Lincoln Park  

Lincoln Park formerly known as “Cemetery Park” until it was renamed for the late President Abraham Lincoln following his assassination in 1885. Today it is one of Chicago’s most popular neighborhoods. For those who enjoy history it has several tales of crime and intrigue. Today you can catch a movie in the Biograph Theater where infamous gangster John Dillenger was killed decades before, also take a stroll down Clark St. past the site of the legendary Valentine’s Day Massacre of 1929.  

Lincoln Park is located to the West of the lakefront (and the East of the Chicago River) to Halsted Ave and from North Ave north to Diversey Ave. This neighborhood offers something for everyone; its streets are lined with countless boutiques and coffee shops as well as a diverse selection of restaurants sure to meet anyone’s tastes. The nightlife is a popular draw to many residents as this neighborhood boasts the most bars and restaurants per capita of any other neighborhood in the city.  

The area is most popular with young single professionals and students but has been seeing a surge in young families in recent years. DePaul University, a private catholic university, has a strong presence in the area and its campus has been a part of the Lincoln Park community since 1898.  

Families enjoy the quiet tree-lined streets and their choice of many excellent schools for their children. The prestigious Latin School and Francis Parker School are both private institutions located in the Lincoln Park area with excellent reputations. Newly renovated Lincoln Park High School also has made a name for itself as one of the top public high schools in the city.  

Also found in Lincoln Park is the world renowned Children’s Memorial Hospital which is exclusively devoted to the needs of sick children and their families. Also the newly named Lincoln Park Hospital, formerly Grant Hospital is located in the neighborhood.  

Most residents can be seen walking and biking to many destinations within the neighborhood, however when that won’t do there are several options. Transportation is made easy because of the central location of the neighborhood. Lincoln Park stands just about 10 minutes by car from downtown and is easily accessible to both Lake Shore Drive and the Expressway. Parking is however a challenge despite permit parking only on many residential streets. Many residents choose to rely on Public Transportation to get around. The CTA services the Lincoln Park Neighborhood in a number of ways making it easy to get wherever you need to go. The El stops include Armitage, Diversey and Fullerton on the brown line and you can catch the red and purple lines at Fullerton as well. It is about 20 minutes to downtown on the train and several buses run North/South and West to get you to practically any other location in the city with ease. The simplicity of reaching this corner of the city leads to its high appeal.  

In addition to its favorable location Lincoln Park boasts many attractions. The park by the same name is located on the East side of the Neighborhood, just along the lakefront. It is the largest park in the city covering 120 Acres of land and offering countless outdoor spaces for playing fields, and picnic areas. The lake is an extremely popular destination in the summer time when all of Chicago flocks to its 4 beaches. The Fullerton beach is also home to the highly anticipated air and water show each summer.  

Also located within the neighborhood are the Lincoln Park Zoo and Botanical Gardens/Conservatory. Both are free attractions and the zoo is amongst the last no-charge zoos in the country. Recently the Regenstein House for African Apes was opened to great applause and serves as a leading research program and one of the largest natural habitats for the Gorillas and Chimps that call it home. This is a wonderful experience for all who visit there and sure to impress. The botanical gardens have new exhibits throughout the year and during the warmer months the pristinely manicured gardens are a subject of countless photo ops. The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is also a popular destination along the lakefront.  

Lincoln Park is a neighborhood rich in culture and aflutter with activity. It is home to the nationally recognized Steppenwolf Theatre and Second City comedy club where countless comedians first got their start.