The upscale community of Lincoln Park features quiet, tree-lined residential areas and bustling business corridors on the North Side of Chicago. If you’re thinking of moving to The Windy City, this may be the ideal neighborhood for your family. There are many advantages of living in Lincoln Park. Let’s explore the top six reasons you should move here.

High Performing Schools

Kids learn at a high-performing school in Lincoln Park, Illinois

“Mt. Harmony Elementary School” licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr by MDGovpics

During the 2020 to 2021 school year, there were 20 elementary, middle, and high schools in the Lincoln Park region. An outstanding 18 of those schools have consistently exceeded performance expectations. Lincoln Park High School outperformed district and state SAT scores in mathematics and reading, while Great Schools reports that this school rates above Illinois’ average in college prep and career readiness. These statistics represent one of the best reasons parents raise their kids in this popular neighborhood.

The highly-rated schools are a big part of what makes Lincoln Park a family-friendly neighborhood. It’s home to Crème de la Crème of Lincoln Park. Its programs provide preschool children with research-based principles to enhance their joy of learning and establish a strong foundation that will help them meet future academic challenges. The curriculum at Crème de la Crème will intrigue your child with topics like coding and robotics, STEAM study, foreign language programs, and music classes.

Numerous Cultural Offerings

Thanks to its rich art and culture scene, Lincoln Park is a terrific place to settle down. World-class museums, theaters, and local art galleries draw thousands of enthusiasts each year. There’s so much to see and do right in the neighborhood. Take a self-guided tour of the sculptures on Clark Street or take the kids to the annual “Light Up Lincoln Park.” This exciting series of pop-up installations spread cheer each winter holiday season. 

The Lincoln Park Cultural Center on North Lincoln Park West is the city’s hub for arts and entertainment. The facility opens daily at 9 a.m. and offers residents various year-round programming, such as dance lessons. Visit the lapidary, stained glass shop, ceramics studio, and woodshop. There’s also an early childhood center filled with fun and exciting programs for families with little ones. You can also explore:

Proximity to Chicago

One of the top draws of Lincoln Park is its proximity to downtown, and Lake Michigan is just a few city blocks away. When it comes to location, few Chicago neighborhoods can top this one. It’s within walking distance of everything a large city has to offer, or you can take advantage of the public transportation system.

There are a ton of options that make it easy to access Lincoln Park, including buses, taxis, trolleys, and trains. Because parking is scarce, a lot of people prefer taking the bus. Chicago makes it a breeze to move about the area with three lines: 

  • Brown Line: Loop to Kimball.
  • Red Line: Howard to 95th and Dan Ryan.
  • Purple Line Express: Rush hour service from Linden in Wilmette to the Loop.

Abundance of Green Spaces

One major point that sets Lincoln Park apart from other Chicago suburbs is its parks. This picturesque neighborhood is a nature lover’s paradise. So whether you’re looking for a path for a family bike ride after school or a sunny spot to have a picnic, there’s something for you in the area.

Its crowning jewel, Lincoln Park, is named after Abraham Lincoln and spans 1,208 acres. It features a variety of outdoor activities for all ages to enjoy, like beaches, walking trails, gardens, a free, year-round zoo, a conservatory, a nature museum, a lily pool, and a lakeside theater. The park’s recreational activities also include:

  • Baseball fields.
  • Basketball courts.
  • Beach volleyball courts.
  • Football fields.
  • Soccer fields.
  • Golf course.
  • Lacrosse fields.
  • Tennis courts.
  • Target archery field.
  • Skate park.
  • Driving range.

World-Class Dining and Entertainment

Lincoln Park features a wide variety of cuisine from top chefs. Restaurateurs packed Clark Street with fine dining, charming cafes, and sweet shops. Some of these eateries still reflect the area’s immigrant heritage, like Funkenhausen. You can even dine on California-inspired fare and wine from Summer House Santa Monica or enjoy farm-to-table American fare from Blue Door Farm Stand.

Lincoln Avenue buzzes with nightlife thanks to a nice mix of bars, taverns, concert halls, and Blues clubs like Kingston Mines. It’s a bit more sophisticated than your average collegiate neighborhood bar scene. You can sip your favorite cocktail at a swanky rooftop bar while you admire the sky-high sights. The J. Parker’s retractable glass roof is a must-see on any Chicago bucket list.

Many Lincoln Park venues offer a side of entertainment. Delilah’s is a rock and roll dive with a weekend DJ, an impressive selection of whiskey, and frequent free movie nights. Stop at the Front Bar before a show. Organizers conveniently located it in front of Steppenwolf’s Theater.

Plenty of Retail Therapy

Lincoln Park is home to several of Chicago’s premier shopping districts. This unique retail destination has it all. Its concentrated shopping scene touts a variety of stores, some featuring national brands, as well as stylish, independent boutiques.

The Armitage – Halsted Hub is where you can purchase high-end clothing and handmade gifts. If you’re searching for furniture and home decor, head to the Clybourn Corridor. Check out Bedside Manor for luxury linens and find a gift for that special someone at Art Effect. You’ll find a variety of retailers that almost guarantee any Lincoln Park resident endless enjoyment. Browse other shops along Clark Street and Diversey, such as The Apple Store, Laudi Vidni, and The Foxtrot Market.

So, there you have it. Crème de la Crème of Lincoln Park informed you of the six best reasons to move to this popular neighborhood. What do you think of our list? What’s does your family love about this terrific Illinois community? Let us know. Drop us a line; we’ll be sure to add it to our guide.