Chicago is one of America’s leading promoters of domestic tourism, thanks to its central location. Popularly known as the second city, Chicago paints the picture of grace to grass and back to grace story. Back in the early 19th century, Chicago was a vibrant city that would later burn down into ashes. The reconstruction journey of this magnificent city is something vacationers need to see to believe.

With most of the neighborhoods reorganized past the mid-19th century, buildings here are relatively new. The unique architecture employed in each neighborhood makes it hard for tourists to settle for a single one.

Why You Should Visit Chicago

Chicago houses everything the average vacationer would long for, including bold architecture, skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, and cultural attractions. Also, there are plenty of places to eat tasty foods. Best still, it is a walkable city with roads and major highways designed to incorporate pedestrian paths. These designated paths make it easy for vacationers to stroll around the different neighborhoods admiring them and taking pictures.

From the architectural cruise on the Chicago River to the city’s multiple skyscrapers, vacationers have a hard time settling for a single neighborhood that suits their needs. Leave alone the first-timers, even locals don’t seem to get enough of Chicago’s elegance.

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The various neighborhoods that vacationers settle for will depend on the type of activity that brought them to Chicago. Those interested in water sports will settle for places near the coastline. Contemporary art enthusiasts will prefer neighborhoods close to the city center, and so on. In short, there is a neighborhood to match virtually every Chicago vacationer’s interests.

Best Neighborhoods For First-Timers In Chicago

Here are the best Chicago neighborhoods to consider.

The Loop

Top on the list of great neighborhoods to consider in Chicago is the Loop. It is by far the most popular part of the city. In other major cities, areas around the city center are not popular among tourists. However, Chicago is built differently. The Loop continues to dominate the charts of top neighborhoods in Chicago despite being in the center.

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Being largely a business center, vacationers shouldn’t expect to find so many eateries in this part of Chicago. However, the ones that are set up here are worth every effort. The advantage of operating from the city center is that it becomes easy for vacationers to connect to other neighborhoods hassle-free.

Streeterville

Chicago is never a preserve for high-end travelers alone. On-budget vacationers too stand an equal chance. Streeterville is the place to be for first-timers looking for free things they can do in Chicago. This neighborhood isn’t any lesser than others in Chicago. In fact, it enjoys a strategic position between the legendary Lake Michigan and Mag Mile.

The highlight of this neighborhood is Navy Pier, a vibrant entertainment hub in the city with everything the average vacationer would need. From lively rides to thrilling games, Navy Pier makes Streeterville look more than an on-budget neighborhood. The hub also houses multiple restaurants serving a wide range of delicacies.

Gold Coast

Chicago is among the few major cities in America that can be inhabited by people from diverse social classes. This time around, it is the mighty Gold Coast region doing the magic. Gold Coast is a relatively new town that breathed new life after the infamous Chicago fire of the 19th Century. Since then, the town has erected superb structures that have continued to attract multiple luxury brands.

Gold coast is by far one of the leading Chicago neighborhoods whenever issues of luxury consumption are at stake. It is a high-end district lined with the latest mansions and skyscrapers. Vacationers traveling for luxury shopping will enjoy being around this neighborhood. The vibrant nightlife of this neighborhood also provides the best opportunity for vacationers to party their Chicago experience away.

Hyde Park

Each Chicago neighborhood has its unique experience. Located on the South Side of the city of Hyde Park, a vibrant neighborhood known for its obsession with art and culture. It is the best place to explore the real Chicago roots while still embracing some modernity.

Hyde Park is a preserve for vacationers who have no problem with a bit of crowding. With so many institutions in the area including the well-known University of Chicago, streets all around Hyde Park are always busy. The area has several restaurants where vacationers will have a great time sampling a wide variety of global cuisines.

West Loop

People travel to Chicago for different reasons. Some come for the city’s thrilling nightlife, some for the culture, and others for the food. Yes, the foodies also have a great time in this marvelous city. From the Chicago-style hot dog to the deep-dish pizza, food options for the foodies to sample are many.

Streets around the West Loop are lined up with multiple restaurants. Whether it is the local dishes or the much-pronounced Asian cuisine, foodies have every reason to be here in Chicago.

Knowing where not to stay while vacationing in Chicago is as important as knowing where to stay. Hyde Park exempted, neighborhoods in the South Side are a no-go zone because of the region’s high crime rate. Vacationers are free to explore other places, have a great time, and create lasting memories while at it.