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Wicker Park
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Wicker Park

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Wicker Park
4.5
About
Wicker Park is the former meca of the Chicago art community and location of the bi-annual "Around the Coyote" art festival. The area has experienced massive economic growth over the past few years and is now home to many boutiques, thrift stores, bars and restaurants and known for its “hipster” vibe.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: West Town
How to get there
  • Damen • 4 min walk
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Best nearby
Restaurants
3,681 within 5 kms
Piece
480
0.3 km₱₱ - ₱₱₱ • Italian • Bar • Pizza
Stan's Donuts and Coffee
350
0.3 km₱ • Bakeries • American • Cafe
Big Star
438
0.2 km₱ • Mexican • Southwestern • Latin
Mindy's Bakery
358
0.4 km₱₱ - ₱₱₱ • French • American • Cafe
Bongo Room
353
0.2 km₱₱ - ₱₱₱ • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
The Violet Hour
223
0.2 km₱₱ - ₱₱₱ • American • Bar
Dove's Luncheonette
100
0.2 km₱₱ - ₱₱₱ • American • Diner • Vegetarian Friendly
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
70
0.2 km₱ • Dessert • American • Gluten Free Options
Antique Taco
183
0.5 km₱ • Quick Bites • Mexican • Latin
The Smoke Daddy
252
0.6 km₱₱ - ₱₱₱ • American • Bar • Barbecue
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Attractions
622 within 10 kms
Flat Iron Arts Building
5
0.3 kmArt Galleries
Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral
84
0.7 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Churches & Cathedrals
The Den Theatre
24
0.6 kmTheaters
The Art Institute of Chicago
24,544
Art Museums
Millennium Park
25,134
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Parks
Cloud Gate
18,280
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Goose Island Beer Co.
293
2.3 kmBreweries
The Magnificent Mile
15,799
4.6 kmNeighborhoods • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Galleria 1712
2
0.6 kmArt Galleries
Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower
17,864
4.7 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
125 reviews
Excellent
66
Very good
48
Average
10
Poor
1
Terrible
0
PGRBrussels
Brussels371 contributions
Good mid range choice for Philly
Aug 2023 • Couples
Overall a good stay at the Club Quarters in Philly. But it is a three star hotel and the basic rooms are small - so if you get a chance to upgrade do so - for a much larger room for a few dollars more. Also check room prices regularly as they seem to fluctuate alot.

The hotel is on a busy street - lots of shops, bars and good restos nearby but also with a few unsavoury characters around on the street so be careful - but actually in a good location for visiting the main sites in Philly. No real need to use public transport for the main sites and Ubers are easily available and cheap if you need them. Also only 5 minutes walk from the nice Rittenhouse Square area. A taxi from the airport is a Fixed 32 Dollar price - not much more than a uber and better than the poor train service.

Front desk service is excellent, and there is a very nice lobby with free coffee 24/7

There are alot of nicer and better hotels in Philly but the Club Quarters offers great value for a short stay in town.
Written 31 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN3,188 contributions
Great Hip Neighborhood in Chicago
Jun 2023 • Friends
An area that has been transformed over the past 15 years into one of the most hipster neighborhoods in Chicago. Cool cafes, boutique shops, bars and restaurants can be found throughout the area. My personal favorite is Big Star for some great tacos and a nice patio with a lively atmosphere to hang out with friends.
Written 25 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elliott P
Skokie, IL525 contributions
Up-and-coming neighborhood
Jan 2022 • Friends
Wicker Park is fun!
Offering a new Hyatt Place hotel, myriad great restaurants such as Small Cheval, and several spots to pick up a sweet treat such as Jenni’s Ice Cream, this is one happenin’ place.
Written 9 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,751 contributions
Chicago's go-to destination for fun, frolic and food
Dec 2021
Wicker Park is one of the fastest growing neighborhoods in Chicago. Bounded by the Bloomingdale Trail or the 606 on the north, Ashland Avenue to the east, Division Street to the south and Western Avenue to the west, it is known for its local hipster culture, art community, nightlife and food scene. It also is home to some of Chicago's most expensive real estate with median home prices over $550,000. In fact, in recent years, Wicker Park has experienced record real estate and commercial development. It is home to many luxury boutique shops, several flagship stores and popular entertainment venues. Very trendy, the neighborhood is known for hosting emerging bands, high fashion boutiques, cutting-edge gourmet restaurants and bakeries, European-style cafes, upscale independent grocers and fashionable art galleries. In 2012, Wicker Park was named the No. 4 hippest hipster neighborhood in the United States by Forbes magazine. Wicker Park, once known as Kostkaville because of its Polish population that accelerated during and after World War II, can trace its heritage to local author Nelson Algren, who lived on the third floor of 1958 West Evergreen Avenue from 1959 to 1975. Algren's literary output lionized the Division Street strip with his books such as "The Man with the Golden Arm" and "Never Come Morning" focusing on the stories of junkies, gamblers, hookers and drunks who lived in the neighborhood. Historically, the area was especially popular with wealthy merchants, who built large mansions along the neighborhood's leading thoroughfares, particularly Hoyne and Pierce Streets, just southwest of today's North and Damen. At the time, Hoyne was known as "Beer Baron Row" because many of the city's wealthiest brewers built mansions there. At the same time, the near Northwest Side became home to many of the most opulent churches in the Archdiocese of Chicago. So where do you go? Start with brunch at Cafe Robey in the Robey Hotel. Browse for books in Volumes Bookcafe. Lunch at Dove's Luncheonette. From December to April, visit the winter indoor Wicker Park Farmers Market. Record lovers spend hours at Reckless Records. Enjoy Happy Hour at Pub Royale. For a BBQ dinner, Smoke Daddy is a must. See an after-dinner show at Broken Nose Theatre or The Den Theatre. Top off the day with a nightcap at The Violet Hour. There's never a dull moment in Wicker Park.
Written 21 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Momala
Joliet, IL20 contributions
Carjackings on rise here
Nov 2021 • Solo
This interesting area is subject to frequent carjackings, even in broad daylight. Better not drive a high-end car here.
Written 6 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie N
Clearwater, FL33 contributions
Very interesting part of Chicago history
Dec 2019
A nice walk and history lesson. Highly recommend this walk to see one of the oldest buildings to survive the famous Chicago fire.
Written 6 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
psudino
Weehawken, NJ4,068 contributions
Definitely a locals area
Nov 2019
Was in Chicago for business (On the Miracle Mile of course) and this is where some locals sent us to get out of the touristy areas. We ended up at a so-so speakeasy (reviewed separately) but we really enjoyed the area while wandering around. When we can start travelling again, Chicago is a common destination, and this area will definitely be a place that want to dedicate more time to checking out.
Written 16 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,751 contributions
One of the hippest hipster neighborhoods in the country
Oct 2020
Wicker Park is all things to all people. One of the fastest rising and trendy neighborhoods in Chicago, it has been recognized as one of the hippest hipster neighborhoods in the country and widely known for its local culture, art community, nightlife, high fashion boutiques, cutting-edge gourmet restaurants and bakeries, European-style cafes, upscale independent grocers and artsy businesses. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a Chicago Landmark District, Wicker Park is a convenient place to live for downtown workers due to its proximity to public transportation and the Loop. The area stretches from Ashland Avenue on the east to Western Avenue on the west, from Division Street on the south to the Bloomingdale Trail (or the 606) on the north. Historically, Wicker Park was founded in 1868 by Chicago alderman Charles Wicker. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 spurred the first wave of development and homeless Chicagoans looked to build new homes. At the end of the 19th century, it became a destination for German and Norwegian immigrants. Many of Chicago's wealthiest brewers built mansions on Hoyne Street, which became known as Beer Baron Row. Today, Wicker Park is home to such trendy restaurants as Dove's Luncheonette, Small Cheval, Big Star, Schwa, Handlebar and Cafe Istanbul, from fine dining to tacos to Ramen to sushi to Cajun. Stay at the Robey Hotel or Wicker Park Inn or Ruby Room. Visit the 606, Farmers Market or Flat Iron Arts Building.
Written 7 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wireless_in_CA
United States4,907 contributions
Sunday Farmer’s Market
Aug 2020 • Family
We made a quick stop here to check out the fresh produce at the farmer’s market but there was a long queue to enter. I guess they were trying to limit the number of customers entering at the same time.

Besides the Sunday farmer’s market, we found a large fountain, not working, framed with trees and large potted plants. It was a nice place to sit down, relax and do a little people watching. Besides the shoppers the rest of the park was not as busy.

To the left was a large grassy area where a number of groups were kicking back on blankets. A sign advertised Covid-19 Softball but not exactly sure what that actually meant.

Behind the fountain was a statue of Charles Gustavus Wicker for which the park was named after. He was posing with a broom 🧹 and the plaque mentioned that he was always willing to do things that needed attention. one of which was sweeping the dirt floors in the local police station. Quite unusual but quirky.

We did not get to explore the surrounding neighborhood but will try if in the area again. Street parking was free in front of the homes fronting the park along N. Wicker Park Ave.

Written 17 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brmusicman
Chicago, IL3,133 contributions
Revived! One of Chicago's Best Neighborhoods
Dec 2019
The history of Wicker Park is fascinating! I recommend reading-up on the history a bit before visiting: it housed northern European immigrants, then it was the center of the city's Polish communities, then had a large concentration of Puerto Ricans, then fell into a period of blight, then was a community of artists in the 1980s and 1990s. Today, it's got a hipster vibe (though it's gentrifying) and has a mix of upscale and funky retail, great restaurants, and cool bars. It's definitely worth a trip for any visitor who likes to get out into a city's neighborhoods.

At the center of the neighborhood is an actual park, Wicker Park. It's not huge, but it's really pleasant, with a beautiful water feature open in the summer and decorated in the winter.

The main retail strips are definitely worth exploring; there's a cool mix of stores. These are Milwaukee Avenue, North Avenue, and Damen Ave. Each has its own vibe.

Great mix of restaurants. A lot of taco joints!, some fancier places, and some good dive bars.

Easy public transit access--Damen and Division stops on the CTA blue line. Lots of buses, too.

For recreation, check out the 606, a cool elevated walking/bike path with great landscaping.

Worth your time while in Chicago!
Written 1 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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WICKER PARK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Wicker Park