Sheridan Park Facts

Location: 7 miles north of the Loop
Boundaries: Lawrence Avenue to the north, Montrose Avenue to the south, Racine Avenue to the east and Clark Street to the west
Bordering Neighborhoods: Uptown, Ravenswood, Graceland West, Graceland Cemetery
Crime Statistics: Go to CLEARMap to search specific streets and areas for crime incidents
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Then and Now

Chicago's north side was once covered by the prehistoric Lake Chicago, which explains the area's exceptional flatness. From this even topography rose two sandy pits -- perfect locations for burial grounds. In 1860, one of these pits was chartered to become Graceland Cemetery, now one of the city's most historic and famous cemeteries where visitors stroll down tree-lined lanes and relax in the park-like atmosphere while searching out the ornate tombs of some of Chicago's most famous businessmen and architects including Marshall Field, Louis Sullivan and Potter Palmer.

Shortly after the charter was commissioned, a dispute arose between the townspeople and Graceland over the land the cemetery was holding for future use. The final agreement called for the area, located just north of the graveyard, to be developed rather than remain part of the cemetery grounds. Eventually, that land developed into Sheridan Park -- named after a stop on the now defunct Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway.

During the 1920s, a commercial boom took place east of Sheridan Park: Uptown was the site of a burgeoning entertainment district. Large hotels and huge entertainment centers like The Aragon Ballroom and The Green Mill jazz club were popping up, and the people were coming to the area in droves. Because Sheridan Park was so close to this new bustling part of town -- not to mention a hop, skip and jump away from the shores of Lake Michigan -- it became a residential haven for middle and upper class families.

After World War II, the area experienced a housing shortage and stately Sheridan Park homes and spacious apartment buildings turned into rooming houses, which had little regard for the original aesthetic. Lucky for us, in 1985, Sheridan Park was designated a Historic District for its significant examples of outstanding architectural design, including Prairie School, late Victorian and late 19th and 20th century Revivals. This designation has led to an explosion of renovations and luxury upgrades that are bringing back the glory days to these beautiful Sheridan Park homes.
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Parks

Sheridan Park residents benefit from a close proximity to Lake Michigan, it's just a mile east of the neighborhood (through Uptown) and definitely worth the walk or quick bike ride over to the water. A sprawling network of parks and beaches extends along Lake Michigan, complete with biking and jogging paths, doggie beaches and sand volleyball courts.

Got a penchant for fish tales? Then drop-off the pier at Montrose Harbor (601 W. Montrose Dr, 312-742-7527) -- the Park District lends fishing equipment free of charge in exchange for ID -- or cruise the lake in kayaks, canoes and paddleboats rented from the Chicago Park District's Rainbow Fleet program located nearby. Montrose Beach (4400 N. Lake Shore Dr) is an ideal spot for a picnic with a scenic view of Chicago's skyline and it accommodates everyone from swimmers and sunbathers to the occasional Frisbee throwers. There's also beach volleyball and tennis courts, soccer fields, baseball diamonds and a playlot for the kiddies. On nice days we like to stake our claim on a patch of sand early because it's no fun tiptoeing over people's towels to find a spot.

Of course, our canine friends enjoy a romp in the fresh air as much as we do, and for them, there's the Susan Kimmelman Off-Leash Dog Beach located on the northwest corner of Montrose Beach. The pooches run free with their new pals while we try and keep pace (or make some new friends of our own).
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Real Estate

This pocket-sized neighborhood is mostly residential. Vintage single-family private homes, six-flats, mid-rise condominiums and courtyard buildings line Sheridan Park's curved streets. Like neighboring Uptown, Sheridan Park's real estate is undergoing a change. Since its Historic District label in 1985, efforts have been made to renovate and restore the neighborhood's older homes with classic features like hardwood trim, fireplaces and window benches.

A one-bedroom condo in this north side Chicago neighborhood ranges between the low $100,000s and the high $200,000s. On average a two-bedroom Sheridan Park condo or apartment costs around $300,000. And the average sales price for a detached single-family home is around $900,000, although many of the renovated vintage mansions are worth over a million.

Uptown Residential Real Estate Info (Includes Sheridan Park Neighborhood)

Type of Housing	Average Sale Price 2005-2006	# of Units Sold	One Year Price Change	Price Change Since 94
Single Family Detached	$842,862	29	15%	290%
Single Family Attached	$272,736	1,157	9%	188%

Source: Multiple Listings Service of Northern Illinois
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What's on the Menu?

Just because Sheridan Park is mostly a residential neighborhood doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of good places to chow down. From Middle Eastern and Asian fare to American and Mexican favorites, we have no trouble finding a place to satisfy our craving.

The Fun Cafe (1250 W. Wilson Ave, 773-878-8079) serves up Middle Eastern cuisine with a side of Arab music and belly dancing. The cafe's menu features traditional dishes like shish kabob, hummus, grape leaves and tabouli. A favorite hangout of local cabbies, the Rainbow Juice Restaurant (4802 N. Clark St, 773-275-4333) is a 24-hour Indian and Pakistani joint that also serves some traditional American dishes. But it's more than just a place for a quick bite to eat in between fares; cabbies and other patrons kill time at the billiards and pool tables, or perusing the assortment of Pakistani newspapers and movies the restaurant has on hand.

Although not as vast as Uptown's assortment of Asian cuisine, Sheridan Park's eastern eats are just as tasty. The tiny, family-run Thai on Clark (4641 N. Clark St, 773-275-2620) offers guests home-cooked Thai and Japanese dishes like pad Thai, red curry, shrimp tempura and chicken teriyaki, all at reasonable prices. This BYOB (we love that there's no corkage fee) also sells Thai iced coffees and teas. For a taste of the Philippines, we head to Fish Pond (4416 N. Clark St, 773-271-1119), a large two-room restaurant known for its authentic Filipino fare like pinkabet and adobo. Not too familiar with Filipino cuisine? -- call ahead to find out when Fish Pond offers its buffet, featuring a sampling of a dozen dishes for less than $10.

If you're hankering for a hot dog, barbecue ribs and other classic American comfort foods, try our favorite stops: Delicious Dogs and Subs (4800 N. Clark St, 773-275-4333) or Rayan's Eatery (1423 W. Wilson Ave, 773-334-7204). Perhaps your tummy is hungry for something more upscale contemporary. Then make your way to Sheridan Park's Magnolia Cafe (1224 W. Wilson Ave, 773-728-8785). Take a seat in the elegant, candle-lit dining room where images of magnolias (what else) dress up the exposed brick walls. Prepare your palate for the likes of grilled salmon with curry-tomato coulis and prosciutto salad tossed with fennel tangerines, parmesan and balsamic vinaigrette. There's also an excellent selection of European wine and imported beers to complement the fancy contemporary American fare.

When we really want to spice up our lunch and dinner plans we head to Carmela's (1206 W. Lawrence Ave, 773-275-5321), the place to go for burritos, tacos and other Mexican classics. This small storefront taqueira with turquoise decor serves some of the north side's best al pastor tacos -- tacos with marinated roast pork -- in addition to quesadillas and Mexican sandwiches. For a taste of both modern and traditional Italian cuisine, you can go to one aroma-rich restaurant: Anna Maria Pasteria (4400 N. Clark St, 773-506-2662) where warm hues and Italian murals create a welcome setting and primo garlic scents fill the air. The stacked menu features a wide assortment of homemade pastas, chicken, veal and fish; our favorite happens to be the scallops diavola, a linguine dish with sauteed sea scallops in a spicy marinara sauce. Finish with the quintessential Italian dessert: tiramisu, another standout at this delicious Sheridan Park neighborhood treasure.
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Best Shopping Stops

As a mostly residential enclave, there's not a lot of serious shopping within Sheridan Park's borders. However, Uptown and Lakeview are just a short walk, bus, "El" or taxi ride away and they have plenty of boutiques, shops and chain stores for a sincere shopping spree.

One of the few retail shops that does fall within the neighborhood's boundaries is Unique So Chique (4600 N. Magnolia Ave, 773-561-0324), which also doubles as a quaint tea and chocolate lounge. The eclectic offerings include men's and women's clothing, purses, jewelry, stationary, and candles -- to name a few things. Brands like Evil Kitty, Lucky Chick, Buffalo and more fill the shelves while Robert Emery chocolates, finger sandwiches, scones and a variety of hot teas provide a little something to nibble.

Sheridan Park's other sweet spot, Uptown Sweets (1218 W. Wilson Ave, 773-989-0200), sells old-fashioned candies, ice cream, pies and chocolate. Glass jars filled with jawbreakers, malt balls, gummy worms and more line the counter, while made-to-order ice cream sundaes, malts and shakes will put a smile on the face of anyone with a true sweet tooth. This sugar-coated paradise also sells toys and stuffed animals for kids (and adults) of all ages, gift baskets, party favors and grab bags.
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Night on the Town

You don't need to go downtown to have a good time. Stay right in the â¬Ühood for a show at the Black Ensemble Theater, a concert at the historic Riviera Theatre, a beer and karaoke with other locals at Carol's Pub, or a local sports game at Max's Place.

The Black Ensemble Theater (4520 N. Beacon St, 773-769-4451) is a cozy, 170-seat theater that features African-American translations of classics. A favorite production is "The Other Cinderella," a retelling of the fairy tale where Cinderella is a girl from the projects and the fairy godmother is a Jamaican sorceress. After changing hands a few times, the venue has been run by the non-Equity Black Ensemble Theater since 1986. In addition to putting on unique versions of popular plays, the group's mission is to eradicate racism and its damaging effects. Would it be too cliche to say: Bravo!

Built in 1917 as a movie theater for the Balaban & Katz chain, the Riviera Theatre (4746 N. Racine Ave, 773-275-6800) is now a 2,500-capacity concert hall and special events venue. The Riv, as locals like to call it, is the place to rock out and catch up-and-coming musicians as well as bona fide stars who perform on the large 40-foot wide stage before and open floor venue. The balcony has plenty of seats, with a good view, so if you don't want to accidentally get sucked into the mosh pit that often forms in front of the stage it may be a good idea to head for higher ground.

Since 1973, Carol's Pub (4659 N. Clark St, 773-334-2402) has been dishing out southern cookin' to patrons who drink beer, play pool and participate in their weekend dart tournaments. There's also the opportunity to get our American Idol on with Carol's honky-tonk karaoke; the song selection includes a 2,000-track roster with songs ranging from Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash to Kenny Chesney.

Max's Place (4621 N. Clark St, 773-784-3864) has been in the same Sheridan Park location for more than 50 years. Bottled domestics, Old Style on tap and a few German imports as well as standard hard liquors make this a popular neighborhood hangout. Once we've exhausted our conversation points, there's darts, a jukebox and video games to keep us occupied well into the night.
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Getting Around

Getting around Sheridan Park is fairly easy. As a small neighborhood, most places are within walking distance. When you're looking to break out of the confines of the neighborhood, though, Chicago's public transportation system is the best way to go. The CTA train (or what locals refer to as the "El") runs along Sheridan Park's eastern edge. The Red Line lets travelers out half-a-block from Sheridan Park's borders with stops at Wilson Drive and Lawrence Avenue. CTA buses also stop at many of the main thoroughfares to take commuters, shoppers, and other travelers to destinations throughout the city.

Taking a taxi from this Chicago neighborhood could pose a problem as cabs aren't extremely plentiful in Sheridan Park, a slight drawback for many predominantly residential communities. But with Uptown only blocks away, we suggest hailing one from the main intersections closer to our neighbor to the east, or calling ahead for pickup.

And if you've got wheels of your own, take Lawrence Avenue, Wilson Drive or Montrose Avenue to shoot straight over to Lake Shore Drive which will get you down to the Loop in minutes -- as long as it's not rush hour.

School's in Session

Sheridan Park does have a school or two, but many more options are available in nearby neighborhoods -- we're talking about Uptown, again. In addition to the following list, you can find more information on Chicago area schools at our Chicago Guide Schools page.

Stockton CPC 4425 N Magnolia Ave - (773) 534-2510
Stockton Elementary School 4420 N. Beacon St - (773) 534-2450
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Basic Needs

We've compiled a sampling of some of the places you can get your bare necessities, from sweet treats to spiced meats, detergent to deodorant.

Transit

Chicago Transit Authority - (888) 968-7282

Pharmacies

Walgreens 1500 W. Wilson Ave - (773) 907-8995

The following are just a taste of the dining, shopping and entertainment Sheridan Park has to offer. Discover the rest as you explore the neighborhood for yourself.

Culture

Black Ensemble Theater 4520 N. Beacon St - (773) 769-4451
Riviera Theatre 4746 N. Racine Ave - (773) 275-6800
Japanese American Service Committee 4427 N. Clark St - (773) 275-0097

SHOPPING

Discotecas Sonido Latino 1509 W. Lawrence Ave - (773) 271-3668
Me Too Accessories 4541 N. Clark St - (773) 271-2606
Unique So Chique 4600 N. Magnolia Ave - (773) 561-0324
Uptown Sweets 1218 W. Wilson Ave - (773) 989-0200

DINING

Bars/Restaurants
Carol's Pub 4659 N. Clark St - (773) 334-2402
Max's Place 4621 N. Clark St - (773) 784-3864

African Cuisine
B & Q Afro Root Cuisine 4802 N. Clark St - (773) 878-7849
Palace Gate 4548 N. Magnolia Ave - (773) 769-1793

American Cuisine

Delicious Dogs and Subs 4800 N. Clark St - (773) 275-4333
Gary's Place 1227 W. Wilson Ave - (773) 728-7628
Magnolia Cafe 1224 W. Wilson Ave - (773) 728-8785
Max's Place 4621 N. Clark St - (773) 784-3864
Rayan's Eatery 1423 W. Wilson Ave - (773) 334-7204
The Godfather's Famous Pizza 1265 W. Wilson Ave - (773) 878-8600
U.S. Submarine 4800 N. Broadway St - (773) 989-4444

Asian Cuisine
Cafe Dai Hung 1224 W. Wilson Ave - (773) 769-0983
Fishpond 4416 N. Clark St - (773) 271-1119
Thai on Clark 4641 N. Clark St - (773) 275-2620

Italian Cuisine
Anna Maria Pasteria 4400 N. Clark St - (773) 506-2662

Mexican Cuisine
Carmela's 1206 W. Lawrence Ave - (773) 275-5321
Don Quijote 4761 N. Clark St - (773) 769-5930
Taqueria El Ranchito 4651 N. Clark St - (773) 334-6441

Middle Eastern Cuisine
Alma Pita Restaurant 4600 N. Magnolia Ave - (773) 561-2787
Fun Cafe 1250 W. Wilson Ave - (773) 878-8079
Rainbow Juice Restaurant 4802 N. Clark St - (773) 275-4333

Coffee/Tea Shops
Unique So Chique 4600 N. Magnolia Ave - (773) 561-0324

Bakeries/Desserts
Uptown Sweets 1218 W. Wilson Ave - (773) 989-0200
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The residential real estate in Sheridan Park is fairly diverse, providing homeowners with a number of housing options from condos to lofts to townhomes. But there is more to your Sheridan Park home than where you rest your head at night. The area surrounding a property can be just as much a factor in the decision to buy as the color of the carpet or the condition of the foundation. Each Chicago neighborhood has its own unique charm that sets it apart from the rest. Our comprehensive online guide is all you need to explore the many streets of Chicago -- all from the comfort of your own computer. Shopping, dining, entertainment, schools, you name it, we'll show you where it is. Find out whether that fabulous Sheridan Park condo is immersed in the throes of wild nightlife, or veiled by the tranquility of a quiet residential setting. Like Metromix and the MLS merged into one, this site is your one-stop shop for Chicago neighborhood information.
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