Enjoyed my stay in Chicago (Normal, Lincoln: house, safe area, buy)

[Statz2k10]

I stayed in Edgewater part of town. I really enjoyed the area from what I experienced. Walked over to the water.


Not far from Wrigleyville. Only downfall was that I didn't get to see downtown much outside of the boat tour I went on through the city.


I'd love to come back but was curious what are the bad areas of Chicago? I hear the South Side. I actually went to a White Sox game so was in that part of town & I also checked out the Fire House from Backdraft movie which wasn't far from the airport.


I guess I'm curious as to what are the bad areas so I know not to venture in to much or stay. Usually when I start coming back to a town on vacation I do less tourist type things.

[chet everett]

I suppose you mean the firehouse on 42nd & Archer, about 3.5 miles from Midway -- https://goo.gl/maps/vvE8eQNDv8x . Lots of other good location info here -- https://www.itsfilmedthere.com/2010/01/backdraft.html . The corridor along Archer is mostly still vibrant, decent rotation from older ethnic generations toward immigrants from Asia and Latin American areas.

The areas that I would advise against seeking out have far more challenges. Many vacant lots, a lack of local stores, poor access to employment. Scout out the area around Robeson High School for a sad example on Google -- https://www.google.com/maps/place/68...!4d-87.6368723

[Statz2k10]

Yea off Archer is correct!

[lepoisson]

South of 35th St on the South Side starts to get pretty sketchy. The west side (west of Western & south of Chicago Ave) is also sketchy. There aren't really any reasons for tourists to go to these areas. Heck, there really aren't any reasons for me to go there. I do go there on occasion for some unique food, but it's probably nothing tourists would be interested in.

I always recommend for tourists to explore the West Loop (some great restaurants over there), Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Wicker Park, Old Town, Uptown, and Lakeview.

[jfre81]

The White Sox play on the edge of Bridgeport which might turn out to be the first South Side area I check out when I get there in a month or so.

[Borntoolate85]

Originally Posted by lepoisson

South of 35th St on the South Side starts to get pretty sketchy. The west side (west of Western & south of Chicago Ave) is also sketchy. There aren't really any reasons for tourists to go to these areas. Heck, there really aren't any reasons for me to go there. I do go there on occasion for some unique food, but it's probably nothing tourists would be interested in.

I always recommend for tourists to explore the West Loop (some great restaurants over there), Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Wicker Park, Old Town, Uptown, and Lakeview.

The exception to this "south of 35th St" rule is the Hyde Park area, which takes in The University of Chicago, along with the Museums of Science and History and of African American History, Jackson and Washington parks, as well as the mile-long, eighth-mile wide Midway Plaisance Park which connects the two, and 57th and 63rd beaches. Lots of nice historic buildings are found in this area, including Frank Lloyd Wright's George Blossom House. The immediate lakefront between that and 35th is fairly safe, and Burnham Park along the lake is pretty nice. However, I wouldn't venture west of the Green Line tracks or south of 67th St. My sister is visiting there now, but she's staying in the Mag Mile area and likely to stick to the North Side.

[lepoisson]

Originally Posted by Borntoolate85

The exception to this "south of 35th St" rule is the Hyde Park area, which takes in The University of Chicago, along with the Museums of Science and History and of African American History, Jackson and Washington parks, as well as the mile-long, eighth-mile wide Midway Plaisance Park which connects the two, and 57th and 63rd beaches. Lots of nice historic buildings are found in this area, including Frank Lloyd Wright's George Blossom House. The immediate lakefront between that and 35th is fairly safe, and Burnham Park along the lake is pretty nice. However, I wouldn't venture west of the Green Line tracks or south of 67th St. My sister is visiting there now, but she's staying in the Mag Mile area and likely to stick to the North Side.

Yep! There are always exceptions, but it's generally easier to tell tourists to just avoid a certain section.

[fusillirob1983]

Originally Posted by Borntoolate85

The exception to this "south of 35th St" rule is the Hyde Park area, which takes in The University of Chicago, along with the Museums of Science and History and of African American History, Jackson and Washington parks, as well as the mile-long, eighth-mile wide Midway Plaisance Park which connects the two, and 57th and 63rd beaches. Lots of nice historic buildings are found in this area, including Frank Lloyd Wright's George Blossom House. The immediate lakefront between that and 35th is fairly safe, and Burnham Park along the lake is pretty nice. However, I wouldn't venture west of the Green Line tracks or south of 67th St. My sister is visiting there now, but she's staying in the Mag Mile area and likely to stick to the North Side.

Beverly's also a nice area south of 35th Street. It's not touristy, but there are some unique homes, a few Frank Lloyd Wright homes there as well, and a decent strip of bars on Western Ave. if one has seen all the touristy things or has been to Chicago a few times and wants to see something they haven't seen before, maybe to experience some more "neighborhoody" areas of the city. The South Side St. Patrick's Day parade is held there as well if anyone ever decided to venture to Chicago in March.

[fusillirob1983]

Originally Posted by lepoisson

Yep! There are always exceptions, but it's generally easier to tell tourists to just avoid a certain section.

It's easier to not say anything if you are going to mislead people. It's really not fair to people or businesses in safe areas of the South Side, does a disservice to tourists, and promotes ignorance. I mean, the OP stayed in Edgewater and visited a firehouse at 42nd and Archer, neither of which are known tourist hot spots. There's no shortage of areas to avoid on the South Side, I'll give you that.


I've met plenty of people who didn't grow up in Chicago that think anything south of downtown is unsafe because of false statements and media images of the entire South Side.


Other than two theatres and Montrose Beach, Uptown doesn't offer too much to tourists that I would consider priority visits, but that made your list.

[jfre81]

If I just wanted tourist traps when I traveled, I'd go to Orlando instead. Eat at a bunch of casual chain restaurants. Buy overpriced trinkets. See the exact same kind of people I would see at home.