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Welcome To Buena Park

More than a sub-neighborhood of Uptown, Buena Park is a full-fledged, self-sufficient community that has perfected the art of active lakeside living. A waterfront golf course, public beach, off-leash dog park and protected boat harbor are all within walking distance of your front door, not to mention amazing restaurants, happening bars and reputable theaters. Of course the warmer weather months are when things are really swinging in Buena Park. Folks can't resist Lake Michigan's draw — sun, sand and surf — a relaxing vacation spot located right in Chicago. But even when the wind bites at your nose and the beach is deserted, Buena Park bumps up the coziness with lots of comfy coffee houses, belly-warming eateries and welcoming neighborhood pubs.

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Contents


[Demographics, Shopping, Entertainment, and more...]
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Buena Park Home Sales Statistics


Buena Park Facts

Location: 5.5 miles north of the Loop
Bordering Neighborhoods: Lakeview East, Uptown, Graceland Cemetary
Boundaries: Montrose Avenue to the north, Irving Park Road to the south, Lake Michigan to the east and Sheridan Road to the west
Crime Statistics: Go to CLEARMap to search specific streets and areas for crime incidents

Then and Now

Buena Park

Although many lump Buena Park in with Uptown, Buena Park is considered a neighborhood all its own -- a small residential nook located within the larger umbrella region of Uptown. It has its own unique identity and history and, in fact, the development of Buena Park actually predates that of Uptown.

The area now known as Buena Park originally began as a suburb of Chicago when wealthy Chicagoans started building homes there during the 1870s. One of those wealthy residents was Robert A. Waller, a prominent real estate developer. Waller contributed to the expansion of the suburb in 1887 when he subdivided his considerable property and offered it up for residential growth. For his role in Buena Park's progression, Waller is considered the neighborhood's founder.

In 1889 the area, which continued to develop, was annexed by Chicago. The Northwestern Railroad came to Uptown a year later, bringing with it the development of large apartment buildings and an influx of people to a region that had previously been only sparsely populated by immigrant farmers. While Uptown continued to flourish for the next three generations as a popular entertainment destination, Buena Park thrived as a residential haven for middle and upper classes seeking proximity to Uptown's spotlight, while staying out of its harsh glare.

After the economic boom of the 1920s came the bust. The aftermath of World War II led to a severe housing shortage and as a result Buena Park's stately houses and apartment buildings were broken up into small, inexpensive living units. The area was in severe decline until it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Since then, efforts have been made to restore Buena Park's former architectural glory through upscale renovations and restorations.

Parks

As a small lakeside community, Buena Park is an excellent location for those who relish an active lifestyle merged with a quaint residential setting.

The sprawling 1,208-acre lakefront park and beach system of Lincoln Park (the park, not the neighborhood) stretches up here and residents of Buena Park -- which borders the lakefront from Montrose Avenue to Irving Park Road -- have access to miles of walking trails, biking and jogging paths, numerous athletic fields and a public beach and harbor. Some even hit the hills for sledding during the winter (bundled up in layers of course).

For those of us who like to enjoy the outdoors without the hindrance of several layers of clothing, the warmer months in Buena Park present an abundance of ways to enjoy the sunshine, get exercise, have fun or just relax. Montrose Beach (4400 N. Lake Shore Dr) is an ideal place to catch some rays and dip our toes in the lake. Make a day of it by packing a lunch: With the Chicago skyline on one side and the waterfront on the other, it's the perfect backdrop for a picnic. Located on the northwest corner of the beach is The Susan Kimmelman Off-Leash Dog Beach. Here, it's a dog's world and we're just living in it, as canines are permitted the freedom to frolic without restraint.

There are more things to do at Montrose Beach than just sunbathe. At Montrose Harbor (601 W. Montrose Dr) you can cast a line off the pier or rent a Jet Ski, kayak, paddleboat or canoe. We suggest newbies schedule lessons at the harbor beforehand, getting stranded at "sea" isn't as exciting as it sounds, trust us.

Bird watchers flock to Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary (Montrose Ave and Lake Shore Dr). This 15-acre haven attracts 300 different species of migratory birds stopping for rest, food and shelter. "The Magic Hedge," a 150-yard stretch of shrubs and trees, "magically" draws an extraordinary number of birds, including purple martins, brown thrashers, red-winged blackbirds and yellowthroats.

Real Estate

Although it's officially been part of Chicago for more than 100 years, Buena Park hasn't entirely lost its suburban feel. The residential enclave consists of tranquil, leafy streets lined with turn-of-the-century Georgian and Prairie School mansions and single-family homes nestled comfortably on spacious lots -- many of which have their own driveways.

Buena Park's Hutchinson Street was designated a Chicago Landmark in 1977. The street, originally called Kenesaw Terrace, is home to one of the city's best collections of Prairie-style residences, many of which were designed by famed architect George W. Maher. Other distinct designs found up and down Hutchinson Street (and the rest of the neighborhood) include Classical Revival, Queen Anne and Richardsonian Romanesque. For the architecture buffs, this north side Chicago street offers a unique perspective on residential construction from 1890 through 1920.

Buena Park also has several large, vintage apartment buildings housing people of all walks of life, from single young adults to new families to retirees. Along Marine Drive -- the neighborhood's prime stretch of property -- high-rise condominiums, townhomes and single-family houses offer residents beautiful views of the lakefront.

In general, the average sales price for a one-bedroom condo or flat in Buena Park is just over $200,000, a two-bedroom just under $300,000, and a three-bedroom is right around $400,000. Larger single-family private homes are priced quite a bit higher (as in two or three million dollars higher) and buyers will likely have a harder time finding these grand estate-like properties with "for sale" signs out front.

What's on the Menu?

With all the activity that takes place in and around Buena Park, it's easy to work up an appetite. What's trickier is picking a place to chow down. The neighborhood's commercial streets -- Sheridan Road, Irving Park Road, Montrose Avenue, Clarendon Avenue and Broadway -- are fully stocked with great restaurants, each featuring a mouth-watering array of culinary tastes.

When the mood for Mexican food (and margaritas) strikes, we don't run for the border, we dash over to Playa Azul 2 (4005 N. Broadway St, 773-472-8924), a family-friendly Mexican restaurant specializing in seafood. Lively music, laughter and clanking plates create an upbeat atmosphere, and the menu is a fiesta of food, featuring spicy ceviches, shrimp empanadas and seven seas soup made with a medley of octopus, shrimp, crab, clam and lobster. Good taqueria staples without the fish include carne asada and chicken mole.

Egg roll fanatics dig their chopsticks in at Hunan Egg Roll King (4204 N. Broadway St, 773-883-2647) where, big surprise, made-fresh-daily egg rolls are the specialty. The egg rolls here are so delicious that several other Chicago area Chinese restaurants get their rolls from this Buena Park culinary fixture. The small, family-run restaurant also dishes up standard Chinese takeout favorites like chow mein, Mongolian beef, kung pao chicken and fried wonton. For a taste of Thailand, Thai Aroma (4142 N. Broadway St, 773-404-7777) fills our stomachs with savory tom yum soup, chock-full of vegetables. This place is good at cramming lots of taste into a little cup of broth -- the same way it packs lots of tables into its small, sunny dining space.

Arnold's Restaurant (4001 N. Broadway St, 773-929-3338) boasts the traits of a classic diner scene: Good breakfast, hearty portion sizes and greasy spoon eats. Pancakes, omelets and a lox platter dot the menu, and the daily bargain breakfast special usually rings in at less than $4. One drawback though: Arnold's doesn't stay open much past dinner time. So we take our late-night cravings to White Rose Family Restaurant (4000 N. Sheridan Rd, 773-665-9150), a 24-hour diner serving burgers, hot dogs, hot sandwiches, pancakes and ice cream, plus a complimentary paper to read while you wait for your meal.

For deep dish Chicago pizza, we get takeout from Buena Park's BoJono's Pizzeria (4185 N. Clarendon Ave, 773-404-9700). Order up a pie with all your favorite toppings or indulge in a selection of pastas and sandwiches from the Italian menu. There are a few tables if you just can't wait until you get home to have a slice; we don't blame you. Gamers get their play on at Michael's Pizzeria and Grill (4091 N. Broadway St, 773-929-4149). This pizzeria has more than 30 TVs with cable and satellite sports coverage plus pool, Golden Tee, Silver Strike Bowling and video and board games. On the menu? Pizza prepared with made-fresh-daily dough, family recipe tomato sauce with secret herbs and spices and select premium cheeses. Our favorite is the taco pizza topped with refried beans, ground beef, salsa, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, black olives and sour cream served with a round of beer. There's also a selection of pastas, burgers, steaks, sandwiches, wings and salads.

Dollop Coffee Co. (4181 N. Clarendon Ave, 773-755-1955) is a haven for Buena Park caffeine addicts. In the tradition of modern coffee houses, Dollop is equipped with free Wi-Fi, comfy couches, intimate tables and shelves full of books -- everything we need to set up shop with our laptops or plop down with a good read. But the homey exposed brick, wood trim and warm colors only serve as backdrop for the real stars of the Dollop show: The beverages. The menu consists of lattes in scrumptious flavors like chocolate chip and white chocolate, plus coffee freezes, hot steamers and an assortment of light bites. At Corona's Coffee Shop (909 W. Irving Park Rd, 773-529-1886) offerings include a variety of chocolate and coffee beverages in addition to wraps, paninis and salads plus a tempting assortment of cookies, brownies, muffins and biscotti. While minimal seating is available inside, there's an outdoor patio for when the weather's nice. Or bag it to go and take a short walk to a lakeside grassy knoll.

Best Shopping Stops

Buena Park isn't known as a great shopping locale, but we don't let that discourage us. There's plenty of shopping to be had in nearby Uptown and Lakeview and some of the country's best shopping can be found on Michigan Avenue, located only 20 minutes away.

The area is not completely devoid of shopping destinations, however. As a nod to Buena Park's active lifestyle, you can fill up your golf bag at Waveland Golf (4334 N. Hazel St. Suite 103, 773-525-3340). This store is a golfer's paradise and claims to have the largest selection of new and used golf clubs in the Midwest. It also stocks shoes, bags and accessories, from towels and umbrellas to rangefinders and apparel. Brands include Titleist, Nike Golf, Wilson and MacGregor. And no, it's not merely a coincidence that Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course (3600 N. Recreation Dr, 312-742-7930) is located nearby. More into reels than clubs? Get what you need to reel in a big one at Park Bait Co. (600 W. Montrose Ave, 773-271-2838). This bait and tackle shop also carries information on Chicago's fishing programs, events and contests and even dishes out valuable tidbits like which fish are biting and what they're biting on (good for beginners like us).

If you want a change of interior scenery without spending major bucks, Ace Furniture (4027 N. Broadway St, 773-248-5066) is the place to go in this Chicago neighborhood. We score inexpensive furnishings for everything from bedroom and bathroom to living and dining room at this IKEA-esque superstore -- but without the insane IKEA crowds. Say it's the wardrobe -- instead of the house -- that needs spicing up, Festa Stuff (4021 N. Broadway St, 773-755-3378) sells original women's T-shirts with a regional spin. Show your Chicago pride with a "it feels good to be a CHICAGO GIRL" tank or flaunt your neighborhood allegiance with a "773-FOREVER - I'll never move to Naperville" tee.

Night on the Town

Buena Park is known for its casual neighborhood hangouts ...

Arguably the most popular (and as close to a hip nightclub as Buena Park gets) is Holiday Club (4000 N. Sheridan Rd, 773-348-9600). This swinger's mecca is decked out in Rat Pack memorabilia and vintage movie posters. Hipsters swing dance to the jukebox while sipping classics like dry martinis, Tom Collins and gimlets. If old-school swing isn't your thing, check out the second bar and dance floor that spins modern music to a crowd of "bumpers" and "grinders." The kitchen is open late dishing out daily specials, and there's a much-appreciated Sunday brunch to cure our hangover from the previous night.

For that casual, neighborhood feel where locals gather for beer, sports and late-night dining, head to Bar on Buena (910 W. Buena Ave, 773-525-8665), or the BOB as locals call it. The BOB is a social sports lounge decked out in rich handcrafted woodwork and serving up gourmet bar fare -- like Cajun shrimp penne pasta and spicy chicken wraps -- and a selection of drinks that include more than 17 kinds of scotch, 50 bottled beers and wine by the bottle (or glass). Patrons young and old gather around the retractable big screen to watch Chicago sports games, or prop up on a stool next to the bar. For warm weather carousing BOB has an outdoor seating area, and the lounge's large windows open wide to create an outdoor ambience indoors.

For beer with a side of Chicago history, we choose Nick's Uptown (4015-17 N. Sheridan Rd, 773-975-1155). Housed in the Art Deco building that was once home to Cairo Club, one of Chicago's most popular nightclubs in the 1930s, this neighborhood bar serves up cocktails and drafts under vaulted ceilings and other restored remnants of the Cairo Club's former glory. Grab a seat at the mammoth 50-foot bar or, if the weather is nice, out at the sidewalk cafe. There's never a cover charge at Nick's and it's open late, closing between 4 and 5am. We hit Nick's on Friday and Saturday nights when there's live music and the patrons are ready to party 'til dawn.

Want to fill your night with a bit more culture? Buena Park has two reputable theaters. The National Pastime Theatre Co. (4139 N. Broadway St, 773-327-7077) is an intimate 75-seat venue showcasing anti-establishment and off-beat works. The anti-establishment theme fits well with building's history: It was once a prohibition-era speakeasy. To see other daring productions in Buena Park, grab a seat at Profiles Theatre (4147 N. Broadway St, 773-549-1815). This not-for-profit professional theater company's goal is to bring fresh ideas to Chicago with an innovative crew of playwrights whose performances highlight the determination and resiliency of the human spirit.

Mark Your Calendar

If you're someone who likes to plan ahead, get out your calendar and mark these not-to-be-missed Buena Park neighborhood events.

A free event and a real kick, the Annual Mayor's Cup Youth Soccer Tournament (Montrose Harbor) is one of the largest youth soccer tournaments in the U.S. More than 475 teams play on 36 different fields in Lincoln Park. The tournament also features two days of family-friendly entertainment and activities including dance performances, gymnastics and a climbing wall.

The small Buena Park neighborhood is all about community and many of its annual events encourage resident bonding. One such affair is Buena Bunnies (Nick's Uptown 4015-17 N. Sheridan Rd, 773-975-1155). This annual Easter basket-making contest takes place the Saturday before Easter. Residents craft their own baskets and fill them with candy and toys. The baskets are then donated to St. Mary of the Lake Church and given away to neighborhood families. Another annual neighborhood celebration is Block Party (Belle Plaine Ave). This summer festival draws Buena Park locals together for live music, food from area restaurants and vendors from neighborhood shops. There are also plenty of activities for the kids.

Getting Around

Getting around Buena Park is fairly easy. As a small community, most places are within walking distance or are just a short car, cab or public transportation ride away. Because it's a residential neighborhood, cabs aren't exactly plentiful, except at main intersections like Sheridan and Irving Park Roads and Montrose Avenue and Marine Drive. Along these busy street corners you'll also find multiple bus stops and the CTA Red Line train (what Chicagoans fondly refer to as the "El") is also accessible from a stop on Sheridan Road.

If you have a car, driving is a viable option for getting around, as Lake Shore Drive runs right through Buena Park neighborhood making it quick and easy to shoot through town or head downtown. Just know that parking for non-residents can be difficult as most of the street space is permit parking only.

School's in Session

Families find that Buena Park has many public and private schools to choose from. In addition to the following list, you can find more information on Chicago area schools at our Chicago Guide Schools page.

Brennemann Elementary School - 4251 N. Clarendon Ave - (773) 534-5766
Disney Elementary Magnet School - 4140 N. Marine Dr - (773) 534-5840
Lycee Francais de Chicago - 613 W. Bittersweet Pl - (773) 665-0066
Prologue High School - 640 W. Irving Park Rd - (773) 935-9925
The Day School- 800 W. Buena Ave - (773) 327-6000

Basic Needs

We've compiled a sampling of some of the places you can get your bare necessities, from coffee beans to conditioner, furniture to Fruit Loops.

Dining

Bars/Restaurants
Bar on Buena - 910 W. Buena Ave - (773) 525-8665
Michael's Pizzeria and Grill - 4091 N. Broadway St - (773) 929-4149
Nick's Uptown - 4015-17 N. Sheridan Rd - (773) 975-1155

American Cuisine
Arnold's Restaurant - 4001 N. Broadway St - (773) 929-3338
Jakes Pup in the Ruf - 4401 N. Sheridan Rd - (773) 728-1188
KFC - 4150 N. Broadway St - (773) 281-5366
Lake Front Red Hots - 834 W. Montrose Ave - (773) 561-1162
Shake & Fruity's - 903 W. Irving Park Rd - (773) 281-1910
White Rose Family Restaurant - 4000 N. Sheridan Rd - (773) 665-9150

Italian Cuisine
BoJono's Pizzeria - 4185 N. Clarendon Ave - (773) 404-9700

Mexican Cuisine
Playa Azul 2 - 4005 N. Broadway St - (773) 472-8924

Asian Cuisine
Hunan Egg Roll King - 4204 N. Broadway St - (773) 883-2647
Thai Aroma - 4142 N. Broadway St - (773) 404-7777
Qiang Xiu Restaurant - 4104 N. Sheridan Rd - (773) 388-8646

Greek Cuisine
Big Tommy's Gyros - 4142 N. Broadway St - (773) 404-0213

Coffee/Tea Shops
Bean Caffe - 664 W. Irving Park Rd - (773) 529-4548
Corona's Coffee Shop - 909 W. Irving Park Rd - (773) 529-1886
Dollop Coffee Co. - 4181 N. Clarendon Ave - (773) 755-1955
Starbucks - 4355 N. Sheridan Rd - (773) 477-7151
Urban Tea Lounge - 838 W. Montrose Ave - (773) 907-8726

Events

Annual Mayor's Cup Youth Soccer Tournament - Montrose Harbor
Buena Bunnies Nick's Uptown - 4015-17 N. Sheridan Rd - (773) 975-1155
Block Party Belle - Plaine Ave

Grocery Stores

Boardwalk Grocery Store - 4343 N. Clarendon Ave - (773) 472-9566
Clarendon Food Market Incorporated - 4183 N. Clarendon Ave - (773) 404-3990
Dearborn Wholesale Grocers - 918 W. Montrose Ave - (773) 728-7500
Food Town - 4401 N. Hazel St - (773) 561-6362
GNS Food & Liquor - 4092 N. Broadway St - (773) 248-8642
Imperial Tower Market - 4250 N. Marine Dr - (773) 929-2980
Jewel-Osco - 4355 N. Sheridan Rd - (773) 342-3410
Lakeview Foods - 4106 N. Sheridan Rd - (773) 477-7053
Manhattan Food & Liquors - 4200 N. Broadway St - (773) 404-8600
Thomas Food & Liquor - 4141 N. Sheridan Rd - (773) 348-7381

Gyms/ Wellness Centers

Fitness Mojo - 4117 N. Broadway Ave - (773) 868-6656
Fit Works - 4128 N. Clarendon Ave - (773) 929-2416
Wellness Associates of Chicago - 4250 N. Marine Dr - (773) 935-6377
World Gym - 909 W. Montrose Ave - (866) 471-8870

Library

Chicago Public Library Uptown Branch - 929 W. Buena Ave - (312) 744-8400

Pharmacies

Jewel-Osco - 4355 N. Sheridan Rd - (773) 342-3410
Walgreens - 4025 N. Sheridan Rd - (773) 528-8314

Shopping

Ace Furniture - 4027 N. Broadway St - (773) 248-5066
Festa Stuff - 4021 N. Broadway St - (773) 755-3378
Goldstein Susan - 4250 N. Marine Dr - (773) 477-1902
Park Bait Co. - 600 W. Montrose Ave - (773) 271-2838
Regent Shades & Blinds - 917 W. Irving Park Rd - (773) 871-6400
Waveland Golf - 4334 N. Hazel St. Suite 103 - (773) 525-3340

Theatres

National Pastime Theatre Co. - 4139 N. Broadway St - (773) 327-7077
Profiles Theatre - 4147 N. Broadway St - (773) 549-1815

Transit

Chicago Transit Authority - (888) 968-7282

There's a lot of mystery involved in searching for a new home, it starts with the property and expands outward to encompass the street, the block, the neighborhood, the entire city! Every little thing matters from the color of the walls to the attractions of the town. That's why a guide like this one on Buena Park is so helpful to potential homebuyers. Without leaving the comfort of your desktop computer or laptop, you've got an extensive pool of information on all of Chicago's neighborhoods that includes first-hand descriptions of dining, entertainment, shopping, bars, and events, in addition to lists of schools, hospitals, post offices, and gyms. We've done all the research to carefully craft this one-stop online spot, and create your hub for the real deal on Buena Park. So as soon as a Chicago loft, condo, townhome or house catches your eye, you know where to come for the low down on the digs around that prime piece of real estate.

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