Chicago Neighborhoods for Running

Chicago is really a city of neighborhoods. Outside the Loop, there are some terrific residential neighborhoods with leafy, quiet streets that make for some pleasant running. They can also be a good option for shade on a hot day. Some of our favorite Chicago neighborhoods for running:

Wrigleyville, Lake View, Lincoln Square. Create your own run on the pleasant, tree-lined residential streets between N Clark St. and the N Western Ave. Wrigley Field is a nice starting point! At the far west end of the area, there’s a pleasant 1 mile multi-use path between Clark Park and Horner Park.

Wicker Park/Humboldt Park/Logan Square Area. A nice area for running, with opportunities to create your own route combining leafy residential streets, several miles of paths around Humboldt Park, and the 2.7-mile 606 Trail. Also run some of Chicago’s historic ‘grand boulevards’ in this area, especially N Humboldt Blvd. between Humbold Park and Palmer Square, continuing on N Kedzie Blvd. to Logan Square. MORE

North Shore Neighborhoods. The Chicago city limits end just north of Rogers Park/Loyola University. But Chicago’s north shore suburbs feature gorgeous, historic residential neighborhoods with leafy, quiet streets and spectacular homes. Closest to the Chicago city line, run the lakeside campus of Northwestern University and combine with residential streets in Evanston and Wilmette, using Sheridan Rd. as an anchor. Further north, there’s lovely running in Winnetka, Glencoe, and Highland Park, inside Green Bay Rd.  MORE

S Martin Luther King Dr. In the southern part of Chicago, S Martin Luther King Dr. is one of Chicago’s historic grand boulevards. The 2 mile stretch between Washington Park and E 35th St. is good for running, with a separate ‘carriage road’, and some historic homes and buildings. Combine with Washington Park.Photo