Safe/unsafe areas for woman tourist on foot (Chicago, Auburn: high crime, bus)

[Incant1959]

Hi, I'm a woman in her mid-50s, who enjoys visiting different places and exploring neighborhoods on foot or by public transportation. I'm visiting Chicago in a few months--what areas are safe/not safe for a middle aged woman to walk alone? I'll probably obviously be a tourist--looking at buildings, strolling through parks, staring at my map with a frustrated expression. I'd like to see some of the south side, as well as usual tourist areas. Oh, and I love parks-which parks can I spread out and relax and not have to be on guard? Thank you!

[knitgirl]

Basically the whole downtown and north side. Hyde Park would probably be the most interesting south side neighborhood to wander around in, U of C has a beautiful campus. You'd have to get pretty far off the beaten path to end up in an unsafe neighborhood.

[kyost]

where are you staying? chicago is a big city. its likely that wherever youre staying has plenty of local attractions. if youre downtown you'll blend in with all the rest of the tourists when youre looking at a map and theres plenty of lakefront.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by knitgirl

Basically the whole downtown and north side. Hyde Park would probably be the most interesting south side neighborhood to wander around in, U of C has a beautiful campus. You'd have to get pretty far off the beaten path to end up in an unsafe neighborhood.

As well as some parts of Kenwood just north of it.


To the OP, there are many areas in the city that are fine to walk in. However, as a female be careful at night and I'd tell that to any female in pretty much any big city around the world. The highest crime areas of the city are the ones like Englewood, West Englewood, North Lawndale, Greater Grand Crossing, Chicago Lawn, East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park, Roseland, Auburn Gresham, parts of Austin, South Shore, New City, Humboldt Park.

HOWEVER, there are some parts of these neighborhoods that are fine - like some parts of Austin or South Shore or Chicago Lawn, etc. It can be very block by block.

[eureka1]

TAKE THE TOURS offered by the City Department of Cultural Affairs. Welcome chicagoneighborhoodtours.com - BlueHost.com Includes bus transportation, you'll learn what you're looking at, and be safe and meet new people all at once. The Hyde Park/Kenwood tour is particularly good, includes lunch at the U of Chicago campus and a visit to the Oriental Institute which is wonderful and I never would have gone there otherwise. Have fun!

[ChicagoMeO]

Don't get distracted by wearing headphones or earpieces while listening to music.. lots of times people are looking down at their cell phones or texting or whatever, and not seeing that a car is about to hit them. if you do this you will be safer.

[pete6032]

Watch out for Police cars or Rahm's convoy when crossing streets. Neither stop for people in crosswalks.

[Incant1959]

Thank you, everyone who responded. The Hyde Park/UC tour sounds excellent, this was an area I really wanted to see. And thanks for the list of high crime neighborhoods. I won't be wearing headphones while walking, and will give police cars (and the mayor's convoy, if I see it) a wide berth. There's so much I want to see, I'll probably just scratch the surface in my 10 days there.