Discover A Piece Of Poland's Charm At This Underrated And Artsy Chicago Neighborhood

If you want to avoid the tourist traps in Chicago, you should venture out into one of the destination's lesser-known neighborhoods. While many parts of the Windy City get their fair share of tourists, there are a few areas that remain hidden gems. And much like all major cities in the U.S., each of these neighborhoods tells a particular story about the immigrants that settled there through the local food and culture. If you're interested in Eastern Europe, a trip to the Jefferson Park neighborhood of Chicago is the very best place to get your fill of delicious Polish food, as well as some interesting art, music, and theater.

Jefferson Park is a lively and convenient neighborhood in northwest Chicago, almost halfway between Chicago O'Hare airport and the beachfront of Lake Michigan, each about seven miles away from the community. Although it is quieter than downtown, Jefferson Park has a long history of being home to people who came to the U.S. from Poland, so much so that the neighborhood is full of renowned (and tasty) Polish restaurants and hosts a Polish cultural festival each year. Jefferson Park is also highly accessible from Chicago's public transit system and is very walkable, so you don't even need a car to spend a day there. And if you're looking to spend time outside, Jefferson (Thomas) Memorial Park is a great gathering place to participate in sports or just to take a stroll in a green space. Adding to the rich culture of the neighborhood is Jefferson Park's excellent arts spaces and events.

Chicago has a lot of different neighborhoods defined by their cultural roots. There's Chinatown, Little Italy, and even a neighborhood with authentic Swedish food and one-of-a-kind stores. The case is no different in Jefferson Park, which boasts several authentic Polish establishments. One of the oldest and most renowned is Andy's Deli & Mikolajczyk Sausage Shop, which opened in 1918 and sells high-quality Polish sausage, cheeses, and other grocery products. Smakosz Restaurant, a family-owned business that is only a block away from the Jefferson (Thomas) Memorial Park, serves up all kinds of Polish favorites like pierogies, pork chops, and more. It's also highly recommended as one of the top Polish restaurants in all of Chicago.

One of the best ways to sample a lot of Polish food in Jefferson Park is to visit during a cultural heritage day or a festival. The neighborhood hosts the annual Taste of Polonia, one of the largest Polish festivals in the U.S., on Labor Day Weekend, which includes lots of Polish music, family fun, and, of course, as much Polish food as you can eat. The neighborhood also collectively celebrates Casimir Pulaski Day on the first Monday of March, commemorating a notable Polish-born soldier from the American Revolution. Although the area is proud of its heritage, it's not limited to Polish establishments. Jefferson Park is also full of excellent bakeries, bars, and coffeehouses. Additionally, the neighborhood is home to the historical Gale Street Inn, which is well known for its ribs.

Chicago is teeming with art all across the city, including the iconic Wicker Park neighborhood, so it makes sense that Jefferson Park is one of the best places to go for music, theater, and exciting exhibitions. The best location to see concerts, theater performances, dance, comedy shows, and film screenings is at the Copernicus Center. This 1,800-plus-seat event center is also, coincidentally, the location for the annual Taste of Polonia. If you're interested in modern art, you can go to the Ed Paschke Art Center, which showcases work from Chicago artists and offers free admission. Or, if you are a theater lover, the popular Gift Theatre is a cozy, 50-seat space that is well known for its dramatic original productions.

Aside from Taste of Polonia, Jefferson Park's biggest festival is the Jefferson Park Arts and Music Festival, or Jeff Fest. The yearly three-day event happens in the summer and has tons of live musical acts, as well as activities for attendees of all ages. Visitors can also enjoy food and craft beer and shop for lots of arts and crafts from local vendors. Whether you're in the neighborhood for a performance at the Copernicus Center, sampling pierogies from a local restaurant, or attending a festival, you can also see tons of street art and murals in the area, which adds to Jefferson Park's singular beauty and uniqueness.