Top 10 Ways To Act Like A Local In Lincoln Park

Along the northern lakeshore of Chicago, you’ll find the quaint but vibrant neighborhood, Lincoln Park, brimming with places to explore, food to eat and new experiences to seek out. Beautiful homes are nestled next to peaceful parks which run into bustling streets filled with boutiques, bars, and delicious restaurants. Here are a few ways to act like a local and experience the best of what Lincoln Park has to offer.

Go for a run along Lake Shore Drive

The best way to start your day in the city is with a little exercise. Grab your running shoes, roller blades, or bike and head down to the path on Lake Shore Drive to join the thousands of others getting in some cardio. There’s nothing like running along the lakeshore with a view of the Chicago skyline ahead of you. The Lakefront Trail also hosts many races throughout the year, including the United Run for the Zoo, a local favorite to support the Lincoln Park Zoo.

2. Get rooftop drinks at The J. Parker

Park

Get rooftop drinks at The J. Parker

If you’re looking for a classy evening of craft cocktails and elegant appetizers, head to the roof of The J. Parker. The rooftop boasts the most spectacular views in Lincoln Park, overlooking the beautiful shore of Lake Michigan. Their seasonal cocktails will put you in the spirit of Chicago while you take in the view. J. Parker, 13th Floor, 116 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 312 254 4747

3. Eat practically anywhere

Park

Eat practically anywhere

Chicago, and Lincoln Park specifically, is known for great food. Wandering around Lincoln Park, you’re almost guaranteed a great meal wherever you stop. Our favorites include upscale establishments like Alinea, a Michelin-starred and world-renowned restaurant that boasts a ‘single, seasonally driven tasting menu of between 18 and 22 courses.’ We also love the less extravagant Weiner Circle, where locals flock for a classic Chicago dog and chocolate shake. Alinea, 1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 312 867 0110

Enjoy a festival

Lincoln Park hosts plenty of festivals and street fairs throughout the year. On almost any weekend, you can find live music in a park and try new foods at the accompanying stands. There’s almost always a festival to fit your tastes from the Lincoln Park Wine Festival to the Lincoln Park Music Festival to the Taste of Lincoln Avenue and countless others. If you’re looking for a festival, just check out this festival guide.

Grab a doughnut from the Doughnut Vault

What’s better than a fresh, old-fashioned doughnut from an old-school food truck? You can find the truck parked in various areas throughout the city, with a limited supply of their favorites. Toasted almond, buttermilk, and coconut cream are just a few of the flavors that will have you wanting to buy ten doughnuts to share with all of your friends (or not…). You can find the Doughnut Vault truck at various locations throughout Lincoln Park, including Clarke street.

4. Find some fresh produce at the Green City Market

Market, Market, Museum, Park

Find some fresh produce at the Green City Market

Nothing says acting like a local like eating locally sourced foods. At the Green City Market, you can peruse its many produce stands and find the best food in the city. Not looking for groceries? You can still grab breakfast or lunch at food stands, like Abby’s Crepes. During the summer, you can find the market outdoors in Lincoln Park on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7am-1pm, May through October. In the winter months, the market is still open on Saturdays from 8am-1pm in the Peggy Notebaert Museum. Green City Market, North Clark Street, Chicago, IL, USA

Jam to local music

There are many concert venues where you can jam to the greatest, underground talent Chicago has to offer. Schuba’s Lincoln Hall and the Tonic Room are just two of the great live music venues in the area. Lincoln Hall and Schuba’s host both rising local acts as well as national acts touring through the city. The Tonic Room boasts a more eclectic set of groups and hosts an open mic night on Tuesday nights to give the audience a taste of up-and-coming artists. Tickets vary in price depending on the act.

5. Get lost in a blues set at Kingston Mines

Park, Theater

Get lost in a blues set at Kingston Mines

A local favorite, Joanna Connor brings down the house almost every weekend with her soulful voice and electrifying band. Kingston Mines hosts two live blues bands seven nights a week on two stages, and the party doesn’t stop until 4 am. If you’re looking for top-notch music and an all-night experience, Kingston Mines is the place to be. During the week, be sure to bring $12 for the cover — $15 on the weekend. Kingston Mines, 2548 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 773 477 4646

Steppenwolf Theater | © McDuff/WikiCommons

Catch a show at Steppenwolf Theater or Park West

The Steppenwolf Theater is a well-known theater that houses more serious plays. Each season, the theater puts on a selection of new plays for your entertainment. Park West is a premier concert location for nationally recognized acts. You’re sure to find a great show at any of Lincoln Park’s various theaters. By Kelsey Kruzel Kelsey Kruzel, a small town native of Michigan, recently moved to the city to get a taste of Chicago. Most of the time you can find Kelsey trying new restaurants with friends, browsing thrift stores for her next inspiration or searching for the perfect Instagram filter. Kelsey writes for ArborWoman as well as The Culture Trip.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.