3 Great Chicago Neighborhoods to Explore
The next time you're in the Midwest's biggest city, treat yourself to a day in three neighborhoods rich with culture, personality and amazing restaurants.
Hyde Park/Kenwood: What to do
57th Street Books (pictured). (773) 684-1300; semcoop.com
Blackstone Library Peek inside the 800-pound brass relief doors to see the recently restored rotunda of this 1902 beauty. (312) 747-0511; chipublib.org
DuSable Museum of African-American History Artwork and artifacts preserve history and culture. (773) 947-0600; dusablemuseum.org
Frederick C. Robie House Frank Lloyd Wright's design flourishes in this 1910 landmark. (708) 848-1976; gowright.org
Hyde Park Art Center In a former barracks, you'll find a coffee shop and galleries; free area tours depart from here seasonally. (773) 324-5520; hydeparkart.org
Hyde Park Hair Salon Visitors see Obama's autographed chair and get the $21 commander in chief's cut. (773) 493-6028; hydeparkhairsalon.net
Lakefront sites The 600-acre Jackson Park along Lake Michigan feels surprisingly remote. Wooded Island's restful Osaka Garden boasts tumbling brooks and pagoda-studded stone paths. At peninsular Promontory Point, you can take in Loop skyline views. (312) 742-7529; chicagoparkdistrict.com
Museum of Science and Industry Mythbusters: The Explosive Exhibition opens March 15, 2012 and will use science to answer wacky questions a la the Discovery Channel show with the same name. (773) 684-1414; msichicago.org
O'Gara and Wilson (773) 363-0993; ogaraandwilson.com
President Obama's house In Kenwood, security stops tourists from snapping 5046 S. Greenwood Ave., but you can see his backyard from 50th and Greenwood.
The Oriental Institute The University of Chicago's small but formidable museum devoted to archeological excavation and study of the ancient Middle East has massive sculptures and rare artifacts. Free. (773) 702-9514; oi.uchicago.edu
Smart Museum of Art Eclectic collections include ancient Greek ceramics, Japanese scrolls, 15th-century European paintings and more. Free. (773) 702-0200; smartmuseum.uchicago.edu
Tours Bobby's Bike Hike offers seasonal tours and bicycle rentals at 63rd Street Beach. (312) 915-0995; bobbysbikehike.com
To arrange guided walking tours, contact the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. (312) 742-1190
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