What makes Flossmoor sights so special is the quiet elegance of a suburban city that has hardly dared to hide since the 1920s. I only discovered the village when I went out with the Metra train from Chicago – the ride across the Rock Island District Line is a short but fine pretaste of what follows. Flossmoor is located in the heart of Rich Township, a part of Cook County, and was officially convened in 1924 after the area has long been dominated by lush farms and the famous Flossmoor estate of the McCormick family. The story is not packed here in big posters, but in the wide avenues and well-preserved bungalows that tell of a time when the city was still an exclusive retreat for wealthy Chicagos.
I must admit that I cannot fully understand the hype around the “luxurious” residential districts – the houses are beautiful, but the true flair lies in the mix of ancient oaks, small cafes and a community that does not shy to show a bit of cynicism when a new construction plan threatens the skyline. If you come by car, you will find the connection via the I‐57 practically, and for those who prefer to take the train, the Flossmoor station is a charming gateway to a place that has more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. And yes, if you are looking for Flossmoor attractions, you will quickly realize that the true highlights here are less in museums, but in the conversations with the locals – honestly, that is what makes this city alive.
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The first stop I never miss is that Morton Arboretum in Lisle – a forest that covers more than 1,700 hectares and is surprisingly close to Flossmoor when taking Highway 53. I once experienced the fall in full splendour when a light fog lay above the paths and I almost felt walking in a painting. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't come on Saturday night with a group of school classes, then the field full of vans becomes a small mess.
A short trip to Glencoe leads you to Chicago Botanic Gardenwhere the gardens are so accurately cultivated that you almost feel like living in an Instagram story. I don't quite understand the hype around the Japanese Koi ponds, but the maze of roses and the greenhouse with tropical plants are really a highlight. The entrance is free, but the café at the entrance requires a small fortune for a latte – a small price for the peace you find there.
If you want to sniff a bit of industrial history, then this is Pullman National Monument in Chicago the right target. I made a guided tour there with a somewhat too enthusiastic guide, which called every single screw hole as a “eye of the workers revolution”. Nevertheless, the area with its restored terraced houses and the old Pullman plant is a fascinating view of the past. The connection with the Metra is good, but parking on weekends can become a real nightmare because the road is overrun by tourists.
A bit further south, almost in the heart of Cook County, this is Brookfield Zoo. I once missed the elephant feeding plan because I stayed too long at the Zoo's café – no joke, the food was really good. Nevertheless, it is worth a visit because the animals are among the best in the Middle West and the terrain is well signposted. A small tip: the free shuttle from the main parking lot to the entrance area saves you the annoying escape.
For those who cannot decide whether they want art or science, this is Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago a must. I visited the sub-505 submarine there and was impressed by how the museum manages to turn massive exhibits into interactive experiences. The parking lot is huge, but on holiday holidays, it is possible to take a patience sample – a bit of patience and you are inside.
A little secret tip that only locals really know is that Illinois Railway Museum in Union. I spent a day there because I accidentally discovered an old steam locomotive event. The collection is the largest of its kind in North America, and the staff is so enthusiastic that they even made a short trip on a historic rail. The museum is a bit off, so you'd rather take a little more time to get there; the road is good, but the shield is easy to overlook.
Finally, a short trip to Oak Brook, where the Oak Brook Center offers a surprisingly chic shopping experience. I once found a pair of shoes that I never wanted to buy because they were too expensive – but the café with the homemade muffins was a real comfort. Parking is free as long as you do not choose the weekend, then the terrain becomes a parking jungle quickly.
Whether you are looking for nature, history, science or a bit of shopping, the surroundings of Flossmoor have more to offer than you would suspect at first glance. My personal favorites – from the vast Morton Arboretum to the quiet Chicago Botanic Garden to the industrial charm of the Pullman National Monument – show that the region is full of surprising Flossmoor Attractions that can inspire any modern traveler (or at least bring them to the sneak).
Whether adventurers, connoisseurs or culture lovers – in Flossmoor everyone finds a small piece of homeland that he wants to take home secretly. My personal favorite start is the Flossmoor Historical Museum, an inconspicuous brick box on Main Street that holds more stories than you could read in a whole day. I remember when I was a child with my grandmother, scrolling through the old school books and suddenly felt like living in a different time – and even though the building is barely bigger than an average supermarket. A must for anyone who believes history is just dusty facts, because here it is served with photos, old uniforms and even an original tractor from the 30s.
A short walk further lies the Flossmoor Golf Club, a place called itself “the green oasis of suburbs”. I have to admit, I don't quite understand the hype about the 18-hole layout – I never have a handicap that makes me proud – but the clubhouse has the best bar in the city, and that's enough for me to watch over more often. Parking is usually a children's game except on Saturday afternoons when local business people turn their networking rounds; then the parking puzzle becomes a real golf-pair problem.
If you prefer to arrive by train, the Flossmoor Metra Station is your gateway to the “real” world. The train station is small but clean, and the Metra trains drive to Chicago regularly – a short 30-minute trip that leaves you in the middle of the city's hustle and bustle, while on the train you still enjoy the quiet amount of air conditioning. I once tried to stow a bike on the train, and the result was an improvised balance between the seat row and the door that taught me that some adventures start better on foot.
Another jewel I like to mention is the Flossmoor Public Library. Not only because it is a place where you can uninterruptedly read a book, but because the staff there always has an open ear for local legends. Last year, the librarian told me about a forgotten diary of a former city founder still in the cellar shelves – a hint that made me do a little detective work. And yes, Wi-Fi is faster than talking to my neighbors about the weather.
The Flossmoor Farmers Market is a weekly mouse for the senses that pulsates every Saturday from 8 am to 12 pm on the small square in front of the town hall. Here there are fresh strawberries, handmade jams and a stand where an older master sells his self-drawn tomatoes – a sight that reminds me every time that “local” does not have to be “satisfied”. I tried a piece of pumpkin bread there that was so good that I would have spent almost the entire budget for the weekend.
If you are looking for something green that is not just a lawnmower fairy, then stroll through Centennial Park, one of the Flossmoor attractions that has more to offer than a few benches and a playground. The lake there is a popular spot for ducks, and the paths are perfect for a morning run – provided you like the occasional quaken of ducks, which is almost as loud as the morning ringing of the alarm clock. I once organized a picnic with friends, which became an improvised race in the rain thanks to a rain shower that suddenly begins – an experience I will never forget.
A little more exclusive but still accessible is the Flossmoor Country Club. Many think that this is only a place for rich businessmen, but I have experienced an open golf tournament where participants came from all social classes – from students to retired teachers. The clubhouse serves a brunch that is so good that I have almost deleted the word “exclusive” from my vocabulary. Parking is a bit tricky here, because the terrain is dominated by private vehicles, but a short walk from the golf course to the clubhouse is still feasible.
At the end of my small tour through Flossmoor, I have to mention the Flossmoor Village Hall, a building that works almost like a set of films with its classic architecture. I took part in a public meeting that quickly turned into an improvised karaoke duel, because an enthusiastic citizen wanted to bestow his favorite songs from the 80s. The City Hall building is not only an administrative center, but also a meeting point for spontaneous cultural events, and the nearby community center offers workshops from potters to yoga classes – a perfect place to absorb a bit more from the city after a long day.
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