Welcome to Bucktown, a tree-lined neighborhood just northwest of downtown Chicago. Once a hub for Polish immigrants and bohemian artists, Bucktown today is an eclectic enclave filled with independent boutiques, buzzy cafés, and green spaces galore. Locals love it for its walkability and architectural mix of old-school Chicago character and modern flair.
Bucktown is quintessentially Chicago — laid-back, creative, and full of surprises. Here’s how to explore Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood like a local.
History of Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood
First, why is it called Bucktown?
Chicago’s Bucktown enclave earned its name from the goats that once roamed its yards and alleys. In the 1830s, Polish settlers raised goats throughout the area, and it became known as kozie prery, or “goat prairie.”
The English nickname “Bucktown” came from the term for a male goat: a buck. Over time, the name stuck, even as the goats gave way to artists, musicians, and urban pioneers.
The neighborhood was once part of a settlement called Holstein, named by German immigrants in the mid-1800s. It was annexed into Chicago in 1863 and became a haven for working-class families, especially Polish Catholics, who built neighborhood churches like St. Mary of the Angels and St. Hedwig’s, two architectural gems that are still active today.
After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, Bucktown saw a surge of new residents seeking affordable housing. By the 20th century, Jewish and Latin American communities added to the area’s cultural richness.
In the 1970s and ’80s, artists and creatives moved in, drawn by cheap rents and proximity to the Loop. Today, Bucktown’s past lives on in its vintage homes, corner bars and cafés, and historic parks like Holstein Park, founded in 1854 and still a neighborhood centerpiece.
Explore Bucktown like a local
Dining
- Sip a cortado at popularIpsento Coffee, conveniently located just off The 606 trail.
- Dig into comfort food at The Stop Along, a family-friendly spot known for its griddled burger.
- Sip rosé all day at Pompette, a cozy corner wine bar that’s earned a spot on the Michelin guide.
- Dig into American-Chinese classics paired with inventive cocktails at the retro-chic Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar.
- Manchamanteles is an elevated Mexican restaurant on Western Avenue helmed by Chef Geno Bahena, Chicago’s acclaimed “mole king.”
- Experience pura vida in Chicago at Irazu, a Bucktown gem that serves up soulful Costa Rican dishes like casado, the country’s national dish.
- Foodies shouldn’t miss Margie’s Candies, a retro ice cream parlor beloved since 1921.
- Le Bouchon is a tiny French bistro where regulars sip wine and chat like they’re in Paris.
Shopping
- Browse esoteric art, vintage oddities, and some of the coolest tarot decks in Chicago at Sideshow Gallery, a beloved curiosity shop.
- Torn Light Records is a treasure trove for fans of experimental, punk, jazz, and obscure indie gems.
- Graveface Records & Curiosities, just down the street, blends vinyl shopping with oddities galore: it’s part record store, part museum.
- Shop indie shoes at A Pied, from Italian designers to the shop’s own sandals line.
- Find adorable children’s clothes and toys at the Red Balloon Co.
- Create a custom tee, totes, hats, and more at T-Shirt Deli.
- Shop along Damen Avenue, often called the neighborhood’s fashion artery. You’ll find curated vintage, clean beauty, and unexpected gift shops.
Things to do
- Stroll The 606 trail, an elevated greenway perfect for people-watching and urban hikes.
- Catch experimental theatre or live music at Gallery Cabaret, where open mics meet local charm.
- Find inner peace and stretch out any travel-related muscle kinks with a drop-in yoga class at Zen Yoga Garage, a neighborhood studio housed in a former car wash.
- Try a new activity:WhirlyBall, half sport, half party on wheels, is a wild mash-up of bumper cars, lacrosse, and basketball.
- Get inked at Revolution Tattoo, a laid-back studio known for its talented artists.
- If you’re visiting in the summertime, cool off with a refreshing dip in the free public Holstein Pool, located inside a beloved green space at the heart of the neighborhood.
Neighborhood events
- Don’t miss the Bucktown Arts Fest, which showcases local makers and musicians at Holstein Park.
- The Bucktown Garden Walk invites visitors into flower-filled yards and manicured gardens not normally open to the public.
- In the fall, check out the Bucktown Apple Pie contest to sample delectable pies baked by neighbors.
Where to stay
- Spend the night at Ray’s Bucktown B&B, a quirky and homey escape featuring uniquely decorated rooms, plus perks like a steam room, sauna, and rooftop deck. Guests rave about the cooked-to-order breakfasts served daily, the 24/7 snacks and coffee, and the warm, dog-friendly vibe that makes this spot feel more like staying with a friend than at a hotel.
