Want to experience Chicago’s famed Lincoln Park but only have a day?

1. Stanley’s Kitchen & Tap (Armitage and Lincoln): Start your day with breakfast at Stanley’s (opens 7AM, Monday thru Friday), where you’ll find biscuits and gravy, scrambles, hash, french toast, pancakes, and a number of sides.  On the weekends, brunch starts at 10AM and includes a make-your-own-omlette bar, sandwich fixings, and a variety of pastries, fruits and vegetables.  This brunch comes full circle at the bloody mary bar.

2.  Armitage Shopping and DePaul History: After breakfast, walk up Armitage past the many boutiques and shops that range from designer consignment to local designer retail.  My favorites include: McShane’s Exchange, Lori’s Shoes, Art Effect, L’Occitane and, to top it off, a hot or cold drink at Argo Tea.  Continue north on Sheffield to Fullerton.  If you aren’t hungry yet, stroll through the comfortably small DePaul University Campus and make a stop at the Richardson Library which also houses art exhibits (Fullerton/Seminary).

3. Bourgeois Pig (Fullerton and Lincoln): The Pig is a locale favored by students, Children’s Memorial staff and others looking for a cafe that’s trendy in a not-even-trying-to-be-trendy kind of way.  The Pig’s lineup includes: sandwiches (also many veggie options), salads, soups, baked goods, ice cream, coffee, espresso drinks and looseleaf tes, housed in large glass jars lining the walls.  Wireless available, as well as eclectic music played by the staff.

4. Lincoln Park Zoo: Next, continue east on Fullerton to and through Lincoln Park Zoo, a free attraction.  This zoo is home to elephants, bears, lions, penguins and many other birds, mammals and amphibians/reptiles.  Also one of the oldest “zoological gardens” in the country, Licoln Park Zoo overlooks a popular section of Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan.  Bring a frisbee for some fun or a blanket for some afternoon rest and relaxation.

5. Victory Gardens (Lincoln Ave, between Beldn and Webster): Home to many Tony Award-winning plays and actors, Victory Gardens has a couple cozy stages on which you can see local and world talents performing primarily local works.  Great for just yourself, a date, or the parents.  If you’re still hungry (before or after), there are plenty of sandwich/pizza shops and bars in this area.  A nicer but very affordable option is Tillie’s, at Halsted south of Armitage, or Green Tea, a tiny but excellent sushi restaurant at Clark and Webster.

Let’s face it:  Chicago is intimidating.  As the third
largest city in the country, Chicago has a lot to offer to everyone,
from every walk of life.  If you aren’t used to living in a city,
then Chicago goes from intimidating to down-right scary.  Having
just moved here myself, I know first hand how hard it is to find
something to do in the hub-bub that is Chicago.  This is why I’m
here:  To help you, the reader, traverse the metropolitan muck of
the city and keep busy, entertained and cultured.

We all hate tourists, no matter where it is we come from.  Loud,
obnoxious and rude, tourists are the bane of any city culture. 
Until you, have gotten your feet wet by exploring the city, though, you
are one of them.  Live it up; there is a lot that you can do upon
moving into the city to get accustomed to your new surroundings. 
Part of the fun of living in the city is the diversity of life; a world
class city like Chicago has Navy Pier, an amazing park district and a
plethora of musuems to frequent.  Take advantage of it all. 

First things first, though.  If you are without a car, get a CTA
thirty day pass.  It’ll be helpful and money well spent. 
Taking the El will get you through the city, and the option of taking a
bus, though sometimes a terrible idea, is always a nice option should
you get stuck/lost.  It’d also be a good idea to head to any
library branch (I prefer downtown because it’s fancy); with a library
card, you have the option of checking out museum passes and visiting
any of the city’s fine cultural institutions FOR FREE.  Be warned,
though:  only certain museums are available at any given
time.  There are a limited number of passes for each museum, so
you may not be able to go to the one of your choice, depending on its
popularity. 

Moving to the city is a big decision to make, but with proper planning,
adjusting to life won’t be too difficult.  There is a lot to do,
places to see, stores to shop, people to meet.  Get out there and
do something, otherwise, your potentially expensive move will be for
naught.  Until next time, enjoy your time in the Windy City.