Chicago is "The City that Works" and "The City of Big Shoulders." It
boasts the United States' tallest building and one of the world's
largest office buildings. With the ubiquitous elevated trains creating a
continuous clatter, the city looks, feels, and in fact is, big.
At first glance, Chicago can be overwhelming. But, like any city, it is the sum of its parts, and its parts are diverse. Also known as "The City of Neighborhoods," Chicago comprises more than 75 official neighborhoods. Each features its own distinct quality and character.
So, when trying to digest Chicago, don't try to take it all in with one big bite. Break it up into manageable portions.
At first glance, Chicago can be overwhelming. But, like any city, it is the sum of its parts, and its parts are diverse. Also known as "The City of Neighborhoods," Chicago comprises more than 75 official neighborhoods. Each features its own distinct quality and character.
So, when trying to digest Chicago, don't try to take it all in with one big bite. Break it up into manageable portions.
The Loop
This area takes its name from the elevated train, the "El," that loops
around the city's central core. While the downtown area stretches
beyond these boundaries, much of the lifeblood that invigorates the rest
of the city also pumps through the Loop. The Willis Tower (formerly the
Sears Tower), the United States' tallest building, is here, as is the
Chicago Board of Trade , one of the biggest options and futures trading
floors in the world. City government offices are based here, as well as
the home offices of several major corporations.
When it's time
for the city that works to relax, the Loop does not disappoint. The
city's magnificent Harold Washington Library , the Art Institute of
Chicago , Chicago Architecture Foundation and the Chicago Cultural
Center are all here.
Thanks to a burgeoning theater district,
the Loop is increasingly becoming a place to visit when the workday
ends. The restored Ford Center for the Performing Arts-Oriental Theatre
hosts lavish Broadway productions while the Chicago Theatre has several
musical concerts. The landmark Auditorium Theatre , considered by some
the most beautiful theater in America, hosts musicals, concerts and
other performances in the South Loop area. The renowned Goodman Theatre
also offers several performances throughout the year. The North Loop
offers many dining and retail options.
While technically just
outside the Loop's borders, Grant Park should not be missed. Hugging
Lake Michigan, this park is often referred to as "Chicago's Front Yard."
The majestic Buckingham Fountain is here, as is a plush rose garden and
the Chicago Symphony Orchestra 's outdoor home, the Petrillo Music
Shell . The park is immense, with the capacity to hold up to three
million people, as is tested annually by the Taste of Chicago festival.
Grant Park also plays host to many free music and arts festivals during
the summer, including Jazz Fest, Blues Fest and Gospel Fest.
Near North Side
Just to the north of the Loop, bordered by the Chicago River on the
south, the Lake on the east and North Avenue on the north, is Chicago's
Near North Side neighborhood. This area is in turn made up of several
other smaller districts.
The city's "Magnificent Mile" (known
as the "Mag Mile" to locals) is one of the Near North's most famous
offerings. Stretching along Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River to
Oak Street, this shoppers' paradise is home to high-scale chains like
Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale's at the 900 North Michigan Avenue Shops ,
as well as the lavish boutiques scattered throughout the area along
with many fine hotels and restaurants.
The city's early monument
to modernity, the John Hancock Center , is just down the block from the
city's links to its past, the Water Tower and the Chicago Water Works ,
two of the few buildings that survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Water Tower Place , an upscale indoor shopping mall, anchored by
American Girl and Macy's and offers a wide variety of shopping, dining
and entertainment options. You can enjoy RL Restaurant or Ralph
Lauren's, the designer's largest retail store and its hip adjoining
restaurant. Nordstrom , Crate & Barrel and Saks Fifth Avenue can be
found a few blocks south on Michigan Avenue.
If you are
wondering where the people who can afford to shop at the more expensive
stores on Michigan Avenue live, head east to Streeterville, or the
adjoining Gold Coast neighborhood. Theoretically, the Gold Coast is
named for the African coast of the same name, but the moniker also
describes the area's opulence. The neighborhood is the nation's second
wealthiest, surpassed only by New York City's Central Park East.
Just north of the Chicago River and a few blocks west of the Mag Mile
is River North, home to an eclectic mix of swanky galleries, trendy
cafes and theme restaurants like the Hard Rock Cafe . While many of the
city's residents pretend they have never been to these restaurants, they
most likely have - so go and enjoy with a clear conscience.
South Loop
In stark contrast to the garish designs of the chain restaurants, the
South Loop offers a quaint, Old World charm, neighborhood bars and
smaller restaurants. Once home to one of the largest publishing centers
in the Midwest, the warehouses left behind have been renovated and taken
over by young, affluent professionals who wish to walk to their jobs in
the Loop. The area's focal point, Dearborn Station , sets the tone for
the neighborhood. The former rail transportation hub's façade has been
lavishly restored.
Beyond Downtown
Lake Shore Drive, one of the city's major north-south arteries, runs
along the picturesque lakefront. While the Drive will take you to many
of the city's attractions, do not forget that this boulevard is an
attraction in itself. The lake view, the bold skyline and even the
Drive's own tree-lined medians offer some of the most breathtaking views
in the city.
Lincoln Park
Once you
pass North Avenue, you will enter Lincoln Park, one of the city's more
gentrified areas. Tree-lined Fullerton Avenue, with its brownstones
converted into condos, gives you a feel for the neighborhood residents.
Lincoln Park also surrounds the DePaul University neighborhood. A
variety of bars, dance spots and inexpensive restaurants cater to the
college and just-out-of-college crowd.
Not all of Lincoln Park
hustles and bustles. In fact, the park from which the neighborhood takes
its name is one of the city's largest and most pastoral. Designed by
Frederick Law Olmstead, who also drew up the blueprints for New York's
Central Park, Lincoln Park encompasses more than 1,000 acres. It
includes a Zoo, the Lincoln Park Conservatory , The Peggy Notebaert
Nature Museum , a driving range, dozens of ball fields and several
biking and running paths connecting it to lakefront beaches. You'll find
many pickup games of soccer and ultimate Frisbee here on warm summer
days.
Lakeview
Heading further north
brings you to Lakeview, a neighborhood that serves as a popular
nightlife center for both the straight and gay communities. These groups
tend to party separately, with the standout exception being Berlin , a
late-night dance club where hipsters of every orientation party
together.
Halsted Street between Belmont Avenue and Irving Park
Road serves as the headquarters for gay nightlife. The area is not hard
to find; just look for the gigantic rainbow-colored pylons that line
the streets. For dancing, head to Roscoe's Tavern or Spin . Don't miss
the Center on Halsted, the city's premier gay destination for cultural
and recreational activities and wide array of social events throughout
the year.
If partying is not your thing, don't despair. The area
also offers its share of restaurants, from Angelina Ristorante and
Yoshi's Cafe to the 24-hour Melrose Restaurant .
For the
straight set, head a few blocks west to Wrigleyville, a bar area that
gets its name from the nearby Wrigley Field , home of the Chicago Cubs.
The numerous taverns here make for excellent bar-hopping, so stop in the
Cubby Bear or The Metro , a bar that features live music and
up-and-coming rock bands like the Smashing Pumpkins, who played here
before they made it big and returned for their final two shows.
Diners can satisfy a variety of tastes in Wrigleyville, including
Asian, Cajun, Italian and Mexican. Those who prefer to stick with the
bar scene can eat well at Bar Louie , John Barleycorn Memorial Pub or
Sluggers .
Uptown
For more live
music, head farther north, where you'll find the Aragon Ballroom , the
Riviera and the prohibition-era jazz bar, Green Mill . Some of the best
music in the city (be it jazz, rock, or something in between) can be
found here.
Wicker Park/Bucktown
A
hot spot for artisans and heavy drinkers alike is the Wicker
Park/Bucktown area. Hang out at bars like the Blue Note and Holiday Club
or restaurants like Northside Bar & Grill and Beat Kitchen and it
won't be long before some hipster starts talking to you about
gentrification.
The South Side
If you
are visiting the city, do not make the mistake many North Siders do by
forgetting that Lake Shore Drive also runs south of downtown.
As you cruise south on Lake Shore Drive, admire the Museum Campus where
the Shedd Aquarium , Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum converge. If
you have the time, you could easily spend a day in each museum, but
it's also well worth a stop just to enjoy the lake views and watch
sailboats go by.
Just south, you will pass Soldier Field , home
of the Chicago Bears. Immediately after gaping at Soldier Field you
will need to guard against whiplash as you turn to stare at the
sprawling McCormick Place , one of the largest convention centers in
North America and home to numerous annual trade shows, like the Chicago
Boat, RV & Outdoors Show and the Chicago Auto Show. The space
includes more than 2.2 million square feet of exhibition space,
Chicago's largest ballroom and the Arie Crown Theater .
US
Celluar Field , formally known as Comiskey Park, home of the Chicago
White Sox , lies just west of Lake Shore Drive. The modern stadium
features an exploding scoreboard that sets off fireworks along with a
Sony Jumbo Screen.
Further south, the charming Hyde Park
neighborhood has a quaint, old-world look to it. Home to the
world-famous University of Chicago , the area boasts interesting
restaurants like the Dixie Kitchen and Medici , great used book stores
like O'Gara & Wilson's (the oldest used bookstore in the country),
and the quaint 57th Street Art Fair . Hyde Park is also home to the
gigantic 350,000 square-foot Museum of Science and Industry . This
monument to 20th-century technology houses a replica coal mine, a German
U-Boat and a Zephyr train and the Smart House: Green & Wired, a
futuristic home made with eco-friendly materials.
After visiting
the museum, push away thoughts of industriousness long enough to take a
leisurely stroll through Jackson Park . Like its sister to the north,
Lincoln Park , Jackson Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead. It
features a Japanese garden, a bird sanctuary, a reflecting pond and a
golf course.
By Wcities
