Is Park West the Most Fun Neighborhood of Chicago, IL? | Brixbid

Park West may just be a small part of Chicago, IL, but it sure packs a punch. This amazing part of Lincoln Park has the best the neighborhood has to offer, and its residents are the first to enjoy them. Find out what makes Park West so special, and why moving here may be the best decision you’ll ever make.

It’s important to note that the Park West neighborhood shouldn’t be confused with the live music venue of the same name. While the Park West Theatre is also in Lincoln Park, Chicago, it’s a little bit south of the neighborhood.

Where Is Park West in Chicago, IL?

Park West is a small neighborhood in Chicago. If you’re driving through it and you blink, you’ll miss half of it. It’s part of the bigger Lincoln Park neighborhood. Specifically, it’s the northeast corner of the area.

The borders of Park West are clear: North Halsted Street divides it from the west, and Fullerton Avenue is its southern edge, and West Diversey Parkway is its northern border. 

Things to Do in Park West Chicago

There are plenty of activities you can do in Park West, Chicago. Thanks to the neighborhood’s various cafes and restaurants, there’s always an opportunity to dine out in Park West.

1. Go Shopping on North Clark Street

North Clark Street is the heart of the Park West neighborhood in Chicago. This busy street is full of shops and restaurants. You can make a day of it. Go shopping (or window shopping) in Park West just like the locals do. 

2. Grab a Donut at Firecakes Donuts

Whether you’re out shopping or just happen to pass by, you have to get yourself a donut for Firecakes. These artisan donuts are definitely worth the calories. Choose from classic flavor and exciting seasonal options, such as Orange Poppyseed or Carrot Cake donuts.

3. Go Mini-Golfing

If you love golfing but you still want to live in the big city, Park West has just the place for you in Chicago. Diversey Mini Golf is the ideal place to relax and hit the green. This isn’t like the colorful mini-golf courts you see next to arcades. This is a sleek and stylish professional-style course. 

There’s also a driving range at Diversey Mini Golf, so you can truly see how good your golfing game is.

4. Stroll in the Park

There’s nothing better than a Sunday afternoon walk in the park. And if you live in Park West, Chicago, you certainly have one of the best parks to do this in. Lincoln Park has vast amounts of greenery and nature. Walk around the North Pond to take in the gorgeous scenery.

Visit the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool to experience the unique combination of nature and architecture. This pond and the the surrounding constructed space is a great example of Prarie School Architecture design. 

5. Take in the Magnificent Views of Lake Michigan

Speaking of scenery, there’s no better than Lake Michigan. If you live in Park West, you’re only a stone’s throw away from the lake. Whether you want to take a quick walk on the shore, or you’d like to ride the bike path along it, these views never disappoint.

6. Grab a Late-Night Snack from Wieners Circle

Wieners Circle seems like a simple hot dog place from the outside, but it has a lot of history in Park West. This staple of Lincoln Park nightlife is famous for two things: their amazing “char-dogs”, and their abusive customer service.

Outsiders will be shocked at how the patrons and the staff talk to each other, but this is a long-time tradition at The Wieners Circle. The playfully hostile atmosphere is one of the main reasons why this place is so popular in Park West. 

7. Admire Nature at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

The famous Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is also in the Park West neighborhood of Chicago, IL. Learn about animals, plants, and the history of nature conservation in a fun and engaging way. The nature museum also has a gorgeous dock in the back of their museum with a small nature trail for runs/walks in the warmer months.

Funnily enough, this isn’t the only place in Park West where you can learn about nature.

8. Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo

Although it’s a step out of the Park West neighborhood, the Lincoln Park Zoo is still part of Lincoln Park. The entry is free, so don’t be shy to turn up even several times a week. Learn about animals and their conservation to gain a better understanding of nature from the city.

9. Enjoy Ice Cream at the Chicago Luxury Ice Cream Festival

Did you know that Chicago has an annual ice cream festival? If that isn’t amazing enough, wait till you hear that it takes place in Park West! More specifically, it takes place in the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. 

Two dozen luxury ice cream vendors bring their best products to this festival. And you have the chance to taste all these amazing flavors. Last year’s favorites included chili-chocolate, grilled peach, and jalapeno-cornbread flavors. 

Getting Around Park West and Downtown Chicago

The activities you can do aren’t the only benefits of living in Park West Chicago. If you need to commute for work, you have plenty of options for that here.

Diversey Station on the L train’s Brown and Purple Lines serves the Park West neighborhood with the quickest commute to downtown Chicago. Alternatively, you could also take a CTA bus to your destination from Park West.

If you prefer driving, you can take the most scenic commute to downtown Chicago via Lake Shore Drive. You can reach the Loop in around 15 minutes from Park West.

Apartments in Park West

Since Park West is a small neighborhood in Chicago, finding apartments here won’t be easy. Thanks to its location, entertainment options, and commuting opportunities, Park West is a popular part of Lincoln Park.

That doesn’t mean that you won’t find a great place to live in Park West, though. There are plenty of newly built apartments in the area.

Rent Prices in Park West, Chicago

As always, the price of rent depends on the apartment’s location and size, and of course, the tenant’s rent negotiation techniques.

On average, the rent prices for Park West, Chicago start at $800/month for a studio. This price can go up depending on the size of the apartment. A modern 4-bedroom apartment could fetch as much as $5000/month. But, if you’re looking for a one or two-bedroom apartment in Park West, $1500-2000 is a more likely price range.

Bid for Your Dream Park West Apartment

Living in Park West is a blast. With all these amazing activities around, it’s hard to be bored.

If you’re looking for a Park West apartment, make sure you check out our listings on Brixbid!

Brixbid lets you negotiate your rent instantly. Our platform is the only one of its kind in Chicago. Find your dream apartment, submit an offer for it, and sign the lease.

Fair Chicago rental market prices are just a click away. That’s what Brixbid is all about!