Lincoln Square

Rich in immigrant history and quaint facades often characterized as "Old World", Lincoln Square is known for its close-knit community as well as its cultural flair. This neighborhood named for the late president in the top hat attains the urban proximity (and proximity to the Loop) of the Near North without much of the frantic hustle and bustle of its southern neighbors. Its boundaries are Bryn Mawr Avenue and Peterson Avenue on the north, Montrose Avenue on the south, Ravenswood Avenue on the east, and the Chicago River on the west.

Layout and Architecture

To begin with, the style of architecture and deliberate, fastidious zoning of Lincoln Square reflects its commitment to tradition. Just west of Uptown and north of North Center, this east Ravenswood borough belongs to the National Register of Historic Places. In fact, over one fifth of Lincoln Square is a historic preservation district. Whether and to what extent this one-fifth coincides with the centrally located Rosehill Cemetery – which accounts for over one fourth of the neighborhood’s surface are – is perhaps a metaphysical matter… In any case, the ghosts have some formidable competition in the area’s many living denizens, who populate the numerous two- to three-story brick and stone buildings, as well as the sizable portion of single-family homes (from graystones to Victorian-style homes). High-rises and mass residential ventures aren’t likely to come to Lincoln Square anytime soon and, when the narrow streets are combined with storefronts that include a traditional German apothecary (the Merz Apothecary), the Chicago Brauhaus, and the Lutz Continental Café, the neighborhood is perhaps the closest thing Chicago has to a Bavarian village.

Cultural Offerings

If one is not convinced that the Black Forest lies just off the periphery, however, they need only venture to the corner of Lincoln and Leland where a 3,000 square-foot mural depicts the romping grounds of the Brothers Grimm. A maypole on the same corner also pays tribute to Lincoln Square’s German roots (and it often serves as an official marker for ceremonies and celebrations). Yet the deutsche Kultur is not confined to artistic flourishes: by far the most celebrated and well-known of Lincoln Square’s cultural institutions are the two massive fests occurring in May and September: Mayfest and German-American Fest (also billed as Oktoberfest despite taking place in September). Beer, brats, and large tents come in equal measure to temper (or, depending on the amount of beer consumed, compliment) the raging German folk music. People from all over the city frequent these family-friendly events. In addition to being a flagship for Chicago’s once-great German population, Lincoln Square is known for its multicultural feel. Home to the smaller enclaves of Ravenswood Gardens and Ravenswood Manor (also Bowmanville and Budlong Woods), it became a second home for Chicago’s Greek community in the early twentieth century due to the construction of the Eisenhower Expressway and the University of Illinois.

Commerce

Though not the sprawl of shops characterizing its southerly competition (e.g. Lakeview or Lincoln Park), Lincoln Square’s shopping district offers a charm all of its own. The idiosyncratic boutiques and small-scale stores that line Lincoln Avenue (one of the main commercial streets) provide a restive environment and include many family oriented options. Perhaps it does not come as a surprise that Lincoln Square is also known for its good tastes: whether you’re in the mood for schnitzel, pad thai, or homemade loukanika (Greek sausage), there’s something for everyone. After a hearty meal, residents can catch a movie at the vintage Davis Theatre (without the downtown prices) or nock a few pins down at Chicago’s oldest bowling alley, Lincoln Square Lanes, which hails back to WWI (and so does the manual scorekeeping!). In addition to the commercial outlets, the neighborhood is also home to a variety of industrial districts.

Transportation

In the 1890s, Lincoln Square witnessed a residential boom, brought about by the new electric railways connecting the city with its northern clients. Then came the Ravenswood Elevated in 1907, which to this day still services the southern part of the neighborhood in the guise of the Brown Line (with a conveniently located stop at Western Avenue). If a modern coach is more your choosing, however, you are also in luck. Parking is relatively easy (including one- to two-car garages for most residencies), and centrally located Lawrence Avenue will take you straight to Lake Shore Drive. Several bus routes service the area (including the #11 Lincoln Avenue, which heads downtown). In general, all the sights are in walking distance.