FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

UNDERSTANDING the Organization

What is Explore Oak Park & Beyond?

Explore Oak Park & Beyond is the official tourism organization for western Cook County, Illinois. We promote 20 communities just west of Chicago and help visitors discover the architecture, restaurants, trails, cultural sites, and local businesses that make the region unique. Explore Oak Park & Beyond is state‑certified as a destination marketing organization (DMO) and convention and visitors bureau, which means we’re responsible for growing the visitor economy in this part of the Chicagoland region.

Why is it called “Oak Park & Beyond”?

Oak Park is the largest and most widely known community in the region, and the organization was originally founded to promote tourism there under names like Oak Park Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Visit Oak Park. However, in 2025, a strategic rebranding initiative led to the name Explore Oak Park & Beyond to reflect a broader mission of representing neighboring communities across western Cook County as well as Oak Park itself, which is why the name includes “and Beyond.”

What region does Explore Oak Park & Beyond promote?

Explore Oak Park & Beyond promotes tourism across western Cook County, just west of Chicago. We represent 20 communities, including Berkeley, Bellwood, Broadview, Brookfield, Elmwood Park, Forest Park, Franklin Park, Hillside, La Grange, La Grange Park, Maywood, Melrose Park, Northlake, North Riverside, Oak Park, River Forest, River Grove, Riverside, Schiller Park, Westchester. The region sits right outside Chicago’s city limits and is connected to downtown by CTA Green Line service, Metra rail lines, and major expressways, making it an easy base for exploring both the neighborhoods and the city.

Is Explore Oak Park & Beyond part of Chicago?

No. Explore Oak Park & Beyond promotes communities in western Cook County that sit just outside Chicago’s city limits. Many visitors pair a stay in our communities with time in downtown Chicago, using local transportation to move easily between the city and the suburbs.

For Residents

How does Explore Oak Park & Beyond benefit local residents?

By promoting western Cook County as a great place to visit, we help support local jobs and bring new spending to neighborhood businesses. Over time, that activity strengthens tax revenues that fund services residents rely on. Visitors might be the ones carrying cameras and guidebooks, but residents benefit from the same restaurants, parks, galleries, events, and small businesses we promote. When visitors discover us, it helps sustain the amenities that residents enjoy year‑round.

For Municipal Leaders & Stakeholders

What does a destination marketing organization do?

Destination marketing organizations are focused on promoting the communities and strengthening the visitor economy in a way that supports local prosperity and a strong sense of place. Explore Oak Park & Beyond is the state-certified convention and visitors bureau (DMO) for western Cook County, and is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors and a professional staff.

How is Explore Oak Park & Beyond funded?

Explore Oak Park & Beyond is funded through a combination of:

• Hotel and motel tax revenues

• Support from the Village of Oak Park

• State tourism funding

• Contributions from partner municipalities we serve

These funds support staff who manage programs and visitor services; advertising, marketing, and brand‑building initiatives; contracts with specialized partners in web development, PR, video, content creation, and digital campaigns; and attendance at trade shows and familiarization (FAM) tours. In turn, we use the full breadth of tourism assets throughout the Oak Park area and western Cook County to attract local, national, and international visitors.

What does the organization measure?

Success for us is bigger than any single number. We look at visitor spending and how it supports local businesses; reach and engagement from our marketing and storytelling; growth in awareness and perception of the region; and how our work contributes to a sense of place and long‑term competitiveness. Every visitor matters, and every impression helps our communities compete.

How does tourism benefit the Oak Park & Beyond region?

Destination promotion is one strand of economic development. By increasing travel and tourism, we draw new customers to local businesses, support jobs in hospitality and retail, and help communities showcase their strengths to future residents and investors. We collaborate with municipal partners to align our marketing with local priorities and to ensure our efforts complement existing economic development work.

For Visitors & Trip Planners

What can visitors do in the Oak Park & Beyond region?

Visitors come for architecture, food, nature, and history, often all in the same day. You might tour the world’s largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings, then head to Brookfield Zoo Chicago for an afternoon with the animals or walk wooded trails along the Des Plaines River. Food lovers graze between neighborhood diners and historic taverns, then settle into chef‑driven dining rooms. Whether you’re planning a date night close to home, a quick staycation from Chicago, or a mini‑getaway from a neighboring state, you’ll find plenty to explore just due west.

Where can I find travel information?

Our website is the best starting point, with highlights from each of our 20 communities plus details on attractions, dining, shopping, and places to stay. From there, you can dive into our blog, which we update regularly with upcoming events and fresh ways to explore the region. For a real‑time feel of what’s happening now, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, can’t‑miss moments just due west, and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

For Local Businesses & Partners

How can my business get involved?

Our small businesses are the heart and soul of our neighborhoods, and we want to work with you. We’re here to help shine a light on the people and places that make this region so magnetic. Local businesses can connect with us by sharing news or upcoming events, sending updated information and photos so we can represent you accurately online, and letting us know if you’re open to being included in future campaigns or media features. To start the conversation, email us at info@oakparkandbeyond.org.

Do I have to be a member to be featured?

Unlike a chamber of commerce, you don’t need to be a dues‑paying member to appear in our content. As a destination marketing organization, Explore Oak Park & Beyond regularly highlights standout businesses and attractions throughout the Oak Park & Beyond region. We’re happy to meet with you to discuss ways we can feature you or partner with you through our co-op marketing programs and campaigns.

What kinds of things do you promote?

We proudly market the best of the western suburbs of Chicago. Sometimes that looks like highlighting architectural icons such as Frank Lloyd Wright homes and other landmarks that help tell the story of this area. Other times it means focusing on museums, historic sites, galleries, and studios that give visitors a feel for local culture. On a typical day, we might feature a new restaurant or café, a favorite stretch of neighborhood shops, or a nearby park or river trail where people like to get outside. As the seasons change, we also spotlight events and festivals that bring extra energy to our streets. Across all of this, our focus is on sharing the region in a way that feels personal and genuinely local.

More About Explore Oak Park & Beyond

What is your mission?

Our mission is to elevate the 20 communities we serve and the region’s distinctive attractions as vibrant, inclusive destinations that drive visits, strengthen the local economy, and create meaningful connections for all who explore them.

How did Explore Oak Park & Beyond begin?

Explore Oak Park & Beyond grew out of a shared passion for showcasing Oak Park’s rich heritage and the surrounding region’s unique experiences. What started as a local effort around one village has evolved into a regional organization representing 20 communities, welcoming visitors from around the world and connecting them with architecture, museums, dining, shopping, trails, and the kinds of stories you only hear when you’re here in person.

What is your current strategic focus?

Explore Oak Park & Beyond is operating under a one‑year strategic plan for 2026 that bridges its previous three‑year plan and a new multi‑year strategy to be developed in FY 2027. This work is organized around six focus areas:

• Brand positioning & storytelling

• Visitor experience & product development

• Destination awareness & promotion

• Partnership development

• Data‑driven decision making

• Economic impact

Each focus area is designed to ensure that tourism growth translates into measurable benefits for local businesses and communities.

How to Connect With Us

How can I share feedback, ideas, or events?

We know our success depends on input from everyone, including businesses and visitors. Your feedback gives us an insider’s view of what’s working and where we can do better. To share upcoming events, or general feedback, email us at info@oakparkandbeyond.org. Your thoughts help shape our services and strengthen our connection to the communities we serve.

How can I contact the executive director?

To schedule an appointment with Annie Coakley, executive director of Explore Oak Park & Beyond, please email annie@oakparkandbeyond.org.