Wicker Park

Wicker Park is one of the youngest neighborhoods in Chicago. For a time it was the designated area of the city for artists, a description it still holds today. Unfortunately, this isn’t the best description. While it is true that Wicker Park is still home to many young artists, it has become developed into an area with more young families and businessmen and that is, to an extent, part of its charm.

I love to visit Wicker Park, and along with the Loop, it is one of the Chicago neighborhoods I would most like to live in. There are a number of great shops, bars, and restaurants, and the people are mostly around my age(25).

Location
Wicker Park is only a few miles from the Loop, and nothing in Chicago seems more than a few steps away. The ‘El’ runs right through the neighborhood, making it that much easier to get around, and cabs and busses are plentiful. Parking I don’t suggest unless you know the area. It isn’t as bad as some other neighborhoods, but you might end up with a ticket if you’re not careful.

Dining
Tons on the menu if you’re hungry. I’m not a big fan of Sushi, but even I like Blu Coral Sushi. I didn’t find it to be all that reasonably priced, but the standards aren’t too pricy, and the expensive stuff is worth it. The Bongo Room is also really popular, and a friend of mine who lives in the area swears by their pancakes. Expect a bit of a wait if you’re there on a weekend morning, though.

Nightlife
I’d say it’s the best part of Chicago if you’re looking to go out. There’s a lot of young people, bars and clubs that stay open forever, and if you live in the neighborhood you can walk most places. If you find yourself incapable of walking, don’t worry, there’ll be plenty cabs, especially if you’re at the intersection of North, Milwaukee, and Damen, which is where a lot of great bars are anyways.
One place that has to be mentioned in terms of Nightlife is the Double Door, which has seen some great musical acts over the years, including the Rolling Stones.

Personally, I don’t think you can do much better than Wicker Park. It can be a bit noisy at night because of so many active people, but it has so much to do, from great little and big stores, restaurants, and bars, that you’ll be happy you visited, and I suspect even happier if you stay.

Wicker Park is a neighborhood on the North Side of Chicago and is one of the most loved, hated and well-known parts of the city. In the 1980s and early 1990s, the neighborhood cost a fraction of what it does today to live in and was home to a thriving artistic community. However, as Chicago began a phase of rapid growth in the mid 1990s, Wicker Park fell victim to gentrification. Property values increased, the city of Chicago began growing, and the neighborhood found itself populated by an influx of young professionals and families, often moving there from outside the city. No other in the neighborhood has such a large percentage of young people. An array of businesses whose variety is only rivaled in the Loop itself moved into the area. Art galleries, record stores and any sort of strange shop or store a person could think of line the commercial streets. At all hours of the night, the streets of Wicker Park are buzzing with activity. Bars and restaurants are open all hours of the night and day. Taxicabs and cars never stop moving, and the pedestrian traffic alone at North & Milwaukee is overwhelming. This intersection in particular feels more like Lower Manhattan than Chicago, Illinois. The neighborhood's namesake park is gorgeous, and many residents visit it every week, if not every day. Some people might find the non-stop flurry of activity to be taxing, but for young people who have a steady income, there isn't a more vibrant and exciting neighborhood in Chicago.