Welcome to Hyde Park

Getting Here

By car, take Lake Shore Drive south to the 57th Street exit and turn left into the parking lot of the Museum of Science and Industry. You can also take the Metra train from Randolph Street and Michigan Avenue; get off at the 55th Street stop and walk east through the underpass two blocks, then south two blocks. From Indiana, take the South Shore Line to the 57th Street station. CTA Buses 2, 6, 10, and 28 will also get you here from downtown.

Making the Most of Your Time

Visiting the Museum of Science and Industry will probably take most of a day. Go during the week to avoid crowds. Wind down by meandering through Jackson Park, the University of Chicago campus, or the Midway Plaisance, the main walkway for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.

Quick Bites

Jimmy's: The Woodlawn Tap. At this favored tavern, locals and university students gather for beer, burgers, and Reuben sandwiches. On Sunday nights, jam sessions complement the pub grub. 1172 E. 55th St., Hyde Park, Chicago, Illinois, 60615. 773/643–5516; www.josephsittler.org/jimmys/.

Medici on 57th. Known for its pizzas and burgers, Medici has served generations of University of Chicago students and faculty—many of whom carved their name on the tables and walls. Just to the east, the Medici deli and bakery serves mouthwatering croissants. 1327 E. 57th St., Hyde Park, Chicago, Illinois, 60637. 773/667–7394; www.medici57.com.

Valois. This cash-only Hyde Park institution serves big portions of no-frills diner classics cafeteria-style. It’s said that President Obama ate here daily during his University of Chicago days. 1518 E. 53rd St., Hyde Park, Chicago, Illinois, 60615. 773/667–0647; www.valoisrestaurant.com.

Top Reasons to Go

Get caught up in wonderment: Spend a few hours at the Museum of Science and Industry.

Enjoy Jackson Park: Revel in the tranquil mood and do some exotic-bird-watching.

Appreciate Frank Lloyd Wright: Take a tour of the fantastic Robie House.

Enjoy the views: Pack a picnic for Promontory Point.

Safety

Hyde Park is bordered to the west, south, and north by some poor, and at times dangerous, areas. Use caution, especially in the evening.

Kenwood

The Kenwood area of Hyde Park was once home to the city's elite; after many of the residents moved to the suburbs, the neighborhood became run-down—it has since rebounded to a large degree. The Swifts of meatpacking fame lived not far from President Barack Obama's house, which is off-limits. St. Gabriel Church (4522 S. Wallace St. 773/268–9595), designed in 1887 by Daniel Burnham and John Root, is marked by a tower, arched doorways, and a large round window. The parish was organized to serve Irish workers at the Union Stock Yards, once in operation nearby.