Visit Frankfort Square Will Illinois and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Experience American history at Frankfort Square in Illinois! Here you will find the historic downtown, which offers many shopping and restaurants. Don't forget Farmers Market on Saturdays and regular events like the summer festival or the Christmas market!
For centuries, the small town of Frankfort Square has attracted people looking for Frankfort Square attractions, although the actual history here is only in the early 19th century. The century began when pioneers from Pennsylvania colonized the country in today's Will County and founded the township of the same name. I have to admit that I can’t fully understand the whole “historical shine” – a few old barns and a few street lanterns that scream more for nostalgia than for real history. Nevertheless, the village has a unique charm that you only get when you drive along the dusty pathways and hear the silent humping of the I‐95 over the horizon.
When I arrive by car from Chicago, I take the I‐55 south and change to the 43 West at 31 pcs – this is the fastest recipe to experience the rural flair of Frankfort Township without wasting too much time in traffic. There, between the endless corn fields, lies the heart of Frankfort Square: a small but fine center that has more personality than one would expect from a suburb. I love how the locals talk about the “big” city plans with an eye-catcher, while proudly presenting their own, slightly slanted, Frankfort Square sights.
This guide invites you to stroll with me through the inconspicuous but surprisingly charming Frankfort Square – yes, just the small corner in Will County, which you can easily overlook if you are not accidentally in the car and are looking for a parking lot.
My personal favorite spot is Frankfort Square Park. At first glance, he looks like any other suburban park: a few gamers, a baseball field and a narrow circular path that sling around a small pond. But when you sit there in the summer, an ice cream from the mobile ice-car mamples next to the entrance and hears the sound of the children who die in the sandbox, you suddenly feel that there are more than just lawns and benches. I once organized a picnic with my neighbor, and we were addressed by an older gentleman who told us the story of the old kiosk building plan – a piece of local folklore, which is otherwise found only in the history books.
A short walk further Frankfort Square Library, part of the Will County Library network. I have to admit, I was skeptical if a library has anything to offer in a suburb. But the shelves are full of local archives, and the staff knows every reader like his western pocket. Last year, I accidentally discovered an old photo album from the 1950s, which documented the founding history of the district – a real find for historical lovers.
If you're looking for a place to represent your legs, that's Frankfort Square Community Center the point of contact. The swimming pool is not olympic, but in the summer a real life anchor when the temperatures climb above 30 degrees. I remember a hot July when I moved a few lanes after a long working day and suddenly was surrounded by a group of teenagers who discussed the latest TikTok trend loudly. This was the perfect example of how the Center brings generations together – and that without entrance.
Another highlight that I do not want to conceal is the Frankfort Square Farmers Market. It takes place on Saturdays from May to October, and the offer is surprisingly diverse: fresh strawberries, homemade bread and even handmade soaps. I once discovered a stand where an older couple sold Bio-Honig, which they themselves harvested from their small hive in the backyard. The taste was so intense that I would have bought almost the whole glass – a small luxury that you only find here when you are ready to get up early.
For those who want to sniff a little more history, a detour to Frankfort Historical Society Museum, which is only a few minutes outside the actual square, but is firmly part of the local experience. The exhibition is small, but well curated: old tools, photos of the first railway that went through the area, and a restored school bus from the 1960s. I found an old school uniform there that I tried out of pure curiosity – that was a short but amusing moment that showed me how alive the past is still here.
A bit of sports enthusiasts will be Frankfort Golf Club to appreciate that is just a cat jump from the square. The place is not just a world-class golf paradise, but the well maintained fairways and the friendly atmosphere make it a pleasant destination for a relaxed game after work. I met a friend there who told me why he loves the “background” of the club – because you rarely find crowded tickets and loud tournament atmosphere.
And yes, if you are looking for a compact overview, simply tap “Frankfort Square Sights” into your search engine – you will notice that these five to seven places are the heart of this small neighborhood. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night when the Farmers Market and the Community Center are full at the same time; then you have to avoid a few blocks and walk a bit on foot – but this is almost part of the adventure.
At the end of the day, when the lights are dimmed in the park and the quiet sum of the grilling sites at the end of the weekend, I feel that Frankfort Square is more than just a point on the map. It is a place where you look at the everyday with an eye-catcher and discover the small, real moments of life.
The first stop I always imagine is that Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe – a bit like a green chewing gum that stretches over 385 acres, blossoming out a new aroma every time you believe to have seen everything. I once tried to arrange a picnic, only to be overwhelmed by a horde ducks who apparently had the same concept; that was a real laugh, and parking was surprisingly uncomplicated as long as you did not arrive on Saturday night, then the field becomes a battlefield from cars.
A short trip to Lisle leads directly to Morton Arboretumwhere the trees are so old that they have probably already seen the first engines of Ford. I remember how I ran into one of the huge deciduous forests and was suddenly rescued by a friendly Ranger who explained to me that the “trying” here is sold almost as part of the experience. For cyclists there are well-marked paths, and the bike rental switch is a real secret tip – I rented a bustling city bike there and I am straightened over the wooden bridges, while I tried not to stumble over the many squirrels that seem to have their own fitness program.
If you have enough of well-kept gardens, that is Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie at Elwood the counterpart to the urban green. The prairie looks like a set of films from the 1800s, only that the actors today are Bisonherden and a few curious hikers. I was there in the fall when the foliage was immersed in a fireworks of gold and red, and I almost forgot that I had actually only searched for a quiet place to meditate – until a bison reminded me with a deep horror that nature has the say here. Parking is an open field, so simply board, but on hot summer days it can be quite dusty, so better to take a sunglasses.
Another jewel I can't leave is that Illinois Railway Museum in Union. This is not just a museum, that is a paradise for all those who have ever wondered how it was to go through the prairie with a steam locomotive. I spent a day sitting in an old Intercity-Wagen and loudly moaning the old jazz music from the 1920s over the loudspeakers – the staff just shaken the head, but that was part of the charm. The museum has a huge parking lot, which is usually free, except when a special exhibition event runs, then it becomes a parking hotspot.
For those who prefer to combine a little culture with a touch of military history, Cantigny Park in Naperville a must. The estate of Robert Cantigny, the first American officer who received the French Order of Honorary Legion in the First World War, is today a museum, a garden and a leisure park in one. I once missed the annual fireworks because I was too busy photographing the artistically created rose beds – the result was an image that looked more like “Instagram competition” than “historical exhibition”. The car park is well signposted, but it can be full on holidays, so it's better to come early.
A small but fine place I always like to mention is the Kline Creek Farm in Lisle. Here you can stroke real farm animals while you try not to be snuffed by a curious goat that apparently has a flaw for tourist hats. I took part in a workshop where we should learn how to harvest corn flasks properly – the result was a bunch of corn I carried home proudly, just to realize that my apartment had no place for a field. Parking is directly at the farm, and the sign “Free admission” is honestly meant as long as you do not try to steal the hay.
Whether you're looking for botanic oasis, historical railway experiences or wild preriens – the surroundings of Frankfort Square offer a colorful range of experiences that go far beyond the tranquil cityscape. My personal favorite route leads from the artistically cultivated gardens of the Botanic Garden to the majestic trees of the Morton Arboretum to the open plains of Midewin, and all this can easily be strolled together on a weekend. Next time you roll out your card, remember: The Frankfort Square Sights are not only points on a sheet of paper, but small adventures waiting to be discovered by you.
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