Your Best West Town Chicago Neighborhood Guide

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

West Town is located on Chicago’s West Side, northwest of the Loop. A vibrant and artsy place, it’s one of the best places to live in Chicago and home to some of the city’s popular upcoming spots.

It is a collection of several West Side neighborhoods to make a large, diverse community, albeit with no clear boundaries. But what West Town lacks in clear boundaries, it makes up for in rich culture and iconic venues.

Known for its trendy restaurants, lovely coffee shops, and beautiful cultural venues and events, West Town is a perfect bucket list destination.

Transportation West Town

Transportation in and around West Town is easy. There are four CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) “L” Blue Line Train stations in West Town—Chicago, Damen, Decision, and Grand. Check bus routes and train schedules. 

Biking

If you prefer to bike, there are numerous public bike racks and Divvy bike stations where you can hire one. West Town is also convenient for driving as it’s accessible from Interstate 290 and I-90/94 IL.

If you’re looking to spend a day or several, here is a comprehensive West Town Chicago neighborhood guide.

Workout at Smith Park West Town

Start your morning with a workout or a jog at Smith Park West Town. This 10.2-acre park features a gym, meeting rooms, baseball fields, a swimming pool, a spray pool, a surface playground, a soccer field, and a ceramics studio.

Play seasonal games or attend fun events like movies, skating parties, or the famous annual Ukrainian Festival. You’ll get fit and have fun in the water and sports fields here. Bring the kids along and let them play with the sprinklers.

Breakfast and Coffee

West Town Bakery

If you have a sweet tooth and need to satisfy your cravings, head to West Town Bakery. Even better, they also serve coffee, so make sure you grab the Dark Matter Coffee on your next caffeine run.

Order their famous cake balls, desserts, rotating bread, cakes, donuts, muffins, and scones, and taste the goodness of this renowned Chicago bakery. There is absolutely something for everyone.

Are you a vegan? Because the vegan cupcakes here will impress you. Alternatively, try vegan chocolate or banana nut muffins for your morning treat. We bet you’ll go back. Again.

Junebug Cafe

For breakfast, imagine fresh beignets dipped in caramel bacon jam and strawberry basil sauce. You don’t have to imagine anymore—head to Junebug Cafe and grab some.

This community cafe offers Louisiana-inspired cuisine and features Dark Matter Coffee, espressos, and specialty coffees. Order fresh beignets, homemade French Creole-inspired bites, gumbo, and tasty meat pies. You can choose indoor or outdoor seating.

Work at Wicker Park

Need to work remotely? The Industrious Wicker Park has everything you need to attend virtual meetings and collaborate with your team remotely.

Located a few feet from the Blue Line in a newly renovated building, the workspace features state-of-the-art technology, floor-to-ceiling windows, private conference rooms, a wellness room, office supplies, and fast, secure Wi-Fi.

They also offer helpful services, such as daily breakfast and craft coffee, mail and packaging, and a community manager. There are offices and working spaces for individuals and teams. 

Step out of your usual working environment and enjoy the benefits of coworking in a friendly, wonderfully-designed space.

See Ukrainian Village

Tour the Ukrainian Village and the Eastern European heritage it adds to the area. A mix of old-world and urban living, this neighborhood offers its residents a relaxed lifestyle and a neighborhood=centric culture.

It has abundant quaint shops, restaurants and bars, ethnic eateries, and historical buildings. Tour the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art and see incredible art from internationally-recognized artists; attend concerts, exhibitions, films, and readings and learn more about contemporary art.

Tour the Ukrainian National Museum, which houses unmatched Ukrainian artifacts and cultural collections. Visit the 100+ years old Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral, and don’t forget to view the colorful public art and the burgeoning gallery district.

Indulge in tasty Ukrainian dishes at the Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen and try craft breweries at Burnt City Brewing or On Tour Brewing Company.

Have Dinner at Dove’s Luncheonette

Dove’s Luncheonette at Wicker Park is your go-to spot for fantastic food. This Mexican-inspired joint is popular and always busy for a good reason.

It has an extensive menu with small plates, desserts, ceviche, wines, beers, and cocktails. Start your morning with masa pancakes or taco norteño, a large tortilla topped with smoky brisket, guaca salsa, radish, herbs, and chicharrones.

But don’t leave until you taste their delicious buttermilk fried chicken smothered with chorizo verde gravy, sweet peas, and pearl onion toppings.

Dove’s Luncheonette is a perfect spot for solo dates and small groups since they have limited seating space.

Get Cultural

West Town Library

📍 1625 W Chicago Ave, Chicago

Opened in 2010, the West Town Library is located in a Chicago landmark, the Goldblatt’s Building. Get comfortable and dive into a world of history, culture, or fiction.

The library is open daily except during holidays. It also hosts events like story times, family days, and illustration workshops.

Take a walk at Humboldt Park or Pulaski Park, Chicago

Located in the Humboldt neighborhood, Humboldt Park is a 197.26 acres community area that features two gymnasiums, a boat house, meeting rooms, historic lagoons, an inland beach, and a fitness center in a historic field house.

You can also play sports games on the tennis courts, baseball fields, a soccer field, and a replica of the Chicago Cubs field called the “Little Cubs Field”. Tour the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, attend sports tournaments in the area, or just take a walk in the park.

Also, check out the 4.15 acres Pulaski Park that features an auditorium, a kitchen, meeting rooms, two gymnasiums, a swimming pool, and a soft diamond water spray pool.

Pulaski Park also hosts various fun events throughout the year, like movie nights and holiday celebrations.

Give Yourself a Drink at The Empty Bottle Chicago

📍1035 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL

If you’re looking for a bar with great music, cheap beer and a crazy dive, look no further than The Empty Bottle. 

Located in Ukrainian Village, this has a funky scene and some of the best jazz and alternative rock music around. It is also one of the few places you’re likely to see a popular band performing in concerts held in the bar.

You can’t miss a chance at drinking cheap beer, such as $2 bottles of Point Special, $1 bottles of Huber Bock, and beer on draft, and dance the night away.

Find a friend at The Salt Shed

From the team behind the Empty Bottle, the Salt Shed is Chicago’s newest music venue. The outdoor venue overlooks Chicago’s skyline just behind the stage, giving you panoramic views of the city.

Meet a friend at the Salt Shed for exciting outdoor music with crisp sounds and perfect mixes. There are vendors and bars on the north end of the venue where you can grab bites or drinks conveniently within earshot of the venue.

The inaugural concert attracted a crowd of people, great food, shops, stunning performances, and more. Check out their “Outside the Shed” summer lineup” and take a friend for a great outdoor music night.

Go for a date to Beatnik West Town

How many bars and restaurants in Chicago have you checked out? Add Beatnik West Town to your bucket list of date night venues.

This American restaurant and cocktail lounge is a perfect spot for casual weeknight dinners and date nights. Beatnik’s ambiance is unparalleled; from Persian rugs to crystal chandeliers, antique candelabras and carved wooden facades, the atmosphere here is inviting.

Their menu mainly features small plates with a few large sizes called “feasts.” Try their chicken kabob; vadouvan curry marinated chicken with grilled jalapeño labneh and za’atar manakeesh. But our favorite is the smoked baba ghanoush dipped in savory tahini labneh dip with black garlic, fig balsamic, pine nuts, za’atar, and pita.

Make your date even more enjoyable with their tasty cocktails. And while you enjoy a calm evening, a DJ will be playing music from around the world. From French pop to reggae, Afrobeat, and classic Turkish rock.

Find an Apartment in West Town

West Town has a lot to offer; you’ll need more than a day to explore this fantastic community. The good thing is West Town Chicago apartments are easy and seamless to find with a reliable partner.

June Homes will help you find a perfect place to live and call home. We have rental units in the neighborhoods that are part of West Town, and we’ll be glad to show you around and find an apartment for you.

Whether you’re looking to live in the artsy Ukrainian Village or the exciting Wicker Park, we can make your dreams come true.

Contact us today to find a home, take a tour, and sign a lease in as little as 3 hours.