# Event Details - **Event Name**: Bungalows, Bells & Cemetery Spells — West Portage Park Uncovered! - **Event Start and End Date**: Sun, 05 Jul, 2026 at 11:00 am – Sun, 05 Jul, 2026 at 01:30 pm - **Event Description**: Discover the spooky stories and hidden gems of West Portage Park with a fun, offbeat local adventure!About this Event?? Bungalows, Bells & Cemetery Spells — West Portage Park Uncovered! ?✨ "Discover the history, homes, and hidden gems of Portage Park's west side!" ✨? Continue exploring one of Chicago's most charming and overlooked neighborhoods on this guided walking tour through West Portage Park! Beginning near the southeast corner of Portage Park, we'll stroll past classic Chicago bungalows, beautiful churches, neighborhood parks, the iconic Patio Theater, historic schools, and even one of the Northwest Side's oldest cemeteries. ?Along the way, you'll uncover stories of immigrant communities, early suburban development, forgotten institutions, neighborhood transformation, and the fascinating history that helped shape Chicago's beloved Bungalow Belt. From movie palaces to cemeteries, every stop has a story to tell! ?Come walk, learn, and enjoy a beautiful summer morning — the perfect way to explore the city, connect with fellow curious Chicagoans, and experience the Northwest Side through fresh eyes. ?? Led by your passionate, ever-curious guide (that's me!) — perfect for architecture lovers, local history buffs, urban explorers, and anyone who enjoys being a tourist in their own city! ?? LOGISTICS?️ Sunday, July 5, 2026⏰ 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM (approx.)? Start: Southeast corner of Portage Park, 4100 N. Long Ave.? End: Mount Olive Cemetery, 3800 N. Narragansett Ave.? Distance: Approx. 2.2 miles⚠️ Tour ends approximately 1.4 miles from the starting point — please plan parking accordingly!✨ ABOUT THE TOURJoin us for a special public walking tour of one of Chicago's most underappreciated neighborhoods — Portage Park! This is Part 2 of a two-part Portage Park series, with this walk exploring the neighborhood's west side.Presented in collaboration with Chicago for Chicagoans, a local nonprofit dedicated to educating residents about their own communities, this walk is open to the public — Meetup members, friends, and newcomers are all welcome!THIS IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN MY REGULAR TOURS AS I AM DOING IN COJUNCTION WITH ANOTHER ORGANIZATION: CHICAGO FOR CHICAGOANS. PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS!? Pay-What-You-Can (donations collected at the end per nonprofit policy)?️ Registration required to attend:? https://www.eventbrite.com/e/portage-park-west-walking-tour-registration-1987362387399? TOUR HIGHLIGHTS? Beautiful bungalow-lined streets in Chicago's famous Bungalow Belt? The historic Patio Theater movie palace⛪ Historic churches, schools & neighborhood institutions? Peaceful parks & the former Cook County Poorhouse site? Century-old cemeteries and fascinating local legends? Hidden gems, neighborhood lore & surprising stories? Plenty of Insta-worthy architecture and classic Northwest Side charm? Meet fellow Chicagoans, history lovers, and curious explorers along the way!?️ ROUTE HIGHLIGHTS (stops subject to change)? Portage Park?️ Portage Park Field House & Senior Center?‍♀️ Portage Park Swimming Pool? Portage Park Natatorium & Dog Park⛪ St. Mary's Romanian Orthodox Church? Biagio Banquets & Suparossa? Lutheran General High School? Bungalow Belt along Berteau Avenue? Martin Luther College & Martin Luther Subdivision⛪ Polish Jesuit Church & Former Moose Lodge? BrgrBelly?️ Austin & Irving? West Irving State Bank? Patio Theater☕ Perkolator? Austin-Irving Branch, Chicago Public Library?️ Aid for Women (former convent for St. Pascal Parish)? Pope Francis Global Academy⛪ St. Pascal Church? Merrimac Park⚰️ Mount Olive Cemetery? Chicagoland Canoe Base? Former Cook County Hospital, Insane Asylum & Poorhouse✨ Plus plenty of unexpected stories, neighborhood lore, architectural details, and hidden gems tucked between the stops!? WHY PORTAGE PARK?Named for the ancient Native American portage route connecting the Des Plaines and Chicago Rivers, Portage Park has long served as a crossroads of transportation, immigration, and community life. As development expanded westward during the early 20th century, the neighborhood became one of Chicago's premier bungalow communities, attracting generations of working- and middle-class families seeking beautiful homes and vibrant neighborhood life.West Portage Park offers a fascinating mix of architectural styles, historic churches, neighborhood theaters, parks, and cemeteries that reflect more than a century of Chicago history. From the grandeur of the Patio Theater to the quiet beauty of Mount Olive Cemetery, this walk explores a side of Portage Park that many lifelong Chicagoans have never discovered. ??The neighborhood is also home to several beloved landmarks, including the historic Patio Theater ?, Portage Park Pool ?‍♀️ (host of the 1959 Pan-American Games and the 1972 U.S. Olympic Swim Trials), Merrimac Park, beautiful churches, and some of the Northwest Side's finest examples of classic Chicago bungalow architecture.? WHAT TO BRING? Comfortable walking shoes? Water bottle? Weather-appropriate attire?️ OPTIONAL POST-WALK MEETUPJoin us afterward for a casual meal at Jolly Inn Restaurant — everyone is welcome! ?️?? http://jollyinn.com/restaurant.aspx? ABOUT CHICAGO FOR CHICAGOANSFounded in 2016 by Patti Swanson, Chicago for Chicagoans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit using pay-what-you-can tours to connect residents with their city.? https://www.chicagoforchicagoans.org/? Donations help support accessible, community-based learning experiences.? GETTING THERE? CTA Trip Planner: https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/? Metered parking is available nearby, with additional free side-street parking (watch for permit signs).⚠️ Remember: the tour ends approximately 1.4 miles from the starting point, so plan accordingly.? RSVP & ATTENDANCE POLICY✅ Keep your RSVP up to date⏰ Update before the event start time if plans change? Repeated no-shows may result in removal from the groupCan't wait to continue exploring my neighborhood and share even more of the stories, architecture, and hidden history that make Portage Park so special! ✨??— Giovina? How to Find Us – Meet OUTSIDE at the SOUTHEAST CORNER OF PORTAGE PARK, 5400 W. Irving . Look for the large group gathered - we are hard to miss!? Note: This is an outdoor walk. Remember walk ends about 1.4 miles from where we start so plan your parking or transit accordingly.? Lost or running late? Call or text me at (312) 835-4259.Want to Learn More About the Group & our many actiivites? Check out our Meetup page here:? 1001 Things to See in Chicago Before You Die https://www.meetup.com/1001-things-to-see-in-chicago-before-you-die/To Learn More About Chicago for Chicagoans Click here:? https://www.chicagoforchicagoans.org/ https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events2/banners/9f4fce20-76bd-11f1-b452-0f2e0e513fce-rimg-w1110-h740-dcbdad8d-gmir.jpg https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events5/banners/a2c56ce0-76bd-11f1-b2b4-69b6988c976e-rimg-w1117-h740-dc020202-gmir.jpg https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/a3251910-76bd-11f1-b2b4-69b6988c976e-rimg-w1111-h740-dcffffff-gmir.jpg - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/chicago/bungalows-bells-and-cemetery-spells-west-portage-park-uncovered/100001993041354342 - **Event Categories**: sports, meetups, nonprofit, entertainment, workshops, trips-adventures, art, theatre, dog - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Chicago - **state**: IL - **country**: United States - **location**: 5400 W Irving Park Rd - **lat**: 41.9532435 - **long**: -87.762194 - **full address**: 5400 W Irving Park Rd, 5400 West Irving Park Road, Chicago, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Bungalows, Bells & Cemetery Spells — West Portage Park Uncovered! - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/34934a5261b7116a41010e6d778eb12df794304617e65e6806c8ac764b0b1941-rimg-w1200-h600-dc121717-gmir.jpg?v=1783224242 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Bungalows, Bells & Cemetery Spells — West Portage Park Uncovered! being held? - **A:** Bungalows, Bells & Cemetery Spells — West Portage Park Uncovered! takes place on Sun, 05 Jul, 2026 at 11:00 am to Sun, 05 Jul, 2026 at 01:30 pm at 5400 W Irving Park Rd, 5400 West Irving Park Road, Chicago, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing Bungalows, Bells & Cemetery Spells — West Portage Park Uncovered!? - **A:** Bungalows, Bells & Cemetery Spells — West Portage Park Uncovered! is organized by 1001 Things to See in Chicago Before You Die. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Bungalows, Bells & Cemetery Spells — West Portage Park Uncovered! is ideal for sports fans, athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone who loves the thrill of live competitive action and the energy of a crowd. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Chicago, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If Bungalows, Bells & Cemetery Spells — West Portage Park Uncovered! sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Event", "name": "Bungalows, Bells & Cemetery Spells — West Portage Park Uncovered!", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/34934a5261b7116a41010e6d778eb12df794304617e65e6806c8ac764b0b1941-rimg-w1200-h600-dc121717-gmir.jpg?v=1783224242", "startDate": "2026-07-05", "endDate": "2026-07-05", "url": "https://allevents.in/chicago/bungalows-bells-and-cemetery-spells-west-portage-park-uncovered/100001993041354342", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "5400 W Irving Park Rd", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "5400 West Irving Park Road", "postalCode": "60641", "addressLocality": "Chicago", "addressRegion": "IL", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "41.9532435", "longitude": "-87.762194" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "Discover the spooky stories and hidden gems of West Portage Park with a fun, offbeat local adventure!", "offers": [ { "@type": "AggregateOffer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-09-06", "availabilityEnds": "2026-07-05", "validFrom": "2026-09-06", "lowPrice": "0.00", "highPrice": "0.00", "price": "0.00", "url": "https://allevents.in/chicago/bungalows-bells-and-cemetery-spells-west-portage-park-uncovered/100001993041354342" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-09-06", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-09-06", "url": "https://allevents.in/chicago/bungalows-bells-and-cemetery-spells-west-portage-park-uncovered/100001993041354342", "price": 0, "name": "General Admission" } ], "organizer": [ { "@type": "Organization", "name": "1001 Things to See in Chicago Before You Die", "url": "https://allevents.in/org/1001-things-to-see-in-chicago-before-you-die/22062491", "description": "Professionally guided neighborhood walking tours of Chicago neighborhoods. Specialize on the northwest side but also do near westside and some south side walks as well. Focus on architecture and local history. I include historical pictures as well." } ] } ] ```