Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Berwyn, IL

This culturally diverse suburban city lies approximately ten miles west of the Chicago Loop. Berwyn is characterized by its charming streetscape, notable for the abundance of elegant Chicago-style bungalows, primarily dating from the 1910s and 1920s.

To the north of Berwyn is the village of Oak Park, where the illustrious architect Frank Lloyd Wright left a lasting legacy by designing numerous buildings in the early stages of his career.

While exploring Oak Park, one can trace the beginnings of Wright’s Prairie School movement and appreciate its influence on landscape design, particularly at Jensen’s Columbus Park, which is also a short distance from Berwyn.

Additionally, Berwyn boasts a lively cultural landscape, fueled by the presence of the 16th Street Theater and The Outta Space, a venue that combines dining and artistic expression.

1. Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio

Completed in 1889 and later extended in 1895, Frank Lloyd Wright’s residence and studio represent the first project over which he exercised full artistic authority.

Wright resided here with his family for 20 years, during which he continuously refined his architectural approach, paving the way for innovative concepts that would define his legacy.

This property has been restored to reflect its 1909 condition, the final year of Wright’s residence before relocating to his renowned Taliesin estate in Wisconsin.

As visitors explore the property, they will note the harmonious flow of the rooms, facilitated by expansive doorways adorned with portieres.

Among its unique features is the children’s playroom, constructed in 1895, which reflects Wright’s philosophy regarding nurturing, characterized by a barrel vault illuminated by skylights embellished with floral motifs.

2. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple

Located in Oak Park, the Unitarian Universalist church was constructed between 1905 and 1908 and is part of a wider UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing Wright’s most significant works.

The Unity Temple, a robust cubic structure built from plain reinforced concrete with an overhanging flat roof, is acknowledged as the first modern building, inspiring subsequent architects such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.

While the exterior is characterized by its minimalistic design, the interior is popular for its remarkable harmony of light and space, created by a continuous band of clerestory windows and a grid of amber glass light fixtures.

3. Brookfield Zoo

Crossing the Des Plaines River from Berwyn, one finds Brookfield Zoo, an iconic attraction that has been in operation since 1934.

It was the first zoo in the United States to house giant pandas and pioneered the use of moats and ditches for animal habitats instead of traditional cages.

Additionally, Brookfield Zoo has introduced innovative indoor exhibits, including Tropic World, which became the first indoor tropical rainforest enclosure upon its inauguration in the 1980s.

The zoo houses over 450 species across 20 diverse exhibits, such as Big Cats, Great Bears Wilderness, Habitat Africa!, Reptiles and Birds, and the Fragile Desert.

Each year, the zoo features a special exhibit, with “Dinosaurs Alive!” being a recurring attraction that showcases lifelike animatronic dinosaurs throughout the park.

4. Frank Lloyd Wright Walking Tour

With the largest concentration of architectural works by Frank Lloyd Wright globally, Oak Park is a premier destination for those interested in exploring the evolution of his Prairie School movement during the early 20th century.

Between 1888 and 1913, Wright designed numerous edifices throughout the village, collaborating first with Sullivan & Adler and subsequently as an independent architect.

These creations now fall within a designated Historic District. A downloadable map is available for a self-guided tour of Oak Park, highlighting masterpieces such as the Harry S. Adams House (1913), William E. Martin House (1902-1903), Oscar B. Balch House (1911), and William G. Fricke House (1901-1902).

With careful planning, one could make approximately 25 stops on this engaging walking tour. For a rare glimpse inside private residences, consider participating in the annual Wright Plus Housewalk held in May, which features eight private homes and two landmark structures designed by Wright and his contemporaries.

5. Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum

Located just ten minutes from Berwyn, visitors can explore the site of Ernest Hemingway’s birth and his early childhood.

The Queen Anne-style home at 339 N Oak Park Ave, constructed by the author’s maternal grandparents in 1890, was the first residence in Oak Park to feature electricity.

Hemingway was born on July 21, 1899, in a second-floor bedroom, facilitated by his father, Clarence, a medical practitioner, while his mother, Grace, was a noted opera singer and music educator.

The property was acquired by the Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park in 1992 and opened to the public in 2001 after restoration to its 1890s configuration, adorned with Hemingway family heirlooms.

An informative guided tour reveals insights into Hemingway’s formative years, showcasing items and décor reminiscent of the writer’s childhood.

6. Berwyn Cultural Center

This dynamic facility, part of the North Berwyn Park District, is situated in the former library building of Lincoln Middle School, located directly across from Elmwood Avenue.

The Berwyn Cultural Center houses the 16th Street Theater, the only professional equity theater in Berwyn, established in 2007 and showcasing three excellent productions each year.

Many of these performances have received endorsements from the Jeff Awards, which honor outstanding achievements in the performing arts in the Chicago area.

Additionally, the theater is deeply integrated into the local community, offering acting classes for adults and a range of programs for children and teens, including a popular summer theater camp.

7. Columbus Park

This historic park, located just beyond the northeastern boundary of Berwyn, embodies the principles of the Prairie School, established as a highlight of landscape architect Jens Jensen’s career.

Laid out in 1915, the park spans 135 acres and emphasizes the region’s natural beauty by utilizing native plants and replicating natural rock formations characteristic of the Midwest.

The stunning landscapes can be enjoyed along the stone paths, leading to Jensen’s waterfalls adorned with layered rocks. The park features Jensen’s signature Council Ring, designed for storytelling and contemplation, alongside a charming refectory building that can be reserved for weddings and various events.

During the summer months, the park hosts a variety of events, including productions by the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and open-air movie screenings.

8. Proksa Park

Berwyn Park District’s largest park is a picturesque venue that accommodates both passive and active recreation opportunities.

The southern section is particularly enchanting, featuring winding paths, colorful flowerbeds, lush shrubs, hedges, and trees. This area also includes two picnic groves, a children’s garden, an expansive playground, two ponds, and a creek.

Moving northward, under the shelter of mature trees and past sprawling lawns, one encounters Proksa Park’s athletic amenities, which include a small disc golf area, two illuminated baseball diamonds, and three lighted tennis courts.

This park is a favored choice for summer weddings, while the Activity Center on the western side is also available for rental.

9. The Outta Space

Since its inception, The Outta Space has emerged as a central hub for the local arts community.

This venue primarily serves as an arts and music space featuring a bar, fostering an environment conducive to communication, collaboration, and creativity.

At The Outta Space, local artists are provided with a venue to showcase their work and to perform, while also engaging in a broad array of events and workshops that promote learning, teaching, celebration, and connection.

The schedule includes numerous live musical performances along with art exhibitions, workshops, mini film festivals, markets, circus performances, and much more.

10. Freddy’s Pizza

Located nearby in Cicero, Freddy’s Pizza is a family-operated corner market that has been serving the community since 1968. Visitors can acquire various ingredients, including olive oils, balsamic vinegars, fresh and dry pasta, and capers.

The deli counter is a delight for culinary enthusiasts, boasting an array of offerings from ricotta and mozzarella to prosciutto, antipasti, capicola, provolone, salami, and many more.

As for made-to-order specialties, diners can choose from a range of Italian sandwiches, hearty slices of thick-crust pizza, diverse pasta dishes, chicken eggplant, gnocchi in vodka sauce, exquisite homemade gelato, and Italian lemonade.

11. North Riverside Park Mall

To the west of Berwyn lies a sprawling shopping district almost a mile in length. Adjacent to the larger retail centers at Cermak Plaza and North Riverside Plaza is the North Riverside Park Mall.

This mall, inaugurated in 1975, features over 150 stores at the time of writing, including numerous popular chains like JCPenney, Foot Locker, Old Navy, Sephora, Victoria’s Secret, H&M, and Forever 21.

For refreshments, shoppers can choose from several food court staples, such as Taco Bell, Cinnabon, Auntie Annie’s, and Subway, alongside options like McDonald’s, Sbarro, and Olive Garden.

The nearby shopping centers provide essentials, including Best Buy, Costco, and Kohl’s, along with chain eateries ranging from Raising Cane’s to Red Robin, Panda Express, and LongHorn Steakhouse.

12. Freedom Park

This park located in southern Berwyn serves as the headquarters for the city’s Park District, housing their administrative offices, board meeting room, and preschool classroom.

Outside, much of the park features a newly installed football field, complete with synthetic turf and floodlighting.

At the northern end near the buildings, there is an excellent playground area, and visitors can enjoy a peaceful picnic in the designated area shaded by hardwood trees located at the southern end of the park.

13. Oak Park Conservatory

Located just moments north of Berwyn, the Oak Park Conservatory is a stunning glasshouse and botanical garden with free public access.

The conservatory, currently showcasing an Edwardian style, was established in 1929 and underwent restoration in the 1970s following a period of neglect.

This remarkable facility features three distinct rooms dedicated to tropical, Mediterranean, and desert plants, including diverse cacti and a selection of succulents.

Additionally, visitors can explore delightful urban gardens outside, and the conservatory serves as a nursery for various spaces within the Park District of Oak Park.

Throughout the summer, the conservatory hosts numerous events, such as Uncorked, which combines wine tasting, local cuisine, and live music.

14. Rehm Park

Opposite the Oak Park Conservatory lies Rehm Park, a picturesque neighborhood park recently renovated in 2021.

The standout feature of Rehm Park is its Olympic-sized swimming pool, the most accessible public swimming facility serving Berwyn residents.

Open during the summer months, weather permitting, the pool area includes excellent amenities for families.

The playground has been completely refurbished and features a soft synthetic turf surface, while another highlight during the summer is the miniature railroad, powered by children riding in the trains. A staff member from the Park District of Oak Park must be present for the railroad’s operation.

15. Berwyn Route 66 Car Show

Ogden Avenue in Berwyn is part of the Historic Route 66, and in celebration of this legacy, an annual car show is held every September.

Since its inception in 1990, the Berwyn Route 66 Car Show has attracted hundreds of automotive enthusiasts and thousands of spectators. The event temporarily closes Ogden Avenue between Ridgeland and Oak Park Avenue.

This is the largest heritage vehicle exhibition in the area, featuring over 550 vintage cars, motorcycles, and trucks, accompanied by a range of live entertainment and food offerings from local vendors.