Circle AveCircle Bowling Lanes is typical American ten pin bowling. A local fixture and great for families. Also has a small bar and pool tables. Three blocks north it's an easy walk.