About this Event
Join us for a new neighborhood walking tour of another vibrant Chicago community! This one is a little different from my usual walks as I will not be the tour guide. The tour will be led by long time guide and former local resident, Anthony Alfaro on a walk-through Rogers Park with its art, history, stores and restaurants. This area has been a long-time home to a very diverse ethnic community.
It will be a great walk on a lovely summer Sunday afternoon. It's a multi-meetup group event! While it is not a strict photo walk, there will be many opportunities to take pictures!
THIS IS A PAID PRIVATE NEIGHBORHOOD WALKING TOUR OF THE VIBRANT & HISTORIC ROGERS PARK AREA WITH AN EXPERT CHICAGO GUIDE. Fee is $25 per person. Your tour will be led by Anthony Alfaro, who has many years of experience leading tours of Chicago. He has worked with Chicago for Chicagoans and Patti Swanson for some time and is a neighborhood tour guide expert!
Beginning at the Loyola Red Line stop, the tour will cover Rogers Park's rich history, architecture, and landmarks — from its earliest beginnings as a village on the city's outskirts, to its flirtations with luxury, elegance, and grand movie palaces, its war with neighboring West Ridge, and its modern reputation as one of the most ethnically diverse areas of Chicago's Far North Side. Come discover why this community has been reported as the city's best neighborhood for quality of life.
The tour is about 2 miles of walking outside so wear good walking shoes and proper outdoor clothing for the Chicago summer weather.
Please keep in mind that the tour Ends about 6 blocks from where we start so park accordingly if you drive. We start the Loyola Red Line stop at 1200 Loyola Ave and end at N Greenview Ave & W Devon Ave, so it is an easy walk back your car depending on where you park.
I cannot guarantee how many washroom facilities will be available on the walk so please plan accordingly. We will go grab a bite after the walk.
EVENTBRITE NOW REQUIRES THAT I ISSUE TICKETS AND CHARGE UPFRONT ON THEIR PLATFORM. TICKETS ARE $25 PER PERSON FOR THIS TOUR AND WILL BE REFUNDABLE IF THE EVENT IS CANCELED BY THE HOST DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER OR IF YOU CANCEL YOUR TICKET AT LEAST 24 HRS BEFORE THE START OF THE WALK~
After the walk, some of us may grab a bite at one of many fabulous restaurants in the area. These are a few options: Sauce & Bread Kitchen, Taste of Peru, Denden, River Roads Cafe or Awash Ethiopian. All are welcome to join!
Rogers Park, one of the northernmost neighborhoods in Chicago, sits against the blue backdrop of Lake Michigan. According to the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society, the community area was named for Phillip Rogers. Rogers settled there in the mid-nineteenth century in what would ultimately become one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods. When the Northwestern Elevated Railroad opened the Howard Street station in the early twentieth century, the neighborhood began to grow.
Rogers Park has always been home to a large immigrant population. The Rogers Park Business Alliance estimates that roughly 80 languages are spoken in Rogers Park among a population of nearly 55,000. The main campus of Loyola University Chicago, a Jesuit university of more than 16,000 students (and the beloved Sister Jean) also sits within Rogers Park.
Today, Rogers Park attracts artists of all kinds. The cobblestone Glenwood Avenue Arts District features storefront theaters, music venues, murals, and studios. Four ‘L’ stops run through Rogers Park: Loyola, Morse, Jarvis, and the Red Line terminal, Howard. It is one of the official 77 community areas of Chicago.
If you’re looking for off-the-beaten-path, under-the-radar Chicago, head to Rogers Park. You’ll find architectural gems, authentic global eateries, and a cutting-edge theatre scene, all nestled in this welcoming lakefront enclave. Rogers Park is one of Chicago’s most diverse neighborhoods, with more than 80 different languages spoken
Anthony Alfaro was born and raised in Chicago's West Ridge neighborhood. After years of leading North side neighborhood tours for Chicago for Chicagoans tour company he became part of their administrative staff in 2022 as Assistant Events Manager. When he's not exploring Midwestern backroads looking for thrifted treasures, professing his love for his new home Woodstock, or sifting through Sanborn maps, you can probably find him at a local bar downing vintage cocktails and waxing poetic about Marshall Fields.
If you are taking public transportation, please check their website for directions or use google maps or CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
If you are driving, there is street parking along Broadway, Sheridan and Loyola Ave plus surrounding side streets but pay attention to parking signs especially permit parking. This sometimes can be a little tricky place to park
PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!
How to find us: *TICKETED EVENT PAID IN ADVANCE* Meet outside The Loyola Red Line Stop 1200 W. Loyola Ave. Look for group gathered, Walk ends about 6 blocks from where start! Call me at (312) 835-4259 if lost or late. TOUR MUST START ON TIME!
For more info about my meetup group, click on the links below:
https://www.meetup.com/1001-things-to-see-in-chicago-before-you-die/
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Loyola, 1200 West Loyola Avenue, Chicago, United States
USD 25.00