🏡 Porch Stories & Park Paths: East Portage Park Walking Tour 🌼

🗺️ Explore East Portage Park: A Chicago for Chicagoans Walking Tour!
“A Pay-What-You-Can Tour with Chicago for Chicagoans – Discover the history, homes, and hidden gems of Portage Park’s east side!”

🏡 Porch Stories & Park Paths: East Portage Park Walking Tour 🌼
📅 Saturday, June 28, 2025
🕚 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (approx.)
📍 Start: City News Café, 4018 N Cicero Ave
🎯 End: Biagio Banquets, 4242 N Central Ave
👟 Approx. 2 miles of walking | Tour ends ~1.2 miles from start
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✨ About the Tour:
Join us for a special public walking tour of one of Chicago’s most underappreciated neighborhoods—Portage Park! This is part one of a two-part series and focuses on the East Side of the neighborhood.
This unique walk is presented in collaboration with Chicago for Chicagoans, a local nonprofit dedicated to educating residents about their own communities. Unlike my usual private tours, this one is open to the public, and we welcome both Meetup members and newcomers!
💸 This is a Pay-What-You-Can event, with donations collected at the end of the tour, per nonprofit policy.
✅ Registration is required to attend – secure your spot here:
👉 Register for East Portage Park Tour
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🏘️ What You’ll Discover:
We’ll explore the history, architecture, and community of East Portage Park. Stops will include:

• Bungalow-lined streets of the “Bungalow Belt” 🏡
• Former movie palaces & classic shopping districts 🎬
• Historic churches and beautiful parks ⛪🌳
• Fun local trivia and lesser-known neighborhood gems

📸 While not a formal photo walk, there will be plenty of Insta-worthy stops!
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🍽️ Optional Post-Walk Meetup:
Join us afterward for a casual bite at Legno by Suparossa – all are welcome!
Menu: https://www.legnochicago.com
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📚 Why Portage Park?
Named for the ancient “portage” route linking the Des Plaines and Chicago Rivers, Portage Park is a neighborhood packed with immigrant heritage, mid-century charm, and rich architecture. It was annexed in 1889 and blossomed into a family-friendly working-class area after the Kennedy Expressway opened.
🏊‍♀️ Home to the iconic Portage Park Pool, which hosted the 1959 Pan-Am Games and 1972 U.S. Olympic Swim Trials, the area also boasts:

• National Veterans Art Museum
• Portage Theater & Patio Theater
• Six Corners Shopping District
• Merrimac Park
• And so much more!

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🤝 About Chicago for Chicagoans:
Founded in 2016 by Patti Swanson, this 501(c)(3) nonprofit uses tours and lectures to connect residents with their neighborhoods. Learn more or donate:
🌐 www.chicagoforchicagoans.org
💖 Make a tax-deductible donation
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🚇 Getting There:
Use CTA Trip Planner or Google Maps.
🚗 Driving? Metered parking available on Cicero, Irving, and Milwaukee. Free side street parking nearby—but watch for permit signs.
⚠️ Remember: The tour ends 1.2 miles from the starting point! Please park accordingly.
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🔁 Attending Sunday too?
The West Portage Park Walk will take place on Sunday, June 29th—each tour is listed separately on Meetup, and you’re welcome to join both!

📲 Please RSVP and update your attendance if plans change—no-shows hurt planning.

Can’t wait to walk with you in my neighborhood! 😊
—Giovina