Gold Coast
Located just outside the Loop, Chicago’s Gold Coast is the city’s “it” neighborhood. From the very beginning, Gold Coast was only inhabited by the most powerful and affluent individuals. Big names like Potter Palmer, Archbishop Patrick Feehan and Hugh Hefner (yes, that Hugh Hefner) have all resided in this lavish neighborhood at one point or another.
Gold Coast residents need never dream of island paradises (at least not in the summer), given the neighborhood’s expansive beaches and jaw-dropping lakefront views. Oak Street Beach is a getaway in itself with bike trails, jogging paths and green plots for picnics. If you’re not up for packing your own lunch, the beachside Oak Street Beachstro serves up a classic American food menu at its palm tree-covered cabana-style café.
Off-beach dining options are endless in the Gold Coast, ranging from upscale steakhouses to understated Italian burger joints. The only downside to many of these well-known spots is the tourists that often flock to them on weekends. But seasoned locals know the best times to dine and have become experts at avoiding out-of-towner chaos.
Aside from great outdoor recreation and first-rate restaurants, Gold Coast offers, hands-down, the best shopping in the city. The world-famous Magnificent Mile begins in the Gold Coast and runs south down Michigan Avenue. This strip of big name department stores and upscale boutiques attract locals and tourists alike. The crush of weekend shoppers can make this area more than a little chaotic, especially during holidays, but there’s no better place in Chicago for retail, fashion and couture style. The Mag Mile is where Chicagoans get their fix of high-end boutiques and elite chains as well as mid-priced mall clothiers and name brand products. Some designer favorites among Gold Coast fashionistas include Prada, Barneys New York and Kate Spade.
You wouldn’t expect Chicago’s richest neighborhood to have anything less than the most expensive homes. Just take a look at Gold Coast’s nineteenth century mansions, luxury high-rise condos and renovated grey and brownstones. A simple stroll around the neighborhood and you’ll be itching to join the ranks of Chicago’s local elite. And for a couple million, you can live among the best. Most detached residential real estate in the Gold Coast starts above $1 million, but private single-family properties can easily reach the multimillions. However, if you’re living the single life, you just might find a steal. Gold Coast has a few studios and one-bedrooms that can cost anywhere from $170,000 to $600,000.
- CLICK HERE FOR GOLD COAST NEIGHBORHOOD MAP
- CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT REAL ESTATE IN GOLD COAST
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Gold Coast Restaurants & Bars |
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Gold Coast Resources |  |
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Gold Coast Schools |
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Gold Coast Shopping |
Dining in Gold Coast
| Albert's Cafe 52 W Elm St Cuisine: French |
Amarit Thai Restaurant 1 E Delaware Pl Cuisine: Thai |
| Bar Chicago 9 W. Division |
Bella Luna Cafe 731 N Dearborn St Cuisine: Italian |
| Billy Goat Tavern 430 N. Michigan |
Blue Agave Restaurant 1050 N State St Cuisine: Mexican |
| Bone Daddy 551 N Ogden Ave Cuisine: Barbeque |
Bozwog's Second Story Bar 157 E. Ohio |
| Cape Cod Room 140 E. Walton Place Cuisine: Seafood |
Cru Wine Bar 888 N. Wabash |
| Dick's Last Resort 435 E. Illinois |
Dozo Sushi & Lobster 100 East Walton St Cuisine: Sushi/Seafood |
| Dragonfly Mandarin 1206 N. State Street Cuisine: Asian |
Johnny Rockets 901 N Rush St Cuisine: American |
| La Sardine 111 N. Carpenter St. Cuisine: French |
Leg Room Bar 7 W. Division |
| Mario's Gold Coast Ristorante 21 W Goethe St Ste 1A Cuisine: Italian |
Mike Ditka's 100 E Chestnut St Cuisine: American |
| NoMI 800 N Michigan Ave Cuisine: Seafood |
O'Neill's Bar and Grill 152 E. Ontario |
| Quang Noodle 804 N State St. Cuisine: Asian |
Zebra Lounge 1220 N. State |
Resources in Gold Coast
| Hospitals Northwestern Memorial 251 E. Huron Columbia Michael Reese North 60 E. Delaware Foot Ankle Clinics of America 1001 N. Dearborn Herron Medical Center Ltd. 1150 N. State |
Post Office 227 E. Ontario |
Parking in Gold Coast
| 856 N. Clark | 1410 N. State Pkwy | 1555 N. Astor |
| 33 E. Cedar | 260 E. Chestnut | 1005 N. State |
| 1258 N. State Pkwy | 100 E. Bellvue | 1221 N. State Pkwy |
| 200 E. Delaware | 221 E. Chestnut | 1325 N. State |
| 868 N. Wabash | 1445 N. State Pkwy | 25 E. Walton |
| 14 E. Cedar | 1030 N. State | 1415 N. Dearborn |
| 1340 N. Astor | 875 N. Michigan | 1 E. Delaware |
Entertainment in Gold Coast
| 900 North Michigan Cinemas 900 N. Michigan |
Chicago's Green City Market 1601 N. Clark |
| Esquire Theater 58 E. Oak |
Near North Farmer's Market Dearborn & Division |
| Village Theater 1548 N. Clark |
Water Tower Theater 845 N. Michigan |
Shopping in Gold Coast
| Anthropologie 1120 N. State |
Barney's 25 E. Oak |
| BCBG 103 E. Oak |
Bloomingdales 900 N. Michigan |
| Bravco 43 E. Oak |
Chanel at the Drake 140 E. Walton |
| Diesel 923 N. Rush |
Elements 102 E. Oak |
| Europa Books 832 N. State |
Freete 41 E. Oak |
| G'bani 949 N. State |
Gucci 900 N. Michigan |
| MAC 40 E. Oak |
Nicole Miller 63 E. Oak |
| Portico N. Rush & Pearson |
Prada 30 E. Oak |
| Pratesi 67 E. Oak |
Tod's 121 E. Oak |
| Ultimate Bride 106 E. Oak |
Ultimo 114 E. Oak |
| Urban Outfitters 935 N. Rush |
Water Tower Place 845 N. Michigan |
Schools in Gold Coast
| Latin School of Chicago 59 W. North |
Loyola School of Law Pearson & State |
| Loyola University 820 N. Michigan |
Quigley Preparatory Seminary 103 E. Chestnut |
| William B. Ogden 24 W. Walton |
Northwestern University -Chicago Campus 205 E. Huron |
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