Top 15 Attractions in Park Forest, Illinois

Situated in the Chicago Southland region, this village was established as a meticulously planned community in the late 1940s, largely to accommodate returning WWII veterans.

Park Forest offered suburban comfort to the expanding middle class, and visitors can gain insights into lifestyles from this era at the 1950s Park Forest House Museum, which preserves a residence developed by American Community Builders (ACB), the entity that established the village.

Presently, the village is a diverse community celebrated for its robust arts scene, featuring a regional gallery that hosts a juried art fair dating back to the 1950s, an esteemed theater group, and a performing arts center located at Freedom Hall.

1. Tall Grass Arts Association Gallery

Central to Park Forest’s impressive arts scene is this regional gallery situated on the village green.

The highlight of the year is the second-oldest juried art fair in Chicagoland, known as the Park Forest Art Fair.

This two-day event, held in mid-September, has been a tradition for over 65 years, showcasing more than 70 artists across a wide array of media.

Artists hail from diverse locations, including Florida and Arizona. Live music is featured on both days, supplemented by a Kids Art Alley on the sidewalk in front of the gallery.

Throughout the remainder of the year, visitors can enjoy other high-quality exhibitions at the gallery, with a gift shop that offers unique, locally crafted items.

2. 1950s Park Forest House Museum

Adjacent to Thorn Creek Woods, this museum showcases a townhome constructed during the post-WWII construction boom when Park Forest was formally incorporated as a village.

Built by American Community Builders, this home was erected between 1947 and 1949 and has been preserved to reflect its appearance in the early 1950s.

The interior features period details, encompassing home furnishings, clothing, books, dolls, toys, and appliances.

The 1950s Park Forest House Museum is managed by the Park Forest Historical Society and, at the time of this writing, is open on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.

3. Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve

Thorn Creek Woods, located in the southern part of Park Forest at the headwaters of Thorn Creek, provides a substantial area of natural beauty.

This watercourse meanders through the Chicago Southland en route to the Little Calumet River.

Thorn Creek Woods is designated as an Illinois Nature Preserve, established in 1978, and encompasses one of the largest forested areas in northeastern Illinois.

As you traverse the preserve, you will encounter bottomlands, ravines, marshes, meadows, and forests, some of which feature white and red oak trees that are over 150 years old.

4. Thorn Creek Nature Center

Located at 247 Monee Rd within the preserve, the Thorn Creek Nature Center occupies a historic church building dating back to 1861. Visitors can explore a comprehensive nature library and learn about the ecosystems of Thorn Creek Woods through various exhibits.

For information regarding programs at the center, including nature walks, animal tracking, bird identification, and discussions on various interesting subjects, such as fossils and beekeeping, please refer to the Village of Park Forest website.

A trail leads eastward into the woods just behind the center, providing access to the scenic Thorn Creek Valley.

5. Central Park

Central Park serves as Park Forest’s most favored recreational area, situated near several key attractions and amenities, including the public library, the Park Forest Aqua Center, and Freedom Hall. The park facilitates both active and passive recreation.

Sports facilities include three separate lighted baseball/softball diamonds, tennis courts, and soccer/football fields.

Additionally, there is a superb playground for children, along with benches throughout for relaxation, while a trail leads into a wetland area equipped with information signage.

Central Park is a popular venue for summer gatherings, including birthday parties and reunions, featuring two large pavilions, both of which are outfitted with electrical outlets, and one (East) includes an attached kitchen area.

6. Park Forest Aqua Center

Typically open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, the Park Forest Aqua Center, adjacent to Central Park, has been a popular attraction since the early 1950s.

The facilities have been upgraded over the years and are situated in a park filled with numerous trees and grassy areas.

Currently, the center features a large amusement pool with two drop slides, a 160-foot water slide, and a 15-foot climbing wall, a beach pool for toddlers surrounded by sand, and a lap pool for adult swimmers.

Moreover, there is a sand volleyball court, and while the center provides a popular concessions stand, visitors are permitted to bring their own food and drinks.

7. Park Forest Farmers’ Market

Connecting residents with local farmers, businesses, and food vendors, the Park Forest Farmers’ Market traces its history back to 1974.

This market convenes on Saturday mornings from May through October, taking place at the lot located at 152 Main St.

With 36 vendor spaces available, attendees can find a range of products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs, flowers, dairy items, baked goods, and ready-to-eat foods like tamales and sandwiches.

The market also features vendors from local businesses offering artwork, jewelry, garden decorations, pet supplies, and much more.

8. Old Plank Road Trail

Before the advent of railroads, a network of wooden plank roads existed across the United States, with one such road planned in the 1850s traversing what is now the Chicago Southland, stretching between Chicago Heights in the east and Joliet in the west.

Within a few years, this right-of-way was converted for railroad use between Joliet and Lake Station, Indiana, associated with the Michigan Central Railroad.

Following its abandonment in the early 1970s, the right-of-way was preserved and ultimately transformed into a trail that runs through the northern section of Park Forest. A short distance to the east, the trail connects with the Thorn Creek trail system at Indian Hill Woods.

9. Park Forest Rail Fan Park

This park is home to one of the largest rail intersections in the United States, located on the northwestern edge of Park Forest.

Resembling a highway cloverleaf interchange, the park formed in 2007 following the acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroad by the Canadian National Corporation, which runs east to west through the town.

The park is linked to the North-South Metra line, offering railway enthusiasts a unique vantage point to observe trains passing through this area.

Park Forest Rail Fan Park features a historic caboose, information boards, and a section of elevated boardwalk, allowing visitors to view up to 32 trains a day navigating the intersection.

10. Freedom Hall

Adjacent to the Park Forest Public Library is a prominent venue for the performing arts in the Chicago Southland region.

Freedom Hall features the Nathan Manilow Theatre, which has a seating capacity of 287 and hosts a dynamic program of performances. The venue presents musicals, plays, comedy showcases, children’s shows, concerts, and various special events.

Notable performances at Freedom Hall in recent years have included artists such as Peter Mayer, Julie Fowlis, Booker T, George Winston, Billy Branch, and The Mystical Arts of Tibet.

11. Theater 47

Home to a versatile performing arts group, this 200-seat venue shares a building with the Park Forest Village Hall.

The Theater 47 Performing Arts Group comprises a talented ensemble of actors, dancers, musicians, and singers, who showcase their talents throughout the year in musicals and plays.

Many productions are original works or adaptations authored by the producer/director, John L. Ruffin. Additionally, Theater 47 features productions from emerging playwrights, along with concerts held both indoors and outdoors during the summer months.

12. Sauk Trail Woods

Located downstream from Thorn Creek Woods, this substantial forest preserve borders Sauk Trail Lake, formed by a dam on the creek.

Sauk Trail Woods encompasses a large area divided into six sections, each equipped with amenities such as picnic groves and shelters.

This preserve is situated on a migratory path for birds; during late fall and early spring, it is possible to observe species such as wood ducks, towhees, osprey, and white-eyed vireos.

A great way to experience the preserve’s diverse woodlands, lake, and wetlands is via the Thorn Creek trail system, accessible from Park Forest at Chestnut St (by Murphy Park) and the corner of Western Ave and Steger Rd.

The trail traverses five of the six sections of Sauk Trail Woods, with branches extending on both the east and west sides of the lake.

13. Somonauk Park

At the time of writing, this park located in a quiet residential neighborhood in southern Park Forest was undergoing its first renovation in three decades.

Upon completion, Somonauk Park, which is the second-largest community park in Park Forest, will feature a one-acre pond equipped with a fishing pier and kayak rentals in summer.

The park will also provide accessible pathways, elevated seating terraces, and zip lines, in addition to existing amenities that include a well-maintained children’s playground, basketball courts, and soccer fields.

14. Logan Park

For those traversing the Old Plank Road Trail, Logan Park serves as an excellent stopover.

The trail crosses N Orchard Dr over an old steel railway bridge on the park’s east side, which is nestled within a tranquil residential setting. The park includes picnic tables, a pavilion, a grill, electrical outlets, and restrooms.

A playground is also available, complemented by a ballfield and a large grassy area bordered by a mix of hardwood and softwood trees.

15. Main Street Nights

Downtown Park Forest hosts a premier free summer entertainment series in the Chicago Southland.

Centered around the green area adjacent to Village Hall, Main Street Nights offers eight evenings of entertainment on Wednesdays from mid-June to mid-August.

The schedule includes local festivities such as Unity Day, events from Governors State University, and the Resident Appreciation Celebration.

Each week features two acts, with performances by engaging children’s entertainers, including magicians and yo-yo experts. The main performances are provided by talented artists, ensembles, and tribute acts that span genres, from Santana to Elton John.