Travelers from all over the world appreciate Olympia Field's attractions because of their unexpected mix of suburban idyll and sublime history, and I must admit that I came to the idea of driving here a few years ago. The town is located in the heart of Bloom Township, embedded in the vast Cook County, and its roots extend back to the 19th century. Century, when farmers bought the land to escape the rough Chicago. Those who dare to venture here today immediately feel the quiet reverberation of that pioneering period, especially when you stroll along the old cemetery in a sunny afternoon – a place that I personally consider to be the best quiet moments, even though it hardly appears in travel guides.
A short look from the car when you take the I‐57 or the Metra railway line immediately reveals that Olympia Fields is not only a suburb, but a small museum of houses ranging from the 1920s to modern bungalows. I don't understand the hype about the chic residential areas, but the surrounding green areas I like to discover when jogging are really great. And when you arrive by car, just park at the town hall – there is enough space and you can taste the local baker whose croissants are almost legendary. For those looking for a bit of authenticity, Olympia Fields offers the ideal setting to experience the real middle-land feeling without swallowing the urban noise.
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The first stop I never miss is that Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe – a bit like a green chewing gum that you accidentally chewed and suddenly can't let go. I came there on a lukewarm Saturday afternoon when the families with strollers lined the paths and an older couple spoke loudly about the quality of their roses; that was almost a local radio station. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem, and then you have to decide between a parking lot and a walk through the field – both have its charm when you like the scent of freshly mowed grass.
A few miles further, towards the west, this is Morton Arboretum in Lisle, which I like to call the “big, silent book of trees”. There I once tried to make a photo of a particularly carnous oak stem, only to establish that a squirrel had occupied my lens – a small, furry critic who apparently does not appreciate artistic freedom. The entrance is free, parking costs a few dollars, and the paths are so well maintained that you almost feel the nature would be here in uniform.
If you have enough of a leaf, the path leads me to Oak Brook Center, a shopping paradise that houses more designer boutiques than a fashion blogger in his dream list. I found a pair of shoes that I didn't need, but I still bought because the staff gave me a smile that was almost as convincing as a commercial. Parking is free as long as you don't get too late – then the staff suddenly becomes a door handler that doesn't clear the car anymore.
A short trip to Naperville brings you to Cantigny Parkwhere history and leisure are handing themselves as if they were old school friends. I remember a sunny Sunday when I visited the museum with a friend and we were amused about the military uniforms, while in the background children roamed from hedges in the labyrinth. The entrance is free, parking costs a few dollars, and the terrain is so big that you can easily lose the overview – a perfect place to lose your own thoughts.
Back to the city, but not too close, this is Pullman National Monument in the south of Chicago, a piece of industrial history that you should not overlook when you understand the hype about urban revitalization. I once met a city guide who told me that the old factory buildings now serve as art galleries – a bit like an old sofa that suddenly becomes a designer piece. Access is free, the connection to the CTA is super, but parking is a mystery that only locals seem to solve.
For those who prefer to travel on two wheels, there are DuPage River Trail, a narrow strip of asphalt and nature, which stretches through several suburbs. I once tried to increase my speed, just to see that a duck couple blocked the road and forced me to drive more slowly – a small reminder that nature still has the say. The trailheads usually offer free parking, and the noise of the river is the only sound you hear when you leave the city noise behind.
And because I must not forget that Chicago Ridge Mall – a classic shopping mall that you have to visit when you feel that life becomes too serious. I found a t-shirt there that had exactly the same pattern as that of my favorite couch, and I had to laugh because fate probably has a sense of humor. Parking is free, and the storerooms are so wide that you almost feel like walking in a labyrinth from consumption.
Whether you are looking for botanical tranquility, historical depth, shopping ecstasy or just for a good place for a walk – the surroundings of Olympia Fields have more to offer than you would suspect at first glance. These Olympia Fields Sights show that the surrounding area is a colourful mix of nature, culture and everyday treasures, which makes every traveler a little bit of fun and a bit amazed.
This guide invites you to look a little behind the seemingly inconspicuous façade of Olympia Fields – not only because I hid my favorite places here, but because I honestly have a bit of fun to overwhelm the expectations of others.
For me, the Olympia Fields Country Club – South Course. Yes, this is the golf paradise that attracted the PGA Tour to Olympia Fields in 2003, and yes, I don't quite understand the hype about golf, but the vast fairways and the majestic clubhouse have something that even a non golfer like I can't ignore. I was there on a sunny Saturday afternoon, hit a few balls (most of them landed in the water, not a joke) and had to realize that parking at the clubhouse is almost always a children's game – as long as you don't have a tournament, then the field turns into a miniature stadium.
Just a few miles further, almost like a shadow, this is Olympia Fields Country Club – North Course. This course is less overrun, but equally demanding. I have eaten an early breakfast in the club restaurant; the Croissant was surprisingly good, and the staff seemed to think I was a regular visitor, although I only showed up here once a year. The course itself is surrounded by dense trees, which in autumn offer an almost romantic color play – a perfect place to escape everyday life if you have enough of the urban sounds.
If you are looking for something that does not have to do with golf, then take a look at the Olympia Fields Park. The small but fine park is centrally located on the village core and is the favorite destination of my neighbor skiers (and my own nerves, if I need a walk again). The playground is modern, the green is well maintained, and the car park next to the entrance area is mostly free – a rare comfort in this area. I once made a picnic with friends while an older couple played chess; that was the image of “afterbaric idyll”, which I would rarely imagine when I think of suburbs in Illinois.
A short trip leads you to Beverly Park, another green spot known especially for its baseball fields and the small amphitheater. Local games regularly take place in the summer, and the audience consists of enthusiastic parents who talk more about the art of the hot dog than about the actual game. I once experienced an improvised concert of my friends there – a guitarist, a saxophonist and a singer who played in the rain, because the weather just didn't want to play. This was a moment that I didn't forget so fast, and the park area was amazingly well illuminated so that you could still see well after dark.
A place I often overlook because he doesn’t sound “tourist” is the Olympia Fields Public Library. The library is part of the Cook County Library District and offers not only an extensive range of books, but also regular readings and workshops. I took part in a writing workshop where the course manager spoke more about his preference for vintage teas than about writing itself – a charming mess of culture and curiosity. Parking is practically always available here, and the staff is friendly, though slightly overwhelmed, when suddenly a whole classroom falls in with children.
Another jewel I like to mention is that Village Hall with its small but fine Olympia Fields Historical Society. The building itself is a good example of the architecture of the 1930s, and in the interior you will find exhibitions about local history – from the early peasant families to the modern developments. I once discovered an old photo album that showed the first golf tournaments in the clubhouse; that was a real look back into the time I only know from old newspaper articles. Parking is a bit tricky here because the road is narrow, but a short walk is definitely worth it.
Last but not least, St John the Baptist Catholic Church forgot that thrones with its red brick roof top above the village. The church was built in 1925 and has an impressive inner life, ranging from artistic glass windows to an organ that impresses even experienced organizers. I took part in a midnight trade fair, because I happened to be nearby – the acoustics were so clear that one could hear every single pipe of the organ, and the light that fell through the colorful windows was almost hypnotic. Parking is usually a small adventure here, because the road around the church is often occupied by residents, but a short walk from the main road is not a problem.
So, next time you drive over the map and ask yourself what Olympia Fields has to offer, think of this mix of golf, green spaces, culture and a bit of ecclesiastical silence. And yes, these are mine Olympia Fields SightsI recommend to anyone who wants to experience something authentic a bit away from the usual tourist paths – with an eye-catcher and a pinch of cynicism, of course.
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