The 10 best things to do in Logan Square

There’s a particular charm to a place where you can just meet someone for a slice of pie. Eat the biscuits. They are, in a word, necessary.

Let’s knock this out right away: You’re getting the arroz gordo. It’s a spectacle to behold, a paella-like thicket in which sausage, pork, clams and prawns are piled on a bed of rice—a dish worthy of sharing its name (which translates to fat rice) with the restaurant itself.

The sprawling park offers extensive rose beds as well as tennis courts, an inland beach, baseball fields and bike paths.

The hot chocolate here is the thickest, richest, most insanely wondrous kind imaginable, topped with oversize, handmade marshmallows in flavors like Earl Grey and lemon-ginger.

After digging for the Who on vinyl at record shop Logan Hardware, pop open a bottle and become a pinball wizard at the Arcade.

Located along the neighborhood's historic boulevard, the Logan Square farmers' market occurs every Sunday from May 18–October 26.

At Longman & Eagle, there are old fashioneds, stirred slowly and carefully behind a dark, gorgeous bar. And there are flannel shirts, and mustaches, and Grandma sweaters. Truth is, the folks working here are some of the friendliest and most professional hipsters you’ll ever meet. Dig in at the most accessible Michelin-starred restaurant in the city.

Veterans of the Whistler and Boiler Room joined together to open this bar. One of the two rooms here looks a lot like the Violet Hour, which makes sense since cocktails (specifically gin cocktails) are a focus of the place. The other room is less loungey and truer to what Scofflaw is, which is a top-notch, friendly neighborhood joint.

There's a dance floor and Skee-Ball machines, plus bottled cocktails, draft beers and a Mother-in-Law (a tamale dunked in chili) to snack on. Hop in for the regular Slo Mo nights, one of the best and friendliest LGBT parties in town.

Between the mishmash of clothing and accessories by more than 150 local designers (Squasht by Les, Siren Betty, Megan Lee, to name a few), you might need more than a moment to take in everything this Logan Square store offers.