Watch CBS News

Guide To Family Fun In Uptown

Uptown
(credit: Heather Earnhart)

Uptown neighborhood boundaries:
Lake Michigan to the East
Ashland to the West
Foster on the North
Irving Park to the South

While you're there, you can also see where the stars of Hollywood hung out long ago, take your dog to the Puptown Park and discover for yourself why Uptown is the most diverse neighborhood in Chicago, and possibly the whole country.

A Quick Trip to Paris

LaPatisserieP
1050-52 W. Argyle Street
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 878-3226
Mon, Wed, Thur, Sun: 8 am–7 pm
Fri. & Sat.: 8 am–8 pm
Closed Tuesday
under $1 - $5
www.lapatisseriep.com

For award winning French pastries, visit the secret croissant supplier of most of Chicago's better known bakeries. Peter Yuen has been on Team USA in the International Baker's Guild competition in Paris for several years now. The bakery walls are adorned with his awards. Grab a chocolate croissant, a cup of coffee and enjoy a taste of Paris in Uptown. Or if you prefer, stop by for a quick, filling, inexpensive lunch of traditional Asian Buns. The Beef Curry and BBQ Pork are great, and there's even Ham and cheese buns or Hot dog buns if your kids aren't into Asian tastes. Finish off your meal with an Éclair, a slice of Opera Cake or a delicious Butter Cream Bun. The Patisserie specially made mini, butter-cream buns for my daughter to share with her class on her birthday. Bon Apetit!

Viet Hoa Plaza Market
(credit: Heather Earnhart)

Shopping in another country

Viet Hoa Plaza
1051 W. Argyle Street
Chicago, IL 60640
Mon.-Fri.: 9 – 5
Sat. & Sun.:
(773) 334-1028
CBS Directory

After you finish your pastries, walk across the street and step inside the Viet Hoa Market to experience shopping in Vietnam, Thailand or China. Your kids will love picking out an interesting imported packaged treat, looking at the trinkets, and will probably complain of the strong smells coming from the fresh fish and produce section, which is a must-see. Mom and Dad can pick-up some unique Asian themed kitchen dishes and supplies at a fraction of the cost you would pay at Crate and Barrel. Grab some noodles to cook for dinner tonight.

Ribs anyone?

Windy City Ribfest in Uptown
Broadway, between Leland and Lawrence
Chicago, IL 60640
Friday July 15th: 5-10 p.m.
Saturday July 16th: 12p.m.–10 p.m.
Sunday July 17th: 12p.m.–9 p.m.
$5 donation at gate
www.uptownbusinesspartners.com

Take a walk over to Broadway and step back into America while you enjoy some All-American ribs at the 2nd Annual Windy City Ribfest in Uptown. This family fest will feature ribs, live music stages, arts, crafts, games, pony rides and other vendors.

A taste of Saigon and Hollywood history

Bale Sandwich Chicago
5311 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 561-4424
7 days a week: 7:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
up to $6.95
www.balesandwich.com

Essanay Film Studios
1345 W. Argyle Street

Take a break from the ribs and the crowds and walk back up Broadway into Little Saigon for a quick snack. The Bale shop, in its new fab location, offers French-inspired Vietnamese sandwiches called Banh Mi, spring rolls, Che, Smoothies and Vietnamese iced coffee. With smoothie in hand, walk down Argyle west of Broadway to see the historic Essanay Studios where Charlie Chaplin and Gloria Swanson filmed silent movies. Uptown was the hot-spot for silent films before everyone headed out to Hollywood. You can only view the exterior of the building, and must look carefully at the facade for the original signage of the Essanay Studios, now listed on the National Register of Historic places.

Margate Park
(credit: Heather Earnhart)

Playtime for kids and pets

Margate Park
4921 N. Marine Drive
Chicago, IL 60640
Chicago Park District

Puptown
Chicago, IL 60640
www.puptown.org

When everyone needs a break, walk East toward the lake and take the kids to the lovely Margate Park, while someone else takes the family dog just south down to Puptown, the well-known Uptown dog park.

Heather Earnhart is a freelance musician living with her husband and two kids in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Read more of her work on the ChiTown Parent Blog at: www.chicagoparent.com.
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.