Lincoln Square, Chicago, IL

This enclave, on the north side of the city, is the heart of Chicago’s German Town, and thanks to close proximity with the popular neighborhood of Andersonville – known for its Swedish beginnings – it’s an easy choice for those looking to honor the culinary resplendency of bratwurst and bier before heading east to learn some new Scandinavian drinking songs.

Between Montrose and Lawrence Avenues, the major thoroughfare of Lincoln Avenue becomes a stretch of hand-laid cobblestone where many of the houses reflect the long German heritage of the area. Mixed in with cool old cottages and cozy bungalows, visitors will find unique apothecaries, Belgian bakeries, Euro-themed boutiques, and, of course, a good plug of traditional German eateries and taverns.

Not surprisingly, the German American Fest is held here in September, promising more lederhosen-adorned accordion players than most could imagine. All-year long, however, Lincoln Square remains a wholly unpretentious part of town to shop, eat, and drink one too many mammoth-sized mugs of beer.