Best Areas to Stay in Chicago, Illinois

Chicago Loop (also known as Downtown Chicago) is considered the financial and commercial district of the city, with large office buildings and stores on State Street that make it a very attractive area for shopping enthusiasts.

It is in this area that you will find Millenium Park, the main vegetable lung of the city, as well as the Theater District, ideal to enjoy the most recent plays of Chicago and get caught up in the culture of this great city.

Similarly, this district has a large number of museums, such as the Art Institute of Chicago, the Cultural Center of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Photography and the Museum of American Writers.

Chicago Loop has the best public transport connections in the city, with elevated rail stations such as Quincy, Monroe, and Jackson, to name just a few.

Furthermore, Chicago Loop is one of the best areas to stay in Chicago because of its variety of hotels of all types.

The most exclusive area of the city is, undoubtedly, the River North and Magnificent Mile, located north of the Chicago Loop and across the Chicago River.

Magnificent Mile, in particular, is the unofficial name given to Michigan Avenue, an important commercial area of Chicago with stores of globally renowned brands.

On the other hand, River North is one of the best areas to stay in Chicago for foodies, thanks to its high-end restaurants that offer all kinds of international cuisine.

River North and Magnificent Mile also stand out for having luxury-type hotels. As a result, it is not the cheapest area to stay in Chicago.

This area connects with the rest of Chicago through public transport and is also a good area to stay in Chicago for nightlife.

The Old Town of Chicago is one of those charming neighborhoods that deserve to be explored to discover the history of this great city of Illinois.

Walking through its streets, you can see an interesting contrast of buildings dating from before the Chicago fire of 1871 with shops, restaurants and modern bars.

The Old Town is located north of Downtown Chicago and has outstanding attractions such as The Second City, a comedy club where many important American comedians made their debut.

The Old Town is one of the best areas to stay in Chicago, combining the best of a cosmopolitan city with relevant monuments.

This historic neighborhood, in addition to being very pedestrian-friendly, connects with other areas of Chicago through public transport.

Lincoln Park is one of the greenest neighborhoods in Chicago, thanks to the park that gives its name to the area, where you will find a zoo, a botanical garden, and the Peggy Notebaert Natural History Museum.

This neighborhood, located just north of the Old Town, also stands out for its cafes and gourmet restaurants.

Lincoln Park is also a good place to stay in Chicago to get to know the music scene of the city since it has venues revolving around blues, rock, and indie, among other genres.

When moving to other neighborhoods and attractions, you can take the elevated metro at Fullerton and Armitage stations.

Lincoln Park is also one of the best areas to stay in Chicago because of attractions such as the Chicago History Museum and the Riverpoint Shopping Center.

The West Town of Chicago is located, as its name indicates, west of the Old Town and is a district full of life and charm, ideal for young travelers.

It is one of Chicago’s hipsters neighborhoods par excellence because it has many vintage and second-hand clothing stores, cafes and bars.

West Town is also home to parks like Eckhart Park, with an indoor pool, as well as areas designated to play baseball.

West Town is one of the best areas to stay in Chicago if you want to know the more alternative side of this metropolis.

Public transport options in West Town include elevated metro (blue line) and buses. Likewise, like most of Chicago, it is a very pedestrian-friendly neighborhood.

Lakeview is located in the northern area of Chicago, west of Lake Michigan, and it is precisely its beautiful views of the lake that give it its name.

Within this great district, you’ll find the Boystown neighborhood, famous for being the gay area of Chicago, with many clubs and LGBT-themed bars that make it one of the best areas to stay in Chicago for nightlife.

Lakeview also contains several commercial arteries such as Belmont and Lincoln Avenue that make it a good place to stay in Chicago for shopping.

In the same way, in the surroundings of Lakeview and Boystown, there are different elevated metro stations that make it easier to move to other places in the city.

Another important attraction of Lakeview is the Wrigley Field baseball stadium, home of the Chicago Cubs.

West Loop went from being an industrial area to becoming a neighborhood full of life, thanks, in large part, to its well-known Restaurant Row, where you can taste all kinds of dishes.

This neighborhood, which is located southwest of the Old Town, is also home to the Chicago French Market and Randolph Street Market, which make it one of the best areas to stay in Chicago, as there is always something to see and to do here.

As far as public transport is concerned, West Loop has metro stations such as Morgan and Clinton, in addition to the Ogilvie Transportation Center, from where you can catch commuter trains.

West Loop is also famous for its nightlife, with bars and clubs for all types of audiences.

The accommodation options at Chicago’s West Loop are suitable for all types of budget and include luxury-type hotels, apartments and hostels.

South Loop is one of the best areas to stay in Chicago if you are looking for a quiet place to stay, but without sacrificing a good location, as this mostly residential area is near the Chicago Loop or Downtown area.

Furthermore, the South Loop has many iconic attractions such as the Adler Planetarium, where events and astronomy exhibitions are held, constantly.

Another place to visit in Chicago’s South Loop is the Field Museum of Natural History, with exhibitions dedicated to Aztec and Egyptian culture, dinosaurs, and more.

South Loop connects to the rest of Chicago through metro stations such as Roosevelt and LaSalle Street.

As in most of the city, the accommodation options in South Loop are varied, so choosing a hotel in this area of Chicago will depend on the budget, taste and reason for your trip.

O’Hare International Airport in Chicago (ORD) is one of the most important air terminals in the United States, in addition to the main hub of United Airlines.

This airport is the main gateway to Chicago and, besides connecting it to other US cities, it also has flights to various international destinations.

Staying in the O’Hare International Airport area of Chicago is ideal for travelers in transit who stop in the city or for those planning a short stay.

Also, going from the airport to other areas of Chicago is easy, because it has its own metro station (blue line), buses and other means of transport.

The surroundings of O’Hare International Airport in Chicago are one of the best areas to stay in Chicago if you have an early flight to another destination.