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Last updated October 2026

The best things to do in Logan Square are walking its historic boulevards, the Sunday farmers market by the Illinois Centennial Monument, the 606 trail, an old-school sundae at Margie’s Candies, and some of Chicago’s best restaurants, from Lula Café to Mi Tocaya Antojería. I’ve spent a lot of time exploring Logan Square (my brother used to live there) with a coffee in hand, camera ready, and a running list of places I can’t wait to recommend. Below are my favorite ways to spend a day here, with practical tips so you can enjoy Logan Square like a local.

Getting to Know Logan Square

Just five miles northwest of downtown, Logan Square feels like a small town inside the city, a mix of old-school Chicago charm and new creative energy. What I love most about Logan Square is how it feels alive without trying too hard. The historic boulevard system of Logan, Kedzie, and Humboldt still looks straight out of a turn-of-the-century postcard, with wide lawns and grand greystones lining each street.

On warm evenings, you’ll see kids on bikes, couples walking dogs, and locals heading to their favorite patios for dinner. Milwaukee Avenue cuts diagonally through the middle and holds most of the restaurants and bars, while the boulevards are where you go to slow down. It’s also home to a legendary candy shop, Margie’s Candies, and one of my favorite bookstores in Chicago, City Lit Books on Kedzie.

Best Things to Do in Logan Square

Parks & Outdoor Spaces

• Palmer Square Park (2200 N. Kedzie Blvd)
  A long green oval with a running loop and a playground, at the south end of the boulevards. I love bringing my coffee here on crisp fall mornings to watch the joggers and dogs go by.
• The 606 Trail
  Chicago’s 2.7-mile elevated trail connects Logan Square with Bucktown and Wicker Park. Rent a Divvy bike and ride it at sunset, or walk it early when it’s quiet.
• Logan Boulevard Skate Park (2430 W. Logan Blvd)
  Tucked under the Kennedy Expressway, this community skate spot stays busy with skaters and kids learning their first tricks.

Art & Culture

Illinois Centennial Monument & Logan Square Farmers Market
The tall marble column marks the heart of the neighborhood. On Sundays from May through late October, the Logan Square Farmers Market sets up nearby from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Grab a latte and browse produce, flowers, and baked goods; even Daisies sells its fresh pasta there. The Logan Square Arts Fest takes over the area the last weekend in June.

The Logan Theatre (2646 N. Milwaukee Ave)
A restored 1915 movie house with a cocktail bar that makes waiting for your film feel like part of the outing. It mixes new releases with indie and repertory screenings.

Comfort Station (2579 N. Milwaukee Ave)
This little historic building might be one of Chicago’s smallest arts venues, and one of its most creative. Expect free concerts, film nights, and art shows that spill onto the lawn in summer.

Murals of Logan Square
The colorful “Greetings from Chicago” mural on Milwaukee Avenue is the neighborhood’s best-known photo stop. I recommend starting your walk at Milwaukee and Fullerton and letting the street art guide you.

City Lit Books (2523 N. Kedzie Blvd)
One of Logan Square’s most beloved indie bookstores. The children’s section is fantastic, and they host story hours and author events.

Stan Mansion (2408 N. Kedzie Blvd)
An ornate former Masonic hall turned event venue on the boulevard, worth a look from the outside even if you’re not attending an event.

For Families & Kids

Margie’s Candies (1960 N. Western Ave)
No family trip, or date night, is complete without a stop at Margie’s, the century-old ice cream parlor at the southeast edge of Logan Square. Step inside and it’s another era: booths, vintage décor, and massive sundaes served in shell-shaped dishes. The hot-fudge sundae with house-made caramel is my go-to, and kids go wide-eyed when it arrives. Expect a line on weekends.

Aloft Circus Arts (3324 W. Wrightwood Ave)
Yes, your kids can learn circus skills here. Its kids’ classes are one of the most unusual ways to burn off energy in Chicago.

Wolfbait & B-Girls (3131 W. Logan Blvd)
A bright, friendly shop full of work by local makers: jewelry, prints, handmade toys, and Chicago souvenirs that aren’t the usual airport fare.

For more ideas across the city, see my guide to Chicago with kids.

Seasonal Events & Festivals

• Summer: the Logan Square Arts Fest fills the monument area the last weekend in June, and it’s one of the neighborhood’s best summer festivals in Chicago.
• Fall: the farmers market runs into late October, and the boulevards are at their prettiest when the trees turn.
• Winter: it’s a great time for the neighborhood’s cozy side, from a movie and cocktail at the Logan Theatre to sipping chocolate at Katherine Anne Confections.
• Spring: patio season returns, and the breweries along Milwaukee Avenue start filling up again.

Best Places to Eat in Logan Square

Brunch & Coffee

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I judge a Chicago neighborhood by its food scene, and Logan Square absolutely delivers. Here’s where I’d happily eat any day of the week, plus my guide to the best coffee shops in Chicago if you want more.

Lula Café (2537 N. Kedzie Blvd)
This neighborhood institution has been serving creative, farm-driven plates since 1999, long before “farm-to-table” was a buzzword. I always order their seasonal scramble and whatever pastry just came out of the oven. Brunch is walk-in and gets busy on market Sundays.

Reno (2607 N. Milwaukee Ave)
Wood-fired bagels and a steady hum of locals make Reno a good fuel stop before the 606. Grab a bagel sandwich and take it to the monument.

Gaslight Coffee Roasters (2385 N. Milwaukee Ave)
A quiet corner spot for pour-overs, laptop time, or people-watching. The latte art’s worth a photo, but it’s the vibe that keeps me coming back.

Necessary & Sufficient Coffee (3624 W. Wrightwood Ave)
Their walk-up window saves me on chilly mornings. Pair a flat white with something from Sugar Moon Bakery, a few doors down.

Lunch & Dinner in Logan Square

Longman & Eagle (2657 N. Kedzie Ave)
The gastropub that helped put Logan Square on the city’s food map when it opened in 2010, with a six-room inn upstairs and a whiskey list that runs deep. Expect a seasonal menu and one of the best burgers around. I love coming here for a late brunch or an after-dinner drink when the candles are flickering.

Mi Tocaya Antojería (2800 W. Logan Blvd)
Chef Diana Dávila’s regional Mexican cooking is the definition of soulful, and she picked up a 2026 James Beard nomination. The menu changes with the seasons, and I still dream about the squash blossom quesadilla.

Daisies (2375 N. Milwaukee Ave)
Handmade pasta and a menu built around produce from the chef’s family farm, in one of the prettiest dining rooms in the neighborhood. It holds a Michelin Green Star for sustainability, so book ahead, especially on weekends.

Parson’s Chicken & Fish (2952 W. Armitage Ave)
If Logan Square had a summer mascot, it’d be Parson’s patio: fried chicken, Negroni slushies, and sunshine.

Beautiful Rind (2211 N. Milwaukee Ave)
If you love cheese as much as I do, Beautiful Rind is pure joy. Part cheese shop, part café, it’s a place to taste and linger over a wine-and-cheese flight at the counter. My favorite part? You can choose your cheeses, meats, and accompaniments, and they’ll help you build a board to take home or enjoy right there.

Lonesome Rose (2101 N. Milwaukee Ave)
Tacos, frozen margaritas, and a rooftop that’s hard to beat on a warm night.

Andros Taverna (2542 N. Milwaukee Ave)
Modern Greek with a lively buzz. Order the grilled octopus and save room for dessert, and reserve ahead on weekends.

Dessert & Treats in Logan Square

Pretty Cool Ice Cream (2353 N. California Ave)
Playful frozen ice cream bars in ever-changing flavors, a few blocks from the 606.

Sugar Moon Bakery (3612 W. Wrightwood Ave)
Known for its baked goods and cookies that sell out early. The line’s worth it, trust me.

Katherine Anne Confections (2745 W. Armitage Ave)
Small-batch truffles, caramels, and sipping chocolate that feels like a hug on a cold day.

Nightlife in Logan Square

Cole’s Bar (2338 N. Milwaukee Ave)
Equal parts dive bar and creative clubhouse, Cole’s is where local musicians and comics try out new material. It’s relaxed, affordable, and full of neighborhood regulars.

The Owl (2521 N. Milwaukee Ave)
When everything else winds down, The Owl is just getting started, with red lighting and a late-night crowd. I’ve closed out more than one night here dancing to unexpected playlists and chatting with strangers who instantly felt like friends.

Logan Arcade (2410 W. Fullerton Ave)
Part retro arcade, part craft-beer bar, with walls lined with pinball and vintage video games. It’s a casual date night or group hangout with a dose of nostalgia. More ideas in my roundup of date ideas in Chicago.

One Perfect Day in Logan Square

Here’s how I’d spend a full day exploring one of Chicago’s most creative neighborhoods, mixing coffee, markets, art, and a little nightlife.

• Morning:
  Start at the Illinois Centennial Monument and grab breakfast at Lula Café or a bagel from Reno. On a Sunday from May to October, browse the farmers market, then walk the boulevard to Palmer Square Park with a coffee from Gaslight.
• Midday:
  Walk or bike the 606, then head back for lunch at Mi Tocaya Antojería and browse local makers at Wolfbait & B-Girls.
• Afternoon:
  Check what’s on at Comfort Station, stop into City Lit Books, and treat yourself to an ice cream bar from Pretty Cool.
• Evening:
  Dinner at Parson’s for fried chicken or Daisies for handmade pasta, then a movie at the Logan Theatre or a round of pinball at Logan Arcade.

Pro tip: Sunday is the best day to visit, because the farmers market and brunch line up, but it’s also the busiest. Get to Lula Café early, or flip the order and shop the market first.

Practical Tips For Visiting Logan Square

• Best for first-timers: take the Blue Line to Logan Square and do the monument-to-Palmer Square loop first.
• Reservations: Daisies, Andros Taverna, and weekend dinners book up.
• Peak season: summer weekends for patios and festivals, and fall for walking weather.
• Accessibility: the boulevards and the monument area are flat and stroller-friendly; check with individual restaurants about steps at the entrance.
• Safety: it’s a busy residential neighborhood that’s lively most evenings along Milwaukee Avenue; use the same awareness you would anywhere in a big city, especially late at night.

Recently Closed

Open Books, the literacy nonprofit’s used bookstore at 2068 N. Milwaukee Ave., closed its Logan Square location on March 1, 2026. Its West Loop and Pilsen stores are still open.

Why Logan Square Belongs on Your Chicago Itinerary

Every time I leave Logan Square, I’m already planning my next visit. Maybe it’s the smell of coffee drifting down Kedzie Boulevard, or the music spilling out of an open door on Milwaukee Avenue. Whether you’re here for the food, the music, or just to see a different side of Chicago, it will win you over. When you’re ready for the next neighborhood, my guide to the best Chicago neighborhoods to visit picks up from here.

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