Chicago is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the United States, where each of its 77 neighborhoods provides a unique experience. The Windy City has tons to offer, whether you’re here to work, in between homes or just want to soak up the scenery.
In this guide, we’ll take you through some of the sights and features of nine unique neighborhoods so you have a better idea of where to book your Chicago hotel when you visit the city.
Key Takeaways
- Chicago's 77 neighborhoods each offer distinct characteristics, making the city a unique base for extended-stay visitors.
- South Side neighborhoods like Fuller Park and Pilsen suit travelers connected to healthcare, construction, sports venues and universities, with strong public transit access.
- Northwest Side areas such as Bucktown, Logan Square, West Town and Avondale may appeal to digital nomads thanks to their walkability and Blue Line connections to downtown.
- North Side picks like Lakeview and Old Town deliver lively, highly walkable settings near Wrigley Field, Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan.
- Austin works well for guests who need to stay on the West Side, offering a residential feel and both rail and freeway access.
- Extended Stay America's Midway and O'Hare hotels provide convenient access to these neighborhoods, plus everything you need to settle in for a longer stay.
Fuller Park
Fuller Park is one of Chicago’s smaller South Side neighborhoods. It is a great locale for sports fans and healthcare workers alike because it is conveniently located near Rate Field, home of the White Sox, and the University of Chicago Medical Center.
With easy transit access via the Green Line and Red Line and proximity to other South Side neighborhoods like historic Bronzeville and Hyde Park, the Fuller Park neighborhood in Chicago is a great base for exploring the South Side's sports, history, art and dining experiences.
Fuller Park is primarily a residential area, offering a better view of the South Side’s everyday life and community-driven character than visitors may find in more tourist-centric neighborhoods in the city.
Pilsen
Home to a vibrant, thriving Mexican-American community, Pilsen boasts striking street murals, the acclaimed National Museum of Mexican Art and the annual Día de los Muertos celebration.
Pilsen is close to the University of Illinois Chicago and is home to many students and professionals connected to the school.
The Pilsen neighborhood in Chicago is one of Chicago’s most walkable localities, and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Pink Line provides easy access to downtown Chicago and other areas across the city.
Notable Pilsen sights and landmarks include:
- Thalia Hall, a historical and culturally significant concert venue and event space
- Harrison Park, which features baseball and soccer fields, tennis courts, a swimming pool and playgrounds
- Breathtaking 16th Street Murals 18th Street, a lively commercial corridor that is home to some of the city’s best bars, restaurants and local businesses
- Beautiful 19th-century architecture and historic churches
Bucktown
Bucktown is a lively neighborhood on the Northwest Side, perfect for anyone searching for a walkable, energetic area. While the name is derived from a term for goats commonly raised there by early residents, you’re now more likely to run into creatives and young professionals than livestock in Bucktown.
Known for its cuisines, nightlife and boutique businesses, the Bucktown Chicago neighborhood is a great fit for those looking for a balance between the bustling city energy and neighborly vibes.
Bucktown is next to trendy Wicker Park and a quick 20- to 25-minute train ride on the Blue Line from hotels in O’Hare near the Allstate Arena.
Logan Square
The Logan Square neighborhood in Chicago is one of the Northwest’s most walkable areas, perfect for anyone looking for a lively base. If you’re a digital nomad, you’ll enjoy the large outdoor spaces when you need a break from the computer screen. Here, foodies can fulfill their culinary dreams by tasting their way through Logan Square’s many unique dining establishments.
Logan Square is celebrated for its:
- Dining scene, which boasts Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants, traditional Mexican restaurants, experimental cafes and craft cocktail bars
- Scenic tree-lined boulevards
- Access to the 606, a lush green elevated park and trail system that enables pedestrians and cyclists to move between Chicago’s Northwest Side neighborhoods
- Reputation as a hub for artists and musicians
Residents and visitors can use the CTA Blue Line for quick and direct access to O’Hare International Airport and downtown Chicago.
West Town
The West Town neighborhood in Chicago is a diverse area known for its Eastern European heritage. However, its art galleries and growing creative scene have breathed new life into an established local culture.
As you walk around the neighborhood, you’ll see the Ukrainian cultural influence on local churches and institutions. There are murals and street art throughout the area, making West Town feel like a large, outdoor modern art gallery.
West Town is roughly 25 minutes away from downtown and the Loop, Chicago’s famed central business district, on the Blue Line. It’s a great hub for extended-stay guests working downtown or in the West Loop technology and healthcare corridor who want a more residential base than the city center.
For West Town visitors and residents looking for fresh air and outdoor experiences, they can jog or bike throughout the area and surrounding neighborhoods via The 606 and Chicago River Trail System.
Austin
Extended-stay guests on longer work assignments in the West Side or Western suburbs will likely spend time in the Austin neighborhood in Chicago. One of the city’s largest neighborhoods in terms of both space and population, Austin is served by the CTA Blue Line and Green Line, but also offers quick freeway access for those who prefer to drive.
Austin is a primarily residential neighborhood, where guests and residents enjoy its impressive architecture, including historic churches, early 20th-century apartments and large Victorian homes.
Columbus Park, which was designed by famed landscape architect Jens Jensen as a celebration of the regional native scenery, is a must-see for visitors and the centerpiece of the Austin community.
Avondale
Avondale is a quieter, culturally diverse neighborhood that sits northwest of downtown Chicago. It’s bordered by Logan Square, Irving Park and Roscoe Village.
Avondale shares many of the same advantages as other popular Chicago neighborhoods. From its historic architecture to its lively dining scene and plenty of access to green space, this locality can easily become a solid home base for an extended stay in Chicago. Plus, the Avondale neighborhood in Chicago moves at a slower pace than other tourist-heavy areas.
Baseball fans will also love its proximity to Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, which is a 30-minute bus ride away.
Lakeview
The Lakeview neighborhood in Chicago is a top choice for extended-stay guests looking for a lively, highly walkable area. It is home to Wrigley Field, Belmont Harbor and the vibrant Boystown corridor on Halsted Street. Its attractions and location give visitors a taste of Chicago’s cultural identity while providing easy access to both Lake Michigan and the Loop.
Lakeview boasts lovely running and biking paths and an exceptional dining scene, so you can enjoy the outdoors during the day and treat yourself to an unforgettable meal in the evening.
Lakeview is also well-connected to other areas in Chicago via the CTA Red Line, Brown Line and Purple Line. Visitors and residents can reach downtown in a short 15- to 25-minute train ride.
Old Town
The Old Town neighborhood on Chicago’s North Side is home to the world-famous Second City comedy club and the lively Wells Street corridor. That means it’s an ideal location for work travelers who need access to downtown, as well as leisure travelers who want a walkable, charming base close to the action.
Old Town is one of Chicago’s oldest neighborhoods, full of Victorian architecture and tree-lined streets that date back to the 19th century.
Quieter than some of its neighboring localities, Old Town’s dining scene and local culture still have much to offer. Guests and residents can also easily access Lincoln Park, Chicago’s largest and most-visited lakefront park, which offers outdoor recreation and stunning scenery designed by famed landscape architects.
Plan Your Chicago Extended Stay
Each of the neighborhoods in this Chicago neighborhood guide offers its own unique flavor, so choosing the right one will depend on what you need to be near and what type of scene suits your interests. No matter where you stay in the Windy City, there’s no shortage of excellent places to stay for the long term.
Extended Stay America’s hotels in Chicago are conveniently located in Midway and O’Hare, offering easy CTA transit access to several neighborhoods across the city.
Extended Stay America hotels offer many amenities to make your long-term visit both comfortable and affordable, including: Full kitchens in every suite On-site guest laundry Free wi-fi Discounted weekly and monthly rates
Explore the many things to do in Chicago while comfortably staying at an Extended Stay America hotel to make the most of your trip to the Windy City.
