Exploring Illinois: A Road Trip from Bolingbrook to Oak Park
Are you planning a road trip from Bolingbrook to Oak Park, Illinois? If so, you're in for a treat. This route offers a plethora of museums, parks, and landmarks that make for an unforgettable adventure. In this blog post, we'll explore the top five places to visit, the halfway point of Oakbrook Terrace, and some interesting facts about this road trip experience.
Did you know that the route from Bolingbrook to Oak Park covers around 23 miles? It's a short trip that packs a lot of punch. You'll get to travel through various suburban neighborhoods and see some of the most beautiful, historic sites this state has to offer.
Oakbrook Terrace serves as the midpoint for the journey from Bolingbrook to Oak Park. This suburban city has more to offer than you might think, so take a moment to stop and check out the small parks and attractive shopping centers.
If you're wondering how long this road trip is, you'll be happy to hear that it's a short one. You can complete this route in less than an hour. Whether you're a tourist or a local resident, it's not a bad way to spend an afternoon.
Top Five Places to Visit
- Brookfield Zoo
The Brookfield Zoo has been entertaining visitors for nearly a century. It's an expansive zoo that houses over 4,000 animals. The exhibits are strategically placed in different sections to ensure that visitors can see and learn about the multiple animal species. Additionally, they have shows throughout the day that visitors can watch. And if you're traveling with your family, Brookfield Zoo has a Family Play Zoo where children get to play and learn.
Point of Interest: Don't miss the Dolphin Show at 2 pm. It's a must-see experience.
- Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
Frank Lloyd Wright was a famous architect who designed numerous buildings in Illinois. His home and studio are located in the heart of Oak Park. Visitors are allowed to join the tours, which take you through the building where Frank produced some of his most iconic designs. From May to September, tours are available all-day, but outside of that, you can only visit on weekends.
Point of Interest: Take a walk around the neighborhood. You'll see some of Wright's designs in other buildings.
- Cantigny Park
This park is located in the western Chicagoland suburbs. It features a vast landscape of around 500 acres of land with various gardens, picnic spots, hiking trails, and all sorts of outdoor recreational activities. Plus, it's home to the Robert R. McCormick Museum, which exhibits the life and political career of a famous McCormick politician.
Point of Interest: On weekends, Cantigny Park has antique car shows, military reenactments, and live music that visitors can enjoy.
- Garfield Park Conservatory
This park is located in Chicago's west side and houses rare plants from all over the world. It's a perfect destination for plant lovers. The greenhouses are humid and tropical year-round, making it a popular place to visit during winter. Garfield Park Conservatory often hosts workshops, tours, and exhibits for visitors.
Point of Interest: Don't miss the Monet Garden, which is a zen garden with small waterfalls and elements of Japanese design.
- Chicago Botanic Garden
Chicago Botanic Garden is located in Glencoe, Illinois. It's 385 acres of land full of gardens and exhibits, making it one of the most extensive botanic gardens in the USA. You can visit the garden all-year-round and enjoy plant displays that change seasonally. Chicago Botanic Garden has indoor and outdoor spaces, so even if it's raining, visitors have plenty of places to explore.
Point of Interest: Take the tram tour when you arrive. It's a guided tour that takes you through different gardens.
Conclusion
This road trip from Bolingbrook to Oak Park doesn't take long, but there are numerous places to visit along the way. The route offers a diverse range of experiences, from zoos to conservatories to parks. We hope our list has helped you select the best places to visit on your trip. Enjoy the journey!