Things to Do in Wicker Park

Renovated playground, splash pad, free Park District programs. Toddler and big-kid areas separate.

Renovated playground with separate toddler and older-kid sections. Splash pad in summer. Ball fields. Fieldhouse with free Park District programming -- arts, sports, after-school. A neighborhood park that actually delivers.

1425 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 · Park open 6am-11pm, fieldhouse hours vary

Old railway turned elevated trail — connects three neighborhoods on foot or bike, free.

A 2.7-mile elevated trail built on a former railway line, connecting Bucktown, Wicker Park, Humboldt Park, and Logan Square. Walking, jogging, biking. Street-level access points along the way. The views of neighborhood backyards and the skyline are surprisingly good. Free and open year-round.

1805 N Ridgeway Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 · Daily 6am-11pm · outdoor

Tacos in a converted gas station with a huge patio and strong margaritas. The whiskey list is absurdly deep for a taco joint.

Lively taco spot in a converted Wicker Park gas station. Tacos are $4-7 each, the margaritas are strong, and the patio is one of the best in the neighborhood. The whiskey selection is inexplicably excellent. Right next to the Damen Blue Line stop. Gets packed on weekends — go for lunch.

1531 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 · Mon-Thu 11:30am-10pm, Fri 11:30am-11pm, Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-10pm

Pancake flights and red velvet French toast. This is not a health-conscious brunch. This is a commitment.

Wicker Park brunch destination known for over-the-top pancakes — red velvet French toast, white chocolate pretzel pancakes, seasonal specials that belong on Instagram. The savory dishes are solid too but nobody comes here for the eggs. Cash and card. Line out the door on weekends; go on a weekday.

1470 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-2pm, Sat-Sun 9am-2pm · (773) 489-0690 · indoor

Mexican-Southern diner with all-day brunch, a killer jukebox, and the best chilaquiles in the city.

A 1960s-style counter-service diner mashing up Mexican and Southern cooking. Chilaquiles, biscuits and gravy, tortas — all day. Vinyl records on the jukebox, whiskey on the shelf. It feels like a place that has existed forever even though it opened in 2014. Right next to Big Star, same ownership, completely different vibe.

1545 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 · Mon-Thu 9am-9pm, Fri 9am-10pm, Sat 8am-10pm, Sun 8am-9pm · (773) 645-4060 · indoor

A falafel sandwich for $7 that is bigger than your forearm. The best cheap meal in Wicker Park since 1995.

Family-owned Middle Eastern market and counter since 1995. The falafel sandwich is enormous and $7. The chicken shawarma plate is under $12. They also sell groceries — grab hummus and pita for later. No alcohol, no ambiance, no problem. The Wicker Park original is the one you want.

2057 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 · Mon-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-9pm · indoor

Self-service laundromat in Wicker Park on North Ave. Large-capacity machines, free Wi-Fi. Small loads from $3, jumbo $7-8. Wash-and-fold drop-off at $1.50/lb.

1648 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 · Daily 6am-10pm · (773) 342-1700 · indoor

Massive patio, $4 tacos, whiskey bar, dogs welcome. Go for late lunch — weekend nights are more about the scene than the food.

Iconic Wicker Park taco joint with one of the biggest patios in the neighborhood. Dogs welcome outside. Tacos, whiskey, and honky-tonk music. Gets loud and crowded on weekend nights — go for late lunch with your dog instead.

1531 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 · Mon-Sun 11:30am-2am · outdoor

Elevated rail trail connecting Wicker Park to Logan Square. Leash required, but fewer crowds than the lakefront and better people-watching.

2.7-mile elevated trail built on a former rail line connecting Wicker Park to Logan Square. Dogs on leash welcome. Parks and green spaces along the route. Closes at 11pm. Less crowded than the Lakefront Trail and more neighborhood-feeling.

1805 N Ridgeway Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 · 6am-11pm daily · outdoor