Three ways to love Lakeview
From Wrigleyville to Boystown, lakefront parks to cozy shops, Lakeview offers many possibilities for discovery. Don't know where to start exploring? Here are some ideas.
April 24, 2019
Baseball: Historic and exciting, a true immersion into the sport
SUGARY SNACKS. Customers line up to get a fresh doughnut across the street from Wrigley Field. The shop offers a wide range of flavors, including Candied Maple Bacon, Pistachio-Meyer Lemon, and Valrhona Chocolate Cake.
Wrigley Field
1060 W Addison St
As the second-oldest baseball stadium in the country, Wrigley Field has a long and rich history that is intertwined with Chicago’s. After several years of major renovations, which are slated to end this year, the field now features a new exterior facade, brighter, more wheelchair-friendly concourses, and a digitized score board. Wrigley Field offers guided outdoor walking tours on both game days and non-game days, which go in-depth into the ballpark’s legendary history.
Do-Rite Donuts
1027 W. Addison St.
Right across the street from Wrigley Field, Do-Rite offers tasty, fresh donuts that are the perfect sugary snack before or after a game. The shop offers a range of donut flavors, from old-fashioned buttermilk to pistachio-meyer lemon. For those that avoid gluten or are vegan, the shop offers three different gluten-free and three vegan donut options each day. For those who are a little less health-conscious, order a fried chicken sandwich on a donut bun.
Wrigleyville Sports
959 W. Addison St.
Located mere steps away from the stadium, Wrigleyville Sports is a one-stop shop for all your Cubs gear needs. Besides the basics, like t-shirts and baseball caps, the store also has more unique items like Cubs-engraved wallets and Cubs-branded flip flops. The store also has a collection of Blackhawks, Bulls, and yes, even White Sox branded items.
LGBT: History and pride present in both the stores and the streets
HONORING HISTORY. These pylons line the road throughout the Legacy Walk, a stretch of Halsted Street dedicated to honoring LGBT figures and events. The Legacy Walk is about half a mile long.
Unabridged Bookstore
3251 N. Broadway
With tall shelves covered in handwritten, colorful recommendations, Unabridged Bookstore is inviting and personal-feeling. While Unabridged has historically been known for its sizable LGBT literature section since the bookstore’s opening in 1980, at a size that’s neither overwhelming or limiting, the store also has plenty of room for myriad other genres. In addition to the historic LGBT section, the basement also has what they claim to be the best travel section in Chicago.
Center on Halsted
3656 N. Halsted St.
The Center on Halsted is the largest LGBT community center in the Midwest, with a mission to protect the health and wellbeing of the LGBT community in Chicago. The modern, glass-paned building attracts around 1,000 visitors a day since its opening in 2007. Besides offering affinity support groups and STD testing, the Center also hosts dance lessons, storytelling shows and gallery shows of LGBT artists.
Legacy Walk
North Halsted Street between Belmont Avenue and Grace Street
Stretching a half-mile along North Halsted Street, the Legacy Walk is an outdoor museum of LGBT heroes, historical figures and events. Nearly 40 bronze plaques mounted on rainbow pylons detail the stories of more famous figures like Harvey Milk, but also lesser-known trailblazers like the first American-born Chinese female physician, Margaret Chung. New placards are added each year on Oct. 11, National Coming Out Day.
Fun shopping: store after store with quirky, rare and homemade items
QUIRKY CRAFTS. Inkling Shop is home to crafted items, including cards, rose quartz, jewelry and more. The shop allows individuals to send in artwork for them to sell.
Ann Sather Restaurant
3411 N Broadway St
The huge, gooey cinnamon rolls at Ann Sather are their specialty and their claim to fame, and shouldn’t be missed. The restaurant’s Swedish-inspired breakfasts and other diner fare are low-priced, hearty, and are generously portioned. In addition to the cinnamon rolls, try the Swedish pancakes with lingonberries.
Foursided Card + Gift
2958 N. Clark St.
While Foursided is primarily a framing shop, they also offer a multitude of fun, pop-culture conscious gifts like Elton John, Madonna, and Michelle Obama prayer candles, Queer Eye ring dishes, and a Taylor Swift-Hardy Boys parody book. Handcrafted, elegant statement jewelry is a prominent feature. The store also has an extensive antique section, and a whole wall full of beautiful, and often humorous, cards for every occasion.
Inkling Shop
2917 1/2 N. Broadway
Inkling is a gift shop defined both by its snark and its variety. Most of the shop is composed of locally made jewelry, prints and cards, along with more spiritual items like rose quartz crystals, smudge sticks and essential oil rollerballs. If you’re looking for a Chicago-themed gift, like a city flag necklace or whimsical Wrigley Field poster, you’re in the right place. Check out their section of profane socks, and their make-your-own terrarium bar that features air plants, sea urchins, and citrine crystals.