Englewood

Why we love it

Englewood is a large residential neighborhood known as a long-time hub for Black music and culture.

The area hosts a variety of well-attended events throughout the year, from newcomers like the Englewood Music Festival to well-established gatherings like the Englewood Jazz Festival, that draw Chicagoans from all over the city.

The neighborhood is also home to a proud and engaged collective of residents, which can be seen in the area’s community gardens, public art projects, and welcoming spirit. 

Explore like a local

• Kusanya Cafe is a nonprofit coffee shop and gathering place serving all-day breakfast and lunch.
• Growing Home Farm Stand is an urban farm that offers cooking demos, free samples, healthy recipes, and free farm tours.
• The Yale Apartments, considered a historic gem, is known for its detailed limestone facade and soaring glass atrium.

Insider tips

The Englewood population began to see a boom in population after the Great Chicago Fire. A long-time haven for immigrants, Englewood has been home to waves of German, Irish, Scottish, Korean, Pakistani, and African American residents. 

Just a few of the prominent people who have called Englewood home include singer Jennifer Hudson, NBA star Derrick Rose, musician Mavis Staples, comedian Bernie Mac, and more.

A tradition for more than 20 years, Englewood Jazz Festival brings four days of live music to Hamilton Park. The highly anticipated autumn event includes performances by several jazz legends and rising stars.

In the summer, the annual Roll N Peace event promotes local health and wellness through an eight-mile bike ride that traverses Englewood and attracts more than 1,000 bikers to the neighborhood. Other community events include the Englewood Music Festival and Vinyl & Vittles record fair and food market.

The area’s two beautiful natural areas, Hamilton Park and Sherman Park, were both designed by legendary landscape architects the Olmsted Brothers, known for designing the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. In the summer, find movies in the park, live performances, and more.

For a bite to eat, a few Englewood favorites include the sweet treats at Peace of Mine Dessert and Specialty Shop, traditional barbecue dishes at Taylormade Que, java drinks at Momentum Coffee, and Louisiana-style seafood at Haire’s Gulf Shrimp.