Chicago has approximately 178 neighborhoods that offer endless adventures and experiences. How do you decide where to unleash your curiosity in a big city like Chicago? It may feel like a daunting task.
The Chicago Crime Tour and Night Crimes Tour visit some of Chicago’s most captivating neighborhoods, full of rich history, iconic architecture and vibrant culture that are accessible to people of all ages and interests. Here are the 6 that top our list of Chicago’s top Neighborhoods to explore.
Streeterville
Streeterville is known for its lake frontage, expensive real estate, tourist attractions, beaches, and recreational spaces. The public parks and green spaces allow a unique juxtaposition between the modern high-rise multi-use buildings and playgrounds or dog parks. Lakeshore Park Field House boasts beautiful gardens, an indoor gym, a playground, a paved rubberized running track and tennis/pickleball courts.
This neighborhood is great for retirees, families, students, art enthusiasts, businesses, and leisure travelers.
Things to do:
Lakefront trail, accessible through an underpass at Chicago Ave.
Centennial Fountain, which shoots water across the Chicago River
Restaurants:
Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch – Water Tower Place
Harry Caray’s Tavern – Navy Pier
Unique Buildings and Public Art:
Mies Van Der Rohe architecture on inner Lakeshore Drive.
Heart Mural in the Chicago Ave pedestrian underpass (picture above)
Ogden Boat Slip
Streeterville is named for Captain George Wellington Streeter. Grab brunch at Yolk and check out the Cap Streeter Statue to see a larger-than-life sculpture of the neighborhood’s namesake. Streeter is also a subject of the Chicago Crime Tour. He was known as the Chicago’s first squatter.
River North
River North is close to the river and is known for its commercial and residential furniture showrooms, night life, loft living, restaurants and gallery district.
This neighborhood is great for art enthusiasts, restaurant connoisseurs, craft cocktail lovers and date nights.
Things to do:
Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum (open May-October)
West Superior St. Gallery District
Restaurants:
Unique Buildings and Public Art:
Merchandise Mart – Art on the Mart (April 12-Dec 30)
Marina City Towers (picture above)
Wolf Point West Riverwalk
“Who Killed Eddie O’Hare” is a phenomenal dinner theater experience available twice, monthly at Nitti’s Supper Club inside Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse. This interactive and fun experience is great for all ages.
Fun Fact: The Merchandise Mart once had its own zip code and is the largest office and retail commercial building, besides the Pentagon, in the United States.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast has incredible people watching, luxury fashion, high-rise buildings, historic decadence, and restaurants with superior and is great for shopping or window shopping, people watching, fine dining and for appreciating Chicago’s elegance.
Things to do:
People watch at the Viagra Triangle (Mariano Park)
Tour the Driehaus Museum or the International Museum of Surgical Science
Shop on Oak St and Rush St
Enjoy Tea in the Palm Room at the Drake Hotel
Restaurants:
Hendrickx Belgian Bread Crafter (get there early before they run out!)
Unique Buildings and Public Art:
The Gold Coast’s connection to Chicago Crime History: Located in the Gold Coast neighborhood, Holy Name Cathedral has been around for over 150 years. Holy Name hosted many funerals of Chicago’s gangsters, including Al Capone. On the sidewalk right outside the main entrance on State St, North Side Gangster Hymie Weiss took his last steps.
Insider tip: The neighborhood twinkles in gold tones at night. If the weather is inclement, spend the afternoon at the Bloomingdale’s building. Here you will find 6 levels of unique shopping experiences, cooking classes at Sur La Table, virtual swing/pitch/toss at Top Golf, toys and strollers at Galt Toys and a beautiful lounge on the top floor with every type of food you could want at the Aster Hall eatery.
Lincoln Park
The Lincoln Park neighborhood is known for its namesake, Lincoln Park, which was named after the 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. This park is the largest in Chicago, spanning from Ohio St beach all the way north to Hollywood Ave. From a free zoo, bird sanctuaries to DePaul University and Reggae bars, Lincoln Park offers something for everyone.
This neighborhood is also great for traveling on a tight budget, diverse night life, couples, families, big box, and boutique shopping.
Things to do:
Shopping district at North and Clybourn
Boutique shopping down Halsted or Armitage
Unique costumes at Chicago Costume Shop on Lincoln Avenue
Taste of Lincoln festival every July
Live music at the Wild Hare or Kingston Mines
Binny’s (1720 N Marcey St)
Restaurants:
Unique Buildings and Public Art:
Fun fact about Lincoln Park: Within the Lincoln Park neighborhood is Oz Park, named for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author Lyman Frank Baum. He lived near Oz Park, where he wrote more than 60 Oz books by the end of his life.
See a show at the Victory Garden’s Biograph Theater, where John Dillinger spent his last hours. Then walk Dillinger’s last steps and shoot a photo in the nearby alley with our beautiful mural.
Old Town
Old Town is known for its historic neighborhood charm, despite being so close to downtown. If you are looking for an authentic neighborhood experience, then head to Old Town.
Old Town is great for families, singles, nightlife, improv and comedy lovers.
Things to do:
Shopping and people watching on Wells St.
Comedy at Second City and Zanies
Restaurants:
Cocoa + Co. Coffee and Chocolate Café
Unique Buildings and Public Art:
In 1982, the Walgreens in Old Town, located at 1601 N Wells, sold a bottle of Tylenol laced with cyanide to an unsuspecting flight attendant, Paula Prince. This is still an unsolved mystery today. Learn more on the Chicago Crime Tour or Night Crimes Tour.
Every summer, the Old Town Art Fair takes over the entire neighborhood. Enjoy great eats, fun arts & crafts by local artisans, and some unique historic homes in the quaint and special Old Town neighborhood.
Loop
The Loop is known for its soaring skyscrapers, historic city buildings, public art, and mass transit. The Loop is named after the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) elevated train “The El” tracks that mark the borders of this neighborhood.
This neighborhood is great for art enthusiasts, business travelers, families, shopping trips and architecture lovers.
Things to do:
Shopping and people watching on State St.
Water taxi rides from Union Station
Restaurants:
The Walnut Room at Macy’s
Raise The Bar - rooftop bar at the Renaissance Hotel
Unique Buildings and Public Art:
Chicago Public Library (Harold Washington Branch)
The Picasso (55 W Washington)
The Loop’s ties to Chicago gangster history: The Carbide and Carbon building (designed by Burnham Brothers Daniel and Hubert in 1929) was built during Prohibition to look like a champaign bottle with its green terracotta tiles and gold leaf top. The Pendry Hotel now occupies this architectural gem. Check out the rooftop bar at this luxury hotel.
After Prohibition, the first liquor license was issued to The Berghoff restaurant. Enjoy authentic German cuisine and see the liquor license #1 on display at this location.
Restaurants and shops may come and go in these neighborhoods, but Chicago's colorful history is woven into the tapestry of its buildings and streets. Join us on a Chicago Crime Tour to listen closely to the colorful stories that took place in these neighborhoods! Once you’ve toured through them, take note of the Chicago Neighborhood to explore further!