Chicago sits on the western shore of Lake Michigan, and its identity is bound up with the water, the river that cuts through the centre, and the wide grid of neighbourhoods that spreads out from it. Visitors come for the architecture, the museums, the music and food, and the lakefront beaches, but the city rewards those who leave the centre and spend time in the districts where people actually live.
For a visitor, the useful mental map is simple: the Loop is the central business district, with the Near North alongside it around the Magnificent Mile, and the North, West and South Sides fanning out beyond. Most accommodation clusters either downtown or out by O'Hare Airport. This guide covers which areas to base yourself in, what each is like to stay in, and how the choice changes depending on your budget and how long you have.
Best areas to stay in Chicago
1. The Loop and Near North
This is downtown proper: the Loop, the central business district, and the Near North beside it around the Magnificent Mile. It holds the largest share of the city's places to stay, along with the attractions most visitors come for, so you can walk out of your accommodation and be among them.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone in town for a short stay or a convention. Expect the widest choice of places to stay in the city here. The trade-off is that you get less sense of the wider city; if you are staying more than a couple of days, basing yourself further out and using the CTA train lines will show you more.
2. Near O'Hare Airport
The other main concentration of accommodation is out by O'Hare International Airport. It is convenient if your trip revolves around the airport itself, or a single nearby commitment.
A hotel near O'Hare is good for visiting one thing and one thing only, and that is O'Hare. That said, the CTA Blue Line is within walking distance of most of them, so access to the city is easy, aside from roughly 30 minutes of travel. Consider it a practical base rather than a place to explore from.
3. Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park is a North Side neighbourhood with a university presence and its own hostel, close to the L for access to the rest of the city. It is an interesting neighbourhood in its own right rather than simply a dormitory for downtown.
It suits travellers who want to stay somewhere with a neighbourhood feel while keeping straightforward train access to the centre. The same applies to Rogers Park, further north, which also has university-linked accommodation and L access.
4. Greektown
Greektown has a hostel within walking distance of Union Station, which makes it a practical option if you are arriving or leaving by train or want to be near the western edge of downtown without staying in the Loop itself.
It suits budget travellers and those who value being able to walk to the station. It is a compact area, so treat it as a base with a specific transport advantage rather than a district with a wide range of accommodation.
5. Wrigley Field area
There is a hostel by Wrigley Field, on the North Side. This puts you in a residential part of the city with its own character, rather than in the downtown hotel cluster.
It suits visitors who want a neighbourhood base and are happy to rely on the L to reach the centre and the sights. As with other outlying options, the trade-off is travel time in exchange for a stronger sense of the city beyond downtown.
6. Midway and North Lincoln
For mid-range hotels, there are good options far out from the centre by Midway and in North Lincoln. These are away from the downtown concentration and generally need a train or car to connect you to the main attractions.
They suit travellers who are in town for longer, are comfortable using the CTA, and would rather trade proximity for a different setting. Remember that Chicago is vast, so check how your chosen area connects before committing.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Budget-priced places are usually well away from the Loop. Hostels exist in the Loop, by Wrigley Field, in Greektown near Union Station, and near the universities in Lincoln Park and Rogers Park. All are close to the L. Some far-flung transient hotels are aimed at a very different kind of traveller and may not suit the average visitor, so check the area's comfort level before booking.
- Mid-range: Look beyond the centre, including far out by Midway and in North Lincoln, where there are good options. You will generally need to use the CTA train lines to reach the sights.
- Splurge: The widest choice sits downtown in the Loop and the Near North near the Magnificent Mile, where the majority of the city's accommodation is found and where you are within walking distance of the main attractions.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself in the Loop and Near North. It holds the majority of the city's accommodation and puts you within walking distance of the downtown attractions, which matters most on a short trip. If you are staying more than a couple of days, consider spending part of the trip in one of the outlying neighbourhoods instead, where you will get more of a sense of the city beyond the centre.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay near O'Hare Airport?
Only if your trip centres on the airport or a single nearby commitment. A hotel near O'Hare is good for visiting one thing and one thing only, and that is O'Hare. The CTA Blue Line is within walking distance of most of them, so reaching the city is easy, aside from roughly 30 minutes of travel.
Where should budget travellers look for accommodation?
Budget-priced places are usually pretty far from the Loop, so plan around the CTA train lines, which connect the outlying areas to the centre. Hostels can be found in the Loop, by Wrigley Field, in Greektown near Union Station, and near the universities in Lincoln Park and Rogers Park.
Is it worth staying outside downtown?
Yes, if you are in town for more than a couple of days. Getting away from downtown gives you more of a sense of other neighbourhoods, and there are places to stay throughout the city. Chicago is vast, though, so check how your area connects before you commit.
Where can I find mid-range hotels?
For deals on mid-range hotels, there are good options far out from the centre by Midway and in North Lincoln. These are away from the downtown cluster and are best reached using the CTA.
Compare live prices for the areas that suit your trip using the booking tools on this page.