The Chicago Casual Traveler: Maywood Park Race Track, Maywood, IL (Cook County)

Destination of the Day: Maywood Park Race Track, Maywood, IL (Cook County)

Warning: This is no Arlington Park! Not that this racetrack, one of three in the region, needs to be. While it is well maintained and offers year-round racing on weekends, it does seem to attract a clientele that should make any visit just a little more interesting (think cheap beer crowd). For public transit users plan on one route on the way to the park and another, slightly longer, route to return to the Green Line station in Oak Park.

The company that owns Maywood also owns Balmoral Park in Crete.

Address:

Maywood Park Race Track

http://www.maywoodpark.com

8600 West North Avenue

Melrose Park, IL 60160-1615

708-343-4800

Getting There:

Public Transit (always confirm schedules)-

-Take CTA Green Line to Harlem/Lake Station

-Take PACE Route 318-West North Avenue to racetrack

-Note: CHECK SCHEDULE FOR RETURN TRIP. Depending on departure time you may need to use two PACE routes to return to station

Auto (always confirm route)-

-Take I-290 to the Route 171/1st Avenue exit (Exit 20)

-Turn north on Route 171/1st Avenue and continue to West North Avenue

-At West North Avenue, turn west and continue to racetrack