Old Town, Logan Square, and United Center Park

Due south of Lincoln Park and directly east of the Gold Coast, while only a few blocks in size; Old Town, extending from Armitage to Division, at the Lake on the east and Larrabee on the west, is a culturally, sophisticated; yet fun and festive Chicago neighborhood.

Wicker Park also lies to the west of Old Town, and many of the galleries blend into the neighborhood, offering increased artistic and cultural opportunities. Because of its proximity to these three popular neighborhoods, Old Town is in fairly high demand for those who can afford to live there. Its proximity to the Loop keeps housing expensive as well, though not as high as the Gold Coast prices.

The Chicago Historical Society Museum, a vestibule to local eras of the past; Latin School, a well-respected, private K-12 grade educational site; and Second City, the city’s premier improve comedy club, features outstanding comedy, with several former members, i.e., Bill Murray, John Belushi and Mike Myers, going on to stellar movie and television careers, are all among the substantive offerings that abound in Old Town and appeal to its primarily thirty-something demographic.

Of course, there are plenty of shops, coffee houses, and restaurants to also be found along Old Town’s streets, including such diverse and welcoming namesake spots as the annual Old Town Art Fair held each year in June and the neighborhood institution staple known as the Old Town Ale House.

It is somewhat ironic that a somewhat pricey and prosperous community also encompasses Cabrini Green, a famously failed Chicago Housing Authority project. However, in the wake of prosperity and development in the neighborhood, the Green has all but vanished to pave the way for new, decidedly upscale housing developments, educational facilities and accompanying businesses.

Old Town can easily reached through a myriad of public transportation options including: the trio of “El” stops at Sedgwick, North | Clybourn, and Clark/Division, CTA bus lines riding along Clark Street, North Avenue and LaSalle.

Moving a bit farther away, five miles northwest of the Loop, you can find the neighborhood known as Logan Square. Bounded by West Bloomingdale, Armitage and Diversey, Logan Square has its heart at the intersection of Logan, Wrightwood, Kedzie, and Milwaukee.

Marked by a 27-foot stone obelisk, the Illinois Centennial Monument, Logan Square is equally thought of as a spot with prosperous, mansion-lined residential streets and bustling commercial districts. Of the neighborhood, it has been said to blend old-world prosperity with a modern, progressive attitude.

Logan Square features a yearly Historic Mansion Housewalk each September, show-casing the neighborhood’s beautiful homes. The diversity of the neighborhood also is on display at the Taste of Logan Square each August. There is plenty for the festival to display, with over 100 restaurants, cafés, and bistros packed into this small neighborhood.

Through the center of the neighborhood, the CTA runs several bus lines while the “El’s” Blue Line cuts through it, as well. In addition, Logan Square is easily accessible by car, with close proximity to I-90.

Also worth a mention is the neighborhood of United Center Park, consisting mainly of development going on near Chicago’s famed United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, as well as, forum at which a roster of large-scale music concerts and major entertainment events are held.

Much of the business found in the neighborhood, such as restaurants and nightlife, stem from their proximity to the Center. Located near the western edge of the West Loop, the area is accessible via I-290, CTA buses, and CTA Green and Blue Line “El” stops.