Sightseeing
Rich with history, certain parts of Uptown provide a lovely backdrop for a midday or early evening stroll. The Hutchinson Street District (lining Hutchinson and Hazel streets, and Junior Terrace) showcases a variety of extravagant mansions, constructed in the early 1900s and influenced by Wright's Prairie school of architecture. Little Saigon on Argyle Street represents a snapshot of Vietnamese culture, including storefront restaurants, specialty stores and a Vietnam War museum. Just minutes away sports fans will find the world famous Wrigley Field home to the Chicago Cubs.

Recreation
For a relaxing summer day, Uptown has a plethora of outdoor activities. Those who enjoy the summer months can take advantage of walking to the beach and sunbathing o the sand at Foster Avenue Beach or Montrose Beach. In addition, several sport and social leagues host sporting events at the Fields of Montrose Harbor (football, soccer, and softball). If you enjoy biking you are just a short ride away from miles and miles of bike baths that stretch from the North side to the South side of Chicago. If you enjoy golf you will want to try the 18 holes of Golf Course just minutes away. If you are a fisherman you can pick your favorite fishing hole along the Lake Michigan shore line.

Entertainment
If you enjoy live music and theater, then consider the varied performances found in Uptown. The Dance Center of Columbia College offers an creative assortment of experimental dance, puppetry and eclectic music. Other live performance havens include the Black Ensemble Theater, the Profiles Theater at 4147 N. Broadway Avenue, and the Pegasus Players Theatre. For a touch of history, visit the Aragon Ballroom, once the premium place for big-band music, now a charming relic and home to modern rock and Latin concerts. The Riviera Theater, formerly a movie palace, hosts live rock concerts, with enough room for balcony-viewers.

Night Life
After dusk, a few Uptown joints come alive. The Green Mill Cocktail Lounge is legendary for its late-night jazz sets. The Lakeview Lounge at 5110 N. Broadway is the home of Night Watch, a veteran rock n' roll band with countless old pop and country tunes in their repertoire. If you are into a venue that offers a variety of live music from local and traveling bands you’ll want to check out Martyr’s.

Some Selected Restaurants to Try

Byron's Hot Dogs
Fast food/burgers
1017 W. Irving Park Road
The original location of this hot dog Mecca, Byron's has perfected succulent steamed or charbroiled dogs. If you are new to Chicago or the area, this is a must try Hotdog joint.

Deleece
American, Eclectic
4004 N. Southport Avenue
The varied menu includes everything from cheesy quesadillas and Oriental-style potstickers to Italian bruschetta and vegetarian asparagus ravioli. Reservations are suggested.

Don Quijote Mexican Restaurant
Mexican
4761 N. Clark Street
Open 24 hours a day, this corner joint offers cheap Mexican burritos, tacos and the like. Grab an ice cream cone on your way out.

Fiesta Mexicana
Mexican, Seafood
4806 N. Broadway Avenue
Live music and Mexican food enliven this Uptown restaurant.

Julie Mai's le Bistro
French, Asian
5025 N. Clark Street
Julie Mai's was dishing out French-Vietnamese cuisine long before it was trendy.

La Donna Restaurant
Italian
5146 N. Clark Street
The broad menu offers Italian fare, influenced by northern and southern regions of Italy.

Lolita's Cafe
Mexican
4400 N. Clark Street
This restaurant serves affordable, authentic Mexican dishes mainly for neighborhood denizens. It also hosts a midnight drag queen show on Saturday nights.

N.N. Smokehouse
American, Southern
1465 W. Irving Park Road
Yuppies, locals, and suburbanites all stop by this casual joint for a bit of blues music, Memphis pork, seafood jambalaya and sweet potato pie.

Ranalli's Up North
Pizza, American, Italian
1522 W. Montrose Avenue
Ranalli's serves pizza and pasta dishes in a casual atmosphere.

Siam Cafe
Asian, Thai
4712 N. Sheridan Road
The dressy decor is offset by tasty choices at rock-bottom prices. Choose from such meals as mee krob (rice noodles with shrimp and fried tofu), red snapper with ginger sauce, and yum nam tok (beef-onion salad with hot-and-sour sauce).

Tokyo Marina Japanese Cuisine
Asian, Japanese
5058 N. Clark Street
Expect a handwritten menu of traditional Japanese food and seaweed-wrapped sushi, served in an informal setting. If you're concerned about your sushi budget, try an economical sushi combo of mackeral, octopus, tuna and yellow tail pieces.