Amber Gibson 2020-01-22 02:22:10
CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOODS Venture beyond downtown and discover the hidden gems in this sampling of Chicago’s many diverse neighborhoods. LITTLE VILLAGE A terra cotta arch reading “Bienvenidos a Little Village” welcomes you to one of Chicago’s largest Mexican communities (known as La Villita by the locals). Shop and eat along the two-mile stretch of 26th Street that’s home to stores selling everything from colorful candies to Western wear, taquerias serving homemade tacos and chilaquiles, and bakeries brimming with authentic Mexican treats. Be sure to see the beautiful mosaics and murals at Manuel Perez Memorial Plaza. And stop by OPEN Center for the Arts to view works by emerging local artists. WEST TOWN/UKRAINIAN VILLAGE This cultural melting pot that has welcomed waves of immigrants over the past century is known for its eclectic, artsy vibe. See works by internationally recognized artists or attend a gallery talk at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art. Explore a thought-provoking exhibit at Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, which showcases the work of self-taught artists. Or catch a show at The Empty Bottle, a beloved neighborhood venue featuring a lineup of local musicians. Spend some time in storefront shops like Alcala’s Western Wear, a longtime staple that offers a huge selection of boots, cowboy hats, and clothing. PULLMAN The Pullman National Monument, designated by former President Barack Obama in 2015, commemorates the first planned industrial community in the United States, built in the 1880s as a company town for Pullman Company workers who manufactured luxury train cars. View the Hotel Florence, then visit the National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum to learn about the African American labor movement and attend the annual Juneteenth Celebration honoring the abolition of slavery. Every October, Pullman residents open their homes to the public for the weekend Historic Pullman House Tour, beginning at the Historic Pullman Visitor Center. HYDE PARK The beautifully landscaped University of Chicago campus is a major attraction in the Hyde Park neighborhood. Architecture buffs will geek out over the Robie House, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Frank Lloyd Wright’s greatest example of Prairie School architecture. Take in cultural performances at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. Check out the exhibits at the DuSable Museum of African American History and the Smart Museum of Art. Stop by the Hyde Park Art Center, which has been a champion for progressive visual arts since 1939. And don’t miss the massive Museum of Science and Industry and waterfront Jackson Park. SOUTH SHORE Located on the grounds of a former country club, the South Shore Cultural Center offers a public golf course, beach, gardens, and great picnic areas for locals and visitors to enjoy. Dine at the Parrot Cage, the on-site restaurant serving modern American cuisine prepared by aspiring culinary students. Nearby, the Stony Island Arts Bank is a hybrid media archive and art gallery offering free arts and cultural programming in a former bank building. Visit the eta Creative Arts Foundation for grassroots African American theatre and art exhibitions. PILSEN Pilsen’s National Museum of Mexican Art houses more than 9,000 works celebrating Mexican culture and history, from ancient Mesoamerica to present day. Admission is free and the museum often hosts special events for dance, music, literature, and theatre. Every second Friday, the Chicago Arts District hosts a gallery night with free receptions at studios and galleries along South Halsted Street. Pilsen is also known for its public art and the many colorful murals found along 16th Street that carry messages of hope, love, and beauty. BRONZEVILLE Known as Chicago’s “Black Metropolis,” Bronzeville is an epicenter of African American history and culture. The Bronzeville Visitor Information Center offers tours exploring the neighborhood’s heritage and notable public artworks, including the Monument to the Great Northern Migration and the Victory Monument, honoring an African American regiment that served during World War I. More recently, local artists have restored murals from the 1960s and ‘70s, and Gallery Guichard opened the Great Migration Sculpture Garden. Be sure to check out the South Side Community Art Center, the oldest African American art center in the country and a designated National Treasure. HUMBOLDT PARK Enter Humboldt Park under the giant iron Puerto Rican flag, marking the gateway to Chicago’s Little Puerto Rico. Along Division Street you’ll encounter the Las Puertas del Paseo Boricua project, a collection of 16 doors painted by contemporary Latin artists. The area’s namesake park is home to a historic fieldhouse, boat house, lagoons, and gardens. The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, housed in the park’s former stables, was founded in 2001 to showcase Puerto Rico’s rich culture. The Puerto Rican People’s Parade, held each June, is the community’s biggest celebration. AVONDALE Avondale was recognized in 2017 as one of the nation’s hottest neighborhoods by Lonely Planet. See a show by Prop Thtr, an experimental theatre that produces inclusive plays. Stop by the headquarters of You Are Beautiful, which doubles as a retail store and studio for this powerful public art movement. Milwaukee Avenue is home to some of the best Polish food in Chicago, including Kurowski’s Sausage Shop and Staropolska, which was nominated for a Jean Banchet Award as Best Heritage Restaurant. ROGERS PARK Art is central to this community, from vibrant public artwork along the CTA Red Line tracks for the Mile of Murals project to the Greenleaf Art Center, where more than 50 artists work and host regular exhibitions, open studio events, and creative workshops. There’s also a strong theatre scene, from literary adaptations at Lifeline Theatre to action-packed plays at Babes With Blades Theatre Company and unapologetic original productions at The Factory Theater. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie-style Emil Bach House is an amazing place for an overnight stay. EDGEWATER The Edgewater Theatre District includes more than 20 local theatres, from the Raven Theatre and Chicago Filmmakers to DB Comedy. Along the lakefront, the Bryn Mawr Historic District is home to several Chicago landmarks from the 1920s and ‘30s. Kids will love the new playground at the Berger Park Cultural Center. Edgewater is also a great spot for antique shopping and sampling a wide variety of global restaurants. LOGAN SQUARE One of Chicago’s hippest neighborhoods attracts visitors with its indie spirit and creative energy. Plan an evening of sipping and supping here, where you’ll find everything from funky noodle shops and Michelin-rated restaurants to trend-setting cocktail bars and craft breweries, like tropical Lost Lake and the city’s groundbreaking Revolution Brewpub. Catch live blues at Rosa’s Lounge, a family-run club that’s been part of the Logan Square nightlife scene since the ‘80s. Get a bird’s-eye view of the area by hiking or biking The 606, an elevated trail that runs through the neighborhood, and treat yourself to a sinful slice close to the path at Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits. LINCOLN PARK This picturesque neighborhood’s crown jewel is its namesake park that boasts tons of lush lakefront green space with sweeping city views. Nature lovers will want to check out the free Lincoln Park Zoo, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, and Lincoln Park Conservatory, all located within walking distance of each other. Learn about our city and its fascinating stories through interactive exhibits at the Chicago History Museum. Catch a play at the acclaimed Steppenwolf Theatre Company or Victory Gardens Theater, followed by a late-night blues set at the legendary Kingston Mines. Explore all Chicago neighborhoods at choosechicago.com/neighborhoods. CHICAGO GREETER PICKS Four Chicago Greeter volunteers share their favorite places in the city. Schedule a free tour customized to your interests at chicagogreeter.com. “I love riding my bike from Millennium Park down to South Shore and along the lake to the Steelworkers Park at 87th Street. It’s an unknown gem with beautiful city views and wildflowers.” — PAUL HERMAN “In Bronzeville, I take architecture buffs through the Illinois Institute of Technology campus. It’s a scattering of steel-and-glass boxes, and the purest, most orderly expression of Mies van der Rohe’s architectural ideals.” — BRIAN LIPINSKI “As a longtime East Rogers Park resident, I love Armadillo’s Pillow, a used bookstore. Browse the shelves for the perfect book to read at the beach, just a block away.” — SHARYNE MOY TU “The best attraction in Humboldt Park is the boat house, which was restored several years ago. It overlooks a lagoon that you can swim in, featuring the only beach in the city outside Lake Michigan!” — RICHARD PRINCE
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