Neighborhoods
Find Your Chicago Neighborhood
Lincoln Park
When Europeans arrived in Lincoln Park in the late 1820s, it was nothing but swamps and grasslands. Today, it's a thriving community rich with history, art, and wonderful architecture. Want to get a feel for what Lincoln Park has to offer? Stop by the Lincoln Park Zoo to visit some of the world's most exotic creatures, or walk over to North Avenue Beach to catch some sun, play volleyball, or grab a drink at Castaways.
If you're looking to raise a family, remember that roughly 90% of graduates from Lincoln Park High School go on to pursue higher education. And of course, after a long day you can always head over to The Second City to catch a show at one of Chicago's best comedy clubs. Don't forget, if you get hungry during all of your sightseeing there are plenty of places to grab a bite. Delicious restaurants like tapas spot Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba, Mon Ami Gabi, historic R.J. Grunts, BYOB Toro Sushi, and Charlie Trotter's - which simultaneously announced it's 25th anniversary and August 2012 closing over the New Year, so remember to stop in before it's too late!
The Gold Coast
After the Great Chicago Fire, millionaire Potter Palmer filled in some of the swampland in what we know today as the Gold Coast to build a 43-room castle-like mansion. Today, over a century later, the Gold Coast is filled with mansions, row-houses, and fabulous high-rise apartments and condos. To get to know the area, take a luxurious trip down scenic Lake Shore Drive. Stop in for dinner at Gibsons or Tavern on Rush in the Gold Coast's historic Rush Street district. Don't feel like dining? How about some shopping? The Gold Coast is home to internationally recognized designers including Prada, Hermes, and Yves Saint Laurent. After you've found the perfect outfit, Harry Winston, Lester Lambert, or Trabert & Hoeffer will dress you in diamonds.
River North
River North is home to some of Chicago's best dining, nightlife, and art galleries. Of course, it also has it's own fair share of history. Take the former Cook County Criminal Courthouse. Today, it's the home of offices and condos, but as the courthouse it held the trial of the 1919 Chicago White Sox; accused of throwing that year's World Series. It was there that, according to a reporter, a kid looked up at Shoeless Joe Jackson and pleaded "Say it ain't so, Joe!" River North also boasts some fantastic restaurants. Two of them, Frontera Grill and Topolobampo, are owned by celebrity chef Rick Bayless.
But the choices aren't limited there. River North also offers the Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chao, tapas restaurant Cafe Iberico, Quartino Ristorante and Wine Bar, Shaw's Crab House, and the original Pizzeria Uno. Trust that there are plenty more, but it would take all day to list them all! As far as night life, don't miss out on some of the most popular spots. Stop in at the dueling piano bar Howl at the Moon, or walk across the street to Social Twenty-Five for some live music and late nights. Not to mention some other hot spots like The Kerryman, Public House, Moe's Cantina, Spybar, Hubbard Inn and, of course, Bull and Bear.
Lake View
This sprawling North Side community, one of Chicago’s largest, is characterized by a vast culinary landscape of cuisines and cultures, and equally plentiful shops and boutiques. Lakeview encompasses two popular districts: Wrigleyville, home of Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs; and Boystown, one of the nation’s largest and most vibrant LGBT communities.
Wrigleyville
The history of Wrigleyville began with the construction of Wrigley Field in the early 1900s. Since then, a culture has risen around the historic field driven by the love of the Chicago Cubs and the game of baseball. Wrigleyville is bordered by Halsted St. on the east, Ashland Ave. on the west, Roscoe St. on the south and Byron St. on the north. This area is not just the home to the Chicago Cubs, it's also the site of some seriously fun entertainment and eats.
Drop by during a home game and you'll find Wrigleyville teeming with activity. People hustle back and forth from bars to restaurants to Wrigley Field. Stop by Casey Moran's, Sluggers, John Barleycorn's or the Cubby Bear to grab a drink. Or you can always buy tickets and head up to a rooftop to watch and experience the game from a whole new level (if you're not already planning on entering the ballpark that is)! Although Wrigleyville does have a certain preoccupation with the Cubs, it still manages to maintain a distinctly residential feel throughout the community. Beautiful stone and brick buildings line the sidewalks, adding plenty of charm to a scenic stroll, casual jog, or just a friendly neighborhood visit.
Boystown
Located within Lakeview, Boystown is the heart of Chicago’s thriving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Colorful rainbow pylons welcome people of every background and sexual orientation to enjoy Boystown’s LGBT-oriented shops, bars and restaurants, as well as the Center on Halsted, one of the premiere LGBT community centers in the world. The Pride Parade is a major annual tradition that attracts tens of thousands to Boystown every June. Stop in for a bite at Yoshi's Cafe, the French-inspired restaurant Firefly, or Las Mananitas for a fabulous margarita. For some dancing and drinks afterwards, Sidetrack, Roscoe's or Hydrate has earned some rave reviews! Still, if you feel like unwinding after dinner with a great show, see if you can get tickets to Briar Street Theatre - the home of the Blue Man Group for the past decade or so.
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