Oak Park is a village in Cook County, IL, and is located adjacent to the bustling metropolis of Chicago. The village was originally settled in 1835 and was incorporated in 1902. Famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright settled in the village with his wife in 1889, and the architecture and design of the area would become heavily influenced by his work. Over the years, the village was able to develop rapidly due to the arrival of railroads and streetcars, which gave residents access to a variety of jobs in Chicago.
Today, the village has a population of nearly 53,000 and is fondly referred to as the "World's Largest Village." The area boasts breathtaking architecture, beautiful neighborhoods, a variety of scenic parks, and plenty of wonderful museums and attractions. There are lots of dining and shopping options in the village as well, especially in Downtown Oak Park. Along the picturesque, tree-lined streets, you'll find a plethora of local shops and a hugely diverse selection of great cuisine.
There are a number of destinations in the village where you can see firsthand the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright; the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Unity Temple, and a Frank Lloyd Wright Walking Tour are all open to the public and allow you to observe and learn about his work. For another taste of history, you can visit the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum.
Oak Park offers lots of beautiful outdoor areas as well. The Oak Park Farmers' Market will give you a great taste of the community, and you can take the opportunity to snag some delicious fresh fruit and veggies. Columbus Park is a unique destination for its blend of amazing architecture and nature, whereas Mills Park offers a more standard outdoor experience and is perfect for a day relaxing with the family. You'll also only need to travel a short distance from the village to reach Indiana Sand Dunes National Park, which provides many hours of enjoyment through exploration and activities.
Chicago Brewsology - This annual Chicago beer festival takes place in early March at the Museum of Science and Industry. The event will feature more than 60 breweries sampling their seasonal beers throughout the museum venue.
Chicago Beefsteak - This annual two-day beef banquet will be going down at the DANK Haus German Cultural Center during the final week of January. The event will feature delicious food prepared by butcher Dr. Carol Himmels and her crew.
Riot Fest - The upcoming Riot Fest music festival is happening in mid-September in Chicago. Bands like My Chemical Romance and The Original Misfits will be performing, and announcements regarding the venue and rest of the lineup will be coming in the spring.
Indiana Sand Dunes National Park was declared a national park in 2019, and it contains 15 miles of beautiful lakefront and 20 square miles of countryside. The park is convenient to visit due to its close proximity to major towns and cities, so there are plenty of options for dining, retail, and lodging nearby. The sand dunes, prairies, forests, and rivers of the park create a great environment for activities like hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, boating, and water sports.
Gateway Arch National Park is located in St. Louis, MO, and is primarily known for its famous 630-foot white arch that towers over the Mississippi River. The arch marks the starting point of the famous Lewis and Clark expedition of the early 19th century. Visitors can take a trolley ride to the top of the arch, where the view of the city is truly breathtaking. The park is also home to the Old St. Louis Courthouse, which can be explored and learned about via guided tours.
A few hours south of Oak Park, you'll find Kentucky's Mammoth Cave National Park. The fascinating park features the longest known cave system in the world; the area has more than 400 miles of explored caverns, and there are still more to be discovered. Visitors can explore the cave through guided tours, which will allow access to famous chambers like the Rotunda and Gothic Avenue, the latter of which features a ceiling covered in signatures from the 19th century.
Indiana Dunes State Park is most known for its 200-foot-high sand dunes, which tower above the marshes, swamps, and forests of the area. The park features a number of scenic hiking and biking trails, and the local bird-watching opportunities are renowned.
Kankakee River State Park is found in northern Illinois near the town of Bourbonnais. The park comprises a 4,000-acre stretch of land surrounding the beautiful Kankakee River, and the area is a popular destination for canoeing, fishing, camping, biking, and hiking. The park also offers two on-site campgrounds, one of which offers electrical hookups while both offer a handful of amenities.
One more popular nearby recreation area is Shabbona Lake State Park, where boating and fishing on the placid waters are both popular pastimes. The 1,550-acre stretch of land is relatively close to several significant towns and quality campgrounds, so finding convenient food, supplies, and lodging won't be an issue.
Many of Illinois' most spectacular landmarks and monuments are within a short distance of Oak Park. The Willis Tower in Chicago stands 1,729 feet above the city and held the title of the tallest building in the world for 15 years. As you'd guess, the view from the top is unforgettable.
Another recognizable Chicago landmark is Millennium Park, which is also the home to the fascinating Cloud Gate metallic sculpture. The park and sculpture have been cultural icons for nearly two decades, and they're worth taking a detour to visit if you're traveling near the city.
When you're ready to hunker down for the night, one solid option near Oak Park is Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Newark, IL. This campground offers sites with full hookups, and the location also features a pool, showers, horseshoes, mini-golf, and a playground.
Chicago Northwest KOA is another quality campground in the area. They offer both back-in and pull-through RV sites with electrical hookups, and they've also earned a reputation for being one of the more peaceful campgrounds in the region.
Another good option is Enchanted Shores in Peotone, IL, which charges $35 per night for their full hookup RV sites. The location also features a playground, basketball court, volleyball court, and horseshoes area. There are plenty of nearby opportunities for outdoor recreation, dining, and shopping as well.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Oak Park, IL, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Oak Park?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Oak Park from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Oak Park?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
