A guide to the things to do in Wicker Park. This bustling neighborhood truly feels like a neighborhood. It’s a residential area filled with restaurants and locally own shops. This is a very walkable neighborhood where it is easy to spend a full day exploring.
Last updated: March 2022
Where is Wicker Park
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Wicker Park is just northwest of downtown Chicago. The southern border is Division Street, the western border is Western Avenue, the eastern border is Ashland Avenue, and the northern border is West Bloomingdale Avenue. This neighborhood is considerably smaller than Lincoln Park or Lakeview and is very walkable.
Note: the northern border of Wicker Park is up for debate. Some people say that the Wicker Park and Bucktown border is North Avenue, others say that it West Bloomingdale Avenue (where the 606 is). We have decided to include this debated area in the guides to both Wicker Park and Bucktown.
More Posts About Wicker Park
Wicker Park Restaurant Guide
Wicker Park Shopping Guide
How to Get to Wicker Park
The easiest way to get to Wicker Park is to take the Blue Line to the Damen or Division stop. Unfortunately, these train stations do not have elevators. In addition to the train, there are buses that go along North Avenue, Division Street, and Milwaukee Avenue.
Parks and Outdoor Activities
Walk the Bloomingdale Trail (The 606)
This 2.7 mile elevated trail for bikers and runners goes along the north edge of Wicker Park and incorporates art installations and landscape design. Locals tend to call the trail “The 606” but if you want to get technical, the elevated walkway is the Bloomingdale Trail which is a part of the The 606. The 606 includes six street level parks (two aren’t complete yet) and the Bloomingdale Trail.
Visit Wicker Park
The park named Wicker Park is a medium sized triangular park in the center of the Wicker Park neighborhood. This 4 acre park is tiny in comparison to Lincoln Park, Oz Park, or Grant Park. The park contains a fountain, a dog park, a baseball diamond, a football/soccer field, and a walking path.
Walsh Park
This park at the eastern end of the Bloomingdale Trail has the neighborhood’s best playground. The playgrounds has larger taller play structures with slides and areas to climb that are great for kids 5 and up. There are also swings, but in general, this park is more geared towards kids past the toddler stage. In addition to the playground, this park has an athletic field, basketball hoops, and a dog-friendly area.
Dean Street Park
A small park tucked away on Dean Street with a playground, splash pad, and swing set for kids, plus a large lawn for picnicking and playing. This park does not allow dogs.
Wicker Park Farmers Market
You can find a mix of vendors selling produce, prepared food products, spices, juice, and meat at this market. Plus, several restaurants participate in the market.
The Wicker Park Farmers Market takes place in Wicker Park from 8 am – 2 pm on Sundays in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. From December to April the market takes place at The Robey Hall (2022 W. North Ave) from 10 am to 3 pm on Saturdays.
Street Art
Searching for street art is a fun thing to do as you explore the neighborhood. You will find large murals that completely cover the sides of buildings, and smaller works tucked away in alleyways.
Bizarre Bucktown Walking Tour
Gordon Meyer offers walking tours discussing the history, mystery, and ghosts of Wicker Park and Bucktown.
Check Out the Historic Homes
Wicker Park has some stunning residential architecture. Some of the best streets to check out are Hoyne Avenue, Schiller Street, and Pierce Avenue.
Things to do in Wicker Park
Play Indoor Mini Golf at Big Mini Putt Club
This 9 hole indoor mini golf course has a bar – It’s great group activity.
Play Arcade Games at Emporium
Emporium is an arcade with a bar, billiards tables, and foosball tables.
Check out the Whiskey Business Rooftop
There is always something going on at this rooftop bar. In the winter they host a curling league. In the summer they show movies outside.
Visit a Dive Bar
Wicker Park has several of Chicago’s best dive bars. If you want to see live music, visit Phyllis’s Musical Inn which has been a staple on the Chicago live music scene since the 1950s. Or check out Rainbow Club which was featured in the film High Fidelity. Gold Star, Black Hole, Easy Bar, Neon Wilderness, and Nick’s Beer Garden are all good options too.
Sip Cocktails
While Wicker Park has lots of dive bars, the neighborhood is also home to some of Chicago’s best cocktail lounges. Queen Mary and The Violet Hour are both exceptional.
Check out a Speakeasy with Live Entertainment
Located above Mama Delia, Bordel is a cabaret and cocktail bar with a lineup including musicians, DJs, vaudeville performances, and flamenco dancers. The cocktail menu is inspired by the golden age of cocktails and includes punch served in Royal Albert teapots. Visiting Bordel is one of the best things to do in Wicker Park and they take reservations.
Check out the Coffee Shops
Wicker Park is home to over 20 coffee houses, and if you spend a night enjoying Wicker Park’s nightlife, you might want something to help get you going. Some highlights include Wormhole which has an 80s theme, La Colombe that has incredible draft lattes, and Intelligensia. If you prefer tea, Bru is the place for you.
Music Venues
Subterranean
A two floor live music venue that hosts a wide variety of bands and events. Not many venues have a reggae concert one night and emo night the next.
Chop Shop
Chop Shop is a restaurant, deli, butcher shop, and event space/concert venue. There are usually a handful of concerts each week.
Phyllis’ Musical Inn
This bar on Division Street claims to be the “only place in Wicker Park that hasn’t changed since 1954”. It is a cash-only pub that hosts live music nearly every night. It’s part bar and part music venue. The music is a total mix ranging from jazz to modern rock and folk.
Comedy Clubs
The Den Theatre
A theatre and performance space that hosts plays, concerts, DJs, and standup comedy.
The Comedy Clubhouse
Unlike the vast majority of comedy clubs, this stand-up and improv club is BYOB. Most shows are just $8 for advance online purchases and $12 at the door – this is a great place for a cheap night out!
Annual Events in Wicker Park
Renegade Craft Fair
An absolutely massive outdoor craft fair with over 250 top-notch vendors that takes over a large stretch of Division Street each September.
Do Division
One of the largest street festivals in Chicago, Do Division is a three-day music festival, food festival, and sidewalk sale that takes place at the end of May. Two music stages are curated by The Empty Bottle and Subterranean. There is also a Family Fun Fest that takes place as part of this street festival and it includes a petting zoo, mega slide, and a stage with kid’s music. Do Division has a $10 entrance fee.
Wicker Park Fest
This Friday-Sunday street festival that takes place at the end of July has a music lineup curated by Suberranean and dozens of retail vendors in addition to food from several local restaurants. With four stages of music and over 50 bands performing, this is a music-centric event. There is even a special lineup of music for kids at Wicker Park Fest Kids Fest. There is a $10 donation/entrance fee.
Chillfest
This pop up music festival involves bands performing in storefronts in Wicker Park and Bucktown. It takes place in February and the goal is to bring music and shopping together while celebrating the neighborhood’s creative roots.
BOO-palooza
An event for families that takes place on a weekend prior to Halloween in Wicker Park. This massive event involves a performance by Mr. Dave of Mr. Dave’s Music, a dog parade, and games and activities for children.