Oz Park, Chicago, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

Oz Park is a neighbourhood park in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago, themed around L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Its statues of the Tin Man, Dorothy and other characters make it a playful stop for visitors, and a well-used green space for locals.

The story behind it

Baum lived in Chicago when he wrote the Oz story, and the book was first published in the city in 1900. The park's Oz theme draws on that Chicago connection, and the neighbourhood gave the park its name and its character in the 1970s.

Over the years the park has added Oz-inspired features, so what began as an ordinary stretch of city green space became a small storybook landscape. Families come for the playground and ball fields, and many stay for the characters along the paths.

What to look for

• The Tin Man statue, one of the park's best-known figures and the one most visitors photograph first.
• The statues of Dorothy and Toto, along with the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion, which together tell the story as you wander.
• The yellow brick road theme in the paths and the Emerald Garden plantings, a nod to the book's Emerald City.
• The mix of everyday park life, from dog walkers to ball games, which shows how the park is used by its neighbourhood.

Tips for your visit

• Allow 30 to 45 minutes to see the statues and walk the paths at an easy pace, longer if you have children who want to play.
• Morning or late afternoon light is pleasant for photos, and the park is quieter on weekday mornings.
• The park is outdoors and open to the public, so you do not need a ticket. Check current opening hours if you plan an early or late visit.
• Lincoln Park's tree-lined streets, cafes and shops are close by, so it pairs well with a longer walk through the neighbourhood.

See it on a quest

The Oz Escape in Chicago is the natural fit for this park, given its Wizard of Oz theme. You reach Oz Park on foot as one stop on a longer route, the app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle on the spot. One ticket covers the whole group.

Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in Lincoln Park, Chicago takes you through the same neighbourhood with a mystery to solve. You walk between places, hear about each one as you get there, and work out a puzzle in front of you. One ticket covers the whole group.

Rats. A Cat’s Quest Through Lincoln Park, Chicago is a lighter option for exploring Lincoln Park on foot. The app guides you from stop to stop, tells you about each place, and sets a puzzle where you stand. One ticket covers the whole group.