To the Loop
1.9mi
Straight-line miles from the middle of Old Town.
Size
0.71sq mi
Central
L lines
Through it
Living here
Life in Old Town.
Old Town is home to The Second City, the improv theater on Wells Street, and to the Old Town Triangle, a historic district of narrow streets and nineteenth-century homes. Wells Street carries most of the restaurants and shops, and the Old Town Art Fair fills the Triangle every June.
Lincoln Park and North Avenue Beach are next door, and the Triangle has small pocket parks of its own.
Historic architectureRestaurantsArts and cultureNights outEasy without a carNear the lake
The homes
What you'll find.
Worker cottages and Italianate rowhouses in the Triangle, brick walk-ups, newer townhomes, and mid- and high-rise condos toward LaSalle and Clark.
Historic rowhousesTownhomesMid-rise condosHigh-rises
Getting around
How far is everything?
The Red, Brown and Purple lines run through Old Town. North Avenue Beach and the south end of Lincoln Park are a short walk east.
Straight-line miles. Tap one to draw it on the map.
Places to know
Start here.
- Arts and cultureThe Second CityThe comedy theater on Wells Street.
- LandmarksOld Town TriangleHistoric district of small streets and old homes.
- LandmarksSt. Michael ChurchOne of the few buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire.
- Food and drinkWells StreetRestaurants, bars and shops end to end.
- Arts and cultureOld Town Art FairA juried art fair in the Triangle every June.
Listed with us
Homes in Old Town.
Next door
Around Old Town.
Questions
Good to know.
What is Old Town known for?
Old Town is home to The Second City, the improv theater on Wells Street, and to the Old Town Triangle, a historic district of narrow streets and nineteenth-century homes. Wells Street carries most of the restaurants and shops, and the Old Town Art Fair fills the Triangle every June.
What kind of homes are in Old Town?
Worker cottages and Italianate rowhouses in the Triangle, brick walk-ups, newer townhomes, and mid- and high-rise condos toward LaSalle and Clark.
How do you get downtown from Old Town?
Old Town is about 1.9 miles from the Loop as the crow flies. The Red, Brown and Purple lines run through Old Town. North Avenue Beach and the south end of Lincoln Park are a short walk east.
Which neighborhoods are next to Old Town?
Old Town borders Gold Coast, Lincoln Park and River North.
How do I find the schools for a home in Old Town?
Chicago Public Schools' School Locator shows the neighborhood schools for any address. We're happy to look one up with you for a home you're considering. Open the School Locator.
Looking in Old Town?
Let us show you around.
Our agents know Old Town block by block. Tell us what you're after and we'll line up the homes, on the market and off it.
Boundaries follow the City of Chicago's neighborhood map; locals draw some edges differently. Distances are straight-line miles. We describe places, homes and transit, not the people who live there. For schools, the CPS School Locator shows the schools for any address. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: St. Michael Church and the Old Town Triangle by Victor Grigas, CC BY-SA 3.0; St. Michael Church by Michael Jastremski, CC BY-SA 3.0; Old Town Triangle (Lincoln Avenue Row House District) by Thshriver, CC BY-SA 3.0; Oak Street Beach and Lake Shore Drive by Roman Boed, CC BY 2.0; South Pond and Nature Boardwalk, Lincoln Park by Chris6d, CC BY-SA 4.0; Marina City and the Chicago River by GregMcCollum, CC0.