bet t e r you
Daytripper
Oak Park shares tree-lined streets with the North Shore, but where we got the lake, they got Frank. That
would
be
Frank
Lloyd
Wright, arguably
the world’s most famous architect, who lived and worked in Oak Park from the beginning of his career until 1909. Signs of Wright’s influence are everywhere—starting with his own home and studio, and extending to stores filled with Mission- and Prairie-style furnishings. In less than an hour’s drive from the North Shore, you can sightsee, get a little culture, a great meal and even sneak in some shopping.
62
october 2013
62_daytripper.indd 62
Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio Start with a guided tour of Wright’s home and studio. Even kids will enjoy this tour because a lot of the details of the home were created with Wright’s children in mind—check out where he put the kids’ grand piano! For the truly interested, the self-guided neighborhood audio tour covers a lot more ground—it’s a lot of walking. For most families, the house and studio tour will be enough. For adults, add the neighborhood tour. 951 Chicago Ave., 312944-4000, gowright.org Alternatives to Walking Tours If all that walking isn’t going to make your family happy campers, Oak Park does have several other options. Greenline Wheels rents bikes (with maps) for a self-guided tour. There’s also Oak Park Segway, which you must reserve in advance and the minimum age is 14; but if you don’t mind the goofy helmet, you’re zipping around on a Segway! Finally, Rickshaw Rick’s Tours and Taxis will take you on a guided Rickshaw tour of the ‘hood. Greenline Wheels, 105 S. Marion St., 708-725-7170, greenlinewheels.com Oak Park Segway, 715 Lake St., 708-574-1134, oakparksegway.com Rickshaw Rick’s Tours and Taxi, 521 Thomas St., 773-771-3922, rickshawrick.com
Oak Park Antiques When you’re surrounded by Frank Lloyd Wright houses, it makes sense to specialize in Mission-and-Arts-and-Crafts furniture, and that’s exactly what Oak Park Antiques does. They’re helpful with shipping and transportation—just in case you fall in love with that dining room set that looks like the one in Wright’s museum — but aren’t sure how to get it home. 125 N. Marion St., Oak Park, 708-386-9640, etsy. com/shop/OakParkAntiques
candle photo courtesy of carefu peach boutique, all other Photos by fred bledsoe
By Laur a Hine
makeitbetter.net
9/9/13 11:47 AM