Be close to campus, Lake Michigan, and downtown Chicago.

A center of African American life and culture in Chicago and home to historic landmarks and the annual Bud Billiken Parade that draws more than one million spectators each August, Bronzeville’s geography covers several smaller neighborhoods near Lake Michigan between the Soup Loop and Hyde Park. The neighborhood boasts several historic landmarks and tributes to famous Chicagoans like Louis Armstrong and Bessie Coleman. The Bronzeville Arts District and the South Side Community Arts Center contribute to the neighborhood’s active cultural and arts life. Bronzeville Partners offers a series of tours on the history of Bronzeville and the Great Migration. Historic landmarks are mapped on the Choose Chicago website.

Live near the University of Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry, and numerous seminaries and educational institutes.

Hyde Park's boundaries extend from 51st St./Hyde Park Blvd. on the north, Midway Plaisance on the south, Washington Park on the west, and Lake Michigan on the east. Hyde Park is home to the University of Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry and numerous seminaries and educational institutes. It was the site of the World’s Fair of 1893 and is the home of former President Barack Obama, who lived in Hyde Park before moving to Kenwood.

Architecture enthusiasts will appreciate Hyde Park’s Frederick C. Robie House, a cornerstone of modern architecture designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. This Prairie-style masterpiece was designated as “one of the 10 most significant structures of the 20th century” and inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The African Festival of the Arts is held every year during Labor Day weekend in Washington Park, near the eastern edge of Hyde Park. In a simulated African village, visitors can immerse themselves in the vibrant African music and magnificent artifacts.

Surround yourself with distinctive architecture and enjoy local wildlife.

Bounded by 43rd St., 51st St., Cottage Grove Ave., and Lake Michigan, Kenwood is a neighborhood rich in architecture. Its Kenwood District and North Kenwood District were both designated as Chicago Landmark districts. As the “Lake Forest of the South Side,” the Kenwood District boasts architectural styles ranging from Italianate and Colonial Revival to Queen Anne and Prairie School. The Kenwood Evangelical Church, a Romanesque building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is in the North Kenwood District. KAM Isaiah Israel Temple, the oldest Jewish congregation in the Midwest, is also in the neighborhood.

The Burnham Wildlife Corridor stretches along the lakefront and gives Kenwood a touch of nature. The neighborhood has attracted Muddy Waters, Muhammad Ali, the Obamas, and Bill Veeck as its former residents.

Enjoy natural landscapes and numerous cultural and recreational opportunities.

On the south side of Woodlawn, South Shore is a neighborhood famous for its namesake “South Shore” and its activeness. The South Shore Natural Area on S. South Shore Dr. features various natural landscapes including dune, wetland, woodland, prairie, savanna, and shrub land habitats. South Shore residents can find multipurpose courts, baseball diamonds, playgrounds, and fitness centers surrounded by nature in the Rainbow Beach and Park. Activities here include the Park Kids after-school program, seasonal sports, arts and crafts, youth and adult fitness classes, Senior Club, Teen Club, cheerleading, and basketball leagues.

South Shore is also rich in cultural life. The South Shore Cultural Center has kept its country-club interior and changed into a “crown jewel” of the neighborhood. It offers all-age cultural programs and after-school programs. Holiday-specific events are also held throughout the year. What used to be a community bank until the 1980s, the Stony Island Arts Bank is now a hub of South Side history. The building serves as a gallery, media archive, library, and community.

Take advantage of Jackson Park, the lakefront, and the future Obama Presidential Center. 

A vibrant neighborhood located in southeast Chicago, Woodlawn is bounded by beautiful Lake Michigan. Jackson Park occupies much of the eastern part of the neighborhood, which will be the home of the future Obama Presidential Center. The park has a golf course and the largest and oldest beach house (the 63rd St. Beach) in Chicago. The University campus extends to the northern edge of this neighborhood.

‍The 61st Street Farmers Market is another top Woodlawn destination for fresh produce, pastries, flowers, dairy products, and even tacos and crepes. The Experimental Station is a hub of community activism and art and home to Blackstone Bicycle Works.