Where to Stay in Chicago (According to a Local!)

If you’re looking for lodging in Chicago, the task might seem intimidating. After all, it’s a huge city with seemingly limitless options. So how can you choose? Finding the perfect accommodations for you comes down to what you hope to do in Chicago. For example, if museums are your main priority, staying in the South Loop is ideal, because it’s close to the museum campus (home to the Adler Planetarium, The Field Museum, and the Shedd Aquarium). If you want a more laid-back trip, opt for a quieter neighborhood, like Gold Coast or West Town.

From the brownstone-lined streets of Lincoln Park to the skyscrapers of the Loop, there’s something for every kind of traveler in Chicago. This city is bound to enthrall you, leaving you wishing to come back for months thereafter, whether it’s to get your hands on another slice of Pequod’s deep-dish pizza or to spend more time at the Art Institute.

Where to Stay in Chicago, by Neighborhood

Lincoln Park: for old-school charm

Lincoln Park was the first neighborhood I lived in Chicago. It’s one of the most charming places in town, with tons of green space and quaint streets lined with brownstones. It stretches from the Armitage Brown Line stop to the Diversey Brown Line stop. (In Chicago, the train system is called the L and uses different colored lines. We often refer to a neighborhood’s parameters by using the L stops as a guide.) This neighborhood also goes all the way to the lakeshore, with the Lincoln Park Zoo, North Avenue Beach, and Lincoln Park itself right on the lake.

Lincoln Park is very walkable, making it a stellar place to stay. Exploring on foot is an adventure in itself, as this charming neighborhood is sure to captivate you at every turn. From the Shakespeare statue at the entrance of Lincoln Park to the bustling DePaul University campus, there are neat landmarks and points of interest throughout.

Here’s where I recommend staying in Lincoln Park:

• ($) Did you know that there are hostels in Chicago? Chicago Getaway Hostel has dorm beds for as low as $27/night and private rooms starting around $75/night, all with breakfast included.
• ($$) I used to pass Hotel Lincoln whenever I went to the beach. It’s a 10-minute walk from Lincoln Park and overall a fantastic location for the price. Rooms start around $143/night.
• ($$$) The Lincoln Park Gem apartment is perfect for small groups, and its decor perfectly captures Chicago’s…