neon sign walking tour of north center

A great sign does more than just advertise a business. It invites us in, telling us what to expect inside. With the right sign, a business we might not otherwise notice becomes a focal point of the community. We see it in passing and stop to look or make a mental note to check it out at a later date. 

In Chicago, we identify dive bars and hot dog joints by the ubiquitous Old Style and Vienna Beef signs that populate our communities. And two of our most famous institutions, Wrigley Field and the Chicago Theatre, welcome visitors through their iconic marquees, which are so beloved that they’ve been replicated on souvenirs and t-shirts as true symbols of our city’s grandeur.

When I moved to Chicago in 2008, I was struck by how many vintage neon signs I saw. They told me that this was a city where local businesses were supported and passed down through generations, becoming anchors of their neighborhoods throughout changing times and trends. Sadly, many have disappeared in recent years, which only makes the ones that remain that much more special. Two signs on this tour have since been removed, but we've kept them in here as a reminder of what they meant to the community. 

This walking tour of North Center, using the stretch of N. Lincoln Ave. between Belmont and Wilson Avenues as the main route, takes into account not just the great neon, but also other noteworthy eye-catching signs that you’ll spot along the way. It's recommended to do this tour after sunset to get the full effect of the neon, though some of the stops will show you a photo of the illuminated sight at night.

Dave Lifton has long had a love of neon signs, but he’s become more interested in exploring their history since his first visit to Las Vegas’ soulful Neon Museum in 2017. You can find him on Instagram at @daveeatschicago. 

The Pony Inn

Dinkel's Bakery

Eye Spy Optical 

Fernando’s Tequila Bar & Restaurant

Finley Dunne’s Tavern

Philip James Salon

Martyrs’

Stern Clothing Ghost Sign 

Victor Bar

Orange Garden

The Globe Pub

Cole’s Appliance & Furniture Company 

Cornservatory

The Former Jazz Record Mart

The Bad Apple

Rev. Billy’s Chop Shop 

Lou Malnati’s

Lincoln Square Animal Hospital

The Daily Bar & Grill

A look at some of the classic neon along the Lincoln Avenue corridor

Neon Sign Walking Tour of North Center

neon sign walking tour of the loop

A great sign does more than just advertise a business. It invites us in, telling us what to expect inside. With the right sign, a business we might not otherwise notice becomes a focal point of the community. We see it in passing and stop to look or make a mental note to check it out at a later date. 

When I moved to Chicago in 2008, I was struck by how many vintage neon signs I saw. They told me that this was a city where local businesses were supported and passed down through generations, becoming anchors of their neighborhoods throughout changing times and trends. And for many signs, they serve as symbols of how immigrant communities have assimilated in America. Sadly, many have disappeared in recent years, which only makes the ones that remain that much more special. 

This walking tour focuses on the eastern half of the Loop, with only one sign west of Clark St., and encompasses restaurants, theaters and local businesses, some of which have been operating since the end of the 19th century. And starts at one of Chicago’s two most famous signs. It's recommended to do this tour after sunset to get the full effect of the neon.

Dave Lifton has long had a love of neon signs, but he’s become more interested in exploring their history since his first visit to Las Vegas’ soulful Neon Museum in 2017. You can find him on Instagram at @dslifton. 


Chicago Theatre

Broken English Taco Pub 

Cherry Circle Room

Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta

Jewelers Center 

Goddess and the Baker

Miller’s Pub 

Central Camera 

The Berghoff 

Italian Village 

In the past 10 years or so, food halls have become opportunities for up-and-coming Chicago restauranteurs to branch out from food trucks or expand into other neighborhoods. Inside Washington Hall, you can find plenty to eat and drink while admiring the colorful neon of Stan's Donuts, Happy Lobster and more. 

Hours:
Monday: 7am-5pm
Tuesday: 7am-7pm
Wednesday: 7am-5pm
Thursday: 7am-7pm
Friday: 7am-5pm
Saturday: 7am-5pm
Sunday: Closed

Washington Hall 

Cadillac Palace Theatre

Unlike the other Loop theaters that feature national touring shows, the Goodman Theatre stages its own productions, including revivals, new works and an annual take on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Goodman was founded in 1922 as part of the Art Institute of Chicago and intended to also serve as both a performance venue and acting school, with its own reparatory company. Over the years, the school had many famous graduates, including Karl Malden, Joe Mantenga and Harvey Korman, but in the 1970s economic conditions forced the Goodman to give up the school and the company, and become independent of the Art Institute. Goodman moved to its current location in 2000.

Goodman Theatre

James M. Nederlander Theatre

A look at some of the classic and modern neon found in Chicago’s historic downtown

Neon Sign Walking Tour of the Loop

neon sign walking tour of uptown

A great sign does more than just advertise a business. It invites us in, telling us what to expect inside. With the right sign, a business we might not otherwise notice becomes a focal point of the community. We see it in passing and stop to look or make a mental note to check it out at a later date. 

When I moved to Chicago in 2008, I was struck by how many vintage neon signs I saw. They told me that this was a city where local businesses were supported and passed down through generations, becoming anchors of their neighborhoods throughout changing times and trends. And for many signs, they serve as symbols of how immigrant communities have assimilated in America. Sadly, many have disappeared in recent years, which only makes the ones that remain that much more special. 

This walking tour focuses mainly on the stretch of Broadway in Uptown between Montrose and Winona. One of the North Side’s most diverse neighborhoods, Uptown has undergone many changes since its Jazz Age heyday, when its entertainment district at the corner of Broadway and Lawrence served as an alternative to downtown. Those hotspots and their vintage signs mostly remain (the Uptown Theatre has been shuttered since 1981, but there are plans to restore it to its deserving splendor), and have been bolstered by newer businesses whose signs pay homage to Uptown’s rich history. 

While this tour is devoted to neon signs, I encourage you to also check out the public art that can be found throughout Uptown, in particular the Clifton Avenue Street Art Gallery. The project was conceived in 2019 and has grown to feature more than 70 murals that can be found steps away from the Red Line tracks. Two of its pieces are included in this tour. 

While best taken during evening hours to see the neon in full effect, most every stop features a photo or video so you can see what the signs look like when lit at night.

Dave Lifton has long had a love of neon signs, but he’s become more interested in exploring their history since his first visit to Las Vegas’ soulful Neon Museum in 2017. You can find him on Instagram at @dslifton. 

Decibel Bar 

Lucy’s 

Uptown Logo 

Uptown Love 

Riviera Theatre

Aragon Ballroom 

Uptown Lounge 

Green Mill 

Uptown Theatre 

Fat Cat 

National Car Wash 

South-East Asia Center  

Big Chicks and Tweet 

Rocket Tattoo 

Foremost Liquors 

A look at some of the classic and modern neon found in the historic North Side neighborhood

Neon Sign Walking Tour of Uptown

Dave Lifton

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