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Neighborhoods

There are enough things to do in Chicago’s downtown area and lakefront to keep you happily occupied for days, but you haven’t really seen Chicago until you’ve visited some of our distinct and culturally rich neighborhoods, including some of the most diverse communities in America. They’re fun and fascinating, and many are mere minutes away from downtown on public transportation. There are 26 ethnic groups in the Chicago area with at least 25,000 members each. We’ve counted 132 languages that are spoken in Chicago, but almost everyone speaks English as well.

University of Chicago in Hyde Park

Hyde Park

This South Side neighborhood, home of the University of Chicago, is a cultural and intellectual enclave.  Here, you'll find Nobel Prize-winning professors, hard-working students and families who enjoy living amid the ambiance that is also known for being the Chicago home of President Barack Obama.  In Hyde Park, you can relax in any number of coffeehouses and bookstores; attend lectures, concerts, plays and art exhibits; visit outstanding museums; and tour Robie House, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s signature masterpieces.

Mural of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Chicago neighborhood Pilsen

Pilsen

Pilsen and Little Village form one of the nation's largest Mexican and Mexican American communities. View the area's colorful murals, browse one of the city's liveliest shopping districts, and don't miss one of the nation's largest Latino museums - the National Museum of Mexican Art.

Water Tower Place in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood

Gold Coast

True to its name, the Gold Coast has long been home to some of Chicago's wealthiest residents, living in luxury high-rises overlooking Lake Michigan north of Downtown. The earliest Gold Coast residents included Potter Palmer, the hotel baron, and Cyrus McCormick, inventor of the reaper. Oak and Rush streets near North Michigan Avenue are famous for their chic designer boutiques, as well as spas and salons, stylish clubs and gourmet restaurants.

Boutique Shopping in Bucktown

Bucktown

Located on the near Northwest side of Chicago, in the community of greater West Town, remnants of historic Bucktown are evident in the hundred-year-old buildings and cobblestone paths. Today, this area boasts a thriving nightlife, an array of independent shops, and many small and independent businesses. These factors, combined with the neighborhood's proximity to downtown, the Kennedy Expressway and the CTA Blue Line, have made Bucktown one of Chicago's top neighborhoods for young singles and couples. A typical Bucktown block contains new million-dollar homes alongside small, century-old brick and frame homes.

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