Prized for its sense of community, Old Town is the quintessential Chicago neighborhood. It hosts a small-town feel while remaining a dynamic part of big city life. It is also Chicago’s original artists enclave turned cultural hot spot.
Old Town architecture ranges from traditional single-family homes to modern condominiums, providing a vast array of potential housing options for every personality. These houses are situated close to multiple public, private, and magnet schools, making Old Town an ideal area in which to raise a family. The diverse residential community surrounds the neighborhood’s social and commercial hub: Wells Street.
Wells Street is home to many famous Chicago eateries. Some restaurants of note are Topo Gigio Ristorante; Japanese restaurant and sushi bar Kamehachi; the Mexican Adobo Grill; and Nookies diner. The plethora of dining options is rivaled only by the amount of retail stores. Following dinner, it’s near impossible to avoid the beckoning of clothing boutiques such as Handle with Care and Haberdash, numerous flower shops, and various specialty stores.
The nightlife in Old Town is particularly vibrant as well. In addition to the pubs and restaurants dotting Wells Street, it is possible to spend an evening enjoying live theater-sketch comedy at the acclaimed Second City Theater and traditional shows at the Red Orchid Theater. Each summer, the Old Town Triangle Association hosts an Art Fair, as does Wells Street. In the fall, Wells Street also holds a Fall Festival; and these celebrations are only some of many Old Town community events.
Like many Chicago neighborhoods, Old Town is easy to navigate. Visitors and residents often travel on foot or bike and take advantage of the numerous CTA stops, whether it is the Sedgwick Brown Line stop or the 72 North Avenue bus. In the colder months, many choose to take advantage of both the street parking and the multiple pay lots in the area. Regardless of their means of transportation, both residents and visitors can be sure of exploring Old Town with ease.
Old Town is a Chicago gem-historical and modern, commercial and residential-and a wonderful place to call home.
