Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Oakbrook Terrace

"The list of great Chicago parks is long but we’d be remiss if we didn’t include: Washington Park, one of the cities biggest and best parks, which is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places; Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe; Ping Tom Memorial Park (originally a railroad yard) in Armour Square; the 55-acre Horner Park in Albany Park; Portage Park; Northerly Island, where many concerts are held in the summer; and Oz Park in Lincoln Park, a kid-friendly sculpture park featuring "The Wizard of Oz" creations."

"Maggie Daley Park is also located in the Loop and is home to the city’s only outdoor climbing park. You can also go ice skating during the winter months on the famous ‘skating ribbon’. The park also has spots to picnic in with the family and a tennis court to enjoy a game."

"Oz Park is an ode to author L Frank Baum’s most famous book, The Wizard of Oz. Baum was a resident of the surrounding Lincoln Park neighborhood back in the 1890s, before it became the established community it is today. Between 1995 and 2007, the Oz Park Advisory Council commissioned sculptures of the book’s characters including the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, and Dorothy and Toto."

"OZ Park is a community garden that celebrates a fun-filled “The Wizard of Oz” theme. The park features “Dorothy’s Playlot”, with play equipment for young children to climb, swing, and run. Families can then leisurely enjoy their afternoon among the beautiful flowers in the “Emerald Garden”."

"BridgeportWhen you think of Bridgeport, the first thing that comes to mind usually isn’t nature. And this park (nicknamed “Mount Bridgeport” and formerly known as Stone Quarry) fits right in with a 27-acre site that has transformed itself from quarry to landfill to park. Cruise the crushed stone running path and peep the fishing pond and wetlands as you stroll the grass amidst preserved quarry walls at this neighborhood hidden gem."

"Opened on the site of an old limestone quarry, Palmisano Park unfurls an urban prairie landscape with great views of the Chicago skyline. Locals come here to fish for bluegill in the lagoon in summer and sled the hills in winter. The winding walkways, made of recycled construction debris, are great for a stroll anytime."

"Palmisano Park has gone from coral reefs to quarry to landfill to park. At this park, you’ll find a fishing pond, wetlands, preserved quarry walls, walking trails and more. There is also a giant hill, perfect for gazing over the park and all of its beauty."

"The newest entry to the Chicago rooftop patio market, One Off Hospitality’s bar avec is located on the eighth floor up above the street-level avec River North (and Clark Street!), and heavy on the gorgeous greenery, courtesy of the talented Heather Shouse. They are serving up drinks and nibbles inspired by the seaside bars and restaurants of the Iberian peninsula, and with a culinary dream team led by Paul Kahan, Perry Hendrix, and Ross Henke, you know the food will be spectacular. Grab one of mixologist Kate Smith’s enormous G & T’s and get down to some serious summer sipping."

"One Off Hospitality fans who understand the cult following behind Avec, the West Loop’s quaint, small plates staple, understand why its second location—a River North rooftop, no less—is a big deal. Nearly two decades since that opening, the nine-time James Beard Award-winning restaurant group debuts this 8th floor haven, where the team showcases the same dedication to service and to the seaside flavors of Spain and Portugal. Replete with communal picnic tables, ample flora, and striking skyline views, consider it Avec l’original’s big-kid sister."

"One Off Hospitality has opened a bar-centric version of Avec above the Mediterranean stalwart’s second outpost in River North. The new rooftop destination, which replaces the Laurel Room, is inspired by the laid-back seaside cafes found along the Iberian coast. Hang out and soak in the beautiful views and good vibes while savoring Spanish- and Portuguese–inspired bites."

"Rick Bayless is famous for his mexican restaurant, Frontera Grill. You can quickly experience some of his famous foods though by visiting one of the Frontera fast-food chains, Frontera Fresco. There you can choose from a variety of tacos, tortas, quesadillas, huaraches, salads, tamales, and soups."

"Lovers of pecan pie consider the Frontera Grill to serve one of the best desserts in Chicago. You may have had pecan pie before, but you’ve probably never experienced it quite like this. Firstly, the slice you get is enormous."

"Also on the sands of North Avenue Beach, the resort-inspired Shore Club feels like an island getaway without leaving the city. Offering three different spaces — the Patio, the Oasis, and the Restaurant — the Shore Club’s menu features Mediterranean-inspired shared plates and plenty of summer-y cocktails. In the exclusive Oasis area, reserve a private cabana where you can lounge in a daybed while enjoying personalized bottle service."

"With its all-white, retro-futuristic decor and reasonable prices, Friends Sushi encourages diners to enjoy sushi at any time, not just for special occasions. Yet the quality of fis..."

"Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill was established in 2011 in Chicago, with now two locations. Both locations were set by their adoring owner Yut Vong. Upon his coming into America and being at the food industry for over a decade, Yut’s passions and livelihood turned one hundred and eighty degrees to the foodservice business, making the first group of beef rolls and robata emphasizing the young urban diners of all Chicago."

"BYOB Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill is known for its colorful sushi presentations, as well as its equally colorful sushi roll names, like the #ThugLife2 roll with salmon, jalapeño, avocado, cucumber, and cilantro. Every sushi order is a work of art with chefs using colorful sauces in an array of patterns and shapes. Sign up here for our daily Chicago email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in town."

"Description: This casual restaurant definitely wins for the most beautiful sushi accompanied with beautiful designs. Be sure to try the Avocado Mango Salad and one of the Special Rolls (like the one featured above.) You better have a camera on hand, because these dishes CANNOT be eaten without snapping a pic on Instagram or Snapchat, trust me. #SpoonTip: Yuzu is BYOB!"

"A warm and comforting bowl of pho can make for the perfect lunch. At restaurant-shop hybrid Phodega, owners Nathan Hoops and Anthony Ngo simmer up two exceptional versions — a beefy pho bo teeming with brisket, meatballs, and rib eye, and a lighter pho ga consisting of chicken broth and poached chicken thighs. They’re joined by other remarkable bites like Hainanese chicken rice, fried chicken skins, fiery crab rangoons, and a Viet dip sandwich."

"Known to many as QXY, this Chinatown mainstay is the dumpling authority of Chicago. Why we love it: When it comes to dumplings, we're of the mindset that more is always better. It's why we flock to QXY for the seemingly endless menu that details dozens of fillings that are sorted by protein—from pork and pickled cabbage to scallop and lotus root."

"The Chinatown restaurant won the Readers' Choice Award for Best Chinese Takeout. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune). “Before the pandemic, we were not really focused on takeout,” says Jesse Li, general manager at QXY Dumplings in Chinatown."

"A Chinatown fixture for over twenty years, Triple Crown is cherished for its commitment to day-long dim sum. That means you can satisfy your cravings for shrimp dumplings, fried sesame balls, and puffy egg custard tarts right at 9:00 am or at 2:00 am, before the restaurant finally closes."