Chicago, Illinois – Old Town/Lincoln Park Posts

Unexpected and stunning  exhibition space for the presentation of exhibitions of architecture and of socially engaged art.Designed by Tadao Ando, who has reimagined a 1920s residential building with concrete forms and natural light. A contemplative place to engage with pressing social issues of our time.

Unexpected homey and kitch-filled cafe; hard to categorize. In the shadows of the Sedgwick brown line station. Convenient hours, no attitude and real brick floors; K2 discovered.

The original Lettuce Entertain You restaurant; this is where it all began. Burgers, salad bar, 1970s all the way.

Popular late night spot with live Blues bands nightly. Food available.

Dance the night away to indie and punk music.

High quality Jewish-style delicatessen served in a “retro-diner.” Pays respect to deli food and culture; don’t forget a chocolate egg cream.

Lincoln Park outpost of mini-chain, almost always packed. Serving delectable breakfast; famous for apple pancake, dutch baby and real whipping cream for your coffee. Everyone eats here.

Burgers are over-hyped but this Lincoln Park storefront serves delicious burgers with fine attention to detail.

Intimate, bright, seersucker, cheerful and unlike anything else in Chicago. Seafood focused, Spain influenced. Ever changing menu. Basque cake is a must.

Family owned and operated Old Town restaurant and lounge serving traditional Italian cuisine. Great reminder of the former Old Town. Piano music often amidst the crystal chandeliers. One of the most attractive gardens in Chicago.

Yes, you might be lucky enough to capture this event, or better yet, participate in it. It moves all over town so the chances you will see it are slim… and only once a month! Celebrate your bike and explore neighborhoods of Chicago you never knew existed. Grab some Dew&JD and your favorite candy to share with this vibrant community. Plan to attend the last Friday of every month at Daley Plaza for an energy-charged ride. “Happy Friday!”

Hidden gem of a coffee house tucked away in Lincoln Park. Lovely and modern two-story space of contemporary design with interesting artwork. Serving locally sourced coffee, pastries and breads.

Wide range of music since 1957. Classes, private lessons, workshops, visual arts and concerts for all ages, abilities and backgrounds. Two locations; combined facilities include 425-seat and two 150-seat concert halls, 64 classrooms, two music stores, café and a resource center.

Not many options for fresh and authentic bagels in Chicago, but NYC more than satisfies. Several additional locations.

Highest quality spices and herbs from all over the world, since 1957. Special spice blends based on Chicago neighborhoods make great gifts. Back of the Yards rub is good on anything.

In Old Town since 1963, chocolates made fresh daily. Dipped apples and strawberries and turtles are winners. Customized chocolates in any shape.

Artistically designed flower and plant shops.

Showcasing premium cigars and accessories since 1968.

Top aquarium store since 1975. Like walking into the Shedd Aquarium with less parking hassle and free admission.

Incredibly beautiful salon on lovely Wrightwood Avenue; clean, modern and vintage at the same time… fresh! Congratulations Michael Davis and Stevie Smith for bringing the salon to reality and being masters at what they do.

Interesting and well merchandised home store featuring furniture, floral, rugs, lighting, garden and much more.

Opened in 1959, the Second City took an experimental and unconventional approach to theatre and comedy. Alumni includes John Belushi, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner and John Candy. Catch the performances and improvs in Old Town.

Originally an open-air sanitarium, presentations from diverse Chicago theater companies performed since 1953. Venue on the Lake at Fullerton.

Founded to “improve the availability of a diverse range of high quality foods. To connect local producers and farmers to chefs, restaurateurs, food organizations and the public. And, to support small family farms and promote a healthier society through education and appreciation for local, fresh, sustainably raised produce and products.” Vision of the late Abby Mandel. Often there is music, coffee and crepes. Held on Wednesdays and Sundays in Lincoln Park, seasonally.

Urban oasis offering a haven for native birds, frogs, fish, turtles and insects. New model for urban conservation and sustainability designed by Studio Gang.

Prairie-style hidden garden with stone walk. Alfred Caldwell’s original 1936 design inspired by the works of Frank Lloyd Wright. National Historic Landmark.

Best known for its magical butterfly haven, the Museum was originally known as the Chicago Academy of Sciences. Be sure to visit when the Chicago Herpetological Society brings snakes, turtles and iguanas for holding.

Animals amidst the skyscrapers. Free and open every day of the year.

Tropical palms and ancient ferns in the heart of Lincoln Park. Showcases exotic plants and grows the thousands of plants needed for use in the parks. Visit Palm House, Fern Room, Orchid House and Show House. No charge for admission. Great winter escape from the cold.

Rooms range from tiny to large, rooftop J. Parker cocktail lounge and restaurant off the lobby. Stay in a neighborhood; close to Near North and the Gold Coast yet far enough removed. Request a guestroom facing Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan.

Not much has changed inside the Ale House since 1958. People come in and stay awhile.

Gigantic whiskey and bourbon selection served amidst a unique atmosphere full of interesting characters. Not your typical Lincoln Park pub.

Relaxing chill cafe with huge selection of sandwiches and coffee drinks. Full of DePaul students; curl up and relax.

Named after a former hotel operator, great place to grab a cup of coffee and pastry across from Lincoln Park and the Zoo. Located within Hotel Lincoln.

Char-dogs, Polish and cheese fries served with a healthy does of attitude. Counter and picnic table seating. Late-night adventure.

Restaurant and tavern established 1932 serving barbequed baby-back ribs in an 1881 Old Town building.

Huge chain of toasted sandwich shops which began in Lincoln Park as an antique shop that started serving food. Music at lunch, memorabilia galore and hand dipped shakes. Visit the original shop.

Cozy subterranean super casual seafood house since 1968. King crabs are the best and Thirty-Two Pointer if you want it all.

Vienna Beef was founded in 1893 by Austrian-Hungarian immigrants. The hot dog became a hit at the World’s Columbian exposition and Vienna Beef was born. Poppyseed bun, hot dog, yellow mustard, pickle relish, diced onions, dill pickle slice, sport peppers and celery salt. Cafeteria and Factory Store open to the public and tours available with years of advance notice.

Lincoln Park beloved romantic, cozy and perfect institution family owned and operated since 1972. Sara and Germain Roignant founded the bistro serving Britanny-style crepes from sweet to savory, brunch to dessert, along with French onion soup, delicious salad, wines and cider. Occasional music and lovely secret garden. Be sure to visit the one-of-a-kind La Creperie. Part of the Ignite Curiosities Perfection Collection.

Since 1977, hot dogs, gyros, Italian beef, burgers and cheese fries. Full bar makes this joint particularly unique.

Bustling no-frills Lincoln Park institution serving fresh and tasty Greek favorites. Gyros, salad,chicken kalamata, taramasalata, and olive oil and lemon-doused addictive fries. Pick up your roditys from connecting Glascott’s. Not many restaurants have staying power from 1972.

Founded at the Green City Market, most products are sourced from sustainable farms in the region, organic flour and sugar, European-style butter and cage-free eggs. Breads, sandwiches and salads augment the fine pastries.

Laid-back atmosphere with a student vibe featuring dozens of unique bagel sandwich creations, all served steamed and with a dose of humor and sarcasm. Other locations have subsequently opened.

One of the most stunning settings in Chicago. Enjoy dinner of local and seasonal cuisine in arts and crafts splendor overlooking Lincoln Park’s North Pond and the city’s skyline.

Coffeebars located throughout the city serving freshly roasted coffee blends. All of the cafes feature striking design and light snacks.