To paraphrase novelist Saul Bellow, I am an American, Highland Park born.
It’s a connection I’ve always cherished and I love showing off this city with a village vibe. I recently interviewed Highland Park native Richie Keen, director of the recent comedy “Fist Fight,” and I like what he said about our hometown: “When you run into someone from Highland Park, you smile. You have a shared history. It’s a very unique place. A lot of people tell me, ‘I grew up in a place like Highland Park,’ and my answer is, ‘No, you didn’t.'”
Highland Park has amenities in abundance — unique shops and a wide range of cuisines — but what makes this privileged community unique is its commitment to the arts. From a sculpture walk to world-class music under the stars, a summer day (and night) in Highland Park can be good for the creative soul.
Morning
The city’s landscape is a work of art in itself. It’s easy being green here. My wife and I begin this day with an eye-opening walk along Rosewood Beach (883 Sheridan Road, 847-479-3165, pdhp.org) which was the recipient of a reported $12 million makeover.
Or, we might stretch our legs a bit at the 97-acre Heller Nature Center (2821 Ridge Road, 847-433-6901, pdhp.org) with its three miles of winding wooded paths and piles of gnarled twigs that remind us of “True Detective.”
For breakfast, we head to the convivial comforts of Country Kitchen (446 Central Ave., 847-432-7500, facebook.com/Country-Kitchen-113897365308992/), where some of the wait staff measure their tenure in decades, like Ruth Mazzeta, who has been with the restaurant off and on for more than 30 years.
As the song says, the fundamental things apply as time goes by. Says second-generation owner Ruby Iliopoulos, whose father Peter Dimitriou opened Country Kitchen nearly 40 years ago, “We offer good food and good service. We’ve watched our customers grow up. Everyone knows each other. You’re comfortable here.”
It’s always nice to have options and Highland Park offers options, especially when it comes to dining. Up the street from Country Kitchen is Walker Bros. Original Pancake House (620 Central Ave., 847-432-0660, www.walkerbros.net) now in its 25th year downtown.
There’s plenty of shopping, too. “Downtown Highland Park has everything … all in an upscale, walkable outdoor environment,” praised Make It Better magazine, whose readers last year voted Highland Park as the Best Neighborhood Shopping (Suburbs).
In anticipation of the afternoon’s more cultural pursuits, visit downtown’s various boutiques offering handmade artisan creations from jewelry (Citywoods, 651 Central Ave., 847-432-9393, citywoods.com) to custom-made hats (Lisa Farrell Millinery, 675 Central Ave., 224-522-5333, hatschicago.com, by appointment only). Or you can sit and knit at Mia Bella (1815 St. Johns Ave., 847-748-8419, miabellayarn.com), which sells luxury yarns, accessories and knitting patterns.
Or you may wish to shop for creations of a sweeter sort from either Goodies (652 Central Ave., 847-432-0652, goodiesetc.com) or The Confection Connection (504 Central Ave., 847-432-3080, confectionconnection.com).
Again, options.
Afternoon
“Since the early days when Ravinia was an artists’ colony, the arts have been part of the Highland Park experience,” notes Mayor Nancy Rotering. “We recognize their importance in terms of expression, growth, communication and cultural experiences.”
The Art Center Highland Park (1957 Sheridan Rd., 847-432-1888, theartcenterhp.org
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), a non-profit approaching its sixth decade, showcases emerging and established artists in gallery exhibitions.A sculpture walk is next, but first, we lunch at another Highland Park institution, Michael’s Chicago Style Red Hots, (1879 2nd St., 847-432-3338, michaelshotdogs.com), which is closing in on its 40th anniversary. Recently renovated, Michael’s enhanced the fast food fare of its signature hot dogs, burgers and cheddar fries with healthier options such as a salad bar, an entree baked potato and specialty wraps.
As you further explore the downtown shopping district, art installations may catch your eye. There’s Mary Block’s “Boy on a Swing” that graces the corner of Central Avenue and Green Bay Road, the playful water-spouting “Harbor Seal” by Sylvia Shaw Judson behind the Highland Park Public Library at Laurel Avenue and St. Johns Avenue, and the stirring “Freedom’s Sacrifice” by Julie Rotblatt Amrany and Omri Amrany at Central Avenue and St. Johns Avenue. These are three of 25 sculptures that are owned and maintained by the city. Experience them all with a brochure available from the city (cityhpil.com/government/boards_and_commissions/docs/Boards%20Commissions/Cultural%20Arts/Public%20Art%20Brochure%20HP-Public%20Art%20Brochure.PDF) that maps them out.
Growing up on Brook Road, I always thought my tree-lined street was like something out of “Leave It to Beaver.” I had good location scouting instincts. Highland Park has not only given Hollywood honored screenwriters (Oscar-winner William Goldman), distinguished actors (Gary Sinise and Jeff Perry, to name but two) and popular directors (Brian Levant), but it has also “starred” in some of the most honored and beloved movies of all time.
Shelton’s (481 Roger Williams Ave.) is shuttered, alas, but behind the former diner’s boarded up windows, Tom Cruise and his high school friends contemplated their futures in “Risky Business.” The building at 1866 Sheridan Rd. was the site of Judd Hircsh’s office in the Oscar-winning “Ordinary People.”
The house at 370 Beech St. is minus the Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder, but remains iconic as the home of Ferris Bueller’s best friend Cameron in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” The website It’s Filmed There (itsfilmedthere.com) points the way to these and other Highland Park locations from such films as “Uncle Buck,” “Home Alone” and “Lucas.”
Evening
This particular One Fine Day in Highland Park is a Thursday. That is so we can participate in an event new to the neighborhood, Food Truck Thursdays, held in historic Jens Jensen Park (486 Roger Williams Ave., 847-681-2189). It begins at 4:30 p.m. and lasts until dusk. Here we indulge in the fine art of artisan snacking from such purveyors as Lobster on Board, Sausage Fest, and Beaver’s Donuts. Local musicians provide live music.
Something a little less casual? Roger Williams Avenue, Highland Park’s mini-restaurant row, is representative of the diversity of cuisines available in Highland Park. There is Abigail’s American Bistro (493 Roger Williams Ave., 847-780-4862, abigails493.com), Happy Sushi (561 Roger Williams Ave., 847-432-1516) and Merlo’s Italian Restaurant (581 Roger Williams, Ave., 847-266-0600, merlosrestaurant.com).
In the weeks to come during the summer, Food Truck Thursday can serve as a festive prologue to the evening’s entertainment; a concert at Ravinia Festival, located a few blocks south (200 Ravinia Park Road, 847-266-5100, ravinia.org). Ravinia hosts a score of contemporary hitmakers, venerable ensembles, and legendary performers. It is also the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and is an accessible way to introduce children to classical music. Classical music lawn tickets for children and students are free.
Following the concert, it’s off to tea and dessert at Madame Zuzu’s Tea Shop and Art Studio (582 Roger Williams Ave., 847-926-7434, madamezuzus.com), owned by Billy Corgan from Smashing Pumpkins, and a fitting way to end a day that is uniquely Highland Park, a city that focuses on the arts.
Donald Liebenson is a freelance writer for the News-Sun.