Best Neighborhoods For Trick-Or-Treating In Chicago
For some families, trick-or-treating in a new neighborhood is the best way to spend Halloween. But which neighborhoods in and around Chicago are worthwhile? We take a look at five neighborhoods that make it fun to trick-or-treat, taking into consideration factors like community involvement and parking. To get the scoop on where to take your kids, consider checking out the following five neighborhoods.
Trick-Or-Treat Trail
Buffalo Grove Park District
Alcott Center
530 Bernard Drive
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
(847) 850-2100
www.bgparkdistrict.org
As any longtime resident of the Chicago area can tell you, the end of October is practically synonymous with cold weather. If the thought of hiding your child's costume under a coat and hat disappoints you, then consider trick-or-treating indoors and head out to the northwest suburbs to check out the Buffalo Grove Park District's Trick-or-Treat Trail. The event is held Friday, October 25, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. and features friendly, no-scare costumes. Face-painting and games are among the other activities planned during the event. While the event is free, you will need to register in advance for your child to receive a treat bag.
Trick Or Treat On Southport
1409 W. Addison Ave.
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 472-7171
www.lakeviewchamber.chambermaster.com
What child doesn't want to get a start on trick-or-treating? With Trick or Treat on Southport in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, you and your family can add an extra day of fun to the Halloween festivities. Park your car nearby or take public transportation to the event which takes place on Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 1 p.m. In addition to trick-or-treating, the event includes games and pumpkin decorating. The event does have a fee if your child wishes to participate in all activities. The Trick Or Treat On Southport event occurs on Southport Avenue between Irving Park Road and Belmont Avenue.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park-Kenwood
Community Conference
1525 East 53rd Street, #907
Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 288-8343
www.hydepark.org
For some residents of Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood in the city's South Side, Halloween isn't complete without trick-or-treating on Harper Avenue. According to Gary Ossewaarde, a board member of the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference, the residents of Harper Avenue go all out. "People are dedicated to trick-or-treating, and there's always a big turnout," he says. In previous years, Ossewaarde said some residents have inflatable displays, ornate themed decorations and quite a bit of candy. He also noted that the trick-or-treating is usually wrapped up by about 9 p.m. on Halloween night, and that trick-or-treaters may want to arrive earlier in the evening. The Hyde Park neighborhood is located at Harper Avenue between 57th and 59th Streets.
Related: Best Home Halloween Party Ideas
Edgebrook
Edgebrook Community Association
PO Box 46591
Chicago, IL 60646
www.edgebrookcommunity.org
When it comes to a convenient location, the Edgebrook neighborhood in Chicago's northwest side has it in spades. It features a Metra train station and CTA bus stop, and is near the Edens Expressway. It's also fairly easy to find parking; just keep an eye out for signs that note parking restrictions, especially near the Metra train station. The historic neighborhood features single-family homes that are close to each other, so you and your children can cover quite a bit of ground in a short period of time. Many of the homes are decorated for Halloween, giving the neighborhood a fun and festive appearance.
Edison Park
6730 N. Olmsted
Chicago, IL 60631
(773) 631-0063
www.edisonpark.com
Tucked away in Chicago's northwest side and within a stone's throw of Park Ridge, Edison Park is an ideal spot for trick-or-treating. The neighborhood features an assortment of single-family homes and two flats that are built close to each other. It's near a Metra stop and close to the El; and you can find parking on many of the side streets. The streets are well lit, especially those bordering Olympia Park, so you can feel safe while trick-or-treating. After filling up the treat bucket, consider heading to one of Edison Park's numerous family-friendly restaurants for a quick dinner.
Megan Horst-Hatch is a runner, reader, baker, gardener, knitter, and other words that end in "-er." She is also the president of Megan Writes, LLC. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
