Oak Brook – The excitement of the big city in an affluent and active setting

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Cantigny Mansion, former home of Chicago Tribune founder Colonel Robert McCormick

Oak Brook

The excitement of the big city in a wealthy and busy place
Within 32 kilometers of sprawling Chicago, you’ll find the rich and friendly towns of Oak Brook, Naperville, Hinsdale, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, and other well-known places in DuPage County. You can enjoy the best of both city and suburban life here, with great places to shop and eat, parks, museums, and interesting local history and culture. There are a lot of family-friendly places to visit, such as golf courses, historic areas, nature trails, and bike paths.

Nature, Keep It Safe
DuPage County has more than 10,000 hectares of bike paths, hiking trails, and lush green areas. It was voted the healthiest county in Illinois. People who live in the area are proud of how well the parks and forest lands are protected, maintained, and improved over time. The Morton Arboretum is a 688-hectare natural living history collection where you can get lost in nature. There are guided tram trips that go through the grounds, which have woods, wetlands, and a prairie. The Children’s Garden is a big adventure area with lots of fun things to do that you don’t have to be a child to enjoy. You can enjoy many gardens, a greenhouse, two museums, and a famous golf course at Cantigny Park. You can walk or ride a bike on the 98-kilometer Illinois Prairie Path from a lot of different places, such as the historic Chicago Aurora & Elgin electric wilderness path.

 

Interesting Culture
DuPage County is at the cutting edge of conservation and scientific study. One of only two international particle physics labs in the world is there (Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory), and Argonne National Laboratory is the most productive energy study center in the world. These two well-known labs both have tours with viewing places and hands-on displays. People of all ages can also visit Wilson Hall, the Fermilab Art Gallery, and the Leon Lederman Science Education Center.

At BAPs Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Chicago, a beautiful Hindu building and place of prayer, you can learn more about the rich cultural tapestry of DuPage County. The “Understanding Hinduism” display, the Haveli (a beautifully designed wooden building and courtyard), and the Mandir, with its complex architecture, are all things that visitors can do. Don’t end there. Naper Settlement is an outdoor living history museum that has ties to Chicago’s underground railroad. The Agricultural Interpretive Center is a play area that the whole family can enjoy.

 

Shopping and eating that can’t be beat
There are lots of chances to treat yourself here, and the prices are surprisingly low. Set aside a day to visit Oakbrook Center, which is one of the biggest and most well-known outdoor high-end shopping malls in the United States. The area is stylish, with gardens, fountains, and modern art on show. It has about 160 shops, restaurants, and high-end department stores. Don’t forget to check out Chicago Premium Outlets, which has almost as many stores as the city center but cheaper prices on luxury brands. You can eat at steakhouses, Italian restaurants, Latin restaurants, brew pubs, outdoor cafes, or wine bars that serve small plates after shopping. The food scene in DuPage has a lot to offer, from local favorites to surprising foreign tastes.