Greektown
Walking past offerings of fresh tzatsiki, flaming saganaki and gyro, and traditional Hellenic bakeries and restaurants in Chicago’s Greektown is sure to get a visitor’s mouth watering.
“Greektown is a historic neighborhood that is only about four blocks long,” said Lesniewicz. “It is a great place for lunch or dinner. There are a lot of restaurants in Greektown that have really wonderful cuisine.”
Now called a heritage neighborhood since few Greek residents continue to live there, the area remains filled with Greek food and shops, such as the Athenian Candle Company that still hand-dips its candles. Fun details, like the sign at the local Walgreen’s drugstore written in Greek, remind guests that they stand in what once was a thriving Greek community.
The National Hellenic Museum in Greektown reflects on the area’s Greek heritage with rotating exhibits that display folk art and textile crafts. The museum’s oral history center gives visitors a chance to hear Greek immigrants tell their courageous stories.
Other rotating exhibits reflect the Hellenic culture, such as the current exhibitions detailing legends of Greek monsters and the history of Greek independence. The contemporary building also offers a rooftop terrace event space in case groups want a hosted dinner after perusing the museum. The site offers a panoramic view of Greektown and Chicago’s familiar skyline.
Group Restaurant Recommendations: Athena Greek Restaurant, The Parthenon and Greek Islands
The Polish Triangle
The 1939 World’s Fair in New York occurred during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Because of this, the numerous Polish artifacts displayed at the event had nowhere to go once it was over. That is when the Polish Museum of America, founded in 1935, stepped in to give the artifacts a home.
Groups visiting the museum today can still see some of the rare items the museum protected.
“The museum contains the largest collection of Paderewski memorabilia worldwide,” said Lesniewicz. “One of the other big things the museum is known for is a large-scale stained-glass window that was on display in the World’s Fair.”
One room is dedicated to Pope John Paul II, with artifacts from the former pope’s life. The historic museum also promotes Polish culture through related works of art, including paintings, sculptures and other forms of folk art.
The museum lies inside Chicago’s oldest and historically most prominent Polish settlement, now dubbed the Polish Triangle. The area still harbors vestiges of its Polish heritage, such as historic churches, architecture, bakeries and delis.
Group Restaurant Recommendations: Red Apple Restaurant
