Oak Brook Between Nature and History

Oak Brook brings together nature and environmental education at Fullersburg Woods, shopping and entertainment at Oakbrook Center, and historical exhibits, programs, and a research library at the Heritage Center. A community-wide network of trails for pedestrians and cyclists complements these attractions.

Nature and the Environment at Fullersburg Woods

The Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve covers 220 acres and provides an important wildlife habitat in an urban setting. Fullersburg Woods brings together different aspects of nature: the preserve is a wildlife habitat, the Nature Education Center teaches visitors about the local environment and native plants and animals, and the canoe launch provides access to Salt Creek downstream from the Graue Mill Dam. These three features serve different purposes—habitat, environmental education, and water access—so visitors can experience them as distinct aspects of a natural area.

The Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center offers an introduction to the local environment and native plants and animals. It also features interactive, hands-on exhibits showcasing native wildlife. Those interested in plants and animals can distinguish this educational aspect from the habitat in the preserve: both focus on nature, but from different perspectives.

A canoe launch at Fullersburg Woods provides access to Salt Creek downstream from the Graue Mill Dam.

Trails Around the Community

The Oak Brook Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Path System includes approximately 15 miles of stone and paved trails. The trails connect many areas of the community. The approximately 15 miles refers to the entire community-wide trail network, not the length of a single route. The measurements refer to different things: 220 acres is the area of the Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve, while approximately 15 miles is the length of the community-wide trail network. This comparison highlights the difference between area and network length: one measurement applies to the wildlife habitat, the other to a system connecting many areas of Oak Brook. The area describes the habitat, while the length describes the connecting network.

Shopping and Entertainment

Oakbrook Center is a spectacular outdoor shopping center near I-88 in Oak Brook, Illinois. It features department stores, specialty shops, dining, and entertainment. Individual stores and experiences may change; if you’re planning a specific visit, check what’s currently available.

Local History at the Oak Brook Heritage Center

The Oak Brook Heritage Center offers historical exhibits, programs for all generations, and a research library with a collection of vintage photographs. The Oak Brook Heritage Center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The center is open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; check these hours before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Lombard, Addison, Roselle, Bensenville, Itasca, Bloomingdale, Westmont, Woodridge

For the broader travel overview: Dupage.