need neighborhood suggestions...

SMP21

DH & I have lived in the west suburbs all our lives, and only go to the same places in the city. We want to wander around a nice neighborhood somewhere down there - not the snobby areas with really expensive shops, but I want to wander around cute shops that are reasonably priced for clothes or pottery or artwork + wander into some cute restaurant for lunch & dinner + walk around and find a cute ice cream or gelato shop in the evening.

Can you recommend areas we can walk around?  I know people say 'Lincoln Park' or 'Lakeview' but I have no clue where those places are, and I'm sure they're large. Can you give me some specific street intersections to park & walk from?

I'm also pg, so I'm not interested in going to a bar, though if it's outdoor patio DH can have a beer & I can enjoy a virgin margarita   We want a lunch & dinner place that is not expensive & casual enough since we'll be walking around all day without a change of clothes. 

 

celiabeth

Here are some El stops to get off at.

Fullerton Red Line or Brown Line (walk east to Clark St)--Go to Molly's Cupcakes on Clark
Bellmont Red Line or Brown Line--Ann Sathers, Mia Francesca, lots of funky shops
Armitage Brown Line-Lots of cute shops (but not necessarily cheap)
Argyle Red Line (this takes you to the Viatnamese area, from here you would want to walk a few blocks west to Clark st to the Andersonville area)--I would eat at Tank Noodle.  Lots of random shops on Clark St between Foster and Hollywood.

I also may reccomend taking the 22 Clark St Bus North to many of these places (Wrightwood & Clark, Addison & Clark (Wrigley), Belmont & Clark, Foster Ave & Clark)...just note it is a long ride from the Loop.  This even goes through the Gold Coast and Old Town areas. 

JennyQ1985

Wicker Park.

There are so many great restaurants (especially to eat al fressco), little shops, thrift stores, etc.

SecondCitySoiree_Jen

Yes, Wicker Park on Damen between North and Armitage, and on Milwaukee between Damen and Division.  There are cute spots on both stretches.

Ainslie325

In addition to what's already been mentioned, Southport Corridor (Southport brown line stop) for great shops and bars.  D'Agostino's has great pizza (Southport at Addison).  The Music Box Theater is on Southport just north of Addison (think old fashioned organ playing before the movie), though the bulk of the shops and bars are south.  Go during the day to avoid the drunk late 20/early 30-somethings at night. 

Baker_Bride

Lincoln Square is nice. Lincoln and Wilson is a good place to park. There are tons on shops and little cafes both north and south of that intersecion (but most north). Cafe Selmarie has a gorgeous patio and while their lunch and dinner are quite good, it's the pastries that really sell the place. 

Baker_Bride

Ainslie325:

In addition to what's already been mentioned, Southport Corridor (Southport brown line stop) for great shops and bars.  D'Agostino's has great pizza (Southport at Addison).  The Music Box Theater is on Southport just north of Addison (think old fashioned organ playing before the movie), though the bulk of the shops and bars are south.  Go during the day to avoid the drunk late 20/early 30-somethings at night. 

this is fun too but look at the cubs schedule and DO NOT GO if there is a cub game.