When visiting Chicago, I see a lot of first-timers make the same mistake. They come for the Bean, the Art Institute, and Michigan Ave. They ask me for food and coffee recommendations, and I give a generic list, but I don’t have the heart to tell them the best Chicago neighborhoods to visit are beyond the Loop and Michigan Ave.
Chinatown
One neighborhood you shouldn’t overlook is Chinatown. It’s easy to get to because you can take a water taxi from downtown Michigan Ave to Chinatown for a scenic way to navigate the city. Chinatown has some incredible views of the city in Ping Tom Park, but most importantly, you should go for the food.
Lincoln Park
The second neighborhood you should visit is Lincoln Park. Lincoln Park is my favorite neighborhood in the city. It feels like the city, but quieter and more residential. The area has shopping, parks, tons of great coffee and food, and, of course, the Lincoln Park Zoo. The zoo may not be the first stop on every first-timer’s list, but it should be. I love the zoo. Recently, they added a new member to the zoo, a baby zebra. The zoo takes in injured animals and rehabilitates them. It’s certainly worth the visit.
Oak Street Beach/ North Avenue Beach
While not a neighborhood, I don’t know if people always realized the potential for beach days you can have in Chicago. On Oak Street Beach, a walking distance from Michigan Ave, you can have a full-on beach day with sand, cool lake water (no shark possibilities like on the oceanfront), and beach volleyball. If I were visiting in the summer, I would at least plan for a relaxing walk on the beach. It will be much more enjoyable than a walk on Michigan Ave.
Lakeview
Another neighborhood, and the first neighborhood I lived in Chicago, is Lakeview. Lakeview has a ton of great restaurants and nightlife, but the best part is the lake. If you visit Chicago in the summer and don’t spend a day swimming in Lake Michigan, you are missing out.
Wrigleyville
The next neighborhood to visit is Wrigleyville. Wrigleyville gets a bad rap for being only for young people and those fresh out of college. However, I disagree. Wrigleyville is for everyone to enjoy, especially if you are a Cubs fan. If you are lucky enough to catch a game, I highly recommend visiting Wrigley Field, but even if you are just there for the experience, there are so many great bars and places to have a fun night on the town.
Logan Square
Logan Square is an underrated neighborhood. The vintage shopping is unmatched, and you get access to the nightlife and great bars with the neighborhood feel. The Logan Square farmers market is arguably the best in the city, and it has some of the best food options, like Loaf Lounge, which has my favorite breakfast sandwich in the city, and Pizza Lobo, which has my favorite pizza in the city.
Now I am not native to Chicago, but from my experience living here so far, I think there is more to explore than just the touristy places. Although I still love seeing the towering buildings and skyline, the best Chicago neighborhoods go beyond the tall buildings.
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