Lincoln Park
Built around the city's most famous park (originally Chicago's first public playground, constructed in 1864), this charming lakeside neighborhood is packed with boutiques and restaurants, especially along Halsted Street and Armitage and Webster avenues. Visit the shops and cafés, then head east into park territory. The sprawling outdoor wonderland offers enough activities to consume an entire weekend: Start at the fantastic (and free) Lincoln Park Zoo, which has an interactive area for children and a kids' farmhouse with a chick hatchery and a dairy barn. Then check out the free conservatory, with an outdoor fountain and garden. In warm months, stroll over to the South Pond area, a glen where kids can ride paddleboats while you sip a pint in the shade of Café Brauer's summertime beer garden and soak up the views of Lake Michigan.
Eat
John's Place
Chocolate-banana pancakes and chipotle-spiced chilaquiles are big brunch hits at this organic neighborhood joint. Coloring books are on hand for fidgety kids.
1200 W. Webster Ave., (773) 525-6670; closed Mondays
Cupcakes and cream-filled cookie sandwiches.
1208 W. Webster Ave., (773) 244-1174
Make a lunch reservation at this lovely arts-and-crafts-style café, which specializes in seasonal and locally grown food.
2610 N. Cannon Dr., (773) 477-5845
Shop
LMNOP
A haven for hip local kids'-clothing designers, like Ashor's Room. Go for heifer-festooned onesies and bubble jumpers.
2574 N. Lincoln Ave., (773) 975-4055; closed Mondays
Cool kids' kicks from European designers like Kenzo, Aster, and Mod8.
2205 N. Halsted St., (773) 281-5583
This insider's spot—the retail offspring of the Old Town School of Folk Music—offers mini instruments of every kind.
909 W. Armitage Ave., (773) 751-3410
Do
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Environmental exhibits and the interactive Butterfly Haven.
2430 N. Cannon Dr., (773) 755-5100
Visit the zebras, flamingos, and monkeys at this free zoo; in the children's area, kids can climb under a forest canopy and spot frogs, turtles, and birds.
2200 N. Cannon Dr., (312) 742-2000
Next Page: Chicago Guide: West Town
