Breakdown of the City by Neighborhood

As one of the largest cities in the United States, Chicago encompasses many diverse neighborhoods, each with its own distinctive character. Listed here in no particular order are some of the best-known areas of the city.

The Magnificent Mile: This is a mile-long stretch along North Michigan Avenue that is devoted mostly to shopping. (Of course, there are also some architecturally significant structures, like Forth Presbyterian Church and the John Hancock Building.) This stretch used to be more residential, but it is now almost entirely commercial.

The Loop: What shopping is the Magnificent Mile, business is to the Loop. This is the business headquarters of the city.

Gold Coast: The Gold Coast is the highly residential, and also extremely exclusive. As a result, the city’s wealthiest elite make this neighborhood their home. It is a great area to admire turn-of-the-century architecture.

Old Town: Old Town is a quirky (and increasingly exclusive) neighborhood in Chicago. It maintains an admirable balance between commercial areas and residences; while there are many good restaurants and interesting shops, there are also plenty of places to live.

Wrigleyville: Home to the national treasure Wrigley Field, where the Cubs play. Much of the neighborhood is geared toward the nightlife of baseball enthusiasts and young people, but there are also interesting restaurants if you care to seek them out. But be forewarned, parking is a nightmare, so you may want to find another way to get there.

Lakeview aka Boystown: Along with Wrigleyville, Boystown is actually a part of the Lakeview neighborhood. Boystown is known for its raging nightlife, gaudy shops, and moreover for its gay population. It’s a lot of fun for an afternoon visit or a flamboyant night out.

Lincoln Park: A large portion of this neighborhood is occupied by the park of the same name, which is lovely. This neighborhood, which encompasses new families, college students and many young professionals, is becoming increasingly exclusive. There are numerous parks (including those specifically designated as being dog-friendly areas,) lovely historic homes scattered throughout the area and a collection of one-of-a-kind boutiques.

Wicker Park: The bohemian center of the city. Wicker Park is still popular with young people and artists, but it is becoming increasingly expensive to live there. There are a lot of fun restaurants and plenty of eclectic shops, making it an especially fun area to visit for a lazy afternoon. There are also many interesting coffee shops, including Ear Wax, which has good food and carnival-themed décor.