The epicenter of Wrigleyville is the city's famed ballpark Wrigley Field. Located at the corner of Addison and Clark Streets on Chicago's north side and home to Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs, the surrounding community exudes Cubbie fever year round. Learn more about this popular corner of Chicago's cultural and sporting life with these hand-picked videos.
10 Great Things to Do in Lincoln Park | 10 Great Things to Do in Hyde Park
10 Great Things to Do in Lincoln Park | 10 Great Things to Do in Hyde Park
1. The Red Line El Ride to Addison
This is what it feels like to ride into Wrigleyville on the el from the south. This train is heading north beginning roughly at Armitage. You can hear the energy of the fans heading to the game, but better, in my opinion, is the tree-top tour of the neighborhoods en route and the arrival at Addison. Unfortunately, because the view is facing east, you don't see Wrigley Field upon arrival. Sometimes the journey is the reward. 6:29.
2. Wrigleyville Rickshaw
Newish to the Wrigleyville scene is the presence of rickshaws. Tyler, your tour guide and driver for this video, gives you the flavor of riding through the neighborhood on game day. "People give me anywhere from 0 to 50 dollars for just for a spin around the park, just for the hell of it. Only fun people get on this thing." 1:39.
3. Chicago Baseball - North and South
This video, which includes wonderful historic images and professional interviews, lays out the history of Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs and contrasts it to the south side story of the Chicago White Sox and Comiskey Park (later U.S. Cellular.) You can't really understand Chicago baseball until you understand how these two stories relate, intersect, and collide.
Featured interviews include: Billy Williams, Harold Baines, Raymond Doswell (Negro Museum League Curator), Richard Lindberg (Baseball Historian), Ron Santo, Andy McPhail, Steve Stone, and more. 8:01.
Featured interviews include: Billy Williams, Harold Baines, Raymond Doswell (Negro Museum League Curator), Richard Lindberg (Baseball Historian), Ron Santo, Andy McPhail, Steve Stone, and more. 8:01.
4. iO Chicago - Improv Olympic - Tour
It's hard to overstate the importance of iO Chicago (formerly Improv Olympic) to Chicago and the nation's comedy scene. It's located just south of Wrigley Field, and has been the launching ground for many of comedy's biggest talents including Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch, Mike Meyers, Chris Farley, and more. Second City may rule sketch comedy, but iO owns improv.
5. Bucket Boys Outside Wrigley Field
The sounds of Wrigleyville on game day include the rhythms of Chicago's street performers, who are often called "bucket boys." 3:02.
6. Ronny Woo-Woo and Possible Successor
Oh, man. Sometimes people are just out there in right field, you know? This short captures self-designated Cubs cheerleader Ronnie Woo Woo in the bleachers and, perhaps, one of his young wannabe fans. :32.
7. 1929 World Series Footage - Cubs vs. Philadelphia A's at Wrigley
This video clip is from home movie footage taken of a Cubs pre-game followed by footage from the World Series that was played in Wrigley Field in 1929. It's great to see how little Wrigley Field has changed, and the last :30 offer incredible street views of 1929 Wrigleyville. 6:30.
8. Metro - Nirvana at (then) Cabaret Metro
This is a video of Nirvana playing an early version of Polly in September 1989 at the venue formerly known as Cabaret Metro. Metro still books great acts on this intimate stage. It's located just a block away from Wrigley Field. 2:26
9. Alta Vista Terrace - Tour of the Street of Forty Doors
This is one of my favorite streets in Chicago, and this video tour does it such wonderful justice. Discover Alta Vista Terrace, a Chicago Landmark, some day when you're in Wrigleyville. 3:16
10. "This is What it's Like to Live in Wrigleyville"
MrChicagoGuy gives you the feel of what living on Grace Street in Wrigleyville looks like. Watch for the cameo appearance by his finger. :56