My Chicago Vacation: Exploring Lake View

My Chicago Vacation is a series where I am sharing what I would do and where I would go if planning a vacation to Chicago with the perspective of a resident. There will be a mix of attractions and neighborhood/local spots to give that only-in-this-city experience.

In Lake View you will find a section of the city that is as eclectic as the city itself.  From vintage courtyard apartment buildings and independent locally owned shops to brand-spanking new single family homes and Whole Foods.  The people watching can be so much fun here and while there are for sure going to be other out-of-towners it will be predominately locals with a blend of college students, twenty-somethings, and young families.  As you are walking around you will definitely know that you are in an urban city yet that this is also reflective of the everyday lifestyle. If I was visiting Chicago I would head to East Lake View and a few select spots peppered in West Lake View.

Must Go List For Exploring Lake View

• Two-Sided (cute cute cute- filled with artful things)
• Threadless
• Intelligentsia (the location where it all started for this awesome coffee roaster)
• Pastoral (pick up some yummy cheese & such for a little snack in the park by Belmont Harbor... or a jar of Blooming Tree Honey to take home)
• Belmont Harbor (pretty spot for a little stroll or to lay in the grass and ponder whatever is top of mind)
• FourSided (they have a nice collection of vintage frames and such)
• Bobtail Ice Cream
• Music Box Theatre (an independent theatre that is the spot for indie and foreign films- perfect after a day of walking all over neighborhoods!)
• Haystack (charming vintage boutique)
• Tula
• Candyality (for cubbie gummies of course! their website might play music...)

And definitely leave some time for wandering around the side/residential streets of Lake View.  As with most of the north side, the streets are tree-lined and filled with an eclectic assortment of apartment/condo and single family homes... along with every variety of black iron fences!

*****

Previous posts for the My Chicago Vacation series:

My Kind of Vacation in Chicago

Chicago Attractions: Must Go, Maybe, Skip

My Chicago Vacation: Exploring Old Town

My Chicago Vacation: Exploring Lincoln Park

{photographs were all taken in the Lake View neighborhood}

Comments

[Natalie]

I have really enjoyed your Chicago posts, especially since I'll be up there in just two short weeks! I actually was wondering if you could suggest a good restaurant for a small group dinner (it would be 15 people max). I don't know the city at all really and my Google searches seem to be getting me no where! Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Can't wait to see your next post on your city!