WICKER PARK

 

 

Wicker Park is a trendy neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side. Wicker Park’s dynamic hipster culture has attracted a lot of attention in recent years, with Forbes describing it as one of the nation’s hippest neighborhoods and Conde Nast Traveler calling it Chicago’s hottest neighborhood. Along with being a favorite among artists and creative types, Wicker Park is a family-friendly neighborhood with an eclectic population of young families and urban professionals. Wicker Park blends together with the adjacent Bucktown neighborhood to create a vibrant stretch of cutting-edge art galleries, cool coffee shops, live music spots, craft cocktail lounges, boutique and specialty stores, and trend-setting restaurants.

 

Both Wicker Park and Bucktown offer stylish loft conversions as well as leafy streets lined with classic Victorian single-family homes and 19 th -century mansions. The burgeoning popularity of these neighborhoods in the 21 st century has led to a wave of new construction. Housing options include a variety of newly built homes and condominiums.

 

 

 

Wicker Park and Bucktown’s modern renaissance began with the arrival of artists and micro-galleries in the 1980s. The neighborhoods have flourished in the 21 st century, establishing themselves at the forefront of contemporary cool in Chicago. Residents love these neighborhoods for their exciting cultural, shopping, dining, and nightlife scenes. They also offer quiet residential streets with excellent transportation links and easy access to the Loop.

 

 

Damen Avenue runs north to south through the center of Bucktown and Wicker Park and is lined with many of these diverse neighborhoods’ hippest businesses. The Violet Hour is one of Chicago’s best craft cocktail spots. Specializing in pre-prohibition mixed drinks, The Violet Hour transports guests back in time with its James Beard Award-winning bar program. The team behind The Violet Hour also opened Big Star in 2008, and it quickly became one of Wicker Park’s signature watering holes. Big Star combines a great sound system and ambient setting with exceptional spirits and delicious Mexican eats. Big Star also offers daily drinks specials with premium-quality $3 beers and $3 spirits.

 

Nearby sister restaurant Dove’s Luncheonette offers exquisite Tex-Mex cooking and copious varieties of tequila in a laid-back, diner-like setting with a funky Chicago soul soundtrack. Mindy Segal’s Hot Chocolate is another Damen Street favorite for its elevated American comfort classics, hearty Sunday brunch specials, and indulgent desserts. Wicker Park and Bucktown’s eclectic nightlife spots include the two-floor Subterranean, where entertainment ranges from live bands to burlesque shows.

 

As well as being one of Chicago’s hippest strips of bars and restaurants, Damen Avenue is home to a wide array of stylish fashion boutiques and specialty stores. Head to Gant Rugger for menswear and p.45 for womenswear. The vintage shops of Milwaukee Avenue are another must-visit for the fashion-conscious, with standouts including Kokoroko, Una Mae’s, and Vintage Underground. Other unique retailers in the neighborhood include kid favorites Building Blocks and The Red Balloon.

 

 

The Flatiron Arts Building sits in Wicker Park where North Avenue, Damen Avenue, and Milwaukee Avenue meet. The Flatiron has served as a central hub for the local art scene since Wicker Park’s creative renaissance began in the 1980s. The neighborhood’s creative epicenter hosts artists of all mediums, and on the first Friday of each month, the studios open their doors to the public for an event with a party-like atmosphere.

 

Wicker Park’s namesake neighborhood greenspace spans 4.7 acres. Amenities at Wicker Park include baseball fields, basketball courts, a dog park, ornamental gardens, a historic fountain, and a large children’s play area with a water spray feature. The elevated Bloomingdale Line railroad has been transformed into the 606 Trail. Spanning 2.7 miles, the 606 is the longest such purposed elevated railroad in the United States. This scenic walking and biking trail connects Wicker Park with the neighborhoods of Logan Square, Humboldt Park, and West Town.

 

 

Public schools in Wicker Park are operated by the City of Chicago School District. Highlights include: