Chicago: Places to Explore

Chicago's suburbs aren't just for commuters. The towns that lie to the north, west, and south of the city are rich in history, culture, museums, and outdoor activities. Add a day or two to your itinerary... Read more

Hyde Park is something of a trek from downtown Chicago, but it's worth the extra effort. The community is rich in academic and cultural life, and it is also considered one of the country's most successfully... Read more

Running north in a rough row that runs parallel and close to the lake, the primarily residential neighborhoods in Lakeview and the Far North Side aren't the place for major museums or high-rises. Instead... Read more

In 1864 Lincoln Park—the park, which extends from North Avenue to Foster Avenue—became the city's first public playground. Its zoo is legendary. The area adjacent to it, bordered by Armitage... Read more

Defined by the El (the elevated train that makes a circuit around the area), the Loop is Chicago at its big-city best. Noisy and mesmerizing, it's a living architectural museum alongside shimmering Lake... Read more

With art galleries, the famous Magnificent Mile, the Gold Coast, and upscale dining options, River North and Near North hold some of the city's greatest attractions. The Near North's Navy Pier and the... Read more

A jumble of ethnic neighborhoods stretches west of the Loop and from the south branch of the Chicago River to the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290). Once home to myriad 20th-century immigrants, the area is... Read more