What makes Park Forest sights so special is the unique mix of suburban idyll and industrial heritage that you can hardly find in other suburbs of Chicago. I remember how I strolled through the then still young community, which was built in 1948 as a planned housing estate for war veterans – an ambitious project that is still noticeable today in the wide, tree-lined streets. The story is not only a dusty newspaper article, but a lively part of everyday life: the old bunkers from the post-war period, which today serve as a warehouse for garden equipment, and the old railway museum, which I personally consider to be a walk through the past, although I have never fully understood the whole hype about miniature trains.
If you come by car from Chicago, just follow the I‐57 south and take exit 12 – the sign “Rich Township” is hardly overlooked because there are hardly any other signs. If you prefer to take the bus, you can catch the line 352 from the city centre to the “Park Forest” stop; the ride takes about 45 minutes, but the view of the endless corn fields is worth every traffic jam. I have found that the locals here have a faible for barbecue evenings in the park, and this is reflected in the many well-maintained green spaces that almost look like an open living room for the neighborhood. And yes, the “Park Forest Sights” include not only historical buildings, but also the small cafés where you can observe the real life here with a double espresso – a bit of cynicism, a bit of charm, and a lot of authenticity.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey leads me to Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe – a bit too far to call it “Park Forest Landmark”, but the ride over the I-94 is a welcome balance to the daily traffic jam. I made a picnic there on the Rose Garden meadow, while an older gentleman, beside me, was loudly silent about the “good old time” of the 80s; that was almost the highlight because the plants are really impressive there. Parking is almost always a children's game as long as you don't come on Saturday morning, then the field becomes a small battlefield of sheet metal and crowd.
A short trip to Lisle brings me to Morton Arboretumwhere I almost felt like a lost explorer who suddenly stumbles over a huge leafwork. The trails are well signposted, but I still proceeded – a good sign that the maze of trees is not only intended for botanists. The children at the visitor centre have explained to me that the arboretum covers over 1,700 hectares; I decided that I will never take a walk in the city park again, because this is simply too great is.
Back to the city that Museum of Science and Industry in Hyde Park is a place I always underestimate because I thought it was only for Nerds. Honestly, the huge submarine-exponat replica has impressed me more than any Hollywood blockbuster sequence, and that is no exaggeration. Admission is not cheap, but parking in the museum area is a patience test – on weekends you have to come early, otherwise you are in a circle like a hamster on the bike.
A short trip to Pullman leads me to Pullman National Monumentwhere I suddenly felt like a time traveler from the industrial age. The old brick buildings have a certain charm that reminds me of the stories of my grandparents who worked there in the 60s. I made a guided tour there with a guide who knew more about the workers' rights than a modern politician – that was refreshing and a bit ironic, because we are still discussing the same topics today.
The Calumet Trail is another secret tip I like to explore with my bike. The path stretches along the old railway corridor and overlooks Lake Calumet, which has more industrial aesthetics than nature. I met a few local joggers there that told me that the trail system is the best to escape the city noise – as long as you are not overtaken by the occasional vans that block the road.
A little further north, in the small town of Union, lies Illinois Railway Museum. I saw an old steam train image there that reminded me of childhood when I built model trains with my father. The museum is a paradise for railway freaks, but even for me, who doesn't think much of rails, it was fascinating to feel the history of the American railway. Parking is a klack here because the terrain is hardly visited – a real plus if you don't want to be surrounded by tourist crowds.
Last but not least a short trip to Chicago Portage National Historic Site. This place is hardly more than a small sign and a few information boards, but it marks the place where the first European explorers once sought the path between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi. I made a picnic there, because it is practical, and I wondered why there is so little notice of this historical crossroads – perhaps because modernity too much distracts us.
When you explore the surroundings of Park Forest, you can quickly discover that Park Forest Attractions not only lie within the limits of the city, but offer a whole network of nature, history and urban culture, which enthuses every easy cynical traveller – or at least leads to a sneak.
This guide invites you to stroll with me through the rather inconspicuous but surprisingly charming Park Forest – yes, exactly what you need after a long working day in Chicago if you want to escape the city noise.
I must confess, my first highlight was Lake Katherine in the Forest Preserve District. The lake is nestled between gentle hills, and when you sit there with an ice cream in your hand in the summer, you almost feel like a commercial for midwestern dyll – only that the ducks here do not just pose modelly, but rather mark their territory loudly. The way around the lake is well developed, so no reason to run, and parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then this becomes a real problem.
A short detour to Park Forest Plaza shows that the area has to offer not only nature, but also a little urban buckling snack. The shops are a mix of well-known chains and local boutiques that you can only find if you accidentally turn into the right street. I discovered a handmade candle set there that reminds me more of a cozy living room than a shopping center – no joke, that was really great.
If you want to sniff a little culture, the path leads to Park Forest Historical Society Museum. The museum is small, but the exhibitions tell the story of a place that almost came out of nothing after World War II. I don't quite understand the hype about the old school buses that are exhibited here, but the nostalgic flair is somehow contagious. And yes, parking is a bit tricky here because the museum is in a side street, but a little patience never hurts.
Another jewel I always like to visit is the Rich Township Library in Park Forest. The library is not only a place to read, but also a meeting place for local author readings and small art exhibitions. I took part in a Poetry-Slam once – the audience was small, but the energy was huge, and that was a real highlight moment I don't want to miss.
For those who long for a little movement, there is the Park Forest Trail, part of the Great Lakes Trail network. The path stretches through forest pieces and open fields, and one can almost feel that the city remains behind one. I once made a marathon training run there, and although I was completely exhausted at the end, the view of the sunset over the fields was the cream cube.
A little sport and relaxation can be enjoyed in Park Forest Community Center combine. The Center offers a swimming pool, a gym and even yoga classes that are run by a local guru who speaks more about Zen than he actually understands. I took my first swim lesson there – the water was pleasantly cool, and the staff was friendly, though slightly overwhelmed by the many requests for “Water-Aerobic for beginners”.
And yes, for the golf lovers there is the Park Forest Golf Club. Admittedly, this is a private club, but I once invited a friend there to a day on the green, and the game was surprisingly well maintained. The fairways are wide enough to not send beginners right into the bunkers, and the clubhouse serves a coffee that is almost as strong as members' opinions on the latest golf trends.
When you count all this together, you get a quite colorful picture of Park Forest – a place that doesn’t just scream at the first glance for “tourist magnet”, but that’s what makes it a real secret tip. And if you ask yourself where you can best hold all this: Park Forest Attractions can best be explored on foot or by bike, as this not only saves money, but also gives you the opportunity to discover the small details that otherwise disappear in the car window.
At the end of the day, when the lights of the city are slowly approaching and you're going back on your veranda with a cool drink, you'll realize that Park Forest has more to offer than you would suspect at first glance – and that's exactly what I love about this neighborhood.
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