elysha

No trip to Chicago would be complete without visiting some of the world-class museums. The powers that be in Chicago have invested heavily in the "Museum Campus" on the near south side of the city. This infrastructure includes easily accesible public transportation between the sites and prime location near downtown and the lake. Part of this campus is the nice wide road connecting the different museums in the area, Museum Campus Drive. If you see one museum while in Chicago, you should spend the day at the Field Museum of natural history. But with the museum campus, it is very easy to see more than one at a time. You may also visit the Shedd Aquarium or the Adler Planitarium. You can also visit the newly renovated Soldier Field to take in a Bears game. All these are within easy reach of ample parking thanks to the beautiful tree-lined campus road served by affordable public transportation. It's all the fun and culture of a visit to a major city without the hassel.

From Aliotta-Haynes-Jeremiah to Ferris Bueller's Day off, Lake Shore Drive has been a staple of Chicago pop-culture. It's picturesque with the skyline ahead of you, behind you, and to the west, and the vast flat Lake Michigan to the east. It's also the quickest way to go north to south in the city. With few lights, you won't be caught in the gridlock of the city, although it does back up during rush hour. Near downtown you'll see the beaches and marinas and the stark black alien-looking Lake Point Tower, once home to Sammy Sosa. As the road rounds the southern edge of the city you can pick up other highways such as the Dan Ryan Epressway or the Chicago Skyway which soars over the south side.

Most of Chicago is laid out like a grid with streets running directly north to south or east to west. North Clark is one of the few diagonal streets, so as you travel north on the street, you also travel west. It has many different personalities depending on where you are in the city. My favorite part is in the Lakeview neighborhood near Diversey. There are great restaurants including a gem of a Thai place, Bamee Noodles. There's also great shopping, a gym, and a movie theater in the Century Shopping Center. Travelling a little farther north as you approach N Halstead you'll get into "Boys Town" which provides some more great shopping and eating. Almost all the residences in this area are rented apartments, and those facing the street will be loud at night and when the bus comes by. This part of North Clark is great place to live near or to visit, but I imagine you can find more pieceful apartment on a side street.

The most noteworthy thing on E Grand is Navy Pier. Mostly a tourist trap, Navy Pier is chock full of random attractions from a Ferris Wheel to a trolley (bus) that runs from the parking lot to the end of the pier. One thing that is worth seeing is the fireworks show every weekend in the summer. There is expo space that is used for things like the flower show and a concert stage that does host some big names from time to time. If you vist Navy Pier for a specific event, you'll probably enjoy it, but if you expect it to be an event in itself you'll just end up wasting money.

As a local I used to go to Michigan Avenue for practical reasons like visiting an office in one of the many skyscrapers. Between the flagship stores, the many restaurants, and the bustling business people navigating the crosswalks like pros, it can be a bit overwhelming even to a city veteran. It's a must for those vacationing in Chicago, however, and the best way to attack it is with a plan and some good walking shoes. Get a map from the tourism website. If you're a shopper, highlight the stores you want to be sure to hit. Pace yourself, though, because you can easily get sidetracked. Plan breaks in prime people watching locations, as that can be great free entertainment. Don't forget to tour the waterworks at the Watertower (the miniature castle). It's a fun and interesting way to take in some of the history of the city. There's plenty else to see in Chicago (museums for days!), but Michigan Avenue should definitely be at the top of your list.

Howard is about as far north in Chicago as you can be. Evanston and Northwestern University's campus is a short drive or L trip away. If you catch the express train (purple line) you can be in the Loop in 30 min. Howard is in the Rogers Park neighborhood which used to rival Cabrini Green in crime and undesirableness. In the last decade the area is experiencing, if not a renaissance, a huge improvement in livability. Invesments by the city in law enforcement and public services have paid off. Many small businesses line the commercial sections of the street. Sure you'll find the requisite check cashing store fronts, but you'll also find some excellent value restaurants with hard to find ethnic cuisines represented. The side streets offer a mix of rented and owned residences with many families. Howard and Rogers Park offer vibrant cultural diversity and a warm community. While it's not as trendy as some of the more gentrified areas, you can find a comfortable community on the rise.

North LaSalle is host to many mid-siz buisinesses and branch offices. Located just north of the Loop and just west of Michgan Avenue, it has all the density of downtown without the glamor. There are several new condo high rises in the area which may appeal to folks who want the ubercity feel, but can't afford top tier locations. That being said, there's lots to do on and near LaSalle. There are a few great restaurants on the street itself, and some shopping. If you're a tourist or just in the area, you'll probably want to take that 5 minute walk east to Michigan for a much more exciting experience of Chicago.

Streets in Chicago go on forever, so I'm going to limit this review to the east side between Sheridan and Halsted. Technically in the Lakeview neighborhood, Diversey is right on the edge of Lincoln Park. It's got truckloads of restaurants of all cuisines and price points. The intersection with Clark boasts the Century Shopping Center with a movie theater. At the east end is Lincoln Park with places to play golf, tennis, or just sit on the lawns. Diversey is a main street, though. A bus route runs from the crack of dawn until late, and although you get used to the noise, you'll find your things (and maybe your lungs) will quickly acquire a coating of black grunge. If you have a car, you'll hate Diversey. Parking is expensive (metered, hourly garage, and rented monthly) and difficult to find. You can easily spend hours circling the blocks trying to find on-street parking. It's mostly just not worth it. If you can make it without one, and you mostly can, it'll save you money and heartache to make use of the ample public transportation in Chicago. All in all, Diversey is a great place for young professionals who want to be in the middle of the action, although I would recommend looking to some of the smaller side streets if you are looking to move to the area.

This small tree-lined side street is pefectly located to take advantage of all that living in the city can offer. If you look out a window facing the park you can almost see the lake if it weren't for beautiful Lincoln Park in your way. There are a few small businesses (a dry cleaner, a White Hen) but it's mostly residential. Traffic is light. A short walk will get you to the Lakeview Ave bus line; I had a 15 minute commute to the Loop. The L is about a half mile up Diversey, but certainly walkable. You will never run out of options for lunch, from Chipotle to Middle Eastern to awesome buffalo wings, all within 10 minutes. Even in winter you'll never want to eat in. Nearby the intersection of Clark and Diversey offers a mall with shopping and a gym as well as cute boutique stores. The area is populated mostly by renters, young professionals, although there are a few established home owners and families in the area. It's not unusual to see a stroller, but generally not common either. I can't think of a negative thing to say about the neighborhood or the street. The prices are steep, but not unaffordable if you're working a salaried job in the Loop.