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Visit Chicago and Discover Why President Barack Obama Calls the City Home

An entrance to the gothic-style quad at the University of Chicago

With its stunning architecture, world-famous museums, lakefront parks and vibrant ethnic neighborhoods, Chicago is a city of world-class status and unsurpassed beauty. It’s no wonder that President Barack and Michelle Obama – and nearly three million others – call Chicago home. Left: Barack Obama taught Constitutional Law at the world-renowned University of Chicago from 1992 until 2004. Right: Paul Konerko hits a home run for the Chicago White Sox, Barack Obama's favorite baseball team.

University of Chicago in Hyde Park

The University of Chicago, or the “U of C” as it’s commonly known, was founded in Hyde Park in 1892 and, ever since, has made this South Side neighborhood a cultural and intellectual enclave. In Hyde Park, visitors are fortified with a number of coffeehouses and bookstores, as well as access to a host of lectures, concerts, plays and art exhibits.

Hyde Park is also home to the DuSable Museum of African American History, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Oriental Institute Museum, Smart Museum of Art, Hyde Park Art Center, Court Theatre, The Renaissance Society and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House.

Another Obama family favorite is 57th Street Books."The variety of titles, the programs for kids and the neighborhood feel make it a wonderful place to take a walk to and browse around," Michelle Obama says in the Chicago Sun-Times.

Take a tour of Hyde Park and Kenwood on April 18, July 18, or September 19 with Chicago Neighborhood Tours. Or explore the area with a friendly, knowledgeable city resident on a free Chicago Greeter visit.

The Chicago White Sox

Barack Obama is a fan of the Chicago White Sox Major League Baseball Team. The White Sox, winners of the 2005 World Series, play 81 home games each season at U.S. Cellular Field. With a number of ticket options, visitors are sure to find a seat with a great view of the action while staying within a budget.

The Tastes of Chicago

Chicago's rich food history, paired with the visions of its emerging chefs and restaurateurs make Chicago a food-lover's paradise. As reported in the Wall Street Journal, the Obamas enjoy dining together at Rick Bayless' award-winning Mexican restaurant Topolobampo, while the First Lady frequents the West Loop's stylish Sepia.

Spiaggia is a regular, date-night destination for its four-star Italian cuisine and breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. For a casual meal that's easy on the wallet, the Obamas enjoy comfort food at R.J. Grunts in Lincoln Park and MacArthur's, the soul food mainstay Obama names as a favorite in his best-selling book, The Audacity of Hope. Watch a clip of Barack Obama's Dixie Kitchen review on Check Please.

Lakefront

Chicago’s 26 miles of lakefront allow residents and tourists alike the opportunity to bike, swim, fish, boat, or walk along Lake Michigan while enjoying the city’s stunning skyline views. Visitors should be sure to check out the boats in Monroe Harbor, play in the water at Oak Street Beach and enjoy the scenery at Promontory Point in Hyde Park. Along the way, there are plenty of stopping-off points to have a picnic, throw a football or fly a kite.

The South Side of Chicago: Home to the Chicago Blues

Chicago, especially the South Side, is known around the world as the home of genuine blues music. The Chicago Office of Tourism’s Chicago Blues Enhanced Audio Tour, narrated by legend Buddy Guy, brings the Chicago blues scene to life like never before as guests are guided to 10 of Chicago’s historic blues sites, including Hyde Park's Checkerboard Lounge.

Featuring over 50 minutes of conversation and music, the free tour explores the history of Chicago blues and how the city’s musical tradition forever changed popular music and American culture. It is available for download in five languages (English, Spanish, Mandarin, German and Japanese) at www.downloadchicagotours.org.

MRS. OBAMA'S FASHIONS

Michelle Obama in an elegant black dress and pearls

Chicago is a leading center for fashion and design, home to more than 250 fashion designers and 400 independently owned retail boutiques.

Michelle Obama is a fan of the Chicago-based designer Maria Pinto. Pinto’s boutique in the West Loop sells her elegant women’s accessories and ready-to-wear line.

For more information on Chicago Fashion, visit Chicago Fashion Resource

THE OBAMAS' FIRST DATE

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Barack and Michelle Obama’s first date included a trip to the Art Institute of Chicago.

An encyclopedic museum, the Art Institute collects, preserves and displays works in every medium from all cultures and historical periods as well as hosts special exhibitions.

With a collection of more than 260,000 art works and artifacts, the museum has particularly strong holdings in Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painting, early 20th century European painting and sculpture, contemporary art, Japanese prints and photography.