Old Polonia and Wicker Park Walking Tour with Food
Chicago, Illinois
Rating:
Trip Type: Walking Tours
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
We will explore the past and present of the people, architecture, and foods of these vibrant and changing neighborhoods of Noble Square and Wicker Park.
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We will explore the past and present of the people, architecture, and foods of these vibrant and changing neighborhoods of Noble Square and Wicker Park.On our walking tour of the Noble Square and Wicker Park neighborhoods, we will explore the past and present of the people, architecture, and foods of these vibrant and very much changing communities. Studied by sociologists around the world for its rapid transformation in the '80s and '90s, the Wicker Park neighborhood had previously been home to gang bangers, drug addicts and prostitutes. Today it is often ranked in lists of "Coolest Neighborhoods" in America, and now neighboring Ukrainian Village and Noble Square are going the same direction, too.
On this tour we will will go beyond just eating, we are going to really learn. To have a more meaningful connection with the places we visit, stories on this walking tour range from the voyage of Polish immigrants to the “bard of the down-and-outer” of Nelson Algren, to the “Die Yuppie Scum” graffiti of gentrification.
Our walking tour starts at the former “Polish Broadway” with a visit inside a stunning Polish Catholic Church, filled with paintings, gold leaf details, and sweeping arches. Our walk around the neighborhood reveals clues to incredible contrasts of old and new, like a taqueria in a building from a 1930s hamburger joint or one of Chicago’s last newspaper stands. Over ahuitlacoche quesadilla with home-made tortillas, we consider Mexican immigration to Chicago and Ashland Avenue’s “taco row.” Then we sample home-style Polish food in a restaurant that feels just like going to visit your Polish grandmother.
We take the CTA up to the Damen stop to stroll through the blooming park of Wicker Park (guests bring their own train cards). In this vibrant park we begin to see the neighborhood mix of people, before wandering down “Beer Baron Row” to see massive 19th century mansions. For this Wicker Park walking tour, you’ll hear the history of the Turkish Baths, which often peeks interest from Blue Line riders. We’ll consume the new school vibe of the hip neighborhood with a gourmet doughnut from Stan’s Donuts. And our tour concludes by the massive gears of a bank vault, now a Walgreen’s Pharmacy.
Polonia and Wicker Park Walking Tour Highlights
On this tour we will will go beyond just eating, we are going to really learn. To have a more meaningful connection with the places we visit, stories on this walking tour range from the voyage of Polish immigrants to the “bard of the down-and-outer” of Nelson Algren, to the “Die Yuppie Scum” graffiti of gentrification.
Our walking tour starts at the former “Polish Broadway” with a visit inside a stunning Polish Catholic Church, filled with paintings, gold leaf details, and sweeping arches. Our walk around the neighborhood reveals clues to incredible contrasts of old and new, like a taqueria in a building from a 1930s hamburger joint or one of Chicago’s last newspaper stands. Over ahuitlacoche quesadilla with home-made tortillas, we consider Mexican immigration to Chicago and Ashland Avenue’s “taco row.” Then we sample home-style Polish food in a restaurant that feels just like going to visit your Polish grandmother.
We take the CTA up to the Damen stop to stroll through the blooming park of Wicker Park (guests bring their own train cards). In this vibrant park we begin to see the neighborhood mix of people, before wandering down “Beer Baron Row” to see massive 19th century mansions. For this Wicker Park walking tour, you’ll hear the history of the Turkish Baths, which often peeks interest from Blue Line riders. We’ll consume the new school vibe of the hip neighborhood with a gourmet doughnut from Stan’s Donuts. And our tour concludes by the massive gears of a bank vault, now a Walgreen’s Pharmacy.
Polonia and Wicker Park Walking Tour Highlights
- Step inside a dazzling Catholic Church
- Walk by Gilded Age Mansions on “Beer Baron Row”
- Eat Polish Food Like Grandma Used to Make
- See Writer Nelson Algren’s home
- Step Inside a Bank Vault, Now a Pharmacy
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