You’ll find a mix of families, DePaul students, and 20-something yuppies in Lincoln Park. It’s an undeniably cute neighborhood so it appeals to a wide range of people. Stroll along the charming tree-lined streets with beautifully restored homes from the late 1800s, or for a better dose of “nature”, head to the Lincoln Park boardwalk. I love Lincoln Park. There’s a lot to love here, especially the shopping (check out my best boutiques page for more ideas), but, Lincoln Park—ya basic!
A perfect day in Lincoln Park
It always begins with brunch
If you didn’t know that you like having sangria for brunch, now you know. At Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!, you can pick between a classic red or white sangria, or opt for a more adventurous option like mango or blackberry. Order as much food as you possibly can, and never, I mean never, skip the bacon-wrapped dates.
Shop
Lincoln Park is the best neighborhood for local boutique shopping. So if you don’t want to deal with the crowds on the Mag Mile, you’re in luck. In need of a gift? Check out Art Effect. Looking for a cute sweatshirt? Pop into Alice & Wonder. Thinking of redecorating? Sit on every couch in Interior Define.
Coffee break
The sangria is starting to wear off and maybe you even started to nap on the sofa at Interior Define. That means it’s time for some coffee. Floriole Cafe & Bakery has you covered. Popular with DePaul students and families alike, get yourself a pick-me-up because you have more to see!
Remind yourself your inner child is alive and well
Walk around the Lincoln Park Zoo. It’s shocking to me that it’s free, because the Lincoln Park Zoo has everything you could ever want! If you’re lucky, maybe the polar bears will be swimming around just a few feet away.
Support local theatre
Steppenwolf Theatre attracts shockingly good actors for both original plays and classics like a Raisin in the Sun. Feel like an adult by watching their current production, and enjoy having a couple hours to rest.
Load up on pita for dinner
While Lincoln Park is full of iconic restaurants that are hold enough for our parents to have eaten at when they were in their 20s, new restaurants are still popping up too. Galit, a modern Israeli/Middle Eastern restaurant, cannot be missed. They cook their pita in a coal fire oven like pizza, and when you rip it open steam releases through the air. Pair it with the Bubbe’s brisket hummus and ask your server to guide you through the rest of the menu.
Time to boogie
Since you enjoyed a newcomer for dinner, enjoy a classic to wrap up your night. Kingston Mines has live music (blues) 24-7-365—except during a deadly pandemic, of course. The cover is small so head on in and thank yourself that you’re not stuck listening to more house music in the basement of some club in River North.