|
| Mary Markowitz '05, Rob Neilson, assistant professor of art, and Andrew Quinlan '04 with Neilson's "Trojan Ducky" installed at Chicago's Navy Pier in 2004. |
Located along the Western shoreline of Lake Michigan, Chicago is a city that boasts 8 million in population. This includes the vast stretch of suburbs. The city itself has a great downtown and a host of fantastic and diverse neighborhoods. The city is ever changing, but there are great sources that keep your info. up to date. Please see below and don't hesitate to contact me should I be able to be of assistance!
General Information: ChooseChicago.com
Hotels, shopping, and restaurants
City Information: CityofChicago.org
This includes Park District information as well as parking, etc.
Entertainment and General Information: Metromix.com and ChicagoReader.com
Chicago Neighborhoods
Hyde Park
The Oriental Institute, Smart Museum of Art Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House and their
parent, the University of Chicago, provide the nucleus of Hyde Park. This area, which
began as a small New England-esque town, flourished as a result of the University's
founding in 1892 and the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893 (of which the Museum of
Science and Industry still stands as a legacy). The DuSable Museum of African American
History also resides in this neighborhood.
Pullman Historic District
This historic district began as a utopia of sorts, courtesy of railroad mogul
George M. Pullman, who created a planned community for the workers of his railway
sleeping car factory. Highlights of this landmark district include the Historic
Pullman Foundation Visitors' Center, the Greenestone Church, and the Hotel Florence.
Near South Side
North America's largest convention facility, McCormick Place can be found on the
lakefront adjacent to Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears (football) and the
Chicago Fire (soccer). Close by as you head towards the Loop, you will find the Museum
Campus joining three world-class cultural institutions: Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum,
and the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum. Moving west off the lake, the Glessner
House Museums, whose Glessner and Widow Clarke houses were erected immediately after
the Great Fire of 1871, now stand here as two of the oldest buildings in Chicago.
More recent inhabitants include the Illinois Institute of Technology; the National
Vietnam Veterans Art Museum; and Comiskey Park, home of the Chicago White Sox baseball
team.
Chinatown
Rising out of the shadows of Chicago's urban landscape is Chinatown. This small and
secure neighborhood is easily accessible by cab, car, bus, or elevated train and is
near Soldier Field, McCormick Place, and Comiskey Park. A cab ride from the Loop is
about five minutes. You can also ride the CTA Red Line from the Loop to Chinatown.
Wentworth and Cermak Avenues are the crossroads where you'll discover this vibrant
community. Walk through the majestic and ornate terra cotta Gateway, and all at once
the ancient Chinese culture beckons you to explore a new world of exotic foods, unique
shops, and colorful festivities. Chicago's first Chinese immigrants founded the
official Chinatown on the city's South Side at the turn of the century. Today the
community has a population of about 10,000. Choose from the best of Chinese regional
cooking, stroll the streets, and shop for gifts, herbs, and teas. Explore a Chinese
grocery store stocked with Asian ingredients -- from live seafood and poultry to the
most exotic vegetables and spices. For more information on Chinatown and its events,
call the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce at 312-326-5620.
Pilsen
Before World War II, Pilsen was home to the nation's largest Bohemian-American
settlement. In fact, Pilsen derives its name from a city in Bohemia. Now home to
Mexican immigrants, it is alive with colorful murals on local buildings, authentic
Mexican restaurants, and the acclaimed Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum.
Little Italy
Beneath the shadow of the University of Illinois at Chicago, centered around Taylor
Street, is one of the oldest communities in the city. This area is famed for its
family-owned restaurants and residents who are primarily of Tuscan descent.
Printers Row/Grant Park
This restored area boasts architectural treasures, as well as jazz and blues clubs,
bookstores, shops, restaurants, and galleries. The Auditorium Theatre and the Spertus
Museum of Judaica line South Michigan Avenue facing Grant Park.
The Loop
The pulse of the city still beats in the Loop, where Marshall Field's and Carson Pirie
Scott remain venerable veterans of State Street shopping. The Art Institute of Chicago,
the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Harold Washington
Library Center, and multiple theaters give the area a cultural edge. The financial
district remains one of the Loop's most active provinces. A bit west, you'll discover
Greektown. Lively restaurants dominate the area.
North Michigan Avenue/Oak Street
The name "Water Tower" denotes not only the fabled old Chicago Historic Water Tower
that survived the Great Fire of 1871, but also the Water Tower Place Mall (as shopping
is the primary activity along this "Magnificent Mile"). The Museum of Contemporary Art
and the Terra Museum of American Art have also found homes along this corridor. Upscale
shops and boutiques line Oak Street, located just west of Michigan Avenue. Not far
from these areas is the Streeterville area and Navy Pier.
River North
An off-shoot of the hustle and bustle of the Loop, River North houses a chic district
of art galleries that ranks second only to Manhattan's Soho area. Trendy new restaurants
and clubs also reside on West Ontario Street and surrounding streets.
Old Town
Old Town is noted for its 19th-century Victorian homes (and even some cobblestone
streets). The area boasts the celebrated Second City improvisational comedy group and
the oldest summer art fair in America, as well as boutiques and restaurants.
The Chicago Historical Society also calls Old Town home.
Lincoln Park/Lake View
This popular residential neighborhood offers sights, sounds, and tastes of just about
every kind. Wrigley Field, the Lincoln Park Zoo, world-renowned blues clubs,
dance clubs, restaurants of every cuisine, and quaint shops comprise the mosaic that
is this neighborhood. Sprawling out from DePaul University is an area along Halsted
Street that encompasses Chicago's "off-Loop" theater district and blues clubs.
Bucktown/Wicker Park
This burgeoning artistic community has quickly become Chicago's hottest new
neighborhood. New galleries, restaurants, and nightclubs continue to sprout up here,
where you'll also find a wealth of coffeehouses, performance art, poetry readings,
and more.
Argyle Street/Andersenville/Rogers Park/Devon-North Town
A selection of Asian restaurants, bakeries, and shops resides in the Argyle/North
Clark Street area. Between Broadway Avenue and Sheridan Road is the area known as New
Chinatown. Farther north is the Scandinavian community of Andersenville, which houses
the Swedish-American Museum as well as stores that feature Scandinavian crafts,
bakeries, and restaurants. Continuing north up to Devon Avenue and the Devon-North Town
area, you'll discover the International Marketplace. More than 60 ethnic restaurants,
bakeries, and shops occupy this area.
Where to live?
Typically younger residents flock to the Lincoln Park (more affluent) and
Lakeview/Wrigleyville/Boys Town areas. These are both along Lake Michigan and just
North of Downtown. More artsy/alternative people will look toward Bucktown, Wicker Park,
and Ukranian Villiage. These areas just west of Downtown are more transitional and
host a great selection of the city's galleries and studios, not to mention fun shopping.
All of the above areas are great for public transportation.
As people get a little more settled areas like Lincoln Square (northwest, but still pretty close) Andersenville/Rogers Park (North, but along the Lake (home of Loyola University) and Hyde Park (Just South, but along the lake (home of University of Chicago). These are also great for Public Transportation.
Help finding a place to live?
The Apartment People are great 773-248-8800 or you can try The Reader at
ChicagoReader.com or
Metromix.com (Chicago Tribune). The Reader is
updated by 5 p.m. each Wednesday. Also check out
Chicago Apartment Finders online
or at 773-883-8800. Keep in mind, places go fast!
Where to buy
Each suburb has their own host of stores and lots of them, once you're in the city
it is a little trickier.
Great deals of furniture Roys, 2455 North Sheffield, 773-248-8522
Everything
Chicago Near North Target
2656 N. Elston Ave., Chicago, IL 60647-2019
773-252-1994
Chicago South Loop Target
1154 S. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60605-2159
312-212-6300
Chicago Mid North Target
2939 W. Addison St., Chicago IL 60618-4635
773-604-7680
Home Depot
There are three in the city as well as many neighborhood hardware stores.
Groceries
Dominicks and Jewels are everywhere as are Osco and Walgreens. Looking for healthy,
try Whole Foods. Looking a little more upscale -- try Treasure Island or Trader Joe's;
really fancy, try Fox and Obel in River North.
Clothes
Every neighborhood offers great shops and boutiques. And you can't forget Michigan
Avenue!
Transportation
Public
Great system, cheap, relaiable, and everybody does it!
Transitchicago.com for the city and
Metra.com for suburbs.
Cars and Parking
Be prepared to pay for parking most places. You don't need a car unless you have a
strange commute.
Leaving?
By plane, out of either Midway (773-838-0600, usually cheaper) or O'Hare
(773-686-2200, handles more passengers than any other airport in the world), both have
CTA access.
By train, out of Union Station, right downtown!
Where to go
Music
Music is everywhere -- check out either Metromix or The Reader for listings.
For great blues, try Rosa's (although a little out of the way) or Buddy Guy's Legends
(good Soul Food, too). Martyr's, Schubas, and the Abbey Pub have great booking agents
and always have great acts. Many theaters downtown have just been redone as well,
Broadway in Chicago always has great things to check out!
Museums
They are all great. Check out The Field Museam (Natural History) and The Art Institute
for truly outstanding collections
Sports
ChicagoBulls.com
ChicagoCubs.com
ChicagoWhiteSox.com
ChicagoBlackhawks.com
ChicagoFire.com (soccer)
What to read
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Sun Times
Chicago Reader
Time Out Chicago
Chicago Magazine
Restaurants
Way too many to even start ... try Metromix and the Reader as well as
Zagats.com.
Some favorites of mine...
Cage Selmarie (Continental) $$
Rose Angilis (Italian) $$$
Jin Ju (Upscale Korean) $$
Golden Apple (Diner with GREAT people watching) $
Don't forget the many ethnic neighborhoods with great dining options.
China Town
Greek Town
Little Italy (Taylor Street)
Little India (Devon)
Pilsen (Mexican)
Back to City Guides index