Take it from me: Poking around Lincoln Park’s Armitage Avenue is a first-rate way to spend a September Saturday. As a former resident and frequent return visitor, I love that Armitage has everything, including specialty foods, boutiques and scenic spots. From Milwaukee, you can drive here in 1.5 hours (traffic on I-94 willing), snag parking easily and hit different stops along the street on foot. Or take the Amtrak to Union Station. From there, walk to the Brown Line at Quincy and head to Armitage. (Check hours for other days of the week.)
10 a.m.
Look for free parking on nearby North Kenmore and Maude avenues, located just a few paces from your first stop: Jayson Home & Garden (1) (1885 N. Clybourn Ave.), whose trove of goods includes handmade D.S. & Durga luxury candles. Each scent comes with its own Spotify playlist. Great idea – you can listen on the drive home. After stowing your purchased items in your car, walk up Kenmore to Armitage for an everything bagel breakfast sandwich at Chicago Bagel Authority (2) (953 W. Armitage Ave.).
10:30 a.m.
Putter east for a little shopping, including a stop at Art Effect (3) boutique (934 W. Armitage Ave.). Then take a break from shopping and wander through Oz Park (4) (2021 N. Burling St.). Soak up the 14-plus acres of green space and check out the charming Wizard of Oz sculptures for which it is named.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Market Stop
Pick up a tear-and-enjoy baguette, kettle corn snack or some fresh pasta to bring home at the Lincoln Park Farmers Market (2001 N. Orchard St.), which runs Saturdays May through November.
12:30 p.m.
Lunch is mere steps away – at farm-to-plate fave Blue Door Farm Stand Too (5) (711 W. Armitage Ave.). Dig into a Cobb salad or their famed club sandwich inside the casual, rustic cafe. Continue east toward the Lincoln Park Zoo (6) (2001 N. Clark St.), which is decked out in autumnal decor for its Fall Fest, beginning Sept. 29, and on to majestic Lake Michigan. Take in the breathtaking skyline from North Avenue Beach (7) (1601 N. Lake Shore Dr.) before it’s time to head back.
2 p.m.
On the return walk west, get a little more retail therapy at Jenni Kayne (8) (912 W. Armitage Ave.), whose minimalist Oak Essentials skincare and ultra-popular cashmere cardigan sweaters are luxurious must-haves. Nearby, All She Wrote (9) (825 W. Armitage Ave.) stocks wonderful stationery, greeting cards and giftware.
4 p.m.
Need a bite before hitting the road back to MKE? Butcher & The Burger (10) (1021 W. Armitage Ave.) makes a great build-your-own bison burger with custom-mixed Chicago blend seasoning, plus decadent frozen custard crafted in-house.
Getting Around
Soak up more of Chicago by hopping on the “L,” Chicago’s public transit trains; the north-south Brown and Purple lines have a stop right on Armitage (944 W.). Purchase a $5 day pass and you can ride as much as you wish.
