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Chicago, United States
Photo: Marc Heiden - User: (WT-shared) Gorilla Jones at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
North Lincoln is a collection of neighborhoods on the north side of Chicago through which Lincoln Avenue wanders, remembering treasures and curiosities of the last century in Chicago life, moving along, and forgetting them all over again.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
In addition to their work with Cambodian immigrants and refugees, the CAI also runs a small but highly effective Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial at their building near Albany Park.
D.A.N.K. is an acronym for German American National Congress, which is also on-site, a cultural and social hub for the German-American community throughout Chicago and the Midwest. The Cultural Center hosts art exhibitions in two gallery spaces.
Built in 1922, this was the last commission of legendary architect Louis Sullivan. The beautiful terra-cotta façade was restored in 2006. It houses a design studio.
Rosehill doesn't have as famous a burial list as Graceland nearby in Uptown, but the mix of Chicago historical figures, Civil War soldiers, and Bohemian statuary makes it worth a look. The Gothic cemetery gate was built in 1864, one of the few remaining structures from before the Great Chicago Fire.
A community gem: experienced theater veterans guide a multi-ethnic ensemble of teenagers in creating original plays about the immigrant stories in their neighborhood.
Even if you're only going to be in town for one day, you can drop in for a class (no experience necessary) on a wide variety of culinary subjects, with plenty of hands-on experience included. Check the calendar on their website to see if anything strikes your fancy.
In the neighborhood for more than 80 years. They mostly show current Hollywood movies, but there are special features every once in a while, including Bollywood musicals for the Indian community on Devon.
A big, lovely park (39 acres) with the full range of outdoor sports activities, including a lagoon for fishing. A statue in honor of the park's namesake, labor hero Samuel Gompers, was unveiled in 2007.
A classic pool hall with eighteen well-kept tables. It's where the seedy Marie's Golden Cue used to be.
If you're interested in folk music from America or anywhere else in the world you should definitely plan to spend some time at the Old-Town School. There are classes ranging from beginners' clawhammer banjo to advanced Flamenco dance. Even if you are just passing through town, consider stopping by to see a concert or just to check out the store, which features a fabulous array of banjos, fiddles, guitars, and rare folk instruments from around the world, as well as recordings of just about every sort of folk music (and early jazz) you can imagine.
One of the best neighborhood parks in the city. Welles Park is a perfect match for Lincoln Square: 15 acres of great facilities (tennis, softball, an indoor pool) that never feels remotely crowded.
Cheap Mexican restaurant that earns loyalty for plentiful, tasty food and late-night hours.
If you've had dinner on Kedzie, skip dessert there and savor this on the train back to the hotel. Nazareth has the cheap, fresh baklava and semolina cakes you so richly deserve.
Falafel comes no cheaper in Chicago than at this mostly Palestinian restaurant. It's a neighborhood hang-out and has nothing in the way of decor, but anyone is welcome, and the menu changes throughout the week to keep the regulars satisfied.
Lebanese cuisine in Albany Park.
A favorite spot for brunch since 1983, with outdoor sitting right in the fountain square.
Korean/Japanese BBQ. Reportedly has a shrine to Japanese baseball players, making it worth the trip for pro yakyu fans.
A nice attractive restaurant serving a wide range of Chinese and Korean foods.
Indecisive people beware: there are 100 sandwiches on the menu at Jerry's, and you're welcome to customize even further. The seating is comfortable, and there's beer, too.
This Japanese restaurant is an excellent value, offering all sorts of hard-to-find Japanese dishes and private (tatami) dining rooms for up to 6 people.
Persian food that deservedly earns rave reviews, particularly the polo (seasoned rice) dishes. Meals come with some tasty complimentary appetizers. It's a great take-out option, too.
Authentic Thai food, with bits and pieces from other Asian cuisines. Rumor has it that a secret Thai-only menu exists for a wider range of options. Weekday lunch specials are only $4.95.
Ginseng-infused Korean soups (chicken, fish, and miso). Check out the bizarre (and perfectly natural) twisted jars of ginseng in the window.
Along with Andersonville, North Park has a pocket of Swedish Chicago. Good for breakfast, brunch, or a quick fika.
Enjoy coffee and something sweet from this legendary bakery (est. 1948), or just stop by to gaze in awe at the amazing display case. The cafe has a nice outdoor garden (weather permitting).
A quiet coffee shop near the CTA with a take-a-book leave-a-book policy.
The perfect distillation of a stylish 50s diner and a full bar with enough screens to keep a sports fan satisfied, along with a food menu of staples done well like mac 'n cheese, pot pies, and cheesy tater tots.
Korean, Chinese, Japanese and English karaoke heaven, with private rooms, free parking, and very friendly staff.
A truly beautiful dive bar with games, cheap beer, and a schedule of events that includes a bluegrass jam on the second Wednesday of every month.
A neighborhood favorite at the center of a small commercial district around the Rockwell CTA station, not far from the river. The outdoor seating is especially nice and will slip pleasant hours from your pocket.
Run by a friendly, eager family of Indian descent (as in India, not the yellow Native American Indian head that sits atop their sign). The fact that they have a website should give you a sense of how the owners are trying to set their motel apart. Close to a public library.
The southernmost of the surviving motels, within a reasonable walk of Lincoln Square. TV.
Enter through the tunnel indicated by the once-neon arrows into the secluded kingdom of the Guest House Motel. All smoking rooms, so stay away if you have an allergy.
Other than the candy-stripe turquoise/white wall near the office, the O Mi is restrained in decor, but the name practically demands enthusiastic delivery. It's across the street from the Budlong Woods public library.
Replaced the old Patio Motel.
Just off Lincoln, a reasonable walk from the Indian food on Devon. Television, but no cable.
This more recent member of the club lacks the neon glory of its fellows, but is rather a lot cleaner and has modern amenities like free cable and Wi-Fi Internet.
Also within a reasonable walk of Lincoln Square.
Splendid, comfortable book store with author events, a wide selection of Chicago books, and wine by the glass.
A little bit of everything, and a wonderful selection thereof; jewelry, secret boxes, imported scarves, and several varieties of kaleidoscopes are among the delights you'll find here.
Excellent neighborhood LP, CD, & DVD store with staff who care about music — not infrequently is this called the best record store in the city.
Established in 1875 as a typical corner drug store, Merz Apothecary sold herbal medicines and traditional remedies from the Old World under several generations of the Merz family. In 1972, Abdul Quaiyum bought the store and expanded sales to include international health, body, and beauty products, and today, the thriving business doubles as a tourist destination for its classic atmosphere.
If you have long yearned to re-assemble the squad of Dinobots that your mother so heartlessly sold at a garage sale, this would be a good place to start. Prices for in-original-package items vary, but the real danger lies in the several bins of loose action figures at $3 apiece or 4 for $10.
If you've been looking for that special guitar you had as a kid or you want to step up to a more serious guitar you might want to visit Rock N Roll Vintage. They have loads of vintage and used guitars, amps and even some new gear packed into every corner of their shop.
Scandinavian import store in North Park, owned by the couple that runs the Tre Kronor restaurant (see Eat).
Classic toy store — as in no Disney characters or movie tie-ins.
By train
The CTA Brown Line runs from the Loop, and makes stops in Ravenswood (Montrose, Damen), Lincoln Square (Western), Ravenswood Manor (Rockwell, Francisco), and terminates in Albany Park (Kedzie,…
By bus
By car
Lincoln Ave is the main thoroughfare for Lincoln Square.
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