Campus Chronicle

Issue date: 6/18/07 Section: Features

Media Credit: H. Anderson, Field Museum Museums, delicious food and free summer festivals can be found in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood.

Pilsen, a neighborhood bustling with cars, visitors and residents, has been a favorite hangout for many students.

Only a walking distance from UIC, the area borders from Cermak Ave. to 16th St. and Canal St. to Western Ave.

Historically, Czech immigrants made Pilsen their home in the 1850s until the 1950s, when Mexican immigrants populated the area and are currently the main residents, making up 93.5% Latino, mainly of Mexican descent.

Many students have flocked to the ethnic neighborhood for its variety of entertainment.

A popular art destination in Pilsen is the National Museum of Mexican Art, formerly known as the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, located on 1852 W. 19th St.

According to the official Web site, it is the nation's largest Latino arts institution and the only Latino museum accredited by the American Association of Museums.

It showcases a collection of over 5,500 paintings, prints, sculptures, textiles and more by Mexican artists from United States and Mexico.

Museum hours are between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday. All exhibitions are free admission but performance festivals have various prices. Free guided tours can also be provided to ten or more people with prior reservations.

When hungry in Pilsen, one of the busiest and affordable places to eat is at Café Jumping Bean, located on 1439 W. 18th St. The corner coffee house is filled with residents, students, artists and professionals alike.

Try their popular chicken sandwich with a house coffee and sit near the windows to people-watch.

The café is cash only and is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Unlike other trendy neighborhoods, parking is usually found within 5 minutes on the busy 18th St.

Pilsen is also hosting three free festivals for the summer. Fiesta del Sol is the annual Latin fest from July 26 through July 29. It is located on Cermak Road, between Loomis and Morgan Streets.

Another festival containing more carnival rides is the AugustFest, from August 10 through August 12. It will be located on 2600 S. Central Park Ave.

The last festival Pilsen will hold is the Festival de la Villita, on 26th St. and Kostner Ave. It will celebrate Mexico's independence from Spanish rule with two stages of live music and many more activities. The festival will start Sept. 13 and end Sept. 16.

Whether visiting the largest Latino arts museum, sipping a cup of coffee or dancing away in festivals, boring reviews of Pilsen are rarely heard.

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