Lincoln Park

Neighborhood Life

As one of Chicago's best known areas, Lincoln Park has become a fashionable place to live in recent decades. The Near North Side neighborhood has everything you'd expect of a big city home plus a small town atmosphere that makes you feel like you're part of a community. Day and night Lincoln Park is humming with active residents enjoying the world of conveniences, entertainment, resources and recreation located here. Options are anything but limited in Lincoln Park -- see a band, catch a movie, grab a bite, shop 'til you drop, hit the beach, play ball, get a nightcap, take the kids to the park, go to the zoo, visit a museum... the list is unending. For a Chicago neighborhood that literally has it all, look no further than Lincoln Park.

Located in the northwest corner of Lincoln Park and considered one of the most prestigious college institutions in Chicago, DePaul University is an integral part of this tight-knit community. The school brings in a great mix of residents and infuses a youthful, energetic vibe throughout Lincoln Park. You'll notice a diverse population of families, young professionals, retired couples and students strolling through the neighborhood's tree-lined streets, some with dogs and/or kids in tow. The large number of students inspires Lincoln Park's popular bar and nightlife scene, which is sure to be happening on any given night of the week.

It's not a surprise that many Lincoln Parkers own dogs -- the neighborhood is, after all, one of the city's most dog-friendly spots. There are plenty of outdoor recreational spaces and walking trails where those four-legged companions can get in their exercise and free doggy clean-up bags are available in many locations. Attending community dog events and hitting up the hot dog parks are also great ways to meet other people in the area.

Transportation

Those with a vehicle will find Lincoln Park easy to get around, however parking can be difficult depending on the time of day and where you are. There are usually meter spots and parking garages near the big commercial centers (some even have free lots for customers). Going out to a restaurant can be harder, though, because most places do not offer parking and/or they are on busy thoroughfares were parallel parking spots are about all you'll get. The Kennedy Expressway runs along the neighborhood's western border and is easily accessible from several street in Lincoln Park. On the other side of the community, Lake Shore Drive provides a convenient route for getting downtown or heading north to Lakeview and Edgewater. This road can be very backed up during rush hours, so you may want to find an alternative way to your destination in the early morning and late afternoon.

Owning a car in Lincoln Park is nice, but far from necessary. This neighborhood is made very accessible by train and bus, plus it is extremely pedestrian and bike friendly. The Red Line, Purple Line and Brown Line trains run right through the core of Lincoln Park making stops at Diversey, Fullerton, Armitage, North/Clybourn and Sedgwick. There are also a number of mainline buses that operate along all of Lincoln Park's major streets. Bike lanes have been added to several of the neighborhood's roads and the lakefront bike trail runs directly through Lincoln Park.

The Park

The most popular outdoor spot in Lincoln Park is Lincoln Park (the park), for which the neighborhood was named. This large recreational area runs along Chicago's lakefront and offers plenty of space for picnics, sports and just lounging around with a good book from one of the neighborhood's local shops. During the summer months the beach is hopping and winter brings out die-hard snowshoers and cross-country skiers. Housed within the park grounds is the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is open year-round and admission is always free. The Lincoln Park Conservatory is also located within the park, providing a close-up look at exotic plant life from around the world.

The park is used by many community athletic clubs and is always buzzing on week nights and weekends with league games. The fields, courts and beach play host to every type of sport, from dodge ball to baseball to sand volleyball. There's also a rink for rollerblade hockey, grass-covered open areas for soccer, football and Frisbee, a pond for fishing, paved paths for walking and jogging, and a great trail for riding bikes long distances without having to contend with motor traffic.

Restaurants and Shopping

Next to being a recreational hub, Lincoln Park is known for its abundant dining options. From hole-in-the-wall eateries and dive bars to gourmet restaurants and upscale lounges, Lincoln Park packs 'em in by the block. For a quick lunch, stop by Sultan's Market where you'll find the best hummus this side of Greektown. After you've had your fill of falafel, cross the street and grab a beverage at Argo Tea. When teatime is over, move on to Armitage Avenue for a little shopping and dessert. This street is lined with an eclectic mix of boutiques offering everything from handmade soaps to carefully crafted chocolates. Take the world-famous Vosges Haut-Chocolat, for one, where you can find the perfect treat for any palette, including a gourmet candy bar made with bits of bacon.

Vosges isn't the only chocolatier on the block, though. Local chain Ethel's is just a few blocks west. This two-story sweet spot is decked out in all shades of pink, red and orange with big comfy sofas and lounge chairs. It looks a lot like one of those posh little places the Sex and the City crew might frequent. But if you really want to push Lincoln Park's culinary expertise to the limit, there's only one place to go -- Charlie Trotter's. This esteemed restaurant is a top choice for Chicago's most discerning diners and is highly acclaimed among foodies all over the world. Be sure to call ahead for reservations, as it can sometimes take months before making Trotter's guest list.

Not everyone is looking to drop hundreds on a meal, so perhaps Lincoln Park's slew of low-key bar and grills will sound a bit more appetizing. Clark Street and Lincoln Avenue are loaded with college sports bars and nonchalant taverns that have decently-priced menu items and great drink specials. These pubs/restaurants can get really crowded at times, but fortunately the term "the more the merrier" seems to be the general philosophy of these places. Not such a fan of the loud bar scene, just head up or down the street and you'll run across dozens of quiet cafés, small pizzerias, ethnic cuisine favorites, and intimate family-run businesses.

Pretty much anywhere you go in Lincoln Park will lead to a restaurant of some sort -- just take a walk in any given direction and you're bound to come across a hidden culinary treasure. The existence of retail stores is a bit less random with several shopping plazas and fashion outlets clustered around the busy corners. The intersection of North and Clybourn avenues form a well-stocked corridor of retailers that includes Best Buy, Home Depot, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Victoria Secret, The Gap, J Crew, Crate and Barrel, World Market, Whole Foods and a number of other chain and independent merchants. Continue up Clybourn for a selection of home furnishing showrooms and art galleries or head over to Halsted Street to shop at Arden B, Ann Taylor, Barney's New York, Bebe and Ethan Allen.

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