Chicago is a vibrant and bustling city full of history, culture, amazing culinary treats, and fantastic nightlife. Being as large as it is, it can be challenging to determine which neighborhood best fits your lifestyle, so this week we’re going to highlight a neighborhood like no other: Lincoln Park.

Covering over 1200 acres, Lincoln Park is situated adjacent to Lake Michigan on the north side of Chicago and is Chicago's largest public park. Lincoln Park offers something for everyone including diverse nightlife, dining, entertainment, cocktail lounges, comedy clubs, concert venues, museums, and the free-admission Lincoln Park Zoo.

The Lincoln Park Zoo is open year round and is home to at least 1000 species. One of the oldest zoos in the country, Lincoln Park Zoo is dedicated to top notch care for the animals as well as to education, conservation, and animal science. Stroll through the wildlife marsh habitat on the Nature Boardwalk on to the Farm in the Zoo which is an interactive petting zoo that teaches kids and adults alike how it is to spend a day on the farm. Take a ride on the carousel or the train and stop for lunch at one of the many different zoo dining options. You can’t beat this day of fun, especially since the admission is free.

If you’re a plant lover, make sure to check out the Lincoln Park Conservatory and Lily Pool. With construction starting in 1890, the architecture of the Conservatory is simply stunning and includes a vestibule, fifteen growing houses, and four display halls filled with plants from all over the world. Be sure to check out the Orchid Room which boasts over 25,000 species. The Lily Pool is open seasonally and is the perfect spot for a spring picnic amongst the tropical water lilies. Both the Conservatory and the Lily Pool offer free tours with a docent as your guide.

If you’re looking for a warmer option, Lincoln Park also offers two museums, The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and the Chicago History Museum. The Nature Museum’s exhibits include displays regarding the ecological history of the area, information about green homes, and a butterfly house.  The History Museum focuses on Lincoln Park’s namesake, Abraham Lincoln, as well as the history of the great city of Chicago. In addition, the museum has a research library which is open to the public.  

Lincoln Park also has an array of recreational activities available for those who enjoy an active lifestyle. The park offers many facilities such as playgrounds, beaches, boating, trails, fields for softball, baseball, soccer and football, a golf course, driving range, as well as areas for horseback riding.

If you’re looking for foodie heaven, you are sure to find it in Lincoln Park. The only downside to the restaurants in this neighborhood is that there are so many it might be difficult to choose just one spot for dinner. Enjoy a fun night out at the Goose Island Brewhouse, grab some fondue at Geja’s Café, or pop in for some traditional Chicago deep dish pizza at Pequod’s Pizza – it all depends on you and your mood. No matter what dining experience you’re looking for, restaurants in Lincoln Park won’t disappoint. 

Lincoln Park is definitely a neighborhood worth looking into. It’s full of tree lined streets, brick row houses, parks, diverse nightlife, music and comedy venues, phenomenal shopping, and amazing eateries. This area has so much to offer and more. What is your favorite Chicago neighborhood?