The Loop is Chicago's one-of-a-kind downtown, delineated by the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. It’s clearly recognizable by the elevated “L” train tracks that run above, or its starring role in famous movie scenes such as “The Blues Brothers” or “The Dark Knight.”
The city's downtown area is also dominated by skyscrapers and some of the city's most prominent attractions including Millennium Park, Cloud Gate, The Art Institute of Chicago, and Pablo Picasso's famous Cubist sculpture in Daley Plaza.
I grew up in Chicago, and while there's plenty to see in the Loop, it's only one of more than 70 Chicago neighborhoods to discover. Most of the city’s small businesses and independent restaurants exist outside the compact downtown in neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, West Town, Pilsen, Logan Square, and Wicker Park. If your time is limited, but you’d like to go deeper than just the Loop, here are a few of my favorite neighborhoods to explore on your next trip.
In this article
Lincoln Park
This pretty and peaceful residential neighborhood is full of historic brownstones and many family-friendly attractions including the namesake Lincoln Park Zoo, which is free to enter and home to nearly 200 unique species. There’s also Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, with its magical butterfly greenhouse and wilderness walks, and Green City Market, which is Chicago's largest farmers market. Taking place on Wednesdays and Saturdays, it's a great place to explore the fleeting seasonal produce that will also appear on your plate at the neighborhood's top restaurants.
On that note, Lincoln Park is also where you’ll find exceptional dining. Esmé is a restaurant and art gallery that serves my favorite tasting menu in the city. Chef Jenner Tomaska collaborates with local artists to develop an entirely new menu every 12 weeks served on custom plates, including pigeon and ocean trout baked in clay that’s then cracked open tableside. Each dish is truly a work of art. Bar Esmé next door is also great for cocktails and a la carte dishes from the same kitchen.
And while Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood has many global fashion brands, Lincoln Park's Armitage Avenue, Halsted Street, and Clark Street are where you’ll find independent boutiques stocked with locally-made souvenirs like chocolate bonbons from Vosges Haut-Chocolat and custom leather handbags and accessories at Laudi Vidni.
West Town
This up-and-coming neighborhood is known for being hip and fun, with lots of great vintage shopping along Chicago Avenue and Division Street. Lost Girls Vintage and Dovetail Chicago are a couple of my thrifting favorites, with nicely curated collections and knowledgeable staff.
West Town is also where you’ll find in-the-know dining gems. Nettare is a great all-day cafe with excellent coffee and pastries in the morning, before transitioning to cocktails and creative Midwestern fare at dusk, like chicken with black wild rice risotto. Flour Power is my BYOB favorite for the best pasta in the city, with just four tables, no reservations, and a daily menu scrawled on butcher paper. For Latin-inspired seafood and steaks cooked over a wood-fired open hearth, Brasero is stellar, with a daily happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. featuring grilled oysters, moqueca-style noodle stew, and head-on prawns.
Wicker Park
With an artsy vibe and excellent nightlife, Wicker Park is a fun place to meet up with friends for a stroll along The 606, which is an elevated trail by day, and spot for concerts and stargazing at night. The neighborhood radiates out from the six-corner intersection of North, Milwaukee, and Damen Avenues where boutique hotel The Robey is located, which has a minimalist industrial design and rooftop bar with skyline views.
You'll spot tons of public murals walking through the neighborhood, and can browse art galleries like non-profit Heaven Gallery and David Leonardis Galleries for pop and folk art. After dark, Valedor has some of the most elaborate cocktails in the city served alongside Mexican-Japanese small plates, and Dorian's is a sexy speakeasy in a vinyl record shop with vinyl DJ sets and live performances.
The Shortcut
Chicago is home to many interesting neighborhoods, but most tourists miss them in favor of The Loop. Instead, make time for these three.
Lincoln Park is a family-friendly neighborhood with Michelin-starred dining and a free zoo.
Vintage shopping and great food abound in West Town while Wicker Park is your best bet for music, art galleries, and nightlife.
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