School's out, and summer has begun. Located just west of Chicago, Explore Oak Park and Beyond opens the door to a full season of family experiences, from interactive museums in Oak Park to action-packed adventures in Brookfield and beyond. This guide rounds up the best spots to keep the whole family entertained, engaged, and excited all summer long, with information on where to book or buy tickets.
For the Little Ones
Oak Park Conservatory
615 Garfield Street, Oak Park
Built in 1929 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Oak Park Conservatory houses more than 3,000 plants from around the world across three sun-soaked glass showrooms. Admission is free, with donations encouraged. The conservatory sits directly across the street from Rehm Pool, making it a natural pairing for a full day out. Pool admission is $15 per day; summer memberships are available for residents and non-residents.
Wonder Works Children's Museum
6445 West North Avenue, Oak Park
A non-profit fixture in Oak Park for more than 30 years, Wonder Works Children's Museum is designed for kids ages 0 through 8. Hands-on exhibits focus on creative play and active problem-solving, giving kids a genuinely engaging way to keep their minds active while school is out. Walk-ins are welcome, or tickets can be purchased in advance.
Kidcreate Studio
200 Harrison Street, Oak Park
Kidcreate Studio runs art classes and camps built around creative chaos. Sessions blend technique instruction with a dedicated "messy time" at the end, when kids are free to experiment with finger paint, slime, and more. Kids leave with paint in their hair and a finished piece.
Kids and Teens
Galloping Ghost Arcade
9415 Ogden Avenue, Brookfield
Galloping Ghost Arcade is officially the largest arcade in the United States, with more than 1,000 unique games on the floor spanning the 1970s through recent cult favorites, all in full working order. A new title is added every Monday. Admission is $25 at the door for unlimited video game play. The separate pinball building runs $20, or grab a combo pass for $30. No reservation needed.
Al Capone's Grave
1400 South Wolf Road, Hillside
Legendary Chicago gangster Al Capone is buried at Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Hillside, a 10-minute drive from Oak Park. The cemetery holds several notable Chicago figures from the early 20th century and offers a self-guided tour of the grounds. A great choice for teens with an interest in Chicago history. No reservation needed.
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
7401 West 25th Street, North Riverside
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park covers climbing walls, rope courses, go-karts, and trampolines under one indoor roof, making it a reliable option in any weather. Ideal for adventurers ages 7 and up.
Escape Factor
7228 Madison Street, Forest Park
Ranked among the top three escape rooms in the United States by USA Today in 2025, Escape Factor brings high-stakes fun to teams of all experience levels. Work together to crack clues, solve puzzles, and beat the clock across a variety of immersive rooms. Open to all ages 6 and above.
The Cernan Earth and Space Center
2000 Fifth Avenue, River Grove
The Cernan Earth and Space Center at Triton College is named for astronaut Eugene Cernan, commander of Apollo 17 and the last person to walk on the moon. Planetarium programs take audiences on a wide range of voyages, from deep space to local sky events, with cosmic light shows that go well beyond a typical suburban outing. Tickets can be purchased on the day of the show.
Ovation Academy
1010 Madison Street, Oak Park
Ovation Academy stages youth-cast productions throughout the summer, from fairy tales to musicals, featuring performers kids may recognize from their own community. A great way to introduce children to live theater.
For the Whole Family
16-Inch Softball Hall of Fame
7501 Harrison Street, Forest Park
Sixteen-inch softball is a sport invented in Chicago in 1887, and the 16-Inch Softball Hall of Fame in Forest Park preserves its full history through exhibits honoring the game's greatest milestones. Catch a summer game at the Park District of Forest Park and stop by the museum to take in the story of the sport. Tickets are not required; donations are encouraged.
Brookfield Zoo
3300 Golf Road, Brookfield
Brookfield Zoo is the largest zoo in Illinois, covering 235 acres with more than 500 species and interactive exhibits for all ages. This summer, come face-to-face with life-size dinosaurs throughout the zoo: journey through a massive rib-cage tunnel, climb on a giant fossil, dig for ancient discoveries, and take photos at installations spread across the grounds. The dinosaur experience is free with general admission or membership.
Forest Park Aquatic Center
7501 Harrison Street, Forest Park
Forest Park Aquatic Center was designed to reflect the Ferrara Pan candy factory next door, and the facility delivers at scale: zero-depth entry pool, lap lanes, two large water slides, a dedicated diving well, themed splash pads for children, and a full-service concession stand. General non-resident day passes are $15.
Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio
1011 Madison Street, Oak Park
Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio is an eatery and art space that makes even vegetables part of the fun. Sign up for a hands-on cooking or craft workshop, or drop in for lunch.
Splash Pad at Veterans Memorial Park
Grand Boulevard and Sunnyside Avenue, Brookfield
Free admission and no reservation required make the splash pad at Veterans Memorial Park one of the most accessible summer stops in Brookfield. Dumping buckets and shooting fountains make this the kind of outing that calls for a towel and a change of clothes.
Indulge in Dessert
These are the spots where families make lasting summer memories and kids set off on sweet adventures with their friends:
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Order a twist cone with sprinkles at Hole in the Wall in Oak Park. This unexpected custard and frozen yogurt window has been an Oak Park institution for more than 70 years, serving rotating specialty flavors alongside classics, with Dole Whip, toppings, and Super Sundae combinations. It is every local's standard summer order.
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Grab a donut from Forest Park Bakery at 7332 Madison Street. One of the longest-standing bakeries in the area, Forest Park Bakery has been a Saturday morning tradition for generations of local families. Pick up a fresh baker's dozen and find out why.
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Try Aunt Diana's Old-Fashioned Fudge in Riverside. In business since 1976, Aunt Diana's started with fudge and expanded into bulk and by-the-piece candy, caramel corn, cheese corn, and rotating seasonal specialties. The whole family will find something worth obsessing over.
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Stop into Candycopia in Oak Park. The Mason family opened this shop in Oak Park's Hemingway District to give the community a curated candy experience: retro throwbacks, trending treats, and everything handpicked to hit the sweet spot.
Explore Nature
What you cannot find in the city is waiting in the suburbs. Gorgeous parks and scenic trails make the most of sunny summer days.
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Gather the family for a bike ride along the Illinois Prairie Path, a 61-mile trail built on a converted railroad corridor that runs through the western suburbs with flat, family-friendly terrain.
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Search for fairy houses in Thatcher Woods, where documented nesting populations of at least 45 bird species make it one of Cook County's most active forest habitats.
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Or spend time in Austin Gardens during an Oak Park Festival Theatre Shakespeare performance or a Park District outdoor movie screening, and walk the labyrinth before heading home.
Prefer to leave the car at home? Oak Park and Beyond has put together itineraries along three train lines serving the area: the Green Line, the Blue Line, and the BNSF Metra Line. Find them at oakparkandbeyond.org/do-west.