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North Halsted Boystown "Gates"
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Boystown

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…proud backbone of Chicago culture

Head north on Halsted, past Diversey, and eventually you’ll notice rainbow pillars lining either side of the street (they look like… rocket ships?), signifying your entrance into the first officially recognized gay village in the U.S., as well as and one of the most active, interesting and welcoming neighborhoods in Chicago.

Home of the Gay Pride parade and several summer festivals, adjacent to the get-you-anywhere Red Line and Wrigley Field, Boystown has been a high-traffic and high-demand area for years.

Recently, this 'hood has experienced something of a facelift, as loft-style condos are built and Halsted has taken on a more family-oriented spirit with the nearby Home Depot and Best Buy.

But the neighborhood roots remain, and rainbow flags blaze proudly outside of almost every business. Chill out at the Caribou Coffee (affectionately referred to as the “Cariboy Coffee”), get some noodles at Joy’s or window-shop along Broadway. In a neighborhood this eclectic, there’s no shortage of things to see and do.

View neighborhood hotspots

Known for:

Gay Pride Parade

Main drag:

Halsted Street

Boystown blogs and events

Apartments in Boystown

520 W Melrose Ave Apartments - 520 W Melrose Ave