Where to Stay in Chicago: The Best Neighborhoods + Hotels
I have lived in Chicago for 8 years - that makes me an expert right?
Trying to figure out where to stay in Chicago is always what people ask me because you won’t find a ton of Airbnb or home rentals here.
And yes, you could stay right next to the Bean but then you will have to travel to areas that host all the best restaurants and bars. So it really depends on how you actually want to spend your trip. My biggest advice when picking a hotel is to stay where you will spend the most time.
I’m breaking down all the best neighborhoods in Chicago and where to stay in each one - as your resident Chicago bestie.
Quick Guide: Where Should You Stay in Chicago?
I know how small our attentions spans are these days, so here’s a quick shortcut to give you what you’re looking for
First time in Chicago: The Loop or River North
Foodies: West Loop / Fulton Market
Girls’ weekend: West Loop or Gold Coast
Want to feel like a local: Wicker Park or Logan Square
Nightlife: River North or West Loop
Shopping: River North / Magnificent Mile
Couples: Gold Coast or West Loop
Families: Lincoln Park
Sports Trip: Wrigleyville / Lakeview or South Loop
Budget-conscious travelers: Logan Square
Don’t stress about being next to all the “attractions”. Chicago’s public transit (CTA) makes it easy to get around.
RIVER NORTH
Best for: First-time visitors, nightlife & girls’ weekends, bachelorette parties
River North is one of the easiest recommendations for someone visiting Chicago for the first time. It’s classic.
You’re close to the Chicago River and have see it from your hotel window, tourist attractions, the Riverwalk, Michigan Avenue, restaurants, rooftop bars, and a ton of nightlife. There are also so many hotels here that it’s relatively easy to compare different price points.
The tradeoff is that River North feels much more downtown/touristy than Wicker Park or Lincoln Park.
Why stay in River North?
A central location
If you want a typical tourist weekend
Restaurants and bars everywhere
Easy access to the Chicago Riverwalk
Lots of hotel choices
Shopping nearby
A lively atmosphere at night
Hotels I’d look at in River North:
Freehand Chicago — One to check if you’re trying to keep your hotel budget down without being far outside downtown.
→ [Check rates at Freehand Chicago]
The Godfrey Hotel Chicago — A solid mid-range option in a great location for restaurants and nightlife. They have a few restaurants worth checking out too.
→ [Check rates at The Godfrey]
The Langham Chicago — For the splurge trip. If you’re coming to Chicago for a luxury weekend, this is the one.
→ [Check rates at The Langham Chicago]
WEST LOOP / FULTON MARKET
Best for: Foodies, couples, girls’ trips & nightlife
If your Chicago itinerary revolves around where you’re going to eat — stay in the West Loop. I repeat, stay in WL!
The West Loop was once Chicago’s meatpacking district, and now its filled with some of the city’s most popular restaurants, bars, rooftops, and hotels — all within walking distance of each other. So you can easily bop around.
Why stay in the West Loop?
Some of Chicago’s best restaurants within walking distance
Great cocktail bars and rooftops
A fun neighborhood for a girls’ weekend
Boutique and luxury hotel options
Nightlife without staying in the middle of River North
Easy access to downtown while still having more of a neighborhood feel
Hotels I’d look at in the West Loop:
The Hoxton Chicago — One of my picks for a girls’ trip or couples weekend. It’s stylish and has a popping hotel bar, an amazing restaurant on the rooftop called Cabra (with a pool!!), and Lazy Bird is their speakeasy.
→ [Check rates at The Hoxton Chicago]
Nobu Hotel Chicago — If you want something more luxurious, Nobu is right in the middle of the West Loop and has a rooftop plus the hotel’s popular restaurant (they also have a happy hour).
→ [Check rates at Nobu Hotel Chicago]
Emily Hotel — A cool boutique option with a slightly more relaxed feel while still being close to everything in Fulton Market.
→ [Check rates at The Emily Hotel]
My take: If you’ve already done the classic Chicago stay downtown to view the city trip, then stay here.
WICKER PARK / BUCKTOWN
Best for: Feeling like a local, shopping (especially vintage), coffee shops & nightlife
This is where I’d send someone who tells me, “I don’t want to feel like I’m staying in a tourist area.” But you still want to be close to cool restaurants! As a Bucktown resident, I have seen this neighborhood grow over the years and have fallen in love. So I may be partial.
Wicker Park and Bucktown feel completely different from downtown Chicago. Instead of skyscrapers and massive hotels, you’ve got neighborhood streets, vintage stores, coffee shops, a growing restaurant scene, cocktail bars, music venues, and the 606 walking trail.
The area around Milwaukee, Damen, and North is walkable, and the CTA Blue Line gives you direct access to both downtown and O’Hare. So it’s a happy medium.
Why stay in Wicker Park?
A more local Chicago experience
Vintage and boutique shopping
Coffee shops and neighborhood restaurants
Bars without the River North club scene
Easy Blue Line train access
To explore neighborhoods instead of spending your entire trip downtown
Hotels I’d look at in Wicker Park:
The Robey — This would probably be my first choice. It’s right at the heart of Wicker Park and has a great rooftop bar! There’s also a few restaurants/bars inside the hotel as well.
Hyatt Place Chicago/Wicker Park — A practical alternative if The Robey is too expensive or sold out.
→ [Check rates at Hyatt Place Chicago/Wicker Park]
Wicker Park Inn — A smaller option if you want something a little more budget friendly and a B&B.
My take: If you’re the type of traveler who searches for vintage shops, wine bars, neighborhood coffee shops, and cute restaurants before you search for tourist attractions, stay here.
THE LOOP
Best for: First-time visitors & sightseeing
If you’ve never been to Chicago and your itinerary includes Millennium Park, the Bean, the Art Institute, architecture tours, the Riverwalk, and a Broadway show, staying in the Loop makes things incredibly easy. This is where people go to work every day and is right next to River North.
My only caveat: parts of the Loop get much quieter at night because peopel work here, they don’t go out here.
Why stay in the Loop?
Millennium Park nearby or coming for Lollapalooza
Easy CTA access
Museums and sightseeing
Chicago architecture
Theatre District access
Hotels I’d look at in the Loop:
Chicago Athletic Association — One of the more interesting hotel options downtown, there are a ton of bars and restaurants in this hotel too!
→ [Check rates at Chicago Athletic Association – AFFILIATE LINK]
LondonHouse Chicago — This is such an iconic hotel and their rooftop is beyond popular. So if you don’t stay here, at least check out the rooftop for a drink!
→ [Check rates at LondonHouse Chicago]
Palmer House — A historic Chicago option that’s worth comparing if you want to be in the middle of the Loop.
→ [Check rates at Palmer House]
GOLD COAST
Best for: Couples, luxury trips, girls trips, & shopping
Want your Chicago weekend to involve a beautiful hotel, martinis, steak dinners, and shopping? The perfect upscale girls trip, stay in the Gold Coast. Or at least visit there!
This is one of Chicago’s more upscale neighborhoods, filled with historic homes, designer shopping, easy access to the lakefront, and the triangle of restaurants where you want to people watch (trust me).
You’re also close enough to River North and Old Town that you can easily venture into either neighborhood.
Why stay in Gold Coast?
A more upscale atmosphere
Luxury hotels
Designer shopping
Restaurants and cocktail bars
Lakefront access
A romantic weekend
Hotels I’d look at in Gold Coast:
Ambassador Gold Coast — Stylish, centrally located, and a great fit for a couples or girls’ weekend.
→ [Check rates at Thompson Chicago]
Viceroy Chicago — Another chic option with a rooftop pool, a great brunch spot, and excellent Gold Coast location. Did I mention a pool?
→ [Check rates at Viceroy Chicago]
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago — Do you need a description here? I mean, it’s the Four Seasons!
→ [Check rates at Four Seasons Chicago]
LINCOLN PARK
Best for: Families, couples & a quieter Chicago trip
Lincoln Park gives you much more of that residential Chicago experience while still having plenty to do. Think brownstones, where you wish you lived if you lived in a big city (or else at least I do).
You’re close to the lakefront, Lincoln Park Zoo, restaurants, boutiques, parks, and some gorgeous residential streets.
The downside? There aren’t nearly as many hotels here as you’ll find downtown.
Why stay in Lincoln Park?
A quieter neighborhood
Lakefront access
Lincoln Park Zoo
Residential Chicago streets
Restaurants and boutiques
Somewhere that works well for families
Hotel Versey Chicago Lincoln Park — a small boutique hotel that’s a little bit more bold but still good location.
→ [Check rates at Hotel Lincoln Park]
The Willows — if you want to stay in a beautiful hotel that feels like a throwback, stay here.
→ [Check rates at Hotel Lincoln]
Hotel Lincoln — is one of the first properties I’d check if you’re set on staying in the neighborhood. The view from their rooftop is magical!
→ [Check rates at Hotel Lincoln]
LAKEVIEW / WRIGLEY
Best for: Cubs games, nightlife & repeat Chicago visitors
Coming to Chicago specifically to see the Cubs? Just stay near Wrigley.
Lakeview and Wrigleyville are farther north than the downtown neighborhoods on this list, but that’s part of the appeal. You’ll get a completely different experience from someone staying near Michigan Avenue.
Around Wrigley Field, expect sports bars, restaurants, nightlife, and lots of energy. Plus it’s next to the Blue Line so you can still get around the city pretty easily.
Lakeview also gives you access to the lakefront and neighboring areas like Boystown/Northalsted.
Why stay in Lakeview?
To attend a Cubs game
Neighborhood bars and nightlife
Lakefront access
A younger, lively atmosphere
To explore Chicago beyond downtown
Hotel Zachary is the obvious choice if your trip revolves around Wrigley Field — it’s directly across from the ballpark.
→ [Check rates at Hotel Zachary – AFFILIATE LINK]
SOUTH LOOP
Best for: Museums, Soldier Field games & concerts, & families
South Loop doesn’t get recommended nearly as often as River North or West Loop, but it can make a lot of sense depending on your itinerary. Plus, people absolutely sleep on the food around here!
You’re close to Museum Campus, which includes the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium, along with Soldier Field and the lakefront.
It also tends to feel more residential than the heart of downtown.
Why stay in South Loop?
Museum Campus
Soldier Field
Grant Park events
McCormick Place
Family sightseeing
A slightly quieter home base
Best Western Grant Park — Across from Grant Park (where Lollapalooza takes place) so it’s in the hustle and bustle of it all.
The Blackstone — A historic hotel with a tapas restaurant across from Grant Park also.
→ [CHECK THE BLACKSTONE RATES]
So, What’s the Best Area to Stay in Chicago?
There’s no single best neighborhood in Chicago — it really depends on the trip.
For your first Chicago trip, I’d look at the Loop or River North.
For a girls’ weekend, I’d choose West Loop, River North, or Gold Coast.
For a food-focused trip, West Loop wins.
For a more local Chicago experience, go with Wicker Park/Bucktown.
For a family trip, look at Lincoln Park or South Loop.
And if you’re coming specifically for a Cubs game, staying around Lakeview/Wrigleyville makes the entire weekend easier.
The biggest mistake I’d avoid is automatically booking the cheapest downtown hotel without looking at the neighborhood first. Chicago is huge, and where you stay really does change the feel of your trip.
What to Wear?
Not sure what to wear while visiting Chicago? Think city meets casual but also elevated. I put together all my outfits I have worn around the city for some inspiration — shop my closet here!
More Chicago Travel Guides
Planning your trip? Keep reading:
→ 10 Best Weekend Getaways From Chicago
→ How to Spend a Girls’ Weekend in Chicago
→ The Best Rooftop Bars in Chicago
→ The Ultimate Chicago Fall Bucket List
→ The Best Happy Hour Deals in Chicago
And check back — I’m constantly adding more neighborhood guides, restaurant recommendations, and things to do around Chicago.
