West Side/United Center/UIC: Chicago

The Near West Side encompasses a lot and has plenty to brag about: the Bulls and Blackhawks (depending on the season), Greektown, the West Loop Randolph Street restaurants, Pilsen, Little Italy, Garfield Park Conservatory, and the studio of a famous talk show host that goes by the name of Oprah Winfrey. Greektown, just off the UIC blue line stop, is home to many Greek immigrants, and offers several mouth-watering authentic restaurants, including Greek Islands.This is also the home of the Museum of Holography and Harpo Studios.

Today the West Loop is a hot residential area, after undergoing a large transformation from being an industrial area. Young money has brought gourmet restaurants, high fashion, and a vibrant nightlife to the area. Randolph street ("Restaurant Row") has some of Chicago's most noteworthy restaurants, including Blackbird and Marche. Visitors will also want to visit Old St. Patrick's Cathedral, Chicago's oldest public building.

Pilsen and Little Village just west of UIC has the largest Mexican-American community in the Midwest. Major improvements have been made to the area in the last ten years and has become a popular destination for artists, with many galleries springing up. Pilsen is also home to the renowned National Museum of Mexican Art. Restaurante Nuevo Leon is great for authentic Mexican cuisine and Cafe Jumping Bean is an artsy coffee shop perfect for a pick-me-up.


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