The conservatory is a painting challenge! The gardens are beautiful and the fountain is a treat! If the conservatory area is not your thing, the zoo is right next door and the Shakespeare Garden is across the street. Restrooms in the conservatory and zoo; street parking but difficult. Zoo offers paid parking.

A favorite painting site, the mansion is challenging with its arched entryway and multiple chimneys. Cross North Ave. to paint the park, or head south for other historic mansions and beautiful shaded streets on Astor Street or State Parkway. Street parking; no nearby restrooms. Spot Hero provides additional parking in many high rises nearby.

From the early 1800s until 1960, Swedes ranked as Chicago’s fifth-largest foreign-born group. One of the areas settled by Swedes was a bucolic subdivision called Andersonville. It’s known for its 19th century row houses, as well as charming antique shops, cafes and great ‘after paint out’ eateries. You’ll find all of this along Clark Street, […]

This paint out is a favorite for PAPC members. If you like choices at your paint outs, then this is the place for you. The very active Humboldt Park offers a large boat house, field house, a large lagoon and smaller ponds. Often people are walking, bike riding and sometimes even peddling swan boats. There […]

This lively square has outdoor cafes with plenty of umbrellas! A large fountain and many shopfronts create a vibrant atmosphere. Street parking and a nearby lot.

Pilsen is a favorite painting site!  The Jumping Bean Coffee Shop is a beautiful building with a Victorian tower.  Walk in either direction to find terra cotta covered buildings, small, interesting shopfronts, or old bank buildings.  Side streets provide early Chicago workers’ cottages.  Street parking is available and Jumping Bean Cafe has a bathroom.

Graceland Cemetery is a large historic garden cemetery located in the north side community area of Uptown.  Established in 1860, it is still an active cemetery with services and visiting families, as well as an arboretum. Lorado Taft sculptures, Ernie Banks baseball headstone, and the Goodman mausoleum on the shaded pond are very interesting, along […]

Belmont Harbor is located in the heart of beautiful Lincoln Park and is one of the largest harbors in the Chicago Harbors system.  A favorite among families and long-time boaters, the harbor is surrounded by acres of park space and a beautiful skyline view to the south.   A good place to meet is near the […]

Oak Park offers great architecture amid lush tree-lined streets. Street parking available. Frank Lloyd Wright Studio is on Chicago Avenue, but around the corner on Forest Avenue are numerous magnificent homes worth painting. If the big homes aren’t your thing, Oak Park does have a small downtown with shops and cafes and the Lake Theater […]