Discover Old Town
If you think the neighborhood sounds picture-perfect, wait until you see the luxury apartments in Old Town. Take a stroll and you’ll see everything from high-rise apartments to quaint boutique-style buildings. Developers are building new apartments in Old Town at a fast pace, and they offer up incredible amenities and jaw-dropping views of the downtown skyline.
Our leasing agents are experts on the area itself and can help you decide which part of Old Town is the best to rent an apartment in. Whether your vibe is hustle and bustle or more quaint and quiet, we’ve got the inside scoop on which part of the neighborhood you’ll enjoy most.
The Dining and Nightlife Scene
Move to Old Town, and your luxury apartment is sure to come outfitted with an awesome kitchen. But, given all the restaurants you’ll have within walking distance of your place, it may go unused.
The neighborhood has great dining options, including some great Chicago favorites. We Chicagoans consider pizza a food group, and Old Town has you covered. Happy Camper Pizzeria is a local favorite, with a fun party atmosphere and the best vegan pizza in the city. A bit further north, Pazza Pizza serves up huge New York style slices and gets rave reviews that declare it the best pizza in Chicago. If Neapolitan pizza is more your jam, head to Gallucci Pizzeria Napoletana. See? There’s no shortage of pizza in Old Town!
Other favorite restaurants include Small Cheval for the best burgers in the neighborhood and Orso’s for mouth-watering Italian. Quick bites and take-out are easy to find too, and almost anything you want can be delivered right to your door.
Having a local watering hole within walking distance from your apartment is a bonus, and when you rent in Old Town, you’re sure to have a few choices. Rent an apartment on Wells Street, and you’ve got two classics nearby– Old Town Pub and Declan’s Irish Pub. Walk north on Wells and make your own pub crawl with a stop at Old Town Pour House, 80 Proof and more. Want something off the beaten path? Check out Black Barrel Tavern or The Sedgwick Stop for cold craft brews and friendly faces.
The Best Place to Enjoy Art and Comedy
When you need a break from exploring your new neighborhood’s restaurants and bars, you’ll find lots of other great things to do in Old Town. From the vibrant Wells Street corridor to the quiet pockets in the Old Town Triangle, there’s so much waiting to be discovered.
Living in Old Town during the summer months is the best! The highlight of the year is the Old Town Art Fair, which is held the second weekend in June in the Old Town Triangle. One of the largest and most respected art fairs in the country, this annual event has been going strong for over 70 years.
You’ve gotta check out the Wells Street Art Festival too, which is held the same weekend, just a few blocks south. It’s a little more rock and roll, as art paired with live music creates such a fun atmosphere.
Old Town might be most famous for its comedy scene. It’s home to The Second City, the world-renowned comedy venue that has pumped out mega-stars like Bill Murray, John Candy, Tina Fey and so many more! Local favorite Zanie’s is also an awesome stand-up club with headliners every day of the week.
Fun Fact
Inside one of Old Town’s historic mansions, you’ll find the quirkiest museum in Chicago: The International Museum of Surgical Science. Check it out to explore ancient surgical tools and the remarkable advancements that have shaped the field over centuries.
Plenty of Places to Shop
Old Town has lots of shops that are just as charming as the neighborhood itself. You’ll find small businesses peppered from block to block. Browse clothing boutiques, chocolate shops and even bridal shops.
If you’ve lived in a downtown environment, you know how important it is to have a grocery store nearby. In Old Town, you’ve got lots of options. From large chains like Mariano’s, Aldi, and Jewel-Osco to local specialty stores like Foxtrot Market, your every need is covered.
You’ve also got a Target just outside Old Town’s boundaries on the north and south ends of the neighborhood. Other national retailers like Sephora, an Apple Store, Lululemon and more are just blocks away in the south part of Lincoln Park.
Old Town’s Park and Recreation Options
Even if you’re renting downtown, having nearby green space to enjoy is such a perk, especially if you’re renting at one of the dog-friendly apartments in Old Town. If you find yourself on the southern side of the neighborhood, check out Seward Park. Its 7-acres have plenty of room to roam!
The northern part of Old Town has lots of little gems for parks too. Check out Hudson Chess Park, Bauler Playlot Park and Sedgwick Park, each with their own charm. Of course, Chicago’s best park – Lincoln Park – is super close to Old Town and has everything you could ever want in an urban park.
No Car, No Problem
When you rent an apartment in Old Town, making your way around downtown Chicago is easy – even if you don’t have a car.
If you want to get to the heart of downtown Chicago, catch the train at the Sedgwick station. Take the CTA Brown Line, and you’ll be in the Loop in just 10 minutes. Headed north to a Cubs game? Take the Purple to Red Line, and you’ll be at Wrigley Field in less than 25 minutes.
