The things to do in Rogers Park include self guided walking tours to view murals, relaxing at the sandy beaches, a unique adults-only museum, admiring architecture, and visiting art galleries.
The Rogers Park neighborhood is known for its beaches and for being home to the Loyola University campus. It is considered to be one of Chicago’s most diverse neighborhoods. Over 40 languages are spoken here and the neighborhood has restaurants representing various cuisines from all around the world.
Last updated: April 2022
Read More About Rogers Park:
The Best Restaurants in Rogers Park
Where is Rogers Park?
Table of Contents
Rogers Park is the northernmost Chicago neighborhood located along Lake Michigan. It is directly south of Evanston and is north of Edgewater. It is nine miles north of the Loop.
How to Get to Rogers Park:
Both the L and the Metra have stops in Rogers Park. The Metra Stops at the Rogers Park station at the intersection of Ravenswood Avenue and Lunt Avenue. The L’s Red Line stops at Loyola, Morse, Jarvis, and Howard. The Purple Line express train also stops at Howard.
Parks and Outdoor Activities:
Loyola Park and Loyola Beach
This 40 acre park is Roger Park’s largest. Loyola Park is located north of Loyola University and along Lake Michigan. The park contains tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball fields, and a playground. A field house has two gymnasiums, a woodshop, and a boxing center.
The park offers a packed schedule of recreational events for parents, children, adults, and seniors. Special recreation activities are available for individuals with disabilities. Arts classes, craft classes, improv workshops, and summer camps are also offered.
Loyola Beach is located within Loyola Park and has sandy beaches, volleyball courts, a walking trail, and a lighthouse.
Pottawattomie Park
A park with three baseball fields, and athletic field for football and soccer, basketball courts, two playgrounds, a spray pool, and a dog run. The field house has a fitness center, racquetball court, and a gymnasium. The park offers an after-school program for children and a wide variety for youth sports leagues and events.
North Shore Beach Park, Columbia Beach, Hartigan Beach, and Prinz Beach
Four sandy beaches that all connect, located south of Loyola Beach.
Landmarks:
Emil Bach House
A home in the Rogers Park neighborhood designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for Emil Bach in 1915. Like the Robie House, Wright designed the interior and exterior architecture although the style of this home marks some departures from the Prairie Style. The home was designated as a Chicago Landmark in 1977 and it was restored to its original appearance in 2013.
Tours are offered through the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, and the home hosts weddings and events, and is available for vacation rentals.
Jackson-Thomas House
Located at 7053 North Ridge Avenue, this home that was built in 1874 was one of the first homes in the neighborhood. The architectural style of the home is a combination of the Italianate style and the Second Empire styles. It is a private residence that became a designated Chicago Landmark in 1984.
Museums:
Leather Archive and Museum
An adults-only museum exploring the “leather lifestyle” and alternative lifestyles. The museum hosts occasional adults-only events including the annual Mr. Chicago Leather weekend-long event and contest.
Galleries:
The Glenwood Avenue Arts District
Rogers Park has a thriving arts and entertainment district located at 6900-7100 Glenwood Avenue. The area is home to many galleries, art studios, theaters, and live music venues.
Greenleaf Art Center
A studio and exhibition space committed to exhibiting the work of over 50 neighborhood artists. Open studio, art salons, and workshops are hosted throughout the year.
Gallery B1E
This gallery in the Glenwood Avenue Arts District has a sculpture garden featuring works made of repurposed materials.
Roman Susan
A storefront gallery hosting contemporary art exhibitions and events.
Art Hub Chicago
A gallery exhibiting and selling original paintings, ceramics, sculptures, photography, prints, and NFTs.
Theaters:
Lifeline Theater
An intimate theater known for staging literary adaptations. The theater hosts summertime drama camps for kids.
The Factory Theater
The Factory Theater is known for staging bold original works, creating each production from scratch.
The Jarvis Square Theater/Theater Above the Law
The Above the Law theater company performs at the Jarvis Square Theater. This artistic ensemble is committed to mentoring future artists and presenting classic and unique stories in relatable ways.
The New 400 Theaters
The longest continually operating movie theater in Chicago, The New 400 Theaters was opened in 1908 and was called the Regent Theater. In 1930, it was renamed the 400 Theater. Today iteration of the theater is called The New 400 Theaters and shows first-run movies in four refurbished venues.
Theo Ubique Cabaret Theater
This award-winning theater company performs just a hair outside Rogers Park and produces musicals.
Rhapsody Theater
The Rhapsody Theater is a 200-seat theater reopened in July 2022. It will showcase magicians, highly acclaimed chamber music, unique world music, cabaret and dance performances.
Things to Do in Rogers Park:
Glenwood Sunday Market
A seasonal outdoor farmers market that takes place at Glenwood and Morse (next to the Morse L stop) from 9 am until 2 pm from June 5th – October 23rd. Vendors include farms, bakeries, cheesemongers, and people selling foods like honey, tofu, and pickles.
Loyola University Campus
The Loyola campus has several examples of exceptional architecture. Some of the stand out buildings are Dumbach Hall, a Mission style building designed by Paul V. Hyland that was constructed in 1908. This was the university’s first building. Michael Cudahy Science Hall built in 1918 was also designed by Paul V. Hyland. The Elizabeth M. Cudahy Memorial Library built in 1930 and designed by Chicago architect Andrew N. Rebori blends classical and Art Deco styles.
Explore Public Art
Rogers Park is home to dozens of murals, including the Mile of Murals that features 12 large-scale works. The Rogers Park Business Association suggests following two routes to view murals. The first route starts at Jarvis Square and follows the path of the CTA south along Glenview to the Mile of Murals. The second walk starts behind the Howard L stop and continues south along the Metra tracks.
Athena Board Game Cafe
A BYOB cafe with a library of 300 different games. For $5 you can play as many games as you like for as long as you like.
Nature is Your Neighbor Events at Leone Beach Park
A series of events taking place on May 14, June 12, July 31, August 27, and September 10 that invite attendees to learn more about the nature in Rogers Park. All events take place in Leone Beach Park.
Music Venues:
Le Piano
A jazz, cabaret, and piano bar with live music Tuesday through Saturday. Doors open at 6 pm and music starts at 7 pm. Reservations can be made in advance.
Rhapsody Theater
Formerly the Mayne Stage, this 1912 theater is being turned into a venue for live music, cabaret, dance performances, and magic shows. It is expected to open in June 2022.
Annual Events in Rogers Park:
Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest
A free weekend-long event taking place in August featuring 120+ artists, open studios, two stages of music and entertainment, craft beer, and food.
Artists of the Wall Festival
A festival that takes place at Loyola Park on Father’s Day weekend (June 18-19, 2022) where the 600 foot sea wall/bench is turned into 160 artists spaces and painted. Each year the wall is whitewashed and repainted by locals to fit the year’s theme (the 2022 theme is World of Tomorrow). The paintings are judged based on a few categories and all remain on display until the next year.
Family Valentine Dance
An event that takes place in February at the Loyola Park Fieldhouse.
Black History Month Celebration
A free event at the Loyola Park Fieldhouse that celebrates the achievements of Black Americans. The event highlights local entrepreneurs, artists, and makers.
Halloween Pet Parade
This event takes place from 9 am – 11 am on October 1, 2022 at Loyola Beach’s Painted Bench. There will be awards for Best Costume, Best Trick, Cutest, and Best in Show.
Halloween Party at Loyola Park
A family friend event with games, entertainment, and candy.
Family Movie Night
A free screening of Coco will take place on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 7 pm at Loyola Park.