Area Attractions
The Carleton is conveniently located in the Village of Oak Park, 10 miles from downtown Chicago. Oak Park, is known for its famous past residents, such as architect Frank Lloyd Wright and Nobel Laureate & Pulitzer Prize winning authors Ernest Hemingway and Edgar Rice Burroughs, creator of Tarzan.
Oak Park has the world’s largest concentration of Wright-designed structures, including his own Home & Studio, which is open to the public. Other attractions, focusing on Ernest Hemingway, also attract visitors to the village.
All local attractions are within walking distance of the Carleton. Visitors will also find Oak Park’s many shops and restaurants diverse and priced to meet their budget.
Chicago is easily accessible by car or public transportation. The Green Line elevated train and the Metra/Union Pacific west line reach Downtown Chicago in approximately twenty minutes. Both train lines stop one block from the Carleton.
Tourist Attractions
Oak Park Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
www.visitoakpark.com
• Oak Park/River Forest Chamber of Commerce
www.oprfchamber.org
• Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust
www.wrightplus.org
• Hemingway In Oak Park
www.hemingway.org
• Unity Temple Restoration Foundation
www.unitytemple-utrf.org
• The Historical Society of Oak Park & River Forest
www.oprfhistory.org
Downtown Oak Park
Pleasant District - (Neighborhood where the Carleton is located)
Points of interest:
- Cheney Mansion – Euclid between Erie and Ontario Streets – leisurely stroll or short drive from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
- Oak Park Public Library – Lake Street at Grove – leisurely stroll or short drive from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
- Frank Lloyd Home and Studio – Chicago Ave. at Forest – leisurely stroll or short drive from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
- Hemingway Birth Place – Oak Park Avenue by Superior – leisurely stroll or short drive from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
- Frank Lloyd Wright Unity Temple – Lake Street at Kenilworth – leisurely stroll or short drive from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
- Conservatory – East Ave. at Garfield (alongside Eisenhower Expressway) – short drive from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
- Ridgeland Common Pool and Ice Skating – Lake Street at Ridgeland – short drive from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
- Rehm Pool and Park – East Ave. at Garfield (alongside Eisenhower Expressway) – short drive from Carleton Hotel
- Farmers Market (Saturdays, June – October) – Lake Street at Elmwood – short drive from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
- Oak Park Festival Theatre - Summer outdoor theatre in Austin Gardens - short walk from the Carleton Hotel
Museums:
- Hemingway Museum – Oak Park Avenue at Ontario – Leisurely stroll or short drive from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
- Wonderworks Childrens Museum – North Ave at Elmwood – short drive from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
- Historic Pleasant Home – Pleasant at Home – short walk from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
Parks:
- Mills Park – Pleasant Street between Home and Marion – short walk from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
- Scoville Park – Oak Park Avenue at Lake Street – leisurely stroll or short drive from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
- Austin Gardens – Forest Avenue and Ontario – leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
Oak Park & River Forest Attractions, Shopping and Dining
Shopping
• Ananas– short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
109 N. Oak Park Ave.
Tel: 708-524-8585
• At the Gallery– short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
135 N Oak Park Ave
Tel: 708-445-9793
• Barley Twist– short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
144 N Oak Park Ave.
Tel: 708-445-0100
• Cabernet & Company– short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
732 Lake Street
Tel: 708-763-9463
• Fly Bird– short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
719 Lake St.
Tel: 708-383-3330
• The Great Frame Up– short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
705 Lake Street
Tel: 708-848-5588
• The Irish Shop, The– short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
100 N. Oak Park Ave.
Tel: 708-445-1149
• K9 Cookie Company– short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
171 S. Oak Park Ave.
Tel: 708-848-K9K9 (5959)
• Madly Pop''n – short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
148 N. Oak Park Ave.
Tel: 708-386-3373
• Magic Tree Book Store– short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
141 N. Oak Park Ave.
Tel: 708-848-0770
• Oak Park Food Market Inc. – short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
133 S. Oak Park Ave.
Tel: 708-848-9077
• Wireless Central/ U S Cellular– short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
134 N. Oak Park Ave.
Tel: 708-445-3900
• Wolf Camera– short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park 128 N. Oak Park Ave.
Tel: 708-848-2451
Carleton Hotel / South Marion Business District
- Shopping includes small specialty shops one block from hotel
Dining includes:
- Barclay´s American Grille located in the Carleton Hotel Oak Park
- Poor Phil´s Restaurant located in Carleton Hotel Oak Park
- LaBella Italian Restaurant one block north of Carleton Hotel Oak Park
- Szechwan Beijing Chinese Restaurant one block north of Carleton Hotel Oak Park
- Marion Street Cheese Market one block north of Carleton Hotel Oak Park
Downtown Oak Park Intermodal Station
- Transfer to PACE 305 Bus (north to North Ave, then west to Melrose Park)
- Transfer to PACE 309 (north to Elmwood Park and south to Ogden on Harlem Ave.)
- Transfer to METRA UP West Line (to Geneva, IL and other western suburbs)
- CTA Green Line El Harlem Stop (to downtown Chicago)
Frank Lloyd Wright Unity Temple
- Oak Park Post Office – Main Branch
- Oak Park Library
- Scoville Park
Madison Street Business District (short drive from Carleton Hotel Oak Park)
- Shopping east and west of stop
- Dining east and west of stop
South Oak Park Avenue Business District (short drive from Carleton Hotel Oak Park)
- Shopping includes many specialty shops, a grocery store, and other shops/services
- Dining includes Ale House Emporium, Lalo’s Mexican Restaurant
- CTA Blue Line (Oak Park Avenue stop) to downtown Chicago
- Other shops and dining south of expressway, just a short walk from shuttle stop
Conservatory (short drive from Carleton Hotel Oak Park)
- Rehm Pool and Park
- CTA Blue Line (East Avenue stop) to downtown
Shopping (include River Forest Town Center):
Apparel and Shoes
- Competitive Foot – 102 N. Marion – 524-0030
- Dress Barn – 1100 Lake Street – 358-0518
- E’Stylo – 1024 North Blvd. – 524-9004
- Gap/Gap Kids – 435 N. Harlem – 660-9962
- La Femmena – 1022 North Blvd. – 386-8830
- Mephisto Shoes – 1026 North Blvd. – 524-0321
- Old Navy Clothing – 417 N. Harlem – 848-9103
- Shirtworks – 127 N. Marion – 383-4100
- United Colors of Benetton – 1020 Lake Street – 383-1105
Books, Cards, Stationary:
- Afriware, Inc. – 266 W. Lake Street – 524-8398
- Barbara’s Bookstore – 1100 Lake Street – 848-9140
- The Book Table – 1045 Lake Street – 386-9800
- Borders Books and Café – 1144 Lake Street – 386-6927
- Fitzgerald’s Fine Stationary – 1100 Lake Street – 445-8077
- Paper Source – 1109 Lake Street – 445-7700
Cellular Phones:
- AT&T Wireless – 425 N. Harlem – 888-344-3332
- Cingular Wireless – 1000 Lake Street – 524-5599
- Nextel – 1142 Lake Street – 383-2021
- T-Mobile – 1132 Lake Street – 524-0113
Coffee, Ice Cream & Specialty Foods:
- Ben & Jerry’s – 1025 Lake Street – 358-8081
- Caribou Coffee – 423 N. Harlem – 445-0681
- Haye’s Coffee’s – 1010 North Blvd. – 524-1914
- Marion Street Cheese Market – 100 S. Marion – 725-7200
- Penzey’s Spices – 1138 Lake Street – 848-7772
- Prairie Bread Kitchen – 103 N. Marion – 445-1234
- Starbuck’s Coffee – 1018 Lake Street – 848-5051
Florists:
- Carriage Flower Shop – 124 N. Marion – 383-4862
Beauty Salons and Spas:
- A Matter of Style – 114 N. Marion – 524-5151
- Anthony Peter Salon – 169 N. Marion – 386-8000
- Anthony Salerno Salon – 195 N. Marion – 383-1668
- Center Stage Salon – 1012 North Blvd. – 386-0203
- The Hair Cuttery – 1000 Lake Street – 383-4630
- Park Avenue Hair Studio - 831 1/2 S. Oak Park Ave. - 848-4375
- Pro Nails II – 1036 Lake Street – 763-0292
- Salon 212 –109 S. Marion – 386-2221
- Style Magic Hair Salon – 1138 Westgate – 383-9404
Specialty Shopping and Gifts:
- For Eyes Optical – 409 N. Harlem – 358-2000
- Professional Eye Center – 1121 Lake Street – 383-7240
- Weiner Optical – 1100 Lake Street – 848-4040
- Holiday Camera – 1047 Lake Street – 386-6447
- Claire’s Accessories – 407 N. Harlem – 763-9352
- Meme’s Antiques – 1109 Westgate – 383-2060
- Oak Park Visitor’s Center – 158 Forest – 848-1500
- Pier One Imports – 1143 Lake Street – 660-9988
- Taylor’s Gifts and Bonsai – 105 N. Marion – 524-2410
- Pumpkin Moon – 1028 North Blvd. – 524-8144
River Forest Town Center (Lake Street at Harlem in River Forest, just across the street from Downtown Oak Park) shops include:
- Whole Foods Market
- Famous Footware
- Starbucks
Dining:
- Chipotle – 1128 Lake Street – 524-8211
- Cosi – 1101 Lake Street – 524-8412
- Cozy Corner Restaurant – 138 N. Marion – 383-1750
- Jerusalem Café – 1030 lake St. – 48-7734
- Khyber Pass – 1031 Lake Street – 445-9032
- King & I Restaurant – 105 N. Marion – 383-2975
- Los Cazadores – 1113 Lake Street – 386-6189
- Luo’s Peking House – 113 N. Marion – 386-3055
- Mancini’s Pizza & Pasta – 1038 Lake Street – 445-9700
- Maple Tree Restaurant – 1034 Lake Street – 848-8267
- Minou Café & Bakery – 104 N. Marion – 848-6540
- Marion Street Grille – 189 N. Marion – 383-1551
- Puree’s Pizza & Pasta – 1023 Lake Street – 386-4949
- Five Guys – 1115 Lake Street – 358-0856
- Subway – 1000 Lake Street – 386-5916
- TGI Fridays – 401 N. Harlem – 445-8249
River Forest Town Center (Lake Street at Harlem in River Forest, just across the street from Downtown Oak Park) restaurants includes:
- Boston Market
- Pompei
- Whole Foods
- Panera Bread Company
Dining
• Erik’s Delicatessen & Restaurant– short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
107 N. Oak Park Ave.
848-8805
• Flat Top Grill – short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
726 Lake St.
358-8200
• Fuego Loco – short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
722 W. Lake St.
763-0000
• Geppetto’s – short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
113 N. Oak Park Ave.
386-9200
• Hemingway’s Bistro – short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
211 N. Oak Park
524-0806
• New Pot – short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
727 Lake St
383-1625
• Papaspiros – short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
733 Lake St.
358-1700
• Pasta Shoppe & Cafe – short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
116 N. Oak Park Ave.
763-0600
• Tasty Dog – short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
708 W. Lake St.
383-2645
• The Buzz – short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
834 Lake St.
660-9500
• Winberie’s – short drive or leisurely stroll from Carleton Hotel Oak Park
151 N. Oak Park Ave.
386-2600
Harrison Business District on Harrison Street, between Austin Boulevard and Elmwood Avenue (short drive from Carleton Hotel Oak Park)
• Art Gecko, Ltd. Art
19 Harrison St. Tel: 708-358-1950
• Bead in Hand
145 Harrison St. Tel: 708-848-1761
• Buzz Cafe
905 S Lombard Ave Tel: 708-524-2899
• Calypso Moon Studio
331B Harrison St. Tel: 708-848-1385
• Expressions Graphics
29 Harrison St. Tel: 708-386-3552
• Frame Warehouse
346 Harrison St. Tel: 708-848-1498
• Harrison Works
17 Harrison St. Tel: 708-308-4602
• Living Room Gallery, Arts and Antiques
350 Harrison St. Tel: 708-383-3142
• Majamas New Mom’s Boutique
907-909 S. Lombard Tel: 708-524-9668
• One Point Center - Aikido
134 Harrison Tel: 708-383-4711
• Yoga Trek Center
911 S. Lombard Tel: 708-660-0868
Oak Park Village Hall
• Park District Headquarters
• Oak Park Gymnastics Center
• Small shopping and dining area, including McDonalds
Chicago/ Harlem/ Marion Business District
• Shopping includes bicycle shop, dry cleaners, specialty shops, grocery store, hardware store
• Dining includes Giordano’s Pizza, Petersen’s Ice Cream Parlor
• Check for new and interesting shops and dining places
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
Hemingway Birthplace
• Hemingway Museum
• Scoville Park
Pleasant Home
• Oak Park Historical Society (Historical artifacts and photo’s from Oak Park’s history)
• Mills Park