Mr. Obama's Neighborhood

Hyde Park's most famous family spends most of its time in Washington, D.C., these days, and the Secret Service prevents visitors from getting close to their Chicago home. Still, you can experience many of the First Family's favorite neighborhood haunts. Start at the University of Chicago, where Barack Obama taught law from 1992 to 2004. Make sure to look up: you'll see the university's iconic gargoyles on some buildings. From there, poke around at 57th Street Books (57th and Kimbark 773/684–1300), recommended by Michelle Obama for its extensive collection of fiction and nonfiction and its youth-oriented programs. The store bills itself as "the first stop for serious readers." With mind fed, it's time for some fresh air. Head east to Lake Shore Drive and walk to Promontory Point (5491 S. Lake Shore Dr.) for a stunning view of Lake Michigan. If you walk to the lake along East Hayes Drive, you'll pass by the basketball courts where President Obama likes to shoot hoops with his brother-in-law, Craig Robinson.