Guide to Living in Wicker Park
Wicker Park is home to artists, families and young professionals who want to be in the hub of the northwest side of Chicago, with easy access to downtown. The neighborhood is extremely trendy known for hosting emerging bands, high fashion boutiques, cutting-edge gourmet restaurants and bakeries, European-style cafes, upscale independent grocers, and artsy businesses.
Insider tips
Start your day at the vibrant Six Corners area where North, Milwaukee, and Damen Avenues intersect. This is the always-bustling heart of the neighborhood, where you’ll find vintage stores, record shops, noodle joints, award-winning eateries, cool coffee houses, bookstores, art galleries, and more.
And the lively vibe keeps going till late into the night. The neighborhood is home to some of the city’s favorite indie music venues, late-night clubs, pubs, speakeasies, and neighborhood dive bars.
A good way to see the area is on the 606, a repurposed rail line that gives you an elevated view of four distinctive Chicago neighborhoods: Wicker Park, Bucktown, Humboldt Park, and Logan Square. You’ll find walkers, joggers, bikers, public parks, art installations, overlooks, and more all along the 2.7-mile stretch.
Explore like a local
Try an artisanal drink at the Violet Hour, the semi-hidden bar that started the craft cocktail craze in Chicago. Get trapped on an ‘L’ train at Escape Artistry escape rooms. Head to the rooftop bar in The Robey hotel to sip piña coladas and take in 180-degree views of the city skyline.
