Oak Brook, IL Area Guide

Oak Brook was originally known as Fullersburg, named after early settler Ben Fuller, before its incorporation as a village in 1958. Much of its character today traces back to the Butler family, whose patriarch arrived in the area in 1898 and whose son Paul Butler drove incorporation and shaped the village with a deliberate master-planned vision: polo fields, a golf course, and generous estate-lot zoning that still defines the landscape. That polo tradition carries on at the Oak Brook Polo Club, one of the premier clubs of its kind in the Midwest. Nearby, Mayslake Forest Preserve surrounds a 1921 Tudor Revival mansion built for industrialist Francis Stuyvesant Peabody, offering a tangible glimpse into the area's earlier era of grand estates. Fullersburg Woods, one of the oldest natural areas in DuPage County, preserves the name and spirit of the village's pre-incorporation roots and remains a well-visited green space just minutes away.

Oak Brook's dining scene reflects the village's character, with a concentration of polished restaurants anchored around Oakbrook Center and the Oak Brook Promenade. The open-air shopping center draws a wide range of dining options, from American grill fare to Italian cuisine, catering to both weeknight dinners and leisurely weekend meals. The village also holds a notable distinction as the headquarters of Portillo's Restaurants, the beloved Chicago-style hot dog and Italian beef chain with deep roots in the region. Whether you're in the mood for a casual lunch or a more refined evening out, Oak Brook's dining corridor offers variety that matches its established, well-traveled demographic.

Oak Brook is a car-dependent suburb where most residents rely on personal vehicles to get around. Interstate 88 (East-West Tollway) and Interstate 294 (Tri-State Tollway) provide the primary highway connections, while Route 83 (Kingery Highway) and Route 56 (Butterfield Road) serve local travel. No CTA rail service runs within village limits, but the Metra BNSF line is accessible with West Hinsdale Station roughly six minutes away by car, offering a commuter rail connection into downtown Chicago. Pace suburban buses serve parts of the area. Both Chicago Midway and O'Hare International Airport are reachable in under 30 minutes. Walkability and dedicated bike infrastructure are limited given the village's large-lot, campus-style layout.

Mayslake Forest Preserve, less than a mile away, anchors Oak Brook's impressive network of green spaces, offering walking trails, open meadows, and a historic Tudor Revival mansion on its grounds. Fullersburg Woods Nature Center, just minutes away, draws outdoor enthusiasts with hiking trails, fishing along Salt Creek, and nature education programs. Lyman Woods Interpretive Center and York Woods Forest Preserve provide additional wooded retreats for hiking and wildlife observation, while Wolf Road Prairie Nature Preserve protects a rare native prairie landscape. Closer to home, Central Park serves as a community gathering green, and Oak Brook Golf Club offers a well-maintained course for recreational play amid the village's characteristically open, estate-style landscape.

Rents in Oak Brook run well above both the Chicago and Illinois state averages. A one-bedroom apartment averages $2,701 per month, a two-bedroom averages $4,342, and a three-bedroom averages $6,543. By comparison, the Chicago metro average for a one-bedroom is $2,058, making Oak Brook roughly 31 percent higher. The housing stock includes apartments, condominiums, townhomes, and single-family houses, reflecting the village's estate-style development origins.

Oak Brook is anchored by Oakbrook Center, one of the largest open-air shopping centers in the United States, offering an extensive mix of retail alongside a variety of dining options. The sprawling, walkable complex features well-established department stores, modern brands, and specialty retailers set amid landscaped outdoor corridors. Complementing it is the Oak Brook Promenade, a mixed-use district where shops and restaurants share a more intimate, neighborhood-scale setting. Nearby, a local shopping center adds convenient everyday retail options for residents. Together, these destinations give the village a retail identity that draws shoppers from well beyond its borders.

Oak Brook is a western suburb about 20 miles from downtown Chicago, home to corporate headquarters including Ace Hardware, Portillo's, and Lions Clubs International, alongside Oakbrook Center, one of the largest open-air shopping centers in the country. Forest preserves, a polo club tradition, and Metra BNSF access round out a village that pairs polished suburban living with genuine convenience.