For many good reasons that will be listed in the following itinerary with ideas of things to do in Wicker Park, this neighborhood got the title of the #4 hippest hipster neighborhood in the country by Forbes article in September 2012. It is filled with many coffee shops, restaurants, bookstores, and unique fashion and vintage boutiques, especially along N Milwaukee and N Damen Ave., which are considered the center of this cool vibes and artsy area in Chicago.
Stay
- Wicker Park Inn Bed and Breakfast
* $-$$ * 2-star hotel @ 1329 North Wicker Park Avenue, Wicker Park, Chicago, IL 60622.
A cozy hotel located in the heart of Wicker Park. The rooms are beautifully decorated, and a complimentary breakfast is served daily. Founder and owner, Laura Yepez.
Check availability
- The Robey
* $$$ * 4-star hotel @ 2018 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647.
A boutique hotel located in an art deco historic building, which was recently renovated. The rooms are modernly designed with all the possible comfort. There is a great restaurant on the entrance level as well as a rooftop terrace with a bar, an outdoor pool, and fantastic city views.
Check availability
- Ruby Room Inn
* $$ * 2-star hotel @ 1745 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622.
A homey guesthouse with wide chic rooms, each designed differently. There is an in-house spa, a beautiful garden with a sitting area, and a shared kitchen. Located near bars, restaurants, and a subway station.
Check availability
Eat @ Women-Owned Restaurants
- No Bones Beach Club
Founder and CEO, MacKenzie DeVito.
The world’s first plant-based beach bar with locations in Seattle, Oregon, and Chicago. The menu is 100% vegan, made from fresh and local ingredients (whenever possible). Closed on Tuesdays.
1943 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 – Located at the Flatiron Arts Building (see in the list of Things To Do).
More info on the website
- Milk & Honey Café
Owner Carol Watson.
Open daily for breakfast and lunch. Serving gourmet sandwiches, fresh salads, and made-from-scratch soups. The outdoor patio is available during the spring and summer times, while the cozy fireplace is set in cold days. Do not miss the famous homemade granola!
1920 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
More info on the website
- Antique Taco
Co-owner Ashley Ortiz.
Delicious Mexican food in a beautifully designed place. Closed on Mondays.
1360 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
More info on the website
- Mindy’s HotChocolate
Owner and award-winning chef Mindy Segal.
An American eatery serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as brunch on weekends. Specializing in deserts! Closed on Mondays.
1747 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
More info on the website
Things To Do
Visit the Flatiron Arts Building
1579 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622.
This historic triangle building is a hub of more than 40 artist studios and a theater. Almost 50% of the artists are women. The exhibitions are presented in the hallways, and the murals on the walls are of Chicago artists.
Open to the public daily from 10 AM to 8 PM. There is a community event every first Friday of the month when artists open their studios and share their work with the community.
Click here for more information.
See Some Street Art
Unorganized graffiti can be seen in the west down, in the side streets, and under the blue line tracks, as well as when riding the blue L train. Beautiful murals are decorating the buildings all over Milwaukee Avenue to Logan Square and on the streets nearby. Just wander around, and you will be surprised by the color and beauty you will see.
Among the few female muralists whose works can be seen in the neighborhood are:
Noelle Roth @ 1542 North Damen Ave.
Sarah Carolan’s mural created to represent womxn’s health. It was commissioned by Nyssato, a movement that was founded by three mothers and supports new mothers with postpartum depression.
Located outside of Violet Hour, 1520 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622.
Zeye One @ 1478 North Milwaukee Ave.
Irina Kruglova, whose mural is located at the exterior wall of Antique Taco @ 1360 North Milwaukee Ave.
Jas Petersen’s mural is high on the building @ 1172 North Milwaukee Ave.
One of the most famous murals was done by Kobra, as a tribute to the photographer Vivian Maier. It can be seen at 1651 W. North Ave.
Shopping Break
Wicker Park has it all – vintage clothing stores, all-known brands as Lululemon, as well as famous designers’ stores like Cynthia Rowley. Walk along North Milwaukee Ave., and North Damen Ave., and you will find some unique stores.
Clothing stores you do not want to miss along North Damen are Moon Voyage by Susie Lee, Silver Moon by Liz Meyer, Una Mae’s by Nancy Becker.
Recommended books and record stores are Volumes Bookcafe of the co-owner Rebecca George, the iconic and one of the oldest shops Myopic Bookstore, and the legendary Reckless Records.
Enjoy the Nightlife
As a 24/7 vibrant neighborhood, nightlife options can be found in plenty in Wicker Park. Choose from cocktail bars, bars with live music or karaoke, restaurants, comedy venues, and a theater.
- The Violet Hour @ 1520 N Damen Ave. – serving sophisticated, interesting cocktails changing seasonally with small bites. Open daily. Do not miss!
- Subterranean @ 2011 W North Ave. – Live music venue. Check the calendar to check the shows.
- Davenport’s Piano Bar and Cabaret @ 1383 N Milwaukee Ave. – check out their calendar for the daily show and karaoke nights.
- The Revel Room library-style cocktail bar @ 1566 N Milwaukee Ave. – Open daily. On Friday and Saturday hosts a DJ, and on Mondays, it is Karaoke night.
- Cabana Club a bar at the rooftop of the Robey hotel @ 2018 W North Ave. – Great drinks and a spectacle view.
