"City of Neighborhoods" a Chicago Travel Page by Sage49

I wish I had a camera that can perform tricks like taking panoramic photos. Since I don't, here's my best shot at capturing the view of Chicago's most loved lakefront.

Anyway, what can I say, Chicago is one of those great places where you will find amazing diversity that makes the city really exciting. OK, Chicago also suffers many issues and problems in many ways, I have to say. But still, it has a lot to offer.

Many tourists stay close to the Magnificent Mile and the Lake front, but if time allows, you should venture out.

For example, Oak Park, western suburb of Chicago, is known for Frank Lloyd Wright homes and other prairie style buildings. Hemingway was born here too. You can go visit Hemingway Museum and take a tour of Wright homes and studio.

Chicago has a huge Greek town, just few miles west of the Loop; Italian village (Little Italy) is known for many fine restaurants (Madonna goes to dine when she drops in town); And then there is Andersonville where you can enjoy Swedish culture. If you are in mood for Indian/Pakistany stuff, visit Devon -- it's got literally thousands of ethnic shops.

Pilsen and Little Village are Hispanic communities with the National Museum of Mexican Art, which is supposed to be the largest in the nation.

I think, the story of Chicago cannot be told without mentioning it's African American culture. DuSable Museum (off of 55th st) can provide better understanding of African American History.

But what I love to do when I get bored in my own town, is just to drive around different neighborhoods. Since 2000, the City has been going through a massive gentrification process. Almost all public housing buildings have been demolished. The grim picture of torn-down buildings and the stories of displaced people gives a different sense of society/history -- the primary reason that I love to travel: to see real pictures of how people live and struggle.