Where to Stay in Chicago: The Best Neighborhoods and Hotels
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The Windy City has always been one of my favorite urban cities to visit. From its skyline to the amazing Chicago-style deep dish pizzas, to all it’s amazing culture, Chicago has many different neighborhoods that all have their own personality and character that I absolutely love. I have had the pleasure of visiting Chicago a few times and I am very excited to share with you some of my personal experiences and insights where to stay in Chicago on your next trip, which I am hoping makes your trip even more special.
Introduction: Where to Stay in Chicago
When trying to decide where to stay in Chicago, the planning process can be bit overwhelming. Regardless of how many times you’ve been to Chicago, or if you are traveling solo, on a budget, with family, or friends, there is a neighborhood for every travel type. In this post, I will dive into each of the neighborhoods, why you should stay there, and tips on my stay that I hope will help you in choosing the right neighborhood for you!
1. The Loop: Ideal for First-Time Visitors
If you are a first-time visitor to Chicago, you may want to stay in The Loop neighborhood. This neighborhood is in walking distance to all of the must-see attractions in Chicago: Chicago Riverwalk, Millennium Park, and the Art Insitute. Being in this neighborhood allows you to walk to pretty much everything and makes getting around the city to see the sites pretty seamless.
What I love about staying in this area is the effortless accessibility to pretty much everything. Public transit is also pretty easy to use. There is also a huge variety of restaurants, coffee shops, and shopping to choose from.
If you aren’t used to city noise, staying in this neighborhood can be a bit nosier since you are in the heart of the city. Also, if you are looking for nightlife, that is also limited in this area due to it being more touristy.
My hotel recommendation in this area, if this is an area you want to stay in, would be the Palmer House Hilton, as it has a fun historic vibe that will make you feel that you went back in time.
2. River North: Artsy & Modern
If you are more into the artsy vibe, then the River North neighborhood may be the neighborhood for you. This neighborhood has tons of art galleries, an abundance of restaurants, and it has lots of nightlife options. This vibrant neighborhood can be a bit pricey, especially on the weekends due to its nightlife and restaurant scene.
I love staying in this neighborhood if I am staying for the weekend because of the amazing dining options and all of the entertainment options that are all in walking distance. This artsy neighborhood is also super close to the Magnificent Mile.
Again, this area can be a bit pricey compared to some of the other neighborhoods, and there is also not a lot of parks or green areas to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
If River North is exactly what you are looking for, then I highly recommend the Godfrey Hotel. There is an amazing rooftop that offers complete city views and it’s a great place to hang out before dinner.
3. Lincoln Park: Great for Families
If your Chicago trip is a family vacation and/or you enjoy more of the green parks, then Lincoln Park may be the neighborhood that you want to stay in. There are tons of family-friendly activities to do in this area, like the Conservatory, Lincoln Park Zoo, and there are tons of green recreational areas to enjoy.
The hotel that I thoroughly enjoyed in this area was Hotel Lincoln, which felt more like a cozy retreat versus a stuffy hotel. The area around the hotel is super charming and has great accessibility to family-friendly fun.
The only downside to this area is that it is further from some of the popular attractions that reside in The Loop, so public transit or Uber/Lyft may be your friend. There is also not much nightlife, which if this is a family trip, that may not be a deal breaker.
4. West Loop: For the Foodies
In my opinion, the West Loop is a foodie’s paradise. This area has some of the best restaurants in Chicago, the vibe of the neighborhood is super trendy and modern, and it’s still pretty close to downtown. Ironically enough, this neighborhood, before it became a culinary hotspot, was once considered the industrial area of Chicago. Quite the transformation!
The only I found was that there are limited hotel options (but I have a good one for you!) and the restaurants are super crowded, so please plan ahead and have reservations made before your trip.
My hotel recommendation if you are a foodie like me is to stay at the Ace Hotel. This hotel is centered right in the middle of all the amazing restaurants, and you have seamless accessibility to not only all of the amazing food, but to downtown as well.
5. Wicker Park: Bohemian Vibes
If you are more of a hipster and looking for the bohemian type of vibe, then I would highly recommend staying in Wicker Park. This area is full of vintage stores, music venues and some fun artsy restaurants. It is very easy to get around on foot here and there seriously hidden gems around every corner. When I walked the neighborhood, I stumbled upon several cute little bookstores and cozy coffee shops that were perfect for sipping coffee with a great book.
The downside to this area is that not only is it a bit far if you are wanting to see some of the more popular tourist attractions in Chicago, which are all downtown, it also has limited public transportation options. Because of this, your main source of transit would need to be a rideshare, like Uber or Lyft.
If this sounds like your vibe, then I would highly recommend staying at this super cute boutique hotel called The Robey. It is a perfect reflection of what this neighborhood is and has such a vibe eclectic vibe to it.
Personal Recommendations
SO, based on my many trips to Chicago, who I was with, and really the experience I was looking for, I summarized below my recommendations that will hopefully help you decide where to stay in Chicago on your next trip!
Chicago First-Timers: If this is your first time to Chicago, then I highly recommend that you stay in The Loop district. It’s safe and completely walkable to everything you’ll want to see.
Partyers: If you are coming to Chicago on a girls/guy’s trip or nightlife is your #1 priority, then the neighborhood for you will River North. It’s got a lively and energetic vibe, and you can walk to countless bars/clubs in the area.
Family Trip: If you are coming to Chicago on a family trip, the Lincoln Park is for you. There are tons of green areas to relax and have a picnic, lots of parks, and tons of family-friendly activities all in walking distance.
My Foodies: If you love a great restaurant and want to sample of all of the amazing food in Chicago, then West Loop is the best option for you. You will be in culinary heaven in this neighborhood and will have countless options when it comes to restaurant choices.
Culture/Artsy: If you are into the art world and are looking for a fun indie and bohemian vibe, then Wicker Park is for you. The vie in this neighborhood is unmatched and you will have tons of galleries, bookstores and cute coffee shops on every corner
Conclusion: Where to Stay in Chicago
When planning your trip to Chicago, there are so many amazing neighborhoods. Depending on what you are wanting to get out of your trip and what you want to do, there is an area for you! Whether you want to see all of the major attractions downtown, or you’ve come to Chicago to explore the party scene, or you want a quiet and tranquil visit, each neighborhood has something to offer. I hope my recommendations and personal insights from my trips have help you choose an area in Chicago for your upcoming trip. I would love to here where you stayed and if you loved it!