Uptown & Lincoln Square: Chicago

Uptown is a melting pot of ethnicities. With a diverse range of Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese eateries, you can find plenty of authentic flavors from around the world. The heart of the neighborhood lies at the intersection of Lawrence and Broadway. To escape the action, residents head east to Montrose Beach.

Music lovers make their way to Uptown on a regular basis to catch national acts making stops at the Riviera Theatre and the Aragon Ballroom, two of the city's biggest venues. For more intimate shows, the legendary Green Mill hosts local and national jazz legends nightly.

Lincoln Square lies west of Uptown and trades in the on-the-go urban vibe for strollers, children and an altogether more relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere. Low-key bars like The Daily and boutique shops like The Dressing Room line this northern stretch of Lincoln Avenue. While this neighborhood is much quieter throughout most of the year, its Hofbrau heritage helps fuel a festival featuring massive beer steins each fall: German Fest.