Hyde Park
The Oriental Institute, Smart Museum of Art Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House and their parent, the University of Chicago, provide the nucleus of Hyde Park. This area, which began as a small New England-esque town, flourished as a result of the University's founding in 1892 and the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893 (of which the Museum of Science and Industry still stands as a legacy). The DuSable Museum of African American History also resides in this neighborhood.
Pullman Historic District
This historic district began as a utopia of sorts, courtesy of railroad mogul George M. Pullman, who created a planned community for the workers of his railway sleeping car factory. Highlights of this landmark district include the Historic Pullman Foundation Visitors Center, the Greenestone Church and the Hotel Florence.
Near South Side
North America's largest convention facility, McCormick Place can be found on the lakefront adjacent to Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears (football) and the Chicago Fire (soccer). Close by as you head towards the Loop, you will find the Museum Campus joining three world-class cultural institutions: Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum and the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum. Moving west off the lake, the Glessner House Museums, whose Glessner and Widow Clarke houses were erected immediately after the Great Fire of 1871, now stand here as two of the oldest buildings in Chicago. More recent inhabitants include the Illinois Institute of Technology; the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum; and Comiskey Park, home of the Chicago White Sox baseball team.
Chinatown
Rising out of the shadows of Chicago's urban landscape is Chinatown. Its small and secure neighborhood is easily accessible by cab, car, bus or elevated train and is near Soldier Field, McCormick Place and Comiskey Park. A cab ride from the Loop is about five minutes. You can also ride the CTA Red Line from the Loop to Chinatown
Wentworth and Cermak Avenues are the crossroads where you'll discover this vibrant community. Walk through the majestic and ornate terra cotta Gateway, and all at once the ancient Chinese culture beckons you to explore a new world of exotic foods, unique shops and colorful festivities.
Chicago's first Chinese immigrants founded the official Chinatown on the city's South Side at the turn of the century. Today the community has a population of about 10,000. Choose from the best of Chinese regional cooking, stroll the streets and shop for gifts, herbs and teas. Explore a Chinese grocery store stocked with Asian ingredients- from live seafood and poultry to the most exotic vegetables and spices.
For more information on Chinatown and its events, call the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce at 312/326-5620.
Pilsen
Before WW II, Pilsen was home to the nation's largest Bohemian-American settlement. In fact, Pilsen derives its name from a city in Bohemia. Now home to Mexican immigrants, it is alive with colorful murals on local buildings, authentic Mexican restaurants and the acclaimed Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum.
Little Italy
Beneath the shadow of the University of Illinois at Chicago, centered on Taylor Street, is one of the oldest communities in the city. This area is famed for its family-owned restaurants and residents who are primarily of Tuscan descent.
Printers Row/Grant Park
This restored area boasts architectural treasures, as well as jazz and blues clubs, bookstores, shops, restaurants and galleries. The Auditorium Theatre and the Spertus Museum of Judaica line South Michigan Avenue facing Grant Park.
The Loop
The pulse of the city still beats in the Loop, where Macy's (formerly Marshall Field's) and Carson Pirie Scott remain venerable veterans of State Street shopping. The Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Harold Washington Library Center and multiple theaters give the area a cultural edge. The financial district remains one of the Loop's most active provinces. A bit west, you'll discover Greektown where lively restaurants can be found.
North Michigan Avenue/Oak Street
The name "Water Tower" denotes not only the fabled old Chicago Historic Water Tower that survived the Great Fire of 1871, but also the Water Tower Place Mall (as shopping is the primary activity along this "Magnificent Mile"). The Museum of Contemporary Art and the Terra Museum of American Art have also found homes along this corridor. Upscale shops and boutiques line Oak Street, located just west of Michigan Avenue. Not far from these areas is the Streeterville area and Navy Pier.
River North
An off-shoot of the hustle and bustle of the Loop, River North houses a chic district of art galleries that ranks second only to Manhattan's Soho area. Trendy new restaurants and clubs also reside on west Ontario Street and surrounding streets.
Old Town
Old Town is noted for its 19th-century Victorian homes (and even some cobblestone streets). The area boasts the celebrated Second City improvisational comedy group and the oldest summer art fair in America, as well as boutiques and restaurants. The Chicago Historical Society also calls Old Town home.
Lincoln Park/Lake View
This popular residential neighborhood offers sights, sounds and tastes of just about every kind. Wrigley Field, the Lincoln Park Zoo, world-renowned blues clubs, dance clubs, restaurants of every cuisine and quaint shops comprise the mosaic that is this neighborhood. Sprawling out from DePaul University is an area along Halsted Street that encompasses Chicago's "off-Loop" theater district and blues clubs.
East Lakeview
Chicago is one of the most gay-friendly destinations in the country. The community is concentrated on Chicago's North Side. The East Lakeview neighborhood offers shopping, dining and nightlife concentrated on Halsted Street between Belmont and Addison. This area is easily accessed on public transportation, on the CTA's Red Line. Further north, Andersonville, centered around the intersection of Clark Street and Foster is a neighborhood known historically for its Swedish heritage. This area is becoming another popular and gay-friendly part of the city.
Bucktown/Wicker Park
This burgeoning artistic community has quickly become Chicago's hottest new neighborhood. New galleries, restaurants and nightclubs continue to sprout up here, where you'll also find a wealth of coffeehouses, performance art, poetry readings and more.
Argyle Street/Andersonville/Rogers Park/Devon-North Town
A selection of Asian restaurants, bakeries and shops resides in the Argyle/North Clark Street area. Between Broadway Ave. and Sheridan Rd. is the area known as New Chinatown. Farther north is the Scandinavian community of Andersonville, which houses the Swedish-American Museum as well as stores that feature Scandinavian crafts, bakeries and restaurants. Continuing north up to Devon Avenue and the Devon-North Town area, you'll discover the International Marketplace. More than 60 ethnic restaurants, bakeries and shops occupy this area.