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Lincoln Park
Profile
Lincoln Park has a wide variety of things to love, pulling together a mix of atmospheres and energies that come together in a really beautiful way. There are picturesque tree-lined streets and serene pathways, a ton of things to do and see, and all sorts of different people living in the community. It’s hard to find a blend of city access, exciting activities, and calm nature that feels quite like Lincoln Park.
Of course, there’s the namesake park itself. Lincoln Park is absolutely massive, stretching along the shore of Lake Michigan with a million things to see and explore. There’s Lincoln Park Zoo, multiple ponds, a conservatory, and a nature museum, just for starters, as well as plenty of access to beaches and the Lakefront trail.
There’s a variety of architectural styles in the area: boutique condos and apartment buildings, a few lakefront highrises, vintage walk-ups, iconic brownstones, and luxurious single-family homes. It kind of feels like the variety of architecture reflects the variety of lifestyles in the neighborhood, too. In Lincoln Park you can meet some of the wealthiest Chicago residents with multi-million dollar mansions, as well college students from DePaul set up in spartan apartments — and everything else you can think of in between. Everyone comes out to enjoy the local green spaces, farmers’ markets, and lakefront, creating a neighborhood vibe that feels warm and inclusive.
The variety extends into Lincoln Park’s food scene, ranging from high-end to late-night to grab-and-go. You can splurge on a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience at world-renowned Alinea, indulge in the mind-blowing deep dish at Pequod’s, or grab kalbi tacos at Del Seoul. You’ll find everything from falafel and hot chicken to authentic Greek and Korean, with plenty of great places for brunch. And in terms of nightlife, Lincoln Park has no shortage of options. Bars range from neighborhood pubs, to unique cocktail lounges, plus some fine wine bars and old school dives.
Lincoln Park is a beautiful blend of everything Chicago has to offer. It’s waking up every day with the city’s largest park – and Lake Michigan beaches — as your backyard. It’s the constant fun of finding hidden local gems. It’s a morning jog through green pathways, an afternoon discovering outdoor festivals, and an evening of wine tasting and live music. It’s living in a neighborhood that looks like it was clipped out of a magazine. There’s no other place quite like it.
Backstory
Lincoln Park has seen a lot of changes in the last two hundred years. The area was originally settled by Native Americans in the 1700s. The US military built a post office here in the 1820s, and then began to formally develop the area as a city suburb. By the 1870s, many new people were immigrating to the area. Over the next hundred years, infrastructure such as train lines, subways, bus lines, streetcars, and trolleys came along, so life in the neighborhood continued to improve. The neighborhood then saw some redevelopment in the 1970s, breathing some fresh air into the local scene, and for decades since has only continued to grow, becoming an even more popular and established place to call home.
The namesake park has a history all its own. A very long time ago, the area that would become Lincoln Park was a cemetery, but was converted to a park in the early 1860s. Around this time the city slowly started development of what would become the Lincoln Park Zoo, starting with a group of swans from NYC’s Central Park. As Chicago grew, the city focused on adding more parks, as well as the construction of Lake Shore Drive, all of which helped Lincoln Park grow. Then, in 1934, the Chicago Parks District was officially formed, which led to more funding and support, with additional expansion of the park continuing into the middle of the century.
Local Fare
- Blue Door Farm Stand: This farmhouse-styled cafe serves American comfort food, specializing in Midwestern cuisine. The chicken sliders come with a killer pimento cheese, and the cheese curds will have you coming back more than you might want to admit.
- Pequod's Pizzeria: This is almost its own category of deep dish pizza, with a caramelized crust of crunchy-gooey cheese bubbling all around the edge of a heavy cast iron pan. Some people believe that this is the best deep dish style pizza in Chicago.
- Toro Sushi: This casual sushi restaurant is well-loved and very affordable. They’ve got some creative roll options on the menu, and they’re BYOB!
- Summer House Santa Monica: On a gray winter’s day, there’s no better pick-me-up than a trip to Summer House. Inspired by everything West Coast, this airy venue serves up New American dishes, fresh cocktails, and tasty pastries.
- Avli Taverna: Amazing Greek food, spirits, wines, and specialty cocktails. The Lincoln Park location is equal parts chic, cozy, and comfortable.
- Boka: High-end seasonal, locally-sourced American cuisine in an eclectic dining space. This place has more awards, write-ups, and Michelin honors than even seem possible.
- Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!: Tapas, paella, and sangria in an adorable enclosed patio. There’s a celebratory atmosphere, and it’s a great place for a group dinner — just call ahead to reserve a big table.
- Sapori Trattoria: A cute, cozy little Italian place with friendly vibes and great food. Perfect spot to bring family visiting from out of town. Eater Chicago named it one of the top Italian restaurants in the city.
Things to Do
- Lincoln Park: Where do you even begin? In this section of the city’s biggest park you’ll find Lincoln Park Zoo, the flower conservatory with its botanical gardens, and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. You can ride your bike around the trails, go for a jog, or spend a day at the beach. There are playgrounds, a harbor, a soccer field, tennis courts, and a lily pond. You might never run out of things to explore.
- Green City Market: The city's largest sustainable farmers’ market runs year-round, so you can shop directly from local farmers and producers.
- Kingston Mines: You’re never short on options for live music in Lincoln Park, but Kingston Mines is one of a kind. They’ve been around since 1968, with live blues, a full bar, and a party-like atmosphere. Open Thu-Sat until 4AM.
- Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Originally founded in a church basement, this theater company is one of the city’s most respected art institutions. Some of its artists include Laurie Metcalf, Gary Sinise, John Malkovich, and Tracy Letts.
- Shopping: Lincoln Park is overflowing with good shopping — but in particular you can find a lot of boutique shopping and hidden gems along Armitage and Halstead, as well as some big box names in the Clybourn Corridor area.
Sights to See
- Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool: Tucked away just north of the zoo, it’s like a little oasis. Bring a picnic and sit under a canopy of trees with chirping birds — it's the perfect place for a mental reset.
- Jeanne Gang Nature Boardwalk: Gang’s work as a designer can be seen all over Chicago, including in some of the city’s tallest downtown high rises. But she also designed the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo, built around South Pond to be beautiful, functional, and environmentally friendly. You can’t miss the pavilion’s unique, wavy archway.
Transportation
If you’re commuting from Lincoln park into the city, you’re not alone — 32% of residents work in The Loop. Fortunately, the neighborhood has multiple L stops where you can catch the Brown, Red, and Purple lines (including the express train at Fullerton). There are also plenty of buses that run through the neighborhood.
- the Loop: ~20-30 min by public transit
- the Lake (North Ave Beach): ~10 min by bike; ~30 min walk
- O’Hare: ~60 min by public transit
- Midway: ~60 min by public transit
