Chicago, United States
What 90% of solo women don't know about staying safe in Chicago.
Upscale residential area with good restaurants, lakefront access, and low crime. More expensive than other neighborhoods but safe and walkable. Close enough to downtown while feeling more local.
Lincoln Park is upscale residential Chicago - tree-lined streets with brownstones, the lakefront park it's named after, and restaurants ranging from brunch spots to Michelin-level dining. It's one of the safer neighborhoods, especially along Armitage, Halsted, and Clark. You'll see families during the day and young professionals at dinner. The Lincoln Park Zoo is free and worth checking out. North Avenue Beach has good city views in summer. Eating alone is common here - lots of restaurants have bar seating where you can read or people-watch. The area stays busy until 11pm on weeknights, later on weekends, with decent lighting and foot traffic. Everything costs more in this neighborhood, but crime is low and you can walk around easily. About 20-30 minutes from downtown by CTA or rideshare.
Daytime Safety
ExcellentNight Walking Safety
ExcellentHarassment Risk
LowPublic Transport Safety
GoodPickpocketing Risk
LowScam Risk
LowPolice Visibility
ExcellentEmergency Services
ExcellentEvening Venues
ExcellentSolo Dining
ExcellentDrug Activity
LowHomelessness Visibility
LowGetting By in English
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"Really safe neighborhood"
"Walked around at night without worrying"
"Saw other women eating alone, jogging alone"
"Pricey but felt worth it"
"Nice cafes for working"
"Felt more like living there than being a tourist"
Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers
Wealthiest neighborhood with high-end shopping, expensive dining, and lakefront access. Very safe but costs a lot and feels less authentic than other areas. Good if security is your top priority.
Main food destination with high-end restaurants and cocktail bars in old warehouse buildings. Safe and walkable. Good if you care about dining and want something more local than downtown.
Diverse North Side area with LGBTQ+-friendly Boystown, sports-focused Wrigleyville, and residential East Lakeview. Generally safe and inclusive with good restaurants and nightlife. Feels like actual neighborhood living.
Help other women stay safe in Lincoln Park
Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.