Lincoln Park: A Place for the Young and Restless

Holding down a job but still partying like you don’t have class on Fridays? Check out Lincoln Park, which encompasses DePaul University and is chock full of students and up-and-coming professionals. If you’re looking for a crazy nightlife and you’re into Starbucks and big chains (in addition to trendy shops, as there are plenty), you’ll find it here. The sidewalks can feel a bit New York-ish at times, so if you need your space, keep that in mind; if you thrive on the hustle and bustle, though, you’ll love it.

Lincoln Park is chock full of high-rise buildings, (great if you want a doorman), but you can also find some smaller, homier apartment buildings as well. Studio apartments will run you about $900 while one bedroom apartments are around $1,200. Two bedrooms average about $1,800 and three bedrooms are usually close to $2,400.

Get some entertainment with your Chicago-style dog at The Weiner’s Circle, where the staff is infamous for using very, shall we say, colorful language. For just a few bucks you’ll get a mouthful of dog and another mouthful that would make a sailor blush. For a different type of culinary adventure, head to Café Ba-Ba-Reeba for a pitcher of sangria and a table full of tapas to share with your favorite people. When you’re ready to hit the town after dark, Gamekeepers will fit the bill if you’re a sports nut, and Kelly’s Pub will do if you need a relaxing Irish-inspired night. If you need something more glam, give Ta’Too a whirl. For serious night owls, keep Déjà vu on your list; unlike most bars, you won’t be hearing “Last call!” until nearly 4am.

For (free!) outdoor entertainment, check out the Lincoln Park Zoo. Four color-coded trails lead you around the zoo according to which animals you want to see. You could easily spend a day here if you want to. Hop next door to the Lincoln Park Conservatory to complement your fauna experience with some awe-inspiring flora. When it’s time to take in some sun, head to North Avenue Beach for a picnic and some serious (or seriously bad), volleyball.

You really could sell your car – or just park it and leave it (but watch out for all the permit zones). Cabs are all over the place, and public transportation is easy to come by. City buses run on the major streets of Clark, Diversey, Fullerton, and Lincoln. Near the lake (east) the Red Line stop is at Fullerton, where you can transfer to the Brown Line to head south to the Loop or further north or northwest. Further west in Lincoln Park you can catch the Brown Line at the Armitage and Diversey stops and do the same thing.