A $10 Day In Lincoln Park

1. Ludlow Charlingtons Coffee Shop

You’ll find Ludlow Charlingtons just south of Clark Street and West Arlington Plaza. This quaint coffee shop is about a 15-minute walk east from the Fullerton Red Line stop.

Inside the small shop, you’ll first clock the green paint adorning the walls, a design choice that distinguishes Ludlow Charlingtons from other coffee shops. The second thing you’ll spot will be the portraits of dogs dressed in Victorian-style outfits hung throughout the shop.

Why the choice in art? Ludlow Charlingtons proudly boasts of its partnership with Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control, and each art piece is inspired by actual shelter dogs at Chicago Animal Care and Control. A table near where you’ll order displays shop merchandise, and a part of each sale is donated to a Chicago dog shelter.

To keep your excursions under $10, there are a couple of items you could get from Charlingtons, including an espresso doppio, which will only set you back about $3. Order at the counter and take in the scenery while waiting for your pick-me-up. At one table, small groups engage in light conversation, while another table seats someone silently reading a book with headphones in.

Whether you’re here with a small group or decided to go solo, this is a good spot to hang out before fueling up with some good, greasy food.

2. Angry Octopus

From Ludlow Charlingtons, take a hard left and walk down Clark Street for about 10 minutes. You’ll find the Angry Octopus near the intersection of Clark Street and West Dickens Avenue — look for the diner’s mascot proudly holding a Chicago flag in one of its eight tentacles.

Inside, take in the view found in so many Chicago diners: a menu on a chalkboard and a visible kitchen integrated near the dining area. The detectable aroma of American food will carry you to the ordering area to check out the menu.

The Angry Octopus’ menu is classic Chicago food, including Chicago dogs, Italian beef and a variety of hamburgers. With $7 left in the budget, you’ll want to grab a slice of pizza — it’s priced at under $4. After ordering, take a seat, but don’t get too comfy because the service here is quick. Before you know it, your number will be called, so chow down, but be sure to leave room for dessert.

When you’re ready to head out, don’t worry about walking on a full stomach because the next place is right around the corner.

3. Vanilla Patisserie

From Angry Octopus, walk less than 100 feet north. You’ll know Vanille Patisserie when you see it — the French-inspired cafe has a stylized awning out front with some outdoor seating available. The award-winning bakery has quite a different vibe from the Angry Octopus. Where one is greasy and casual, the other is elegant and peaceful.

When walking in, you’ll be greeted by delicate-looking desserts inside several large glass display cases. You’ll also be met with an ever-so-sweet aroma that isn’t at all overpowering but rather tasteful and delicate, just like the patisserie’s desserts. Make your way to the containers to peruse their selection and put in your order.

Although Vanille Patisserie’s menu changes occasionally, you’ll always find a variety of French macarons, pastries and mini-pastries. It’s hard to not be overwhelmed by the variety, but to stay true to the $10 budget, grab the macarons, each less than $3. Vanille Patisserie features a rotating menu of macaron flavors, so pick your favorite and take a seat.

As you wait for your order, you’ll notice Vanille Patisserie is heavily inspired by French bakeries, and the establishment tastefully wears this influence on its sleeve. The bakery has several small chandeliers hung from the ceiling, an elegantly decorated room for wedding tastings or meetings, and a refreshing decor throughout, solidifying the high-class and chic vibe of the place.

Plan your stay accordingly because the next activity is time-sensitive — you’ll have to get to the Gold Coast in time for your premade appointment for a historic house tour.

4. Charnley-Persky House Museum

From Vanille Patisserie, take a right to head down Clark Street for your journey to the Charnley-Persky House Museum. Walk about a mile south until you hit West Schiller Street, then take a left and walk two more blocks to reach the Charnley-Persky House Museum on the corner of North Astor Street and East Schiller Street.

From the outside, you’ll see the reason the museum is listed as both a National Historic Landmark and on the list of the National Register of Historic Places. The house’s second-story window features beautiful, distinguished columns, and the courtyard near the building entrance feels luxurious while never crossing the line of being gaudy.

If you’ve never heard of the Charnley-Persky House, you’re not alone. The museum is a well-regarded influential architectural piece known as one of the few surviving residential works of the prestigious firm Adler & Sullivan and designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

While these finer details are mostly only known by Chicago’s architectural community, anyone with an interest in the city’s history will enjoy a tour of the vintage house.

You’ll meet the rest of your group in the house’s basement. Make your way down the courtyard steps to enter the building to begin the tour at its designated time.

Remember that your tour, which will take about 45 minutes, will be led by a knowledgeable guide, meaning no matter how broad or little your knowledge of architecture is, you’ll never be lost or feel excluded.

While you walk through the historic house, you’ll see why the piece is so well-regarded. The main entrance is highlighted by natural light, a welcome design choice by Adler & Sullivan, a Chicago architecture firm that was active in the late 1800s.

A majority of the house is surrounded by a dark wood exterior, making every room feel refined. Pictures can only do an architectural landmark so much justice — this is something you’ll have to see for yourself.

Things to note:
– The Charnley-Persky House only offers tours at certain times on certain days — make sure to reserve a ticket online as they do sell out.
– To keep this guide under $10, you should visit the Charnley-Persky house on Wednesdays, which, according to their website, are “always free days.”