Lincoln Park: Chicago

Lincoln Park is a residential playground for young and old. College kids live in three-flats while successful professionals live next door in towering mansions. From nightly specials at the drinking wells near DePaul University to multi-course meals at upscale restaurants like Alinea, this neighborhood offers flavors that meet the needs of a wide range of budgets.

You can satisfy your taste buds, but you can also satisfy your thirst for knowledge of Chicago history. This section of the Windy City served as the backdrop for some of the most notorious dates in gangster history: the St. Valentine's Day Massacre and the killing of legendary bank robber, John Dillinger.

While there are plenty of opportunities to spend money in this North Side neighborhood, you can also take advantage of some of the city's most popular free offerings. In the summer, crowds pack North Avenue Beach for sun-drenched fun. In the winter, anyone looking for a dose of holiday cheer with a side of exotic animals turns to the free Lincoln Park Zoo. During the holidays, the zoo dresses up for the season with lights, ice sculptures and a meet-and-greet area with Santa Claus in the Lion House.