Riverdale, IL

First settled in 1837 and given the name of Wildwood, the land on which Riverdale sits was acquired by Colonel James H. Bowen for his palatial summer home, which welcomed the elite of Chicago. Through most of its history, Riverdale's swampy land was used or zoned for manufacturing and industrial purposes, with its largest industry beginning in an abandoned church at the turn of the 20th century. The Calumet Paint Company joined the Chicago Drop Forge and Illinois Terra Cotta Works in making Riverdale a place where many people worked and lived.

Head north to visit the Historic Pullman Foundation and the Pullman State Historic Site. The annual Festival of the Lakes takes place just to the east, while the St. Donatus Carnival is located to the west of Riverdale.

Because this neighborhood features mostly industrial infrastructure, the options available for dining and entertainment are more limited than in most parts of the city. A few restaurants and fast food chains can be found scattered throughout the neighborhood, however.

Try Chicago Pita Kitchen for generous portions of flavorful Greek-style food. Start your meal with the soup of the day or a bowl of chili, then experience a kabob skewer or pita or a Greek gyro. Locals recommend this joint at lunchtime thanks to its fast and friendly service and suggest that you try the chicken breast on a pita, or the hot dogs, burgers and Chicago classics such as lamb sandwiches and sirloin steak.

Similarly focused on fast, comforting meals, Andy's Hot Dogs on River Oaks Drive offers plenty of value meals that come with fries and a drink. Try the turkey burger or BBQ pulled pork, or indulge in a value dinner of chicken tenders with fries and coleslaw or catfish fillet with garlic bread and tartar sauce. Add a side order, such as tamales or pizza puffs, and a classic milkshake to quench your thirst as you dine.

The Cal-Harbor Restaurant and Lounge specializes in breakfast and lunch, serving comfort food dishes based on American classics for very reasonable prices. Try a cheese omelet with grits and hash browns with a bottomless pot of coffee, or a breakfast plate of pancakes, turkey links and scrambled eggs.

Aside from one or two bars and clubs within the neighborhood, you'll need to head outside the borders to find entertainment in the evenings. Enjoy a drink at Club Lemar or a cocktail at Angel's. Nearby, you'll find craft beer and live music at the Maple Tree Inn and screened sports matches at the Island Sports Bar & Grill, as well as a dance floor at Club Krave.

You need your own car to get around in Riverdale, unless you'd prefer to rely on the plentiful public transportation within and around the neighborhood. While there are no direct connections to Riverdale by rail, the "L" train connects the border of the neighborhood to the rest of Chicago. Several bus stops throughout Riverdale allow easy transport around the neighborhood and to Chicago proper, as well as to some of the other nearby neighborhoods.

East 130th Street connects to the Bishop Ford Freeway for driving access to Chicago and beyond. You'll find a small amount of on-street parking with parking meters in Riverdale, as well as limited parking at metro and rail stations for commuters.

Uber operates in the area, though you can expect to pay about $20 to $30 to get from Riverdale to downtown Chicago. Several taxi cab companies also service the area of Riverdale, though you need to call them for a pickup. Neither walking nor cycling provide viable options for getting round the neighborhood thanks to a lack of biking infrastructure and the spread-out nature of the businesses.

One of the most celebrated features of the neighborhood of Riverdale, the Beaubien Wood Forest Preserve spans a 135-acre nature preserve that provides a home for a number of bur and white oak trees over 100 years old. Among the prairie, woodland and wetland habitats within this park, you'll find numerous picnic areas, fishing in Flatfoot Lake and extensive walking trails.

Carver Park provides a large open field area that supports two lighted baseball fields, while Golden Gate Park caters to families and exercise enthusiasts with a 5-acre green space featuring baseball fields, an outdoor basketball court, a water spray, playgrounds and a large green area for picnicking or simply taking in the sights.

The trails throughout the Beaubien Forest Preserve are ideal for hiking and walking for exercise, while the sports courts located at Golden Gate Park are perfect for those looking for more active exercise. All pets should remain on a leash unless otherwise noted. All parks are free and open to the public from sunrise until one hour after sunset.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of moving into this part of Chicago consists in the fact that your overhead runs lower here than almost anywhere else in the city. The cost of living in Riverdale sits nearly 20 percent lower than the average for Chicago, an attractive prospect in an expensive part of the nation. The median rental cost for a one-bedroom apartment sits at $710, while you can expect to pay a $4.75 for a one-way ticket from Riverdale to the city center. On the other hand, the price for a pint of beer at a local bar or restaurant rests high above average at $14 and the price per gallon of gasoline sits over 20 percent above the national average.

Not known for its shopping opportunities, Riverdale nevertheless hides a few small boutiques and specialty stores among its streets. Visit Mad Style for accessories, handbags and women's clothing, or the FAABE Cupcakes bakery for sweet treats and cakes. For beauty supplies, visit Touch of Beauty, while Harmony in Nature Designs stocks bespoke and handcrafted jewelry. To pick up some groceries, head to the Herman Food Market, Kwik Mart or Fairway Finer Foods, or stop in at Village Groceries. You'll find the closest farmers markets located to the east, at Mark's Produce, or to the north at Tomato Mountain Farm and the Oak Lawn Farmers Market.