Perched along the shore of Lake Michigan, some of Chicago’s best beaches find their home in Lincoln Park.  This includes the beautiful Fullerton and North Avenue Beaches with bike paths, jogging paths, sand and lots of new and exciting people to meet.  Many gardens and parks are found in Lincoln Park too, such as Oz Park, a tribute to the Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum who lived in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, a “hidden” garden inspired by the work of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and the Great Garden, one of Chicago’s oldest gardens located near the always free Lincoln Park Conservatory.  Speaking of free, make sure to stop by the Lincoln Park Zoo and take a look around—free admission everyday!  Finally, if you are interested in history, nature and music, visit the Chicago History Museum, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and Old Town School of Folk Music, for a truly unique and special Chicago experience.

Shopping:

Take a stroll down Armitage Avenue, west of Halsted and find the streets populated with little boutiques, perfect for a weekend shopping trip with girlfriends.  Here are a few of resident’s favorite locally-owned clothing and accessory boutiques:  1154 Lill Studio, Lori’s Designer Shoes, Mint Julep and Shop Girl.  Shopping with your kids?  Head over to nearby Lincoln Ave. to check out LMNOP for kids and Books in the City.  Finally, if you are looking for grocery/specialty store, make your way over to North Ave/Clybourn Corner and find Sam’s Wines & Spirits, Sunflower Market, Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods Market.

Eating:

Luckily Lincoln Park offers restaurants for every budget!  For those looking to splurge, try Alinea, a magical, savory food tour and tasting meal, Charlie Trotter’s, winner of 10 James Beard Foundation awards, including 'Outstanding Restaurant' (2000) and 'Outstanding Chef' (1999), L20, a posh, sleek environment specializing in seafood, or North Pond, where chef Bruce Sherman takes pride in creating dishes made of the finest local and organic ingredients.

For those not wanting to break the bank, you can always try delicious Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant Mon Ami Gabi, a French bistro, Café Bernard, country French cuisine, or Riccardo Trattoria, a delicious Italian Restaurant located on Clark, right near the Lincoln Park.

Finally, stroll along Clark Street and find many “Chicago Delicacies” such as Frances Deli’s matzo balls and corned beef, Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder Co’s, “pot pie” pizza, Wiener’s Circle’s authentic “Chicago Style” hot dog.  On Clybourn, you can try Goose Island Brewery’s beer tasting tour, and Tom and Wendee’s Italian Ice on Armitage is a sweet treat on a hot summer day. 

Theatre:

Chicago is known for their high-quality, live performances and Lincoln Park’s theatres provide some of the best acts around.  Interested in seeing the Blue Man Group? Contact the Briar Street Theatre for ticket information.  Are smaller, intimate performances more your thing? Make sure to stop at the legendary Steppenwolf Theatre on Halsted.  The Greenhouse Theatre performs on Lincoln Avenue and has four stages and five resident companies.  Finally, the Lakeshore Theatre on Broadway features the country’s top, edgiest comedians in a 330 seat theatre. 

Nightlife:

Lincoln Park is a favorite hot spot for college-age students and young professionals.  Some of the more unique attractions include Kingston Mines, the oldest real blues club in Chicago, Seven Ten Lounge, complete with bowling lanes, the multi-level dance club with floor-to ceiling windows, SkyBar, the swanky lounge and dance club venue, MaxBar, and finally, John Barleycorn, the historic pub originally built in 1890 with great beer and a great food menu. does host many non-collegiate bars and pubs for all ages.

No matter where you go in Lincoln Park, you are guaranteed to have a great time exploring what this neighborhood has to offer.  Make sure to plan time in your trip for Lincoln Park—you haven’t experience Chicago, until you’ve been here!