//
Community area in Chicago, Illinois
Photo: Flickr user: Michael Hicks Saint Paul https://www.flickr.com/photos/mulad/, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Near South is the home of several of Chicago's main attractions: the splendid Museum Campus, with three world-class (and fun!) natural science museums on the lakefront; Soldier Field, home of the NFL's Chicago Bears; and McCormick Place, the city's massive convention center.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
It's the smallest of the three museums, but the oldest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere still packs a lot of fun. There are some interactive exhibits on the second floor, a scale model of the solar system, a few space rocks, and two high-tech dome theaters with nifty "star shows" throughout the day. Adler After Dark, on the third Thursday of each month, runs 6PM-10PM and features cocktails, a DJ, and wild, unfettered use of telescopes.
The largest museum on the campus; highlights include SUE, the largest Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton in the world, and the man-eating Tsavo lions. Part of the collection came directly from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, adding a layer of intrigue to all of those dusty old animals. Another highlight is the great, kid-friendly Egyptian exhibit, and the Hall of Gems will impress, too. Traveling exhibitions tend to be excellent, so this is one place where it's worth shelling out for the extra shows.
Home to a massive collection of marine life from throughout the world, among the very best you'll ever see. The Pacific Northwest-themed Oceanarium features otters, beluga whales, and a panoramic view of Lake Michigan, although you'll need to arrive extremely early for the (free) dolphin show. The terrific new Wild Reef exhibit offers floor-to-ceiling windows for an extraordinary view of a Philippine coral reef environment, complete with dozens of sharks.
Built in 1836, this unassuming little white house is the oldest surviving structure in Chicago. Tours are available through the Glessner House, but it's free to walk around the lovely Women's Park & Gardens that surround it.
A stately Arts & Crafts mansion from 1887, now fully restored and refurnished to its original Gilded Age atmosphere. The staff are knowledgeable and enthusiastic.
U.S. Soccer House
A stately Châteauesque mansion from 1892 across the street from the Glessner House, often cited as one of the country's most important examples of this architectural style. No tours are offered, as the property is home to the United States Soccer Federation.
No tours are offered, as this long-derelict property has been rehabbed and divided into condos. This was the site of one of the great scandals of the Gilded Age. It was built by Marshall Field, the richest and most powerful man in Chicago, for his son. In 1905, the younger Field was found dead in his home under mysterious circumstances from a bullet wound. After two days, the family made the announcement that the bullet had been fired by accident during preparation for a hunting trip. According to rumors, though, he had been shot in a brothel in the notorious Levee. The elder Field died the next year, and the end of the Prairie Avenue era had begun.
A collection of over 500 evocative pieces of art, created by artists who served in Vietnam. The museum also holds exhibitions on the Iraq war.
Windows designed by Louis Tiffany and other stained-glass masters for a proudly diverse congregation.
Chess Records Studio
A major blues hotspot where Muddy Waters, Ahmad Jamal, Chuck Berry, Aretha Franklin, Bo Diddley, Etta James, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Ramsey Lewis, and many other greats recorded during Chicago's bluesiest period. The Rolling Stones also recorded here, paying tribute in their instrumental "2120 S Michigan Avenue." Public tours.
Built in 1885, this was one of the great stations of the railroad era, the first glimpse of Chicago for countless visitors from across the country. (It also became a focal point for the anti-vice crusaders, with pamphlets describing lurid tales in which innocent farm girls fresh off the train were seized and sold into prostitution.) The rail yard is gone, with traffic having ceased in 1971, but the station house has been renovated into mixed-use commercial space, with a bar and restaurant on the ground floor.
Every September, readers converge upon Printer's Row for a celebration of books. Events with authors famous and obscure are held throughout the weekend, and almost 200 booksellers set up shop.
In the architecture of these massive public housing projects lies the South Side's tongue-in-cheek answer to the North Side's Marina City — in fact, they were built by the same architect, Bertrand Goldberg. With its enormous corncob towers and northern semicircular wall, the Hilliard Homes are impossible to miss when traveling between Downtown and Chinatown. Despite the architectural distinction of being the only public housing projects to get on the National Register of Historic Places, the towers have not always been a great place to live, suffering from urban blight similar to that found in public housing throughout the country. A mixed-income residential development was completed in 2006.
Another Bertrand Goldberg corncob project, whose riverside location offers great views and frequently flooded basements. They're condominiums, so pretend to be interested in buying one if you'd like a free tour.
A 40-acre park on the southern portion of Northerly Island that opened in September 2015. The park features a nature trail, pedestrian/bike path, 5 acre lagoon and an excellent view of the Chicago skyline.
Comfortable sit-down music venue in the midst of McCormick Place. It hosts big pop, rock, gospel, and R&B concerts as well as occasional musical.
This small peninsula, jutting out into Lake Michigan, was the site of Meigs Airport until Mayor Daley's midnight demolition in 2003; now it's a 7500-seat concert venue for touring rock and hip-hop acts. A new nature park has been built south of the Pavilion.
Mayor Richard J. Daley believed firmly — as his son, Mayor Richard M., did after him, and all subsequent mayors have — in total, ruthless domination of the convention circuit. Hence, the massive complex of McCormick Place, which is struggling to stay ahead of rivals in Las Vegas and Orlando. There's little reason to seek out McCormick Place unless your business is sending you there or you want to catch an event at Wintrust Arena (immediately below). That said, the auto shows are a draw for some visitors.
An arena seating a little more than 10,000 that opened in fall 2017 as the main event venue for McCormick Place. Its highest-profile tenants are the DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball team (college) and the Chicago Sky of the WNBA. The DePaul women's basketball team splits its home games between here and its smaller on-campus arena.
Home of the NFL's Chicago Bears, and from 2020 home (again) to Chicago Fire FC of Major League Soccer. If you'd like to see a Bears game, then you have something in common with many Chicagoans; there's no point in listing ticket prices, because they sell out long before the season starts. On the other hand, if you're a soccer fan, you have a much better chance of getting in for a Fire game, even though that team plans on using only the lower seating bowl for most of its games. The original Soldier Field was built in 1924 to honor veterans of the First World War, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. By 2002, the stadium was in dire need of renovations, and the Bears promised to preserve the majestic colonnades of the old stadium. However, when the renovations were complete, what appeared to be a giant spaceship had landed at midfield. The amenities have improved, and it really is a nice facility... on the inside. On the outside, it's hard to say what it is, other than probably the strangest-looking sports venue in America. (It's not a Historic Place any more, having been stripped of that designation in 2006.) Tours are available during the week, M-F 9AM-5PM, by phone appointment; $15 adults, $10 students, $7 seniors, $4 children.
Started in 1948 by Joe Segal, this historic jazz club is home to both national touring acts and the finest local jazz musicians Chicago has to offer. It is in the historic Dearborn Station building in the South Loop. Segal maintains the high standard for acoustic jazz that over the years has featured luminaries from Dizzy Gillespie to Chick Corea.
New York-style Jewish diner.
The prices are higher and the quality lower at this central location of the great South Side chain, but it's still a great cheap eat.
A neighborhood deli with sandwiches and such. Perfect place to prepare a picnic lunch for a day at the Museum Campus.
Cheap thin-crust pizza with a devoted following. Lunch during the work-week is crowded.
Burgers of the standard, turkey, and veggie variety. As the name says, it's standing room only.
Breakfast place with egg-based dishes (obviously) and bright yellow walls (you've been warned).
Great breakfast/brunch location with no signage, a spin-off of the original Wicker Park restaurant.
Sister branch of a Green Bay fixture, which is a controversial move in the heart of Bears territory. They offer a big menu of seafood and sandwiches from a charcoal grill. Plenty of beer is available, but kids are welcome.
Unpretentious, good Mexican cuisine. Live music on Friday nights.
Models itself upon a Japanese izakaya, and offers reasonably priced Japanese dishes like tempura and sushi rolls near Grant Park.
BYOB sushi bar.
Fine American dining.
Offers "rustic Italian" dishes.
Printer's Row branch of the Chicagoland area beer 'n burgers chainlet.
A famous, fairly large blues club with a Cajun/soul food menu and frequent big-name acts. Buddy Guy himself holds court every January.
Excellent dive bar in historic Printer's Row. Extensive beer selection, disgusting bathrooms and "Absolutely No Dancing." Kasey's is good for a drink before or after a Sox game.
Better than your average hotel bar, with a stately ambiance that's nevertheless hospitable to Bears fans on their way back from Soldier Field or Grant Park festival-goers.
Martinis and jazz; live performances Tu W 7PM-10PM. Nights with music supposedly have a two drink minimum, but for cheapskates, it is unclear how this policy would be enforced.
Reggie's Music Joint is a nice bar and grill that offers nightly live music, mostly by local rock bands, as well as a professional blues jam session every Wednesday night. Reggie's Rock Club features bigger-name touring rock acts. If you want to take some music home, head upstairs over the Rock Club to Record Breakers, which sells new and used CDs, LPs, and other rock paraphernalia.
Another essential stop on The Jazz Track, best reached by taxi. If you want to go to a bar that represents the real Chicago jazz tradition from Louis Armstrong right up to Pharaoh Sanders, then you must go to the Velvet Lounge.
Includes fitness room, outdoor seasonal pool and sundeck, free WiFi, valet parking with in and out privileges (rare for Downtown Chicago).
One of the finest Hilton hotels in the chain, with many luxury suites and rooms, including ambassador and presidential suites. It has a wonderful view of Grant Park. The Hilton Chicago is on the border of the business Loop.
Offers clean, fully equipped, and renovated rooms, a fantastic pool and fitness center and free wi-fi.
Nothing exceptional, except some of the views — if you are staying here, spend whatever extra money is required for the spectacular cityscape views.
Wheeler-Kohn House
One of the few mansions to survive the fire of 1871 is now a very charming four-star bed and breakfast with spacious rooms adorned with antiques.
A classic creaky-floors-and-cluttered-shelves kind of place.
Yarn powerhouse. Classes are available, and Friday nights are an open-knitting party.
By train
The CTA Red Line stops near Printer's Row (Harrison) and in the South Loop (Roosevelt/State, Cermak-Chinatown). Printer's Row is within reach of the Blue Line (LaSalle/Congress), too.
By bus
The CTA runs a few convenient buses through the area:
By car
Don't drive to the Near South without a good reason; parking is scarce and often expensive, especially around Soldier Field, the Museum Campus, and McCormick Center.
By boat
For those coming to the Near South from the Loop, specifically Navy Pier, the water taxi operated by Shoreline Sightseeing is an attractive option.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Chicago · International · MDW
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Near South and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.