Guidebook for Chicago
Entertainment & Activities
Pedestrian Plaza that features kid-friendly performances on Thursday evenings by local musicians.
Kempf Plaza
Pedestrian Plaza that features kid-friendly performances on Thursday evenings by local musicians.
A great local yoga place for those who are in to the yoga-as-exercise thing. Get a week free here: http://www.corepoweryoga.com/free-week
73 locals recommend
CorePower Yoga
945 W George StA great local yoga place for those who are in to the yoga-as-exercise thing. Get a week free here: http://www.corepoweryoga.com/free-week
This theater, slated for re-opening in November 2016, has undergone a significant renovation to its original, art-deco appearance. Have a drink or grab some food at neighboring Carbon Arc before your movie. www.davistheater.com
104 locals recommend
Davis Theater, Chicago
4614 N Lincoln AveThis theater, slated for re-opening in November 2016, has undergone a significant renovation to its original, art-deco appearance. Have a drink or grab some food at neighboring Carbon Arc before your movie. www.davistheater.com
Drinks & Nightlife
Huettenbar
4721 N Lincoln AveTraditional German bar- a great place to raise a pint (or two).
Great brewery tours on Saturday mornings at 10 AM (no reservations so get there to line up early) and tap room to try all their tasty brews. A necessary stop for beer snobs.
103 locals recommend
Half Acre Beer Company
4257 N Lincoln AveGreat brewery tours on Saturday mornings at 10 AM (no reservations so get there to line up early) and tap room to try all their tasty brews. A necessary stop for beer snobs.
Great music venue that features international acts as well as children's performances. They also have a lot of one-off classes during the day for guitar, fiddle, percussion and other instruments. Check their website: https://www.oldtownschool.org/ to see what's happening when you're in town.
103 locals recommend
Old Town School of Folk Music
4544 N Lincoln AveGreat music venue that features international acts as well as children's performances. They also have a lot of one-off classes during the day for guitar, fiddle, percussion and other instruments. Check their website: https://www.oldtownschool.org/ to see what's happening when you're in town.
Essentials
Amazing roof-top deck/ restaurant is the biggest draw to this European specialty shop. Check ahead- rooftop hours are weird.
91 locals recommend
Gene's Sausage Shop and Delicatessen
4750 N Lincoln AveAmazing roof-top deck/ restaurant is the biggest draw to this European specialty shop. Check ahead- rooftop hours are weird.
Everything Else
This place is like a time-capsule and is a great place to meet all your naturopathic/ holistic health needs.
52 locals recommend
Merz Apothecary
4716 N Lincoln AveThis place is like a time-capsule and is a great place to meet all your naturopathic/ holistic health needs.
Great running store that features group runs which are a great way to meet people and explore the hood. Check their website: http://www.fleetfeetchicago.com/lincoln-square-pages-49.php
Fleet Feet Lincoln Square
4762 N Lincoln AveGreat running store that features group runs which are a great way to meet people and explore the hood. Check their website: http://www.fleetfeetchicago.com/lincoln-square-pages-49.php
Your gateway to downtown, Northcenter, Lakeview, and Lincoln Park neighborhoods.
26 locals recommend
Western Brown Line Station
Your gateway to downtown, Northcenter, Lakeview, and Lincoln Park neighborhoods.
Cool book shop/ wine cafe that features frequent readings by touring and local authors. Check their webpage to see who's coming through:
http://www.bookcellarinc.com/
40 locals recommend
The Book Cellar
4736 N Lincoln AveCool book shop/ wine cafe that features frequent readings by touring and local authors. Check their webpage to see who's coming through:
http://www.bookcellarinc.com/
Your best bet for a standard grocery store, when's Gene's specialty items (and higher prices) just won't cut it. They do specialize in Greek and Middle Eastern food and have a lot of Mexican items.
46 locals recommend
HarvesTime Foods
2632 W Lawrence AveYour best bet for a standard grocery store, when's Gene's specialty items (and higher prices) just won't cut it. They do specialize in Greek and Middle Eastern food and have a lot of Mexican items.
Fill your prescriptions and buy toiletries and snacks at this stop less than a block away.
202 locals recommend
Walgreens
4801 N Lincoln AveFill your prescriptions and buy toiletries and snacks at this stop less than a block away.
Food Scene
This Vietnamese sub shop is a "must eat" destination. Sandwiches are almost all under $5. As a vegetarian, I recommend the #10 and #11.
18 locals recommend
Nhu Lan Bakery
2612 W Lawrence AveThis Vietnamese sub shop is a "must eat" destination. Sandwiches are almost all under $5. As a vegetarian, I recommend the #10 and #11.
In my opinion, the best Indian food in the neighborhood. A lot of vegetarian-friendly options and you may also bring your own alcohol.
6 locals recommend
Paprika
2547 W Lawrence AveIn my opinion, the best Indian food in the neighborhood. A lot of vegetarian-friendly options and you may also bring your own alcohol.
Vegetarian Express
3109 N Halsted StGreat stop for vegetarian snacks and other lunch items. Very vegan friendly.
We eat here at least ones a week! Everything on the menu is delicious, and vegan.
8 locals recommend
Urban Vegan
1601-1603 W Montrose AveWe eat here at least ones a week! Everything on the menu is delicious, and vegan.
In my opinion, the best place around to have a Chicago-style dog. They have a great vegan dog, so vegetarians need not be deprived from an "authentic" Chicago experience. Get it with everything (which does not include ketchup). Closed Sundays.
6 locals recommend
Budacki's Drive In
4739 N Damen AveIn my opinion, the best place around to have a Chicago-style dog. They have a great vegan dog, so vegetarians need not be deprived from an "authentic" Chicago experience. Get it with everything (which does not include ketchup). Closed Sundays.
Sightseeing
This park is a great spot to go for a run- the trail goes north to Lincolnwood and Evanston
30 locals recommend
River Park
5100 N Francisco AveThis park is a great spot to go for a run- the trail goes north to Lincolnwood and Evanston
Parks & Nature
Great native planting garden, track for running, tennis courts, and playground for the kiddos.
65 locals recommend
Winnemac Park
5100 N Leavitt StGreat native planting garden, track for running, tennis courts, and playground for the kiddos.
Welles offers a playground, indoor Olympic-sized swimming pool, baseball diamonds, tennis courts and gazebo. For pool hours, see here:
http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/welles-park/welles-park-pool/
63 locals recommend
Welles Park
2333 W Sunnyside AveWelles offers a playground, indoor Olympic-sized swimming pool, baseball diamonds, tennis courts and gazebo. For pool hours, see here:
http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/welles-park/welles-park-pool/
Our go-to beach. Very kid-friendly, and two miles and change directly east on Lawrence avenue. Pack a blanket and take a bike ride.
297 locals recommend
Montrose Beach
Our go-to beach. Very kid-friendly, and two miles and change directly east on Lawrence avenue. Pack a blanket and take a bike ride.
This is the place I take everyone from out of town. Feeling adventurous? Rent a bike at any Divy kiosk and ride the trail South from Lawrence into downtown Chicago.
229 locals recommend
Lakefront Trail
Lakefront TrailThis is the place I take everyone from out of town. Feeling adventurous? Rent a bike at any Divy kiosk and ride the trail South from Lawrence into downtown Chicago.