Location: Chicago
Top Things to do in Chicago
What to do and see in Chicago, Illinois (IL): The Best Neighborhoods
The windy city is a cornucopia of modern art, fine dining, cutting edge comedy, and die-hard sports fans. Snap a photo of your reflection in the silver Cloud Gate sculpture at Millennium Park before heading to Grant Park to get hit with the refreshing spray of Buckingham Fountain. There are dozens of museums and theater companies in Chicago, so a cultural experience is never hard to find. You’re sure to laugh your head off at the Second City Theater, the professional launch pad of many famous comedians.
Restaurants in Chicago
1. The Loop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,238 reviews
Downtown section of Chicago defined by the loop of elevated train that encircles it.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
As a native Chicagoan--I actually grew up in south suburban Blue Island but have lived in downtown Chicago since 1976--I have learned there is so much to love about the city. Who would want to live anywhere else? Visitors gravitate to the most popular tourist attractions such as Navy Pier, Millennium Park, the Magnificent Mile and Wrigley Field. But old-timers still cling to The Loop, where it all began, where Chicago began. Bounded by the Chicago River on the north and west, by Lake Michigan on the east and by Roosevelt Road on the south, encircled by the prominent elevated railway system (the "El") that gives The Loop its name, the area is the first of Chicago's 77 designated communities, the central business district of the city, the main section of downtown Chicago, the second largest commercial business district in North America. Once the site of Chicago's first homestead and the site of historic Fort Dearborn, which was built in 1803, The Loop contains the headquarters and regional offices of several global and national businesses, retail establishments, restaurants, hotels and theaters. It also is the site of some of the world's earliest and tallest skyscrapers and many notable landmarks. It is home to City Hall, the seat of Cook County, Chicago Board of Trade, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Grant Park, Millennium Park, Palmer House, Art Institute, Union Station, Thompson Center, Daley Center, Printer's Row, Chicago Theatre and Marshall Field's (now Macy's). Mostly destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, The Loop quickly was rebuilt to include such architectural wonders as the Rookery Building, Monadnock Building, Willis Tower and Aon Center. And don't forget the artwork and sculpture, including Buckingham Fountain, Picasso, Chagall, Miro, Calder and DuBuffet. There is so much to see, so many photo opportunities. And you haven't even left the heart of the city.
2. The Magnificent Mile
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15,639 reviews
The Magnificent Mile is one of the great avenues of the world and is at the center of all that makes Chicago an international destination. One of the top 10 hospitality, dining and retail destinations in the world, with endless shopping, international cuisine, top rated hotels, lively entertainment, majestic architecture and natural beauty at every turn, The Magnificent Mile offers visitors to Chicago a one-of-a-kind city experience. The Magnificent Mile is the 13-block stretch of North Michigan Avenue that runs from the banks of the Chicago River to the south, to Oak Street to the north. The Magnificent Mile district extends a full square mile from North Michigan Avenue. The Magnificent Mile is a spectacular showcase of style, flavor, entertainment and fun. With more than 460 stores, 275 restaurants, 60 hotels and unique entertainments and attractions packed and stacked along its length, The Magnificent Mile has an indulgence for every passion and every pocket.
Reviewed By christiano242
The Magnificent Mlle is certainly magnificent with the high end stores and other shops along with the historic and new architecture for which Chicago is so justly proud. Just walking along the Mile, one can hear languages from many countries. Each season the street is decorated with theme-based decorations. Along with shopping I enjoy people watching.
3. Pilsen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
Chicago's Mexican-American community.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Pilsen is a historically working class, residential neighborhood and gateway for immigrants coming into Chicago. Bordered by West 16th Street to the north, Interstate 55 to the south, the Dan Ryan Expressway to the east and South Ashland Avenue to the west, it is rich in Latino culture and overflowing with award-winning restaurants, iconic music venues, sensational murals and exotic nightlife. The first thing a visitor notices is the colorful street art and buildings covered in massive paintings. It is a haven for offbeat boutiques, hip eateries, cool music venues standing alongside bodegas, panaderias and family-owned restaurants serving authentic Mexican cuisine. Pilsen was originally inhabited by German, Norwegian, Italian and Czech immigrants in the late 19th century. It emerged as a largely Latino community in the 1960s and 1970s. Mario Castillo painted Peace or Metafisico in 1968, the first Mexican and anti-Vietnam War mural in Pilsen. Benito Juarez Community Academy, which opened in 1977, has a 94 percent Latino student body and once was the largest high school in Illinois with more than 5,000 students. So walk through the Pilsen neighborhood, see the street carts doling out tamales and paletas, marvel at the 16th Street murals, visit the National Museum of Mexican Art, Thalia Hall and St. Procopius Church, take a break at Dusek's Board & Beer or Simone's or Kristoffer's Cafe & Bakery or Panaderia Nuevo Leon or Punch House or La Vaca Margarita Bar or Pollo Express.
4. Oak Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
This downtown street is filled with upscale shopping opportunities.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
If you are planning to visit Chicago for the first time and you like to shop--who doesn't?--Water Tower Place on the Magnificent Mile is recommended as your first stop. But if you are an upscale shopper, be sure to walk a few blocks north to Oak Street, Chicago's most prestigious and most fashionable shopping area. Located in Chicago's spiffy Gold Coast neighborhood, between North Michigan Avenue and North State Street, across from the Drake Hotel, Oak Street is home to the highest concentration of international couture houses, American luxury brands, fashion brands and local boutiques. Upscale retail shops also overflow onto nearby Rush Street and Walton Street. Tree-lined Oak Street features such high end, luxury names as Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Escada, Carolina Herrera, Georg Jensen, Dior, Hermes, Harry Winston, Jimmy Choo, Dolce & Gabbana, Paul Stuart, Prada, Saint Laurent, Tom Ford, Van Cleef and Arpels, Versace and Vera Wang. Gone is the famed movie theater Esquire, now a classy steakhouse. But the Esquire's iconic vertical marquee neon sign remains, as big as ever, bigger than anything else on the street, a reminder of the way it was from the time the theater opened in 1938 until it closed in 2006. Still, Oak Street retains the glamor of yesteryear.
5. Andersonville
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
Andersonville combines Swedish roots and small-town charm with the city's newest and hippest stores and restaurants. Offering everything from stylish clothes and unique items for the home to delectable international dining and traditional holiday events, our unique array of ethnically-diverse, locally-owned businesses guarantees you'll find something to love. A visit to our popular north side neighborhood always makes for a memorable Chicago experience.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Once a sleepy village of Swedish immigrants, today the Andersonville neighborhood in the southwest quadrant of the Edgewater/Uptown community is known for its diversity, including a continued Swedish cultural presence led by the Swedish American Museum and other Swedish businesses. At one time, there were more Swedes in Chicago than any city outside Stockholm. Today, in addition to being one of the most concentrated areas of Swedish culture in the United States, Andersonville is home to diverse assortment of devoted residents and businesses, including one of the largest LGBT communities in Chicago, a collection of Middle Eastern restaurants and bakeries and a thriving Hispanic commercial area north of Catalpa Avenue. Andersonville is bordered by Lawrence Avenue to the south, Victoria Street to the north, Ravenswood Avenue to the west and Magnolia Street to the east. The heart of the commercial district is Clark and Berwyn. The Andersonville Commercial Historic District, which runs from 4900 to 5800 North Clark, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. The stretch of Clark south of Foster is sometimes called South Foster or SoFo, which features one of the most famous craft beer taverns in Chicago, Hopleaf. So what do you want to see? Where do you want to eat or have a drink? What shops do you want to browse? Stop at Alley Cat Comics or see a street performance at Puppet Bike or see the fascinating permanent exhibit "The Dream of America--Immigrating to Chicago" at the Swedish American Museum or visit the Gethsemane Garden Center. Don't pass up a glass of glogg at Simon's Tavern or enjoy a fried egg sandwich and orange juice at M.Henry or sip some of the city's best coffee at Coffee Studio or have a home-made pie at Middle East Bakery & Grocery or order one of over 60 beers on tap and a mussels for two appetizer at Hopleaf. Other popular restaurants in the Andersonville neighborhood include Taste of Lebanon, Little Bad Wolf, Lost Larson, Gadabout, Big Jones, Hot "G' Dog, Hutchinson Kitchen & Bar, Octavio Cantina & Kitchen, Vincent, Blu 57 Seafood & Small Plates and Tanoshii Mike's Sushi. For a sweet treat, stop at George's Ice Cream and Sweets.
6. Hyde Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
This neighborhood, located south of the downtown area, is best known for being the home to the University of Chicago.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Hyde Park on Chicago's South Side is a culturally diverse neighborhood that, most importantly, is home to the University of Chicago, one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Located seven miles south of Chicago's Loop, within an area that extends from East 51st Street on the north to the University of Chicago's picturesque Midway Plaisance on the south and from Washington Park on the west to Lake Michigan on the east, Hyde Park also is home to Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House, the Museum of Science and Industry, Rockefeller Chapel, the Hyde Park Arts Center, the University of Chicago's Oriental Institute, Jackson Park and the site of the world's first artificial nuclear reactor. Not to mention a plethora of ethnic restaurants, trendy boutiques, shops, bars, hotels, museums and book stores. Hyde Park was founded in 1853 by real estate developer Paul Cornell, who purchased 300 acres of land between 51st and 55th Streets alongside the shore of Lake Michigan with the dream of attracting other Chicago businessmen and their families to the area. The development received a spike in 1891 when philanthropist John D. Rockefeller established the University of Chicago. In 1893, Hyde Park got another publicity boost when the World's Columbian Exposition came to the neighborhood. The Museum of Science and Industry, formerly the Palace of the Fine Arts, is the lone survivor of the 1893 event. In fact, there are so many historical properties in Hyde Park that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. Visitors can roam the streets, from 51st to 55th to 57th, stroll through the University of Chicago's picturesque campus, take a lunch break at Medici on 57th, Valois, Piccolo Mondo, Virtue, Nathan's Chicago Style, Solonia, Harold's Chicken Shack, Leona's Pizzeria, Rajun Cajun, Thai 55, Nicky's Chinese Food or Chipotle Mexican Grill. Browse the German submarine U-505 at the Museum of Science and Industry, the Egyptian mummies at the Oriental Institute, contemporary art works at Hyde Park Art Center and Smart Museum of Art and learn about the history of Chicago at the Du Sable Museum of African-American History. Two other points of interest are former president Barack Obama's home and Promontory Point on Lake Michigan.
7. Ukrainian Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By Mkjm1 - Illinois, United States
I have visited here many times and always love it. Ukrainian village is the epicenter of Ukrainian cultural life in Chicago, and home to many recent immigrants and long time residents. If you are visiting Start the day at Shokolad Pastry & Cafe for breakfast and head over to the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, after you have learned about the artistic culture of Ukraine and Ukrainian Americans. After this head over to see the neighborhoods historic churches including St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Chicago (my personal favorite), and St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral. After working up an apatite head over to Old Lvivfor lunch, understand this is a traditional Ukrainian restaurant please don’t go in with American expectations, but do expect to have an incredible meal at great prices (try everything!). Once you have filled up go to the Ukrainian National Museum to learn about the history and culture of Ukraine as well as the Ukrainian community in the US. Once you have finished there move over to Delta Gift Shop to supper a 65 year old women owned business and community staple. Finally cap your day off at Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen to see modern Ukrainian dining at its finest with delicious, innovative, and beautiful dishes that you’ll want to tell everyone about! We usually cap the night by stoping at Ann’s bakery to get borscht and other Ukrainian treats for the road.
8. Wicker Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 120 reviews
Wicker Park is the former meca of the Chicago art community and location of the bi-annual "Around the Coyote" art festival. The area has experienced massive economic growth over the past few years and is now home to many boutiques, thrift stores, bars and restaurants and known for its “hipster” vibe.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Wicker Park is all things to all people. One of the fastest rising and trendy neighborhoods in Chicago, it has been recognized as one of the hippest hipster neighborhoods in the country and widely known for its local culture, art community, nightlife, high fashion boutiques, cutting-edge gourmet restaurants and bakeries, European-style cafes, upscale independent grocers and artsy businesses. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a Chicago Landmark District, Wicker Park is a convenient place to live for downtown workers due to its proximity to public transportation and the Loop. The area stretches from Ashland Avenue on the east to Western Avenue on the west, from Division Street on the south to the Bloomingdale Trail (or the 606) on the north. Historically, Wicker Park was founded in 1868 by Chicago alderman Charles Wicker. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 spurred the first wave of development and homeless Chicagoans looked to build new homes. At the end of the 19th century, it became a destination for German and Norwegian immigrants. Many of Chicago's wealthiest brewers built mansions on Hoyne Street, which became known as Beer Baron Row. Today, Wicker Park is home to such trendy restaurants as Dove's Luncheonette, Small Cheval, Big Star, Schwa, Handlebar and Cafe Istanbul, from fine dining to tacos to Ramen to sushi to Cajun. Stay at the Robey Hotel or Wicker Park Inn or Ruby Room. Visit the 606, Farmers Market or Flat Iron Arts Building.
9. Pullman Historic District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By lauralei99
In October, a dozen or so resident of homes in the historic Pullman district open their homes for house tours. People who love old homes will enjoy this immensely. The homes are kept as close as possible to the original architecture, and many are furnished with period-pieces.. At the Visitor Center, you purchase tickets (also available on-line at a discount), then receive a brochure which includes addresses and a map, and sometimes, histories of the participating homes. Pullman residents are stationed at the entrances, and also without the houses, to provide information about the specific structure.The porches, front yards and walkways are kept up and decorated beautifully, in both Fall and Halloween motifs. There was food available near the Center, with limited outdoor seating. It is possible to drive the tour route, but parking could be dicey, so I advise that you prepare to walk. One of the homes is used as a private art gallery, and two of the properties and Air bnbs. Also on tour, is another museum of sorts, in which a private collector has lovingly rescued and kept thousands of Pullman Car memorabilia. Both rail and history buffs should make sure to stop in. Picture-taking is banned within the private homes.
