Portage Park Named after a major portage that once linked the Des Plaines and Chicago Rivers, Portage Park is still a link of sorts thanks to its simultaneous urban and suburban characteristics. Once a rural area, it attracted many immigrant groups and industrialized quickly. Those residents rapidly built nearly-identical homes, thereby making their community area known as “the bungalow belt.” Primarily residential area now, Portage Park has many parks, food establishments, and local shops. Those who enjoy the performing arts are in luck, as they can visit three distinct theaters in their free time. Bookworms also have three library branches to choose from, and foodies are not only able to eat at a number of great restaurants, but can also pick up fresh groceries from the local farmers’ market, butcher’s, and fishmonger’s! In need of some rest and relaxation? Make sure to book a session at the Chicago Sweatlodge and allow yourself an hour or two of self-care time. The good public transportation available and accessibility to the Kennedy Expressway also makes it easy to head downtown or visit the suburbs nearby. Things to Do Recreation: XSport Fitness (2), Chicago Champs Soccer Academy, Pure Raks Belly Dance, and many neighborhood parks/playlots: Portage, Chopin, Dickinson, Dunham, Wilson, Grace Zwiefka-Thuis, & Lucy Gonzalez-Parsons Culture: Portage Theater, Patio Theater, Filament Theatre, & National Veterans Art Museum Shopping: Polonia Book Store, Maximum Distraction (comics), & Rep Chi (gift shop) Groceries: Portage Park Farmers Market, Hagen’s Fish Market, Saravale Meat Market, Tea’se Tea Shoppe, & Jewel-Osco (2) Sweets: Perkolator (coffee shop), Delightful Pastries, and Fannie’s Café, Bakery, & Boutique For Foodies: Montrose Deli, Pho No. 1 Vietnamese Cuisine, Smokosz (Polish classics), Ruk (Pan-Asian), Legno by Suparossa (Italian), BRGRBELLY, El Taco Feliz Taquería, Galvin’s Public House (Irish), & La Pena (Ecuadorian)