Nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan between the Gold Coast and the Loop sits Streeterville, one of Chicago’s most visited neighborhoods with quite an interesting past. In the late 1800s, Civil War vet George Wellington “Cap’n” Streeter and his wife Maria were living on their boat when it became lodged on a sandbar about 450 feet from land. Streeter decided to take up residence on the sandbar, and after the Chicago Fire of 1871, began selling off plots as waste disposal sites to local developers. Nearby property owners on the Gold Coast were worried the dump would devalue their real estate, thus an ongoing legal battle ensued over rights to the 186 acres. Eventually, one entrepreneur purchased land from Streeter to build Lake Shore Drive to connect the North Side to Downtown. In 1921, the Michigan Avenue Bridge was built. The rest is history.
Today, Streeterville is home to Navy Pier, a 3.300-foot long dock featuring restaurants, gift shops, the Chicago Children’s Museum and the famed Ferris Wheel. Michigan Ave. – aka Magnificent Mile – stretches north to south on the western edge of Streeterville, supplying endless retail and restaurant options for Chicagoans and visitors alike.
Streeterville holds numerous hospitals on Northwestern University’s medical campus, making it a popular neighborhood among doctors, nurses and surgeons. Despite its reputation as a physician’s destination, there are numerous green spaces and playgrounds perfect for everyone. The neighborhood maintains a tight-knit atmosphere and many Streeterville homeowners are active in their community. Living in Streeterville puts you in close proximity to the Loop, but the streets closer to the coastline keep a more laidback residential vibe. The Red Line and CTA buses keep public transportation a breeze, while Lake Shore Drive connects the various neighborhoods along the water for auto commuters.
- For brunch: Yolk or Kanela Breakfast Club
- For drinks and awe-inspiring views: The Signature Room at the John Hancock
- For fun and games: Pinstripes, an upscale bowling alley
- For a cozy date night: AMC River East 21 Theatre
- For culture: Museum of Contemporary Art, which holds over 6,000 paintings, photographs, sculptures and media. Admission is $12 for adults, $7 for students and seniors and free for veterans and children. All Illinois residents get free admission on Tuesdays!
- For a different kind of night out: The Chicago Shakespeare Theater