9 Things to Do in Your First Week in Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park is a beautiful and vibrant neighborhood in the North Side of Chicago, Illinois, along Lake Michigan. The community is home to residents who love the area for its unique blend of urban and suburban living. The location is convenient for commuters and offers a variety of housing options, from apartments to single-family homes. Lincoln Park is an active community with several parks, museums, and other attractions that make it a great place to live, work, and play. This affluent and desirable community has endless opportunities to get to know the area in your first week. Check out these nine things to do in Lincoln Park:

About Lincoln Park

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Lincoln Park is more than 1,100 acres of land along the shore of Lake Michigan that features many exciting attractions like museums, a zoo, and more. Lincoln Park began as a cemetery and has transformed into the most visited park in the community, with more than five playgrounds, a cultural center, and world-class amenities.

Lincoln Park Conservatory

The Lincoln Park Conservatory is an iconic Victorian glass house built in the early 1890s and displays beautiful gardens with international plants and flowers. The park strives for conservation, restoration, and educational programming. The non-profit has more than 1,200 acres of some of the most used land in the community and seeks to fill the gaps and maintain a beautiful natural environment. The conservatory has four areas inside the glass dome and formal gardens outside with a beautiful fountain and several monuments. Locals can explore the park on a guided tour to learn about the grounds and plants or participate in a wildflower walk around one of the water features to view native plants.

Lincoln Park Zoo

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One of the top family-friendly things to do in Lincoln Park is the Lincoln Park Zoo. It is a free wildlife experience and a place to connect with animals and learn about science and conservation. The zoo was established in 1868 and has evolved into a cultural experience with more than 200 species of animals. The 49-acre space also encompasses more than 1,200 species of plants and flowers, making a home for native animals like birds, turtles, insects, fish, and more. While visiting the zoo, locals can view and experience daily activities like animal training, feedings, and informational care sessions. The zoo also includes attractions like a kid’s train ride and a carousel with 48 hand-carved and painted animal seats. The nature boardwalk is another attraction where zoo visitors can visit a prairie-style garden, a manmade pond, and hundreds of native plants and wildlife.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is an adult and children’s science museum with extensive events and interactive programs. The museum connects locals to nature and science through collections, research, exhibitions, and partnerships. There are many interactive experiences like the RiverWorks exhibit, where kids can splash and build a dam to learn about flood control and natural habitats. Outside the museum, visitors can walk along the nature trails for a look at the gardens and natural beauty.

DePaul Art Museum

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The DePaul Art Museum is in the heart of the community on the DePaul University campus. The public museum showcases three to five exhibits that change through the year and a permanent collection with more than 3,500 modern and contemporary artworks. Visitors can explore the art museum in a self-guided tour or can participate in staff-led tours to learn more about the art and collections.

North Avenue Beach

North Avenue Beach is a popular spot for sightseeing and swimming in Lake Michigan. The beach features a 22,000-square-foot beach house with upper decks for incredible views. Locals have an array of options when visiting North Avenue Beach, including:

  • Refresh at fun beach dining options like Castaways Bar and Grill. The main level is a casual space with walk-up windows, ice cream and burgers, while the upper deck is a more refined eating area with beachy seating for sandwiches and salads.
  • Rent a bike and explore the stretch of land.
  • Check out the open-air sports facility and engage in fitness classes and tournaments.
  • Find a local watersports business for paddleboard, kayak, jet ski, and wakeboard rentals.

Chicago History Museum

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The Chicago History Museum is a place to learn about Chicago’s history and get inspired by the amazing city. It features collections with more than 23 million items like images, documents, and objects that highlight the city’s evolution. The museum also has a research collection with photos, drawings, records, books, and other materials to aid in research on the area. Museum visitors can participate in many events like bus tours, walking tours, film screenings, seminars, trivia sessions, and more.

Explore Armitage-Halsted Hub

The Armitage-Halsted hub is a thriving, unique shopping center with boutique stores and charming dining options. Summer House Santa Monica is an upscale restaurant in the area with an airy, beachy vibe and stunning modern décor. The restaurant is known for its incredible wine list, homemade bread, and exclusive space. Bedside Manor is a popular store in the area that sells luxury bedding, furniture, and home décor. The walkable area is active and bustling with locals. It is a great area to experience all Lincoln Park has to offer.

Oz Park

Oz Park is a Wizard of Oz-themed park in the Lincoln Park community that features statues of famous characters like the Tin Man, Scarecrow, Dorothy, and more. The 14-acre park also has a playground, community garden, tennis courts, and sports fields and courts.

Lincoln Park is a stunning area with hundreds of attractions, restaurants, shops, and parks that make the area exciting, walkable, and sustainable. Are you ready to make Lincoln Park your home? Daniela Pagani is an expert in Lincoln Park real estate specializing in resales and new developments in various Chicago communities. She is a certified negotiation expert with years of experience in local markets, making the buying and selling process simple and seamless for her clients. Daniela is also an interior designer who offers design, sourcing, and consultation services to help clients sell their homes and create dream living spaces. Find your perfect Lincoln Park real estate and start exploring the community today.

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