Take a tour with DSBDA!
Known as “Paseo Boricua”, this six block portion of Division Street between two large steel sculptures of the Puerto Rican flag has become a leading center for Puerto Rican culture, food, business and politics in the United States. A guided tour with one of our highly experienced tour guides will bring you new insight into the history of this community and its many landmarks.
Paseo Boricua Flags. Gateways to the emerging Puerto Rican cultural, restaurant and entertainment district. The Puerto Rican community has been present in the Chicago area for over 5 decades. The flags were created to recognize the hard work many of these Puerto Ricans conducted in the steel mills. To honor this legacy Alderman Billy Ocasio, Congressman Luis Gutierrez and Mayor Richard Daley had two 59-foot Puerto Rican flags constructed. The flags were dedicated to the community on January 6th of 1995 which is also Three Kings Day. Since its dedication in 1995, the flags have won seven awards including the prestigious “Building of the Year Award” by the American Institute of Architecture. Each flag currently represents the largest monument to a flag in the world and the largest flag not made of cloth.
Puerto Rican Murals. The Puerto Rican Community has a long history of mural making in Chicago. Recently Paseo Boricua has seen a renaissance of new murals. In the last three years there has been the creation of four new murals on the street. Additionally, a restoration of the oldest mural on Paseo Boricua was completed, which was first painted in 1980 by renowned muralist Gamaliel Ramirez. Murals are a great way to tell the story of the Puerto Rican community’s past struggles, present hopes and future plans. The oldest Puerto Rican mural still standing dates back to 1971 and preparations for its’ restoration have begun and are targeted for completion in the Spring of 2008.
La Casita de Don Pedro. Originated as a wish that was alive in the community and happily realized by the whole community of the Puerto Rican culture. In 1997 the location was inaugurated including a new gallery and a garden statue of Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos. The gallery holds a collection of Puerto Rican Photography and artisanry.
Paseo Boricua Walk of Fame. Gathered the idea from “Hollywood’s Walk of Fame” in Hollywood California. Mostly you will find both men and women of the Puerto Rican culture who throughout their careers have elevated Puerto Rico’s name and image across the globe. It is a 5 foot circular bronze medallion with the Puerto Rican steel flags embedded into the walkway to admire for years to come. Famous faces you will see portrayed include: Ismael Miranda, Andres Jimenez, Andy Montanez, El Gran Combo, Lucecita Benitez, Tito Nieves
Paseo Boricua Restaurant and Cultural District. Serves as a cultural and entertainment anchor for the Puerto Rican community in Chicago. The streetscape is to mirror historic Old San Juan in Puerto Rico. This long-term and ongoing project aims to attract patrons to the increasing restaurants, clubs, and entertainment establishments in the community and gives Paseo Boricua a strong ethnic and economic presence in Humboldt Park.
Paseo Boricua is home to some of the best Puerto Rican Restaurants in the Mid-West. Visit and taste the great cuisine!
Bakeries, Restaurants and Specialty Stores Include:
Café` Colao, COCO Restaurant, La Bruquena Restaurant, Latin American Restaurant, Papa’s Cache Sabroso, Nellie’s Puerto Rican Restaurant, La Plena Restaurant, El Paisano Tacos, Best Submarine , Illusions Lounge, The Dance Academy of Salsa, La Plena Restaurant.
NOW OPEN ON PASEO BORICUA!
The Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture is now the only self-standing cultural institution in the nation devoted to showcasing and preserving Puerto Rican arts and historic exhibits year-round. Located in the heart of Humboldt Park, at the western gateway of the "Paseo Boricua" culinary, cultural and entertainment district, the Institute of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture (IPRAC) has been providing quality community arts and culture programs since 2000.
IPRAC will showcase one-of-a-kind traditional and contemporary Puerto Rican art and provide an overview of the contribution made by Puerto Ricans in Chicago and throughout the country. Some art pieces are original and stationary, while others travel throughout the world. At IPRAC will provide a view of the community’s struggles, triumphs and the generational legacy of descendents who came from the island of Puerto Rico to make a new life for themselves in Chicago. Visitors and residents will access a better understanding of the cross-cultural aspects of the community.
IPRAC's building, which originally served as the Humboldt Park Stables and Receptory, is a historically and architecturally significant landmark. This architectural gem of the Chicago Park District, which sat idle for decades, has undergone a complete interior renovation to transform it into a first-class cultural institution providing year-round exhibitions, performances and arts education workshops.