1. Belmont Harbor:
Quaint Belmont Harbor, located at Belmont Avenue east of Lake Shore Drive, offers a spot for boating and fishing, as well as soaking up natural beauty in a peaceful retreat from city life. The harbor, one of the largest and most popular in the Chicago system, is home to two yacht clubs. It also includes a dog beach, where Lake View East’s four-legged residents can run free and enjoy a dip in Lake Michigan. Walkers and runners can also travel around the nearby Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary, a 10-acre wildlife preservation area open from dawn to dusk every day.
2. Northalsted:
Northalsted has been throwing its arms open wide to welcome everyone for half a century. The historic heart of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community and home to the city’s Pride Parade, Northalsted features a mix of shops, restaurants, housing, bars, community resources and just about everything else that makes up vibrant city neighborhood. Here, you can explore the Legacy Walk, an outdoor LGBTQ+ history museum, or the many fun and funky boutiques and shops. In August, the area plays host to Northalsted Market Days, a renowned street festival that draws thousands for a weeklong celebration.
Image credit: Block Club Chicago
3. Brunch:
If you’re in Lake View East on a Sunday morning or early afternoon, chances are you’re doing brunch at one of the fabulous spots in the neighborhood. Of course, there’s Ann Sather, famous for their gigantic, gooey cinnamon rolls and homey vibe. But if you’re looking for a more exotic feast, The Gundis Kurdish Kitchen lets you go small with baklawa crepes or big with a Kurdish breakfast for two that includes three house jams, feta cheese, sesame butter and endless cups of Kurdish tea. At Klein’s Bakery and Café, indulge in some cachitos (a slightly sweet Venezuelan croissant filled with smoked ham) and golfeados (an anise-seed sticky bun filled with Caribbean white cheese), and then take some bakery treats to go. For a traditional deli, check out The Bagel at the corner of Broadway and Barry. Or, if you want to get your steps in while you brunch, Nettelhorst French Market offers produce, bakery goods and more from April to November.
Image credit: City Times Media
4. Parks and green spaces:
Lake View East is the ideal neighborhood for anyone looking to soak up some nature or outdoor exercise. The area has one of the most abundant offerings of parks, playgrounds, trails, meadows, and athletic facilities in the city. At Waveland and Recreation Drive, you’ll find the Waveland Tennis Courts, Morrie Mages Playground, picnic areas and softball fields, as well as plenty of parking. A good chunk of Lincoln Park’s 1,188 acres also cover the eastern edge of the neighborhood. Then there’s the Chicago Park District’s Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course. In addition to 9 holes of fun and challenging golf, it also boasts some of the city’s best views of the North Side skyline. After your round, stop by the Clocktower Café, a great place for a post-round drink or ice cream cone.
Image credit: aidsgardenchicago.org
5. Art and architecture:
Seemingly everywhere you look in Lake View East, you encounter art. A recently completed mural called “The Medallion” by local artist E.LEE, welcomes people to the neighborhood near the south end of Broadway. Another mural called “Energy Conversion”at 3300 N. Sheffield Ave., by Miguel A. Del Real, honors the contributions of Chicago’s skilled trade workers to the city. Within the AIDS Garden Chicago near the lake is “Self Portrait,” a 30-foot-tall sculpture by famed artist and HIV/AIDS activist Keith Haring. And while the Lakeview East Festival of the Arts isn’t a permanent fixture, the annual event brings paintings, sculptures and live performances to the neighborhood as part of its commitment to the arts. Local architecture also highlights the neighborhood’s artistry. Lake View East includes a wonderful mix of historic Greystones, vintage walk-ups and modern apartment complexes. And many of the lobbies, vestibules and interiors of these buildings are every bit as historic and intriguing as the exteriors.
Image credit: Chicago Traveler
6. Theater and comedy:
Are you the last remaining person in Chicago who has yet to see “The Blue Man Group”? If so, get yourself to The Briar Street Theatre, the home for almost 30 years to the legendary performance art group. Equally well-known is The Laugh Factory on Broadway, a 45-year-old destination for standup comedy lovers that features both local and national acts. The Belmont Theater District, which sits both within and beyond the borders of Lake View East, features more than 20 venues hosting over 150 shows per week to an audience of thousands.
7. Surprising streets:
Take a leisurely afternoon stroll in Lake View East and you just might find yourself amid some gorgeous and unexpected enclaves. The Alta Vista Terrace Historic District features a collection of well-preserved Greystones and brownstones, showcasing early 20th-century residential architecture. It could easily be mistaken for a street in London. Hawthorne Place, a lightly traveled block between Broadway and Lake Shore Drive, features magnificent mansions on wide lots – a surprising streetscape amid the density of the neighborhood. In fact, many of the tree-lined, architecturally diverse east-west streets between Broadway and Sheridan, south of Belmont, and Broadway and Lake Shore Drive, north of Belmont, are a pleasure to discover.
8. Affordability:
You can make East Lakeview your home on virtually any real estate budget. Though there are, of course, luxurious multi-million-dollar homes in the neighborhood, there also are dozens of condos available for less than $250,000 – some for under $200,000. Many of the affordable apartments and condominiums also happen to be located in full-amenity buildings, with door staff, exercise rooms, sundecks, even pools. The wide variety of price points makes the neighborhood a diverse and exciting place to live.
9. Lakefront Trail:
One of the best perks of living in Lake View East is direct access to the Lakefront Trail, an 18.5-mile-long scenic path perfect for walking, running or cycling. Many residents of Lake View East use the path for recreation, but it’s also convenient for commuters who want to bike or walk to work downtown. Whether you’re up for a jog along the shoreline or just want to relax on a bench with views of Lake Michigan, the trail is a huge draw.
Image credit: Go Pride Chicago
10. Nightlife:
Lake View East earns its laid-back vibe, but it also knows how to party. Sidetrack is one of many LGBTQ+ hotspots, featuring a variety of themed nights with show tunes, “Drag Race” viewing parties and trivia—all while dishing out nonalcoholic CBD seltzers and frozen cocktails. Dive bar Friar Tuck has been around for more than 50 years, offering everything from bingo to karaoke. Muse Spirits specializes in unique cocktails using housemade infusions like their butterfly pea flower gin used in the Butterfly G&T, but their extensive drinks menu also offers an impressive selection of rye, wine, mezcal and more. There’s plenty on offer at Matisse bar and grill, but the $10 happy hour gives you a chance to get a great deal on apps like their Cuban spiced wontons and drinks including Pimm’s Cups and Moscow Mules.
Whether you’re drawn to the lake, the vibrant food and nightlife scene, or the picturesque green spaces, Lake View East has it all. The neighborhood offers a perfect mélange of urban convenience and natural beauty. Its location also puts you within easy reach of some of the best that Chicago has to offer while maintaining its unique vibe and community feel. That’s a lot to love!c