Exploring Portage Park; a Deep Dive into A Historic Chicago Neighborhood

Located in the northwest side of Chicago, Portage Park is a fantastic cross-section of Chicago life. Surprisingly quiet for how many major streets pass through it, the neighborhood is home to many different exciting locations and peaceful areas.

Annexed into the Jefferson Township in 1889, Portage Park boasts incredible architecture and beautiful parks. Portage Park gets its name from the act of carrying canoes and supplies between bodies of water, which was the main foot traffic of the area in the early 20th century.

Portage Park itself is a beautiful area, with cozy garden walkways and long, winding paths that are shaded by trees and (mostly) isolated from the main roads of the city around them. It features an Olympic-sized swimming pool with water play areas, six tennis courts, and five baseball fields. The park also has two fieldhouses that offer classes, after-school programs and activities for children, including boxing, roller hockey and recreational tumbling. The fieldhouses also offer classes for adults and seniors, such as aerobics and woodworking. Many small shops are located around the park, such as Portage Grounds Coffee & Tea, Ciao Ciao Gelato, and Chicago Ink.

Portage Park is also home to many thrilling shopping locations, including Six Corners, at one point the largest shopping center in Chicago outside of the Loop. Six Corners features several fun locations such as Thunderbolt Axe Throwing, The Filament Theater, and Las Tablas Colombian Cuisine. My personal favorite is Fantasy Costumes, a fantastic place to pick up cosplay materials located near to Six Corners, though not in the plaza itself.

One of the most famous locations at Six Corners is the historic Portage theater, constructed as the first theater meant specifically for film within the Portage Park neighborhood. Designated a Chicago cultural landmark in 2013, it has unfortunately been inoperable since 2001. Though Chris Bauman, the owner and operator of the nearby Patio Theater, declared the intention to begin renovations in August of this year.

Portage Park was once one of the premier Polish neighborhoods in Chicago, though that status has waned in recent years. Our Polish roots can still be felt, with the Polish American Association Senior Center located on Cicero and many areas of the neighborhood hosting Taste of Polonia each year. One of the most widespread examples, however, is Alexandra’s Pierogi (3300 N Central Ave, Chicago, IL 60634). You can stop by their factory outlet store for a wider selection of food, take home some frozen perogies, or find their products in most grocery stores across Portage Park and all of Chicago. They have incredible offerings including blintzes and pyzy, but my favorite is just some basic cheese and potato perogies with some cabbage, onions, and sour cream.

Outside of fun locations and cultural features, however, Portage Park also can be a facilitator of peaceful moments. While I love the bigger areas of the neighborhood, my favorite things to do are take long walks in the park or along the more secluded roads, stop at some small coffee shops, and find a quiet place to read or write. Maybe with a small snack or a pastry.

In my opinion, while the park is an incredible place to hang out, take walks, or relax, the best place in the neighborhood is the library. The Portage-Cragin library is small and oddly secluded, sure, but that’s what makes it great. It’s relatively easy to get to, with the 77 Belmont & Leclaire stop lying less than 30 feet from it. There are numerous community rooms and tables, each with readily available outlets to charge your laptop while you work. The staff are incredibly helpful, and always kind.

If you get hungry, it’s directly across the street from a grocery store, only a few blocks from numerous fast food locations, and the small Mediterranean-American restaurant Grillicious (5150 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60641), which is both family-owned and woman-owned. In addition, their food is incredible, with some genuinely incredible fries and a surprising array of delicious desserts.

Whether you’re craving a new experience, hungry for a unique meal, or just need a moment of peace and quiet, Portage Park has you covered. Come and visit, we’re sure you’ll find something you love.