North by Northwestern

When you step off the Blue Line and exit the Damen Station into Wicker Park, you are immediately greeted with the familiar traffic and bustle that is typical of most Chicago neighborhoods. However, there is a certain peculiarity that Wicker Park immediately offers to the adventurous individual that can’t be found in other parts of the city. Gone are Target, Jewel-Osco, McDonald’s and all the other financial giants that have their claim staked in the more commercial areas. Instead, this hipster’s paradise offers a plethora of hidden (yet well-established) gems with something to offer any curious person.

Stan’s Donuts
1560 N. Damen Ave., just outside the Damen Station

You can have your Dunkin’ Donuts and Krispy Kreme, but true connoisseurs know the perfect pastry when they find it. That’s what Stan’s has to offer: perfection. There is no moment more blissful than when one bites into Stan’s Nutella Banana Pocket or the even more decadent Maple Caramel Bacon Bar. Sure, the prices may be a bit above those of our beloved Nor’Nuts ($1.75 to $3.25), but every penny is worth it. While you’re at it, enjoy a fresh cup of Intelligentsia coffee or tea.

Flash Taco
1570 N. Damen Ave.

You’re going to need some real food before you go exploring. Flash Taco, an independent hole-in-the-wall eatery, is the ideal place for a quick (yet satisfying) bite. The menu is as simple as possible: tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tortas and nachos. Once you settle on a main dish, you’re faced with the seemingly insurmountable task of deciding on a filling. The specialty barbacoa? Should you treat your tongue to some lengua? Or what about one of the multiple veggie options? Good luck, but I promise you won’t be disappointed with whatever you get.

Reckless Records
1532 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Every hipster knows vinyl is far superior to other ways of listening to music, right? Reckless Records agrees. Don’t be deterred by the exterior – as soon as you pass through the door the seemingly endless rows of music will take your breath away. Vinyl purists will find nirvana as they browse through sections of jazz, rock, classical, pop and every other genre imaginable. Those who prefer less-aged media can be satisfied by several large, well-organized racks of CD’s, DVD’s, and video games. Not in the market for music today? Surely there’s a t-shirt or poster that’ll catch your eye.

Goorin Bros. Hat Shop
1533 N. Milwaukee Ave.

“Make sure you get this table over here,” the shop manager told me. “That’s all our derby hats. Kentucky derby is coming up, y’know?” He was right, the derby hats were quite stunning, as are the rest of the headwear in the store. Forget the baseball caps and beanies, at Goorin makes it all about the classics: fedoras, boaters and bowlers. Goorin Bros. started 120 years ago when Cassel Goorin sold custom hats out of his horse cart to the dapper businessmen of Pittsburgh. Today Cassel’s great-grandson oversees a hat-making dynasty of almost 30 stores around the country.

Mojo Spa
1468 N. Milwaukee Ave.

You work so hard at school. Homework, activities, maybe even a job. What you need is a relaxing afternoon/evening at the spa. Mojo Spa has been featured in Allure, In Style and Lucky magazines, often described as the best spa in Chicago. The luxurious manicures and other various treatments make this a must-stop shop for every stressed student. Before you leave, make sure you check out the hundreds of varieties of signature soaps and scrubs they offer. Cupcake soap that’s actually shaped like a cupcake? Amazing.

The Wormhole
1462 N. Milwaukee Ave.

This independent coffee shop is the epitome of earthly bliss. The decor is a tribute to every retro science-fiction empire one could imagine: From the flying DeLorean above the bathrooms to the neon Ghostbusters sign, everywhere you look there are reminders of a time when Disney didn’t own the rights to Star Wars. To top it off, as you sip a well-priced cup of your favorite caffeinated beverage, the Nintendo 64 controllers are just within your reach.