Jun 5, 2024
10 min read
The Best Neighborhoods to Visit in Chicago
Welcome to Chicago! Hold onto your hats as we immerse you in The Windy City, from the first official gayborhood in the U.S. to the best post-Cubs game nightlife in town. There's a lot of information out there, so we've pulled together everything you need to know about Chicago's best neighborhoods from the travel mavens we all know and trust.
Wicker Park/Bucktown
Wicker Park and neighboring Bucktown are hipster areas home to a vibrant food and shopping scene.
"Wicker Park and neighboring Bucktown are hipster havens known for their art, community, nightlife, and food scenes. Each neighborhood has a unique architectural style, but both are brimming with street art, bars, and restaurants." -
Travel + Leisure"Cultural institutions like the Flat Iron Arts Building, Quimby’s Bookstore, and music venues like Subterranean have secured Bucktown-Wicker Park’s reputation as a hub for artists and creative types. Indeed, even as they become more accessible to young families and professionals, the neighborhoods maintain an innovative vibe." -
Conde Nast Traveler"...[the] Wicker Park neighborhood is where you’ll find vintage stores, record shops, and underground music venues nestled next to award-winning eateries, cool coffee houses, and popular fashion outposts. Along with neighboring Bucktown, both areas are beloved by residents and visitors — simultaneously classic and trendy, while remaining welcoming and walkable." -
Choose ChicagoPilsen
Pilsen is a hip residential area with an acclaimed food scene and a strong sense of community.
"Steeped in Latino culture and home to a vibrant display of art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants, Pilsen is packed with portals of discovery. Tap into the area’s rich Mexican roots with a visit to the National Museum of Mexican Art, one of the best-known Latino cultural organizations in the country (and the first Latino museum accredited by American Alliance of Museums)" -
Conde Nast Traveler"Pilsen was voted one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world by Forbes…It’s a beautiful, vibrant, and pride-filled neighborhood...brimming with amazing spots to eat, drink, and shop…owned and operated by southwest side natives, dedicated to supporting and preserving the neighborhood that built them up and made them flourish" -
Thrillist
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is a residential area, chosen by locals for its universities, museums, and other city landmarks.
"Once home to the 1893 World’s Fair and some of the globe’s most prominent figures (including Barack Obama), Hyde Park abounds in history. Couple that with its present-day prestige (e.g. The University of Chicago, The Museum of Science and Industry), and you’re looking at one of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods for in-crowds and intellectuals alike." -
Conde Nast Traveler"...it's home to one of the most prestigious colleges in the country, one of the best museums and a happening restaurant scene. The neighborhood's gorgeous architecture makes its rich history quite salient...Head to the beautiful South Side 'hood and enjoy all of the culture and entertainment that it has to offer." -
Time OutHumboldt Park
Humboldt Park is home to city landmarks and an acclaimed foodie scene.
"Humboldt Park on the West Side of the city sprouts wild grasses in conserved natural areas, formal and community gardens, an inland beach and, for baseball fans, a mini replica of the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field named Little Cubs Field. The park is what you make of it, with plenty of fields for activity but as many corners and nooks for peaceful, private escapes." -
Conde Nast Traveler"…Humboldt Park has become one of the hottest dining destinations in the city. Perhaps its greatest draw is the fact that you can find food from around the globe here. Searching for the best sushi joint in Chicago? Kai Zan should be a contender. Want to sink your teeth into a jibarito? You have to try Diana's…The dynamic neighborhood has something to appease every craving." -
Time Out
Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park is an upscale area, home to trendy dining and shopping options and essential city landmarks.
"Some of the city's trendiest shops, bars, and theaters call this neighborhood home, as does the famous Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Named for the park that encompasses its eastern border, the neighborhood of Lincoln Park runs from Diversy Parkway to North Avenue." -
USA Today"Brimming with brownstones, tree-lined streets, and ample outdoors activities, Lincoln Park is a favorite for locals and visitors alike. Take advantage of sunny Chicago days with a visit to the Lincoln Park Zoo, a 35-acre habitat to more than 200 different global species that also serves as one of the only free zoos in the nation." -
Conde Nast Traveler"[Lincoln Park] is Chicago’s largest. Its 1200 acres stretch for 6 miles...where it narrows along the lake and continues on until the end of Lake Shore Dr. On sunny days locals come out to play in droves, taking advantage of the ponds, paths and playing fields or visiting the zoo and beaches." -
Lonely PlanetLakeview
Lakeview is a hip area home to city landmarks and a great shopping and food scene.
"Lakeview is huge in size, sprawling from the lake to the east side of the river, but it's also home to an abundance of music venues, restaurants, bars and cheap eats. Whether you're looking to spend an afternoon wandering Boystown, cheering on the Cubs in Wrigleyville or finding the quieter spots of Lakeview, there's plenty to do in the neighborhood." -
Time Out"Lakeview is a sprawling neighborhood, with streets filled with boutiques, shopping, restaurants and bars. Whether strolling the Southport Corridor or heading to a game at Wrigley Field, Lakeview’s got pizza spots and poke bowls and plenty of other restaurants worth a stop." -
Eater
The Loop
The Loop, Chicago's downtown district, is home to most of the city's famous landmarks.
"The Loop is the heart of the city and it’s bursting with iconic Chicago attractions, including historic architecture, river cruises, Millennium Park, the Chicago Riverwalk, a vibrant theatre district, incredible dining, shopping along State Street..." -
Choose Chicago"Millions of people come to Chicago each year and are content to spend the entirety of their visit in the Loop…Explore the world's best museum by visiting the Art Institute or relax in the city's "front yard" as you stroll through Grant Park. Make like Ferris Bueller, take a day off and enjoy some of the best things to do in the Loop." -
Time Out"For many, the stainless steel Cloud Gate sculpture is a work of art, but for tourists, it’s the best opportunity for a selfie. The public artwork – also known as “the Bean” – has become a must-see item and an important element of Chicago’s cultural history…It now serves as a famous symbol of the city and is one of Chicago’s most photographed attractions." -
Culture TripOld Town
Old Town is a historic neighborhood and now a hip area popular for its shopping, dining, and nightlife scenes.
"The neighborhood, located between North Avenue and Division Street on North Wells Street, was once a hippie paradise. Now it's home to some of Chicago's best nightlife spots...The area also offers an array of shops, bars, and restaurants." -
USA Today"Filled with beautiful buildings that date back to before the Great Chicago Fire, Old Town is a neighborhood that oozes with history, including former speakeasies and ornate churches. Nearby Goose Island...is the only island in the Chicago River, a product of the city's industrial past that is now poised for a great urban revival." -
Time Out"Chicago’s bohemian enclave of the '60s and '70s, Old Town’s charming historic streets, cultural institutions, and easy park access made it one of the first city neighborhoods to succumb to the forces of gentrification. But vestiges of its former character survive in places like Second City and some historic bars." -
Thrillist
River North
River North is a hip, upscale area that is home to many businesses, famous city sights, and a nightlife scene.
"...[River North] is the center of the city's art scene and high-end nightlife. The former warehouse district has been filled with workspaces for designers and programmers, glassy new high-end condos, and more art galleries than anywhere outside of Manhattan." -
Thrillist"...this area holds some of the city's greatest attractions. Navy Pier and the Chicago Children's Museum are top stops for families, and serious shoppers can seriously exercise their credit cards along Michigan Avenue’s most famous stretch. Impressive architecture, compelling art, and top-notch restaurants also await." -
Fodor'sSouth Loop
South Loop is a centrally located and hip area with a developing foodie scene.
"South Loop is one of the city’s most historic districts...[South Loop] isn’t known for its restaurants, but with the construction of Wintrust Arena, there’s been a surge of new restaurants. South Loop has a solid collection of old-school Chicago favorites, blended with international newcomers." -
Eater"Bordered by the lake and gorgeous Chicago parks, the Chicago River, Chinatown, some of the top Chicago museums and McCormick Place, the South Loop should feel more bustling than it is. In reality, the 'hood is a quieter residential area ripe for exploration just a walk from downtown." -
Time Out
West Loop
The West Loop neighborhood is a hip area and a renowned haunt for its dining options.
"Chicago's West Loop neighborhood feels like a separate city—an enclave of art deco warehouses and low-story brick buildings facing a wall of skyscrapers...Once the site of an open-air 19th-century produce market...the neighborhood is now a booming development zone." -
Wall Street Journal"Boasting the internationally acclaimed “Restaurant Row,” the West Loop has made its mark as a world-renowned dining destination, ushering in several new spots (and accompanying waitlists) every year." -
Conde Nast Traveler"...the West Loop has attracted many of Chicago’s greatest culinary talents, and rightfully acquired the “restaurant row” label. The neighborhood now houses more critically acclaimed restaurants and bars than any other part of the city..." -
ThrillistUptown
Uptown is a residential area with a historic multicultural nightlife and food scene.
"For decades, Uptown has been one of Chicago’s favorite entertainment districts, welcoming visitors to an area that was once known for its ornate theaters, lavish clubs and sprawling beer gardens…[now it] hosts beloved Chicago music venues, a vibrant community of Asian restaurants on Argyle Street and some of the most scenic spots on the shores of Lake Michigan." -
Time Out "Located north of the Loop, the neighborhood has gone from a Roaring 20s epicenter to the site of cultural enclaves for Chicago’s Vietnamese and LGBT communities to today’s current urban revival. Many of the original buildings in Uptown have been repurposed for the modern era and it is one of Chicago‘s centers for nightlife and entertainment." -
Culture TripNorthalsted/Boystown
Northalsted is a vibrant and historical gayborhood, and now also popular for its food and nightlife scenes.
"Northalsted (also known as Boystown) is one of the most country’s inclusive LGBTQ+ communities and the oldest officially recognized gay neighborhood in the United States. It’s known for its welcoming vibe, nonstop nightlife, LGBTQ-owned businesses, and excellent dining options. It’s also the center of some of Chicago’s most popular events and festivals." -
Choose Chicago"Beyond hosting annual Pride celebrations and being a safe haven for the best gay bars in Chicago, Boystown has much to offer locals and out-of-town visitors. Cruise its vibrant selection of vegetarian restaurants, see a show at a storefront theater or comedy club, or shop the area's top-notch thrift stores." -
Time Out
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is a historically upscale area with equally high-end shopping and a diverse food scene.
"Chicago's Gold Coast is a historic district born when a number of local millionaires moved to the area after the Great Chicago Fire. It's got a mixture of mansions, row houses, and high rises, and is among the richest urban neighborhoods in America." -
Travel + Leisure"The neighborhood, which is known for its architectural history and cultural richness, is home to some of the city's most prestigious and influential movers and shakers. Drop by one of the booming cafés or bars on State Street, which is just south of the neighborhood, and see who is out." -
USA Today"...[the Gold Coast has] high-end dining…classic Chicago steakhouses, elegant French and Italian joints, farm to table spots where the menus change seasonally, and an Edenic oasis from a celebrated sommelier — there’s also pizza, Guinness, and a pair of the city’s loveliest cafes perfect for perching with a laptop all day long." -
EaterAndersonville
Andersonville is a hip gayborhood home to many local and small businesses.
"Chicago’s Andersonville Neighborhood is the Right Kind of Retro…retro shops and longstanding cultural meccas will make any visitor feel like they’ve been transported to another century. Even more anachronistic, Andersonville is completely free of big chain stores—all of the businesses here are independent and local." -
Conde Nast Traveler"Andersonville is best known for its lively Clark Street corridor, its LGBTQ community and a water tower emblazoned with a Swedish flag that sits atop a museum…Andersonville began as a small village of Swedish immigrants in the mid-19th century…today, you'll find old photos of some of these businesses hanging in the windows of the buildings they once occupied." -
Time Out"...the area has become a bastion for liberal rights and social inclusivity, with an exciting array of community-focused, LGBTQ+ friendly venues to explore...Midsommarfest in June is the highlight, when the area’s Swedish heritage combines with the jubilant atmosphere of Pride month to create an unforgettable street party, bringing together different elements of society. " -
National Geographic
Wrigleyville
Wrigleyville is best known for being home to Wrigley Field, and for its post-game nightlife culture.
"If you’re looking for a neighborhood that has a professional baseball team, plenty of restaurants and bars, and even a few concert venues, then make Chicago’s Wrigleyville neighborhood part of your plans for this summer. The neighborhood has plenty of options for a fun night out on the town and includes a bit of history, too." -
CBS"Wrigleyville is where you'll find Wrigley Field, home of the World Champion Chicago Cubs and a seemingly never-ending strip of bars that's the liveliest place in town when the Cubs are playing." -
Travel + LeisureLogan Square
Logan Square is a hip residential area with a shopping, food, and nightlife scene loved by locals.
"…[in Logan Square] you'll find beautiful boulevards lined with vintage buildings and a commercial corridor along Milwaukee Avenue that hosts to a long list of notable restaurants and bars…Logan Square has become a hub of the city's culinary and nightlife scenes, attracting Chicagoans and tourists who come to visit the acclaimed restaurants and bars..." -
Time Out"Boasting arguably the most stacked dining and drinking scene in the city, the northwest side hipster haven of Logan Square also serves up chic shopping, one of the city’s best public spaces and more." -
Modern Luxury
