Location & Area

North Boundary: 2400 N Fullerton
South Boundary: 1600 N North
East Boundary: 1600 W Ashland
West Boundary: 2400 W Western
Primary Zip Code: 60647

With borders that are often confused with Wicker Park's, Bucktown is a neighborhood filled with character and art. It lies just to the north of Wicker Park, between North and Fullerton avenues, and from the Kennedy Expressway (routes 90/94) west to Western.

The area's rejuvenation was started by local artists, once attracted by cheap rents and accessibility to the Loop (10 minutes away) and expressways. During the past decade, it has been transforming from its earlier blue-collar, primarily Polish roots into a conveniently located, upscale-artsy neighborhood. Poles have largely been replaced by a Mexican community, especially at the western side of the Bucktown neighborhood. Today, artists are reluctantly giving way to a trendier crowd, but their creative force left a lasting impression.

Current Trends and Facts of Bucktown Chicago

The central art district is bordered by Milwaukee, Damen, Wabansia and North avenues. There many galleries in and above store fronts and the historic Flat Iron Building houses galleries of many established and up-an-coming artists. Bucktown neighborhood is also the location of the annual Bucktown Arts Fest, every August, and the Round the Coyote art festival in September.

Small neighborhood bars can be found on just about every corner. North and Damen avenues boast smoky late-night music clubs (such as the famous Double-Door and the Blue Note) and cosmopolitan clubs, boutiques, and restaurants. Bucktown neighborhood also contains several remarkable churches, the legacy of early Polish immigrants.