University Village Chicago, IL

Though there are plenty of restaurants and cafes serving cuisines from around the globe, University Village's Italian eateries hold center stage. Find your favorite rendition of the classic dishes pizza, pasta and Italian subs along popular Taylor Street.

On a hot day, quench your thirst at Mario's Italian Lemonade with authentic shaved ice, a frozen Italian lemonade or one of their dozens of Italian ice flavors. This curbside stand serves its treats to go, making them an ideal refreshing stop on an afternoon stroll.

To get a taste of Little Italy's history try some authentic Sicilian cuisine at Pompei. Known as one of the oldest restaurants in the area, Pompei puts a spin on many signature Italian dishes such as herb chicken ravioli in cream sauce or pizza strudel.

Enjoy an Original Maxwell Street Polish Sausage Sandwich, the signature offering at Jim's Original. This famous hot dog stand sits on the corner of Maxwell and Halstead Streets and is perfect for your late-night grub grab: it literally never closes.

Most nightlife in the area caters to college students and consists mostly of sports and dive bars. Visit the Hawkeye's Bar and Grill in the heart of University Village for live music, a party atmosphere and specials whenever any Chicago sports teams play. Enthusiasm for the home team overflows at the hockey team's official bar, along with beers on tap and daily drink specials. Get there early on Blackhawks game days to get a table with a view of the action on-screen.

When it comes to parks within the University Village area, nothing compares to the beauty and splendor of Arrigo Park. As the main park of the neighborhood, this massive green space draws lots of locals and visitors alike. With more than six acres of manicured green space, statues, jogging paths, benches and fountains, Arrigo Park offers a quite retreat from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding city life. While Taylor Street is the most common destination for festivals and events in the area, the park offers plenty of green space for local gatherings and smaller events.

While it does not offer much in terms of greenery, there is also a public bocce ball court located on Taylor Street. Found right across the street from the Conte di Savoia, this outdoor bocce set up squeezes in the opportunity for fun amongst the busy storefronts and apartment buildings of the neighborhood’s main strip.

The shopping scene in University Village offers a diverse experience that fits in seamlessly with the unique attitude of this Chicago neighborhood. One of the most iconic destinations in all of University Village is the Maxwell Street Market. While the market has moved from its original, the Maxwell Street Market has been selling trinkets, clothes and handmade goods for more than 100 years.

Stroll along Taylor Street of the neighborhood to visit Market Fresh Books, to browse through a massive selection of used titles. The company actually sells their books by the pound, instead of by the title, for those looking to stock up with several new reads. Another unique shopping experience lies just down the street at First Aid Comics, which has a little bit of something for everyone from the casual reader to the avid comic fan.