Best Places 5 Minutes from Campus

Being on campus is awesome and there are tons of cool spots, but our surroundings in Lincoln Park have so much to offer! There are multiple great spots to study, enjoy nature, get a bite to eat, grab a coffee, and much more. I’ve highlighted four of my favorites within this article, so make sure to check them out when you’re on campus!
1. Oz Park

Oz Park is a really cool area to see some nature close to campus. I love the DePaul quad as much as the next person, but sometimes, especially on days when the weather’s nice, it fills up quickly. So, if you weren’t able to get a spot on the quad or are just looking for a change of scenery look no further than Oz Park. Located east of campus, the park is massive and has a ton of grassy areas, tennis courts, a baseball diamond, and tons of trees, flowers, and other plants. If you are looking for a place to lay out in the grass and study, have a picnic, or take a nice walk, this is the spot for you.

2. Red Light Chicken

Red Light Chicken is a DePaul staple. Located on Sheffield Ave right next to the Lincoln Park campus, this local spot serves some of the best fried chicken in the city. They also like to get involved with DePaul and sponsor different clubs and student organizations, and they are a go-to lunch spot for a ton of DePaul students, myself included. If you’re on campus and looking for a quick meal that’ll be really good and won’t break the bank, definitely give them a try.

An image of a red building on a corner, Red Light Chicken, on a street in Lincoln Park in Chicago.
3. Kingston Mines

Founded in 1968, Kingston Mines is the largest and oldest continuously operated blues club in Chicago. Located on Halsted Street, this place is awesome for fans of blues, or simply people who enjoy amazing live music. They have performers every night playing on two stages. I am a huge fan of live music and having Kingston Mines so close to campus is amazing. I highly recommend you visit and experience some awesome live blues.

 

4. Dog Haus

I would be remiss if I didn’t include my favorite late night food spot near campus. Dog Haus specializes in hot dogs, but they also have a ton of other great options. They are open until 2 AM every night and in my opinion, they are the best late night food option around. Also, they offer a 15% discount for DePaul students on whatever you order. If you’re ever looking for some great food late at night, Dog Haus is the place for you.

An image of a red building on a corner, Red Light Chicken, on a street in Lincoln Park in Chicago.

Lincoln Park is chock-full of great spots for whatever you need, and these four are some of my favorites. 

~ Jeff

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