Overview to Chicago: Travel Guide and Tourist Information
- Chicago Information
- Eating & drinking in Chicago
- Night life in Chicago
- Getting around in Chicago
- Things to do in Chicago
- Where to stay in Chicago
- Chicago street map
Settled on the banks of the expansive Lake Michigan is the vibrant urban hub of Chicago. Once a great industrial city, it has all the appeal of a thriving American metropolis but retains the surprisingly down-to-earth vibe of its blue-collar heritage.
The Loop (comprising Downtown Chicago southeast of the river) is home to the monumental Sears Tower, the tallest building in the US. Amidst all the skyscrapers, meanwhile, the Art Institute on Michigan Avenue proves an interesting cultural counterpoint.
North of the river lies the Near North and the city’s commercial heart, where most of the shops and restaurants are clustered. A popular attraction is Navy Pier on Streeterville’s lake edge, a promenade along the waterfront lined with bars and eateries.
Traveling north from here brings you to the Gold Coast. Populated with upscale boutiques and large brownstones, it’s the most fashionable lakeside address in Chicago. Old Town, to the west, has equally desirable architecture, but is rather more arty and laidback.
Old Town blends into residential Lincoln Park and the expansive park of the same name, providing a green respite from the surrounding urban sprawl. Further north still is the up-and-coming Lakeview district, where cafés and boutiques draw a young and lively crowd.
To the west, Chicago’s West Side is made up of the diverse ethnic communities of Greektown and Little Italy, along with the ornate churches of the Ukrainian Village. The area is also home to the large Mexican community of Pilsen with its renowned Fine Arts Center.
The city’s most bohemian neighborhood, Wicker Park, is found just northwest of here and has a flourishing alternative scene. Bucktown lies to the north, a similar hub of entertainment but with a trendier vibe and higher prices to match.
Elsewhere, the suburban North Shore of the lake is a city dwellers’ playground of scenic beaches and parks, complemented by an emerging art scene. Nine miles to the west, the lure of Frank Lloyd Wright’s influential architecture draws many travelers out to Oak Park.
With its assorted and varied regions to explore, this sprawling city makes for a fascinating visit. And with so much to see and do, it’s not difficult to see why Chicago is America’s third largest tourist destination after Los Angeles and New York.
