Just under 30 minutes from downtown Chicago are the tree-lined suburbs of Oak Park, Forest Park and River Forest. Here you can see some of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famous homes and tour his home and studio and the famous Unity Temple. Why not make a day out of it and enjoy the attractive downtown area and walk and drive the neighborhoods exploring his architecture. You can access the sites by car, by taking the Green Line from the Chicago Loop or the Metra Union Pacific West Line train from the Ogilvie Transportation Center.
Start off at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio located at 951 Chicago Ave. in Oak Park, this was Wright’s first home and studio where he developed the Prairie style of American architecture. I would book the guided interior tour online, before you go. Photographers can buy a photography pass for an extra fee. I enjoyed seeing the home but the tour of his architectural studio, where he and his associates worked, was the highlight.
Next pick up your map and audio guide from the Home and Studio to start your walking tour of the neighborhood. You can just buy the larger map or book an audio tour which comes with the neighborhood map and audio guide for narration; I did both. You will see some of his famous homes: The Arthur B. Heurtley House at 318 Forest, which was one of my favorites, The Laura Gale House at 6 Elizabeth Ct., The Peter A. Beachy House at 238 Forest Ave., The Frank Thomas House at 210 Forest Ave., The Hills-Decaro House at 312 Forest Ave. and the Nathan G. Moore House at 33 Forest Ave. This district has the world’s largest concentration of Wright-designed structures.
On Chicago Ave. you can see some of his older homes, The Walter H. Gale House at 1031 W. Chicago, The Thomas H. Gale House at 1027 W. Chicago and The Robert P. Parker House at 1019 W. Chicago.
I recently found the Oscar Balch house located north of the Wright Home and Studio at 611 N. Kenilworth Ave. It is a large, very attractive property. It is across the street from Ernest Hemingway’s boyhood home at 600 N. Kenilworth Ave.
On my recent visit, I found the Rollin Furbeck House, at 515 Fair Oaks Ave., designed by Wright in 1897. The house was the second residence that he designed for the Furbeck family. It has a vertically oriented, tower-like structure, with colonnades on the second and third floors.
Next stop is Wright’s famous Unity Temple at 875 Lake St. Make sure to book online, before you go, through the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust. Guided tours of the interior and self-guided audio tours are both available. Wright designed and built the church from 1905 to 1908. The building elements and architecture are great examples of his organic design. Make sure to take note of his use of natural light, his decorative art or stained glass, his light fixtures and furniture. You will visit the social area as well as the main auditorium or sanctuary. In 2019 it was one of eight of Wright’s major works added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list.
From the Unity Temple, walk a short distance to downtown Oak Park to grab a bite. Sugar Fixe Patisserie at 119 N. Marion St. is a great spot for a macaron or cupcake! I love the macarons. I was also just at Spilt Milk is a fun spot with great pies and bakery items, breakfast sandwiches and a small lunch menu including quiche. They are now at 811 South Blvd. Q-BBQ is also a good spot for lunch at 124 N. Marion St.
For a great meal, a close local friend recommends La Notte Ristorante for old-school Italian specialties. They are now located in the Carleton Hotel at 1120 Pleasant St. in the popular and growing Pleasant District.
The Carleton of Oak Park is a local hotel that is a great spot if you want to spend the night when in town. It has a traditional, classic design. 1110 Pleasant St.
On a recent visit, I had a fun meal with friends at Victory Italian. Also in the Pleasant District at 100 S. Marion, this is a good place for Italian specialties with both indoor and patio seating. I enjoyed my mussels and tasty glass of red wine. They also have a large menu of pasta and other entrees.
Around the corner is Kribi Coffee at 1033 South Blvd. Their first location is in neighboring Forest Park, and a third is will open soon at 149 Forest Ave. in Oak Park. Now, Kribi Coffee is focused on sourcing green beans directly from our farmers in Cameroon, where the owner, Jacques Shalo, is originally from. In addition to excellent coffee drinks, they feature pastries, donuts and bagels from other local sources. I enjoyed the experience.
Next, head west to River Forest where you can see his Waller Gates House at Auvergne and Lake St., The William H. Winslow at 515 N. Auvergne and the stunning Isabel Roberts House at 603 N. Edgewood from 1908. There is also the Chauncey Williams House at 530 N. Edgewood and the J. Kibben Ingalls House at 562 N. Keystone from 1909.
Also in River Forest is the Dominican University Performing Arts Center at 7900 W. Division. I went for the first time in May 2023 and saw an amazing concert by Audra McDonald, the American actress and singer. Throughout the school year, they feature concerts, lectures, dance performances, poety readings and more. In the summer they offer Free Summer Concerts in the Quad from mid-June to mid-August.
I went back in December 2024 for a wonderful performance of The Nutcracker by Ballet Légere. They have performed it for almost 40 years and feature a cast of 120 adults and children. They feature professional dancers as well. The costumes, scenery and performances were really stunning. They have performences for adults as well as others for seniors, groups and children’s field trips.
You might also enjoy The Wright Plus Housewalk, held on the third Saturday in May, where you can walk through the homes in Oak Park and River Forest. I have done it twice in the past.
At the end of Forest Ave., you will pass the Austin Gardens, where you can enjoy The Oak Park Festival Theatre in the summer months since 1975. They feature plays by Shakespeare and others in a great outdoor setting and a perfect destination on a summer night. I enjoyed my past experience there.
After your Wright tour stop in for an ice cream break at Petersen’s Old-Fashioned Ice Cream at 1100 Chicago Ave. in Oak Park. It is two blocks from the Wright Home and Studio and has been open since 1919 and in this location since 1931. I was just back again and loved the butter pecan!!!
Not far from the Home and Studio is Ernest Hemingway’s Birthplace and Museum. 339 N. Oak Park Ave. You can book a tour, visit the exhibitions or buy his books. They also offer special programs. Check out my post on Oak Park and Ernest Hemingway as you can make it another fun day exploring his home and the restaurants, shops and cafes in the Hemingway District in Oak Park.
Harvey House Bed and Breakfast: If you want to stay in Oak Park, then consider the Harvey House which is a five-minute walk from the L train. It is a charming five room-inn that is an easy walk to downtown restaurants, shops and the Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. With free parking, you can stay here and then take the train downtown to explore Chicago.
