Welcome to the neighborhood! Hyde Park, Kenwood, Woodlawn, Bronzeville, and South Shore and the surrounding areas are wonderful neighborhoods to call home.
Establishing a home in a new community can be challenging and takes time. These resources can help make your transition to Chicago easier. Please visit this site for a UChicago bibliography on Hyde Park and University history. Please note that the University does not endorse or support any specific institution or vendor. All companies mentioned in this guide are for informational purposes only.
Activities for Children
- 57th Street Books has a children’s book/reading area.
- Arts Incubator offers arts education and community-based arts projects, as well as exhibitions, performances, and talks, many of which are open to children.
- Logan Center for the Arts Family Saturdays are free thematic art workshops led by local artists, art organizations, and UChicago students. Families can sample a range of activities for children ages two to 12 through hour-long sessions led by local artists.
- The University’s Community Swim & Diving School at Ratner offers classes for children (ages three and up) and adults during the academic year.
Bookstores
Commuting
The University of Chicago is located in Hyde Park, just eight miles south of downtown along the city’s Lake Michigan shoreline. Campus is easily accessible via public transit, car, or bike from across the Chicagoland area. Here are several public transportation options:
- Chicago Transit Authority (CTA): Chicago’s bus and "El" train system has multiple bus lines to campus as well as throughout Hyde Park. The green and red "El" trains stop west of campus and connect with the #55 bus line detailed here.
- Metra: Chicagoland's commuter rail system with multiple stops in Hyde Park near campus.
- UGo Shuttles: The University of Chicago provides five shuttle routes weekdays from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and four nighttime routes starting at 5 p.m., seven days a week. The University also has an agreement with the CTA to provide service on four CTA routes serving campus. University students, faculty, and staff, and University of Chicago Medicine staff ride CTA routes 171 and 172 for free upon displaying a valid UChicago ID.
Fitness Centers
Galleries, Museums, and Theaters
- Doc Films
- Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures
- Logan Center for the Arts
- Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society
- Renaissance Society
- Smart Museum of Art
- Washington Park Arts Incubator
Local Libraries
- D'Angelo Law Library
- Eckhardt Library
- Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center
- Joe and Rika Mansueto Library
- John Crerar Library
- Joseph Regenstein Library
- Social Service Administration Library
Parking on Campus
- The University provides a variety of transportation and parking options designed to serve and support members of the campus community and our surrounding neighbors traveling on and around campus safely and efficiently. Details on parking lots and permits are available on the University's Safety and Security website.
Performance Spaces
Spiritual Life
- The University offers many peaceful spaces and community resources for people of different faiths. Spiritual Life at UChicago offers links to communities that may be of interest to you and your family.
Tours
- Rockefeller Chapel Carillon Tour
- University of Chicago Library Tours
- University of Chicago Self-Guided Walking Tour
UChicago Transportation
- Having reliable transportation options is an important part of staying safe. We have many ways to move safely around campus and the Hyde Park area. See the map for shuttle, train, and bus routes, Divvy bike sharing locations, and campus parking lots
Safety and Security
- The University of Chicago’s security and transportation services cover campus and extend throughout much of the nearby Hyde Park neighborhood. UChicago’s Department of Safety & Security provides services for the convenience and safety of our students, academics, staff, and community. You can view the University's Annual Security Report online.