Chicago is one of the greatest cities in the world. If you are a first-time visitor to the city, you’re in luck! Some of the best Chicago neighborhoods are right at your fingertips. From ‘hipster’ Wicker Park to ‘touristy’ River North to ‘peaceful’ Lincoln Park, you are sure to find an area that fits your needs.
The neighborhoods on this list are relatively popular with tourists and locals alike. It’s impossible to cover all of the wonderful hidden gems in Chicago, but this list gives a good start for first time visitors.
Without further ado, here are 9 of the best Chicago neighborhoods to check out as a first time visitor!
9 of the best Chicago neighborhoods for new visitors to check out
1. Wicker Park
Wicker Park is a fun and artsy neighborhood located on the northwest side of Chicago. The neighborhood has strong ‘hipster’ vibes – and comes fully equipped with trendy boutiques, unique vintage shops, and diverse dining scene. However, Wicker Park also has a vibrant nightlife. The area is packed with bars, restaurants, art galleries, and music venues – making it a favorite for both locals and tourists.
How to get there: The ‘Damen’ and ‘Division’ stops on the CTA Blue Line (L) will take you into the heart of Wicker Park. You can also take the #50, #56, and #70 bus lines.
Where to eat: Kuzuki Izakaya Ramen, Rangoli Indian Cuisine, Tortello
Places to shop: Buffalo Exchange, Urban Vintage, Myopic Book
Spots to go out: Big Mini Putt Club, Emporium, Subterranean (concert venue)
2. Lakeview (& Wrigleyville)
If you are looking to hit the bars, then this might be the neighborhood for you. Wrigleyville is located within the Lakeview Chicago neighborhood, and is home to the historic Wrigley Field, the official baseball stadium of the Chicago Cubs. The area is packed full of sports bars, restaurants, pubs, and rooftop hangs – and the energy here is always operating at a 10. If you are in Chicago, a stop by Wrigleyville is a must.
Broader Lakeview also has its own unique offerings. The neighborhood has a rich LGBTQ+ community and diverse theater scene. In fact, Lakeview is home to dozens of theaters and concert venues. You will be hard pressed to find a boring evening in this community.
How to get there: The ‘Addison’ and ‘Belmont’ stops on the CTA Red Line (L) will take you into the heart of Lakeview. You can also take the #8, #22, #36, and #152 bus lines.
Where to eat: The Chicago Diner, Strings Ramen Shop, Bolivar & Lincoln
Places to shop: Unabridged Bookstore, Gramophone Records, Praha
Spots to go out: Sluggers (bar with batting cages), Trader Todd’s (karaoke), The Metro (concert venue), Wrigley Field (Cubs game)
3. West Loop
The West Loop is the former industrial, meat packing district of Chicago. Today, it is a trendy and upscale neighborhood with towering high rises and endless expansion construction. Randolph Street is packed full of restaurants, patios, and bars. This area is a great place to go out for a drink or a bite to eat, but might not be the best for shopping or theater.
How to get there: The ‘Morgan’ and ‘Clinton’ stops on the CTA Green and Pink lines will get you to the West Loop. Alternatively, #20, #56, #60 and #126 bus lines will get you there as well.
Where to eat: The Girl and the Goat, Fulton Market, Viaggio, Au Cheval
Places to shop: Randolph Street Market, The French Market
Spots to go out: Federales, Punch Bowl Social, Lone Wolf
4. South Loop
South Loop is home to the Chicago Museum Campus, Grant Park, and the famous ‘Printer’s Row’ – an residential area packed full of beautiful architecture. If you are interested in museums, history, or lakefront walks, the South Loop is a great option. However, the area is not as ‘trendy’, and is certainly more residential, compared to some of the other neighborhoods on this list. I wouldn’t say it tops the list of best Chicago neighborhoods, but there is a bunch to do here!
How to get there: The ‘Roosevelt’ station on the CTA Orange and Red lines will get you close to South Loop. Alternatively, the #1, #3, #4, and #29 bus lines will also take you there.
Where to eat: Opart Thai House, Devil Dawgs, Chicago Curry House
Places to visit: The Field Museum, The Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, Grant Park, Soldier Field (concerts and sporting events)
Spots to go out: Motor Row Brewing, Tommy Guns, Huntington Bank Pavillion (outdoor concert venue), Buddy Guy’s (live music)
5. Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park is located on the north side of Chicago, and is known for the 1,200 acre park that spans nearly the entire neighborhood. The massive park contains a zoo, a conservatory, endless biking paths, and is spitting distance from the lakefront beaches. Lincoln Park is one of the best Chicago neighborhoods for travelers looking to spend the day outdoors.
In addition to its “nature” vibes, Lincoln Park also has a pretty diverse restaurant and bar scene. There is a good balance of ‘residential’ vs. ‘nightlife’ in this part of town.
How to get there: The ‘Fullerton’ and ‘Diversey’ stops on the CTA Brown line will get you to Lincoln Park. Alternatively, the #8, #22, #36, and #151 bus lines also serve the area.
Where to eat: Evette’s, Athenian Room, Galit, North Pond ($$$), Geja’s Cafe
Places to visit: Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park, North Avenue Beach, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Steppenwolf Theater
Spots to go out: Lincoln Hall (concert venue), Kingston Mines, Golden Dagger
6. Old Town
Old Town is located just slightly north of downtown Chicago. The area is known for its gorgeous architecture, cobbled streets, theaters, music venues, and restaurants. Old Town is considered the ‘birthplace’ of comedy in Chicago – and is home to The Second City and Zanies – well renowned for their improv, sketch, and stand-up shows.
How to visit: The ‘Sedgwick’ stop on the CTA Brown line will take you to Old Town. Alternatively, the #8, #22, #72, and #156 bus lines will get you close as well.
Where to eat: Twin Anchors, Topo Gigio, Orso’s
Places to visit: The Second City, Zanies, The Chicago History Museum, The Old Town Art Fair
Spots to go out: Old Town Pour House, Benchmark, Corcoran’s Grill & Pub
7. Logan Square
Logan Square is a trendy, northside neighborhood in Chicago that is known for its art scene, live music, street fairs, and diverse food scene. The neighborhood has a collection of boulevards, which creates a network of green space and small parks scattered throughout. Logan Square is home to many cute, eclectic shops and boutiques, making it a fun neighborhood to peruse around.
How to visit: The ‘Logan Square’ stop on the CTA Blue Line will take you directly to Logan Square. Alternatively, the #56, #74, #76 bus lines also serve the area.
Where to eat: The Whale, Lula Cafe
Places to visit: The Logan Arcade, The 606, The Logan Theater, Logan Square Farmers Market
Spots to go out: Rosa’s Lounge, Emporium, Solemn Oath Brewery, Revolution Brewing Tap Room, DMen tap (sightly outside of Logan Square)
8. River North (and the Magnificent Mile)
River North is a neighborhood located just slightly North of the Loop along the Chicago River. The neighborhood is a popular site for tourists, given its proximity to all of the major sites in the city. River North is known for art galleries and nightlife. There is also a large collection of fine dining establishments and lounges in the area.
River North is also home to most of the ‘Magnificent Mile’, a stretch of Michigan Avenue that runs north of the Chicago River. The Mag Mile is home to all of the luxury and designer brands in the city including, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry, and many more. If you are looking to “shop ‘til you drop”, then this is the area for you.
How to get there: The ‘Chicago’ station on the CTA Brown Line or the ‘Grand’ and ‘Chicago’ stations on the CTA Red Line will take you into the heart of River North. Additionally, the #22, #36, #66, and #156 bus lines also serve the area.
Where to eat: RoseBud on Rush, Doughnut Vault, Quartino Ristorante, Portillo’s and Barnelli’s
Places to visit: The Merchandise Mart, Navy Pier (walking distance), The Magnificent Mile, Water Tower Place, Chicago Architecture Tour
Spots to go out: The Drifter, Green Door Tavern, Howl at the Moon, The Library at Gilt Bar, Radio Room
9. Hyde Park
Hyde Park is a historic neighborhood located on the South Side of Chicago. The neighborhood is home to some of the most beautiful parks and architecture in the city. Hyde Park is also a hub for academia. The University of Chicago, as well as many of the city’s most famous museums, are located in the area. If you are interested in exploring museums, Hyde Park is certainly worth a stop over.
How to get there: Hyde Park is a bit tricky to get to. The CTA Metra Electric Line will take you from Millennium Station to Hyde Park, and the #2, #4, #6, #10, #15, and #26 bus lines serve the area. If you area heading to the museums at Hyde Park, I recommend taking an Uber or Lyft for sheer convenience sake.
Where to eat: Daisy’s Po Boy and Tavern, Jade Court, Virtue,
Places to visit: Museum of Science and Industry, Jackson Park, DuSable Museum, Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum
Honorable Mention: Oak Park (suburb)
I’m admittedly very biased because this is the neighborhood where I grew up. Oak Park is a suburb located just west of Chicago, and was the home of architect Frank Lloyd Wright and writer Ernest Hemingway. If you are interested in architecture, then touring the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio in Oak Park is a great place to spend an afternoon.
The suburb is full of parks, shopping, and good eats. If you have an extra day and are looking to get some space away from the city, Oak Park is a fun stopping point!
How to get there: The ‘Ridgeland’, ‘Oak Park’, and ‘Harlem’ stops on the CTA Green Line will all get you to Oak Park’s main downtown areas and are closest to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home and Studio. The ‘Oak Park’ stop on the CTA ‘Blue Line’ will take you to South Oak Park.
Where to eat: Maya del Sol, George’s Restaurant, Victory Italian, New Star (Elmwood Park), Johnnie’s Beef (Elmwood Park) New Pot, Sushi House
Places to visit: Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio, Trends (consignment), Unity Temple, Shakespeare in the Park (Austin Gardens in the summers)
Spots to go out: Not many – but Madison Street on the Forest Park side has a bunch of bars to check out.
That’s all, folks!
Hopefully this guide helps scratch the surface of some of the best Chicago neighborhoods. There are so many amazing nooks and crannies in this city, and every neighborhood has its own unique flavors and experiences.
For more itinerary ideas, check out my guide of things to do in Chicago, and my guide for exploring Chicago on a budget.
Have you been to Chicago? Leave a comment below with your opinion of the best Chicago neighborhoods.
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