Old Town
Chicago | Near North Side (Downtown)
Overview
A plethora of restaurants, specialty food spots, and high-end shops are packed into a three-block stretch of Wells Avenue, constituting the commercial heart of Old Town. The biggest draw is the famous Second City comedy club and it really is an area with something for everyone. It was settled in the 1850s by German immigrants; community life at that time was centered on St. Michael’s Church, which was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Shopping
Old school merchants have been selling everything from couture to second-hand clothes here for decades; today, designer shoe boutiques rub up alongside upscale spice shops and even a customized motorcycle showroom.
Dining/Nightlife
The tightly packed restaurants in action here run the gamut: Italian, Japanese sushi, French bistro and Mexican--and that's just a start. Nightlife options range from the aforementioned Second City to neighborhood bars and more fancy, lounge-style digs, too. Many establishments offer outdoor seating during the warmer months, and some even use tents with high-output space heaters to give an outdoors feel to winter-in-Chicago dining and drinking.
Culture & Attractions
In recent years, Old Town has developed into ever more of a destination for residents of the city and visitors alike. It first emerged as a true destination in the 1960s, when comedians like Joan Rivers (back in 1961), John Belushi, John Candy, Bill Murray, and Dan Aykroyd, just to name a few. Shop or catch a movie at Piper's Alley, a multi-level retail complex with everything from a cinema to sporting goods stores.
The Low Down
A personal favorite of ours is a classic candy shop that specializes in chocolate molds, The Fudge Pot. Also highly recommended are their chocolate-covered strawberries and caramel apples. Next door, Fresh Choice delivers some of the best smoothies in Chicago. Golden Tee aficionadoes will find their game just waiting for them at Burton Place.
Listings within the Old Town Area
1610 N. Wells St. , Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 312-266-7999
1437-39 N. Wells , Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-587-3660
1800 N. Halsted St , Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 312-664-1801
215 W. North Ave. , Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-202-0302
1448 N. Wells St. , Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-664-5264
1507 N. Sedgwick St. , Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-397-9818
1400 N. Wells , Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-664-3663
1209 N. Wells St. , Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-943-3000
1966 N. Halsted St. , Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 773-248-1400
1733 N. Halsted St , Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 312-280-5700
1252 N. Wells St , Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 312-988-7811
Sangria Restaurant and Tapas Bar
901 W. Weed St. , Chicago, IL 60622
Phone: 312-266-1200
1240 N. Wells St , Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-642-552
230 W. North Ave , Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-664-8844 or 800-936-4868
1516 N. Wells St. , Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-266-9355
1535 N. Wells St , Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-664-7907
1655 N. Sedgwick St. , Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 312-266-1616
1655 N. Sedgwick St. , Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 312-266-1616
1732 N. Halsted St. , Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 312-266-1199
1350 N. Wells St. , Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-440-1300
1407 N. Wells St. , Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-654-0482
1447 N. Wells St. , Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-664-4699
1543 N. Kingsbury St. , Chicago, IL 60622
Phone: 312-266-1900
1528 N. Wells St , Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-787-3131
1548 N. Wells St. , Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-337-4027
1016 N Dearborn Pkwy. , Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-337-6882
1650 N. Halsted St. , Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 312-335-1650
1616 N. Wells St. , Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 312-337-3992
811 West Evergreen, Suite 301 , Chicago, IL 60622
Phone: 3122666255
230 W. North Ave , Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-664-8844 or 800-936-4868
1452 North Orleans , Chicago, IL 60610
