Chicago
Chicago is in many ways the nation’s last great city. Sarah Bernhardt called it “the pulse of America” and, though long eclipsed by Los Angeles as the nation’s second most populous city after New York, Chicago really does have it all, with less hassle and fewer infrastructural problems than its coastal rivals. Most visitors to Chicago are immediately bowled over by its magnificent urban skyline, adorned with one of the world’s finest assemblages of modern architecture, ranging from Mies van der Rohe’s masterpieces to the 110-story Sears Tower. The city can also boast the wonderful new Millennium Park and the extraordinary treasures of the Art Institute of Chicago, as well as several other excellent museums, along with restaurants, sports, and highbrow cultural activities. Perhaps its strongest suit, however, is live music, with a phenomenal array of jazz and blues clubs packed into the back rooms of its amiable bars and cafés. The rock scene is also healthy, having spawned such bands as Smashing Pumpkins and Wilco during the 1990s. And almost everything is noticeably less expensive than in other US cities – eating out, for example, costs much less than in New York or LA, but is every bit as good. Two great ways to get a real feel for the city are to head out to ivy-covered Wrigley Field on a sunny summer afternoon to catch baseball’s Cubs in action, or take a cruise boat under the bridges of the Chicago River at sunset.
~ Rough Guide
Andersonville
Andersonville is easily accessible by both of Chicago’s major north side highways and by public transportation. The neighborhood is bounded roughly by Winnemac (5033 N) to the south, Victoria (5800 N) to the north, Ravenswood (1800 W) to the west, and Magnolia (1250 W) to the east. The heart of Andersonville’s commercial district is Clark and Berwyn (5300 N).
Andersonville is a neighborhood influenced by Swedish culture and home to the Swedish American Heritage (5211 N. Clark Street), the Swedish Bakery (5348 N. Clark Street) and local Ann Sather (5207 N. Clark Street). It is also home to many female business owners and young entrepreneurs. Women and Children First (5233 N. Clark Street) is an in independent bookstore that caters to women’s and children’s literature.
The stretch of Clark Street between Lawrence Ave. & Bryn Mawr has seen a boom in new shops, restaurants and businesses in recent years. The spine of Andersonville, this area is rife with eclectic shops, cafes, fitness centers, cybercafes, boutiques, and restaurants. The range of different cultural cuisines offered in this area alone is staggering.
CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST OF ANDERSONVILLE!
For more information about Andersonville, please visit the Andersonville COC website, www.andersonville.org, or visit Explore Chicago’s Andersonville page.
