Ukrainian Village

Golden church domes and the tastes of Eastern Europe
Word to the wise: Most of the churches are open only by appointment outside of service hours, so call ahead if you want to see the spectacular interiors.

Talk of the town: The hipsters of neighboring Wicker Park are gradually moving into the Ukrainian Village, a process not all locals are happy about.
You’ll still hear Russian, Ukrainian and Polish spoken on the streets of this bustling neighborhood, home to some of the most extravagant religious buildings in the city. A home for Chicago's Slavs for over a century, the Ukrainian Village has picked up some impressive reminders of its residents' cultures over the years, along with corner stores selling Eastern European kielbasas, beers and the like.

Among these are the stunning Holy Trinity Cathedral, partly funded by the Russian Tsar and designed by none other than skyscraper pioneer Louis Sullivan back in 1903. The area's Milwaukee Avenue (at the intersection with Augusta Boulevard) also boasts the Polish Museum of America, the country's oldest ethnic museum. Beyond these specific sights, the neighborhood is also a great place for a casual wander, its orthodox churches and Slavonic cafes giving a bracing touch of the exotic to the area's street life.