🌳🍂 Porch Stories & Park Paths: A Fall Walk Through Portage Park 🏡

🌳🍂Porch Stories & Park Paths: A Fall Walk Through Portage Park 🏡

Discover the history, homes, and hidden gems of Portage Park’s east side — all while enjoying a lovely, crisp fall walk on a Sunday morning filled with color, charm, and community spirit. 🍂☀️

📅 Sunday, October 26, 2025
🕛 10:00 AM – approx. 12:15 PM
📍 Start: City News Café, 4018 N Cicero Ave
🎯 End: Biagio Banquets, 4242 N Central Ave
👟 Approx. 2 miles of walking | Ends ~1.2 miles from start
💰 Cost: $20 (cash preferred; Zelle, Venmo, PayPal accepted)
⚠️ Tip: The walk ends about 1.2 miles from the start — if driving, consider parking midway for an easier return.

***

📚 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 architectural gems. Annexed in 1889, it 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 much more!

***

🏘️ What You’ll Discover:
We’ll explore the history, architecture, and community of East Portage Park, including:
• Bungalow-lined streets of the “Bungalow Belt” 🏡
• Former movie palaces & classic shopping districts 🎬
• Historic churches & beautiful parks ⛪🌳
• Fun local trivia & neighborhood gems 💬

📸 It’s not a photo walk—but trust us, you’ll want your camera!

🎤 Guided by a longtime Chicagoan with a soft spot for Portage Park (that’s me!), this tour is made for anyone who loves history, architecture, and neighborhood charm.

***

🏛️ Featured Stops & Highlights:
🎭 Fantasy Costumes
🎬 Portage Park Theater
🏢 Klee Building
🏛️ Historic Sears Building
🔥 Former Site of People’s Gas Building (Landmarked)
🏨 Irving Park Hotel
🎥 Northwest Historical Film Society
⛪ Cornerstone Anglican Church
🎞️ Grayland Theater
🏠 Bungalow Belt
🏊‍♀️ Portage Park Olympic-Size Swimming Pool
🎟️ Historic Portage Park Fieldhouse
🕍 St. Mary’s Romanian Orthodox Church

***

🍽️ Optional Lunch After the Tour
Join us afterward for a casual bite at Legno by Suparossa – all are welcome!
📖 Menu: https://www.legnochicago.com
💵 Bring cash for lunch—some spots don’t split checks!

***

👟 What to Bring:
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Water bottle
• Weather-appropriate attire
• $20 tour fee (exact change appreciated; cash preferred but Zelle, Venmo, PayPal accepted)

🚗 Transit & Parking Tips:
• Free & metered street parking on Irving Park, Cicero, Milwaukee & nearby side streets (check signs)
• Park midway for convenience
• CTA-accessible – use the CTA Trip Planner for best routes

***

📌 RSVP & No-Show Policy
✔️ Keep your RSVP current
🚫 No-shows make future planning tough
🕛 RSVP updates close at the tour start time

***

✨ Discover Portage Park — where porches tell stories and every path leads to history! 🌼