We're here to assist with some of the general information you may need to know before deciding on a furnished apartment in Chicago. We're providing a list of some of the most popular neighborhoods within the Chicago area where you might be able to find yourself at home. If you're considering a stay in the Second City, having reliable information about its neighborhoods is essential.

River North:
The River North neighborhood is on the cutting edge of Chicago's cultural resurgence. It attracts many with artistic minds, and the many galleries and unique shops are there to prove it. It's located west of Michigan Avenue, with a variety of great stores, and more restaurants than almost anywhere else in Chicago. River North was once known primarily as an industrial zone, but over the years things change and it slowly became an area with many deserted warehouses. As has happened in other great cities where rents are high and work space becomes more dear, artists starting moving in creating live/work lofts and studio spaces to fit their lifestyle and needs, and so the culture and artsy scene there began to grow and thrive. If you want to live in a creative and unique part of Chicago, River North might be just what you're looking for.

The Loop/Downtown Chicago:
The Loop is located east of Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago. It is the most shop-central area in the city. It has been nicknamed the Loop because of the raised railroad that loops around all of the shops, restaurants, and businesses in the central part of downtown. It's an incredibly popular area, and a very busy place. If you're interested in finding short term rentals in Chicago, this section of town has great potential to satisfy every need you could have, and may just be the most convenient location to live in of all.

Lake View:
Lake View is a one of the bigger neighborhoods in Chicago. It covers a large area of the city and includes other smaller neighborhood areas within its boundaries. Because of its size, Lake View is extremely versatile and caters to a wide variety of people. Chicago's gay community has a heavy presence in this area, as do many of Chicago's sports fans and others from various different backgrounds. It is a hugely diverse area, and one well worth considering if you'll be staying in one of our Chicago short term rentals.

Hyde Park:
If you're looking into short term rentals Chicago, you might also want to consider Hyde Park. This is a very cultural and attractive neighborhood with lovely trees planted along the roads. It's also known for its beautiful architecture, one example being the University of Chicago which is situated there. Because of its location in Hyde Park near the college campus, the area has many retail establishments that are geared towards the local student population. Hyde Park's also considered a very pretty neighborhood, and has recently become more well known as being the home of President Obama and his family.

Old Town:
Old Town is a neighborhood in Chicago that is historically significant. Many of the buildings are detailed with classical Victorian design, and there are many examples of this beautiful architecture to be seen there. The area is incredibly attractive due to this feature. If you are looking for furnished apartments in Chicago, and if you like the idea of living in and around some of the city's most well preserved history, Old Town might be another area for you to consider for your short term housing needs.

Lincoln Park:
Lincoln Park is both a prominent Chicago neighborhood, and is also the name of one of Chicago's largest and most important city parks, truly an incredible neighborhood full of beauty and a rich, natural atmosphere. The park itself is home to the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Lincoln Park Conservatory. If you like the feeling of being in the great outdoors, but also value the convenience of a central urban location, the Lincoln Park neighborhood might suit you well. There's are many outdoor recreational opportunities to be found there as well, and with its wide selection of shopping venues, restaurants, and bars, Lincoln Park is one of the city's more popular areas to live in.

Lincoln Square:
Lincoln Square is a festive and family oriented neighborhood. If you're interested in a Chicago furnished apartment and you have children, then this could be an ideal community for you. It's calm and quiet, while at the same time offering various entertaining and fun activities for the whole family. The business and retail shops there have very much a local kind of feel, so many of the stores located in Lincoln Square are owned independently. It is located north of Ravenswood.

Wrigleyville:
Wrigleyville is the baseball hub of Chicago. The neighborhood's namesake, Wrigley Field, is the oldest existing Major League baseball field and is located here. It is an area that serves sports fans well, and has a great and active bar and restaurant scene. While it's actually located within the Lake View district, it's a community with a life of its own. If you enjoy an atmosphere of fun, sports, good restaurants, and a vibrant neighborhood feel, Wrigleyville is great place to consider for renting one of our furnished apartments Chicago.

Bucktown:
Bucktown a little area with a great atmosphere, not far from Loop. If you're looking for short term rentals Chicago, you might want to consider this very diverse neighborhood. Bucktown has been known as a hip and friendly area that has a lot of great dining and shopping options. There is a little something for everybody, from designer shops to art galleries and local boutiques. Bucktown is a popular and well-rounded neighborhood.

Getting around in Chicago can be extremely challenging for newcomers and is often a hassle for locals. Fortunately, there's a great public transit system in Chicago that is operated by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). If you aren't comfortable with the public transportation, taxis are also widely available. If you choose to drive, do so with caution if you're in one of our Chicago furnished apartments.

Public Transportation:
The RTA (Regional Transportation Authority) is responsible for operating the public transportation system in Chicago. If you need to plan a trip, visiting their website will provide you with a trip planner to help you make your planning easier, or you can call one of their live operators via phone.

Within Chicago, the bus system is called the Chicago Transit Authority, or the CTA. Fares are paid either with cash (you'll need exact change) or from a special card. There are three different types of cards you can buy. Transit cards are the most typical. You can buy them at the kiosks at the stations and refill them there. Locals often prefer to buy Chicago cards over Transit cards and do so online. They are also available at currency exchange centers and grocery stores. The third type of transit card is called a visitor's pass. They can be valid from a day to a month depending on how much you pay for your pass.

You can recognize the bus stops on the main streets of Chicago easily. They are colored blue and white and have a logo on them representing the CTA. Buses come roughly every fifteen minutes. Keep in mind, however, that sometimes you need to check the schedules posted by the stop to make sure the bus is running that day.

Taxis:
If you choose to take a taxi in Chicago, similar rules apply to every company due to the city's strict regulations. You can hail taxis on the main streets of Chicago and those you call tend to show up within fifteen minutes of calling. If you are traveling with a companion, this will cause the cabbie to charge an extra dollar for that person. If there are more than two people, you'll pay fifty cents more per person. The rate per ninth of a mile is twenty cents after the initial charge of $2.25. There are several major taxi companies that operate in the Chicago area.

• Chicago Elite Cab
• Chicago Carriage Cab Co.
• Blue Diamond Taxi
• Sun Taxi Association
• American United Taxi Affiliation
• Blue Ribbon Taxi Association
• Royal 3 Ccc Cab

Driving:
The dangers of driving in Chicago can far outweigh its benefits. Road rage is rampant and the streets are a confusing jumble of one-way streets and confusing levels that can leave anybody lost, even people who have grown up in Chicago their whole lives. Many of the busiest areas are difficult to navigate, so visitors staying in our short term rentals in Chicago might be better off with public transportation.

Unfortunately there are some times when you can't avoid being on the road, and some people actually may prefer to drive despite the danger. Since that is the case, Short Term Stay Chicago has provided some useful information to keep in mind about the highway system that surrounds Chicago's city limits.

Approaching from the west, the East-West Tollway becomes I-290. You've also got the Northwest Tollway (I-90) that actually intersects I-290. In addition to Interstate 90, other roads from the west are State Route 5 and Interstate 55.

From the south, the Dan Ryan Expressway heads into Chicago and is merged with I-90 and I-94. Interstate 90 is connected to I-55, I-57, and I-94.

Coming in from the northwest, I-94 is merged with the John F. Kennedy Expressway, which heads to I-294. Interstate 294 is connected with I-80 (aka the Northern Indiana Toll Road)

Airports:
There are two airports in Chicago that are used widely for travel. The larger one is O‘Hare International Airport, which is one of the biggest and busiest airports in the world. The more reliable airport with fewer delays and tickets that are generally cheaper is called the Midway International airport.

The CTA provides transportation to both airports. The Midway International Airport is located closer to downtown and the Loop as compared with O'Hare International Airport, so traveling there by bus would be faster. The CTA's schedule runs about 15 to 20 minutes per cycle to pick up pedestrians traveling to either of the airports. Midway uses the Orange Line train and the O'Hare the Blue Line.

Chicago is a bustling and engaging city with a huge assortment of recreational activities available to the public. The people at Short Term Stay Chicago know the ins and outs of the city, so we'll try to mention some of the places you might want to check out during your stay in the Second City.

Outdoor Activities:
For those taking advantage of furnished apartments Chicago, there are a mind-boggling amount of outdoor activities you can enjoy. There are countless parks and many beautiful landmarks to see, not to mention all of the wonderful natural scenery that comes with Chicago's proximity along Lake Michigan.

If you choose to go to the lake, you might want to take a leisurely stroll or bicycle ride along the miles-long path that runs along the coast and beaches there. If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, you could always schedule a carriage ride with Chicago Horse & Carriage Ltd, and you'll get a chance to see the city in a whole new way.

For the best view you'll find in the city, you should consider visiting the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower). It's still the tallest building in North America with 110 stories at 1350 feet tall. The famous Sears Tower Skydeck observatory is there to offer you a view of the city that's unmatched.

The Navy Pier is the place where everyone (both locals and visitors) comes together to enjoy the beauty and excitement of a day on Lake Michigan. From rides to restaurants, shopping to dining cruises, exhibitions to entertainment, the Navy Pier has it all.

Among Chicago's many city parks, gardens, and conservatories, some that should not be missed include the Lincoln Park Conservatory in Lincoln Park, The Garfield Park Conservatory, Grant Park, Millennium Park, Midway Park, and Jackson Park.

For zoo lovers, there's also the Lincoln Park Zoo, and you won't want to miss the Shedd Aquarium which is considered one of Chicago's top cultural attractions.

Having the convenience of a well located short term rental in Chicago will open doors to many great outdoor, cultural, and amusement opportunities such as the ones mentioned above.

Sport for Spectators:
If there's one thing Chicago is known for, it's the city's sports teams, and its great sporting venues. For example, Chicago is home to world-famous Wrigley Field. Wrigley field's historical significance and beauty make it a priceless landmark in Chicago, and you're sure to have a great experience watching the Chicago Cubs play baseball there.

Wrigley Field isn't the only sports attraction Chicago offers, however. If you've got a diverse interest in sports, Chicago won't let you down. You can check out sporting events of every kind here. The NBA's Chicago Bulls play basketball at the United Center. The NFL's Chicago Bears play football at Soldier Field. If it's baseball you're passionate about, besides the Cubs, the Chicago White Sox play baseball at the U.S. Cellular Field.

Arts&Culture:
Chicago is a major cultural crossroads for the United States. Though one might cite New York or Los Angeles as the nation's cultural epicenters, Chicago has a vibrant arts scene that rivals any other U.S. city. For performing arts enthusiasts and museum-goers alike, you certainly won't be disappointed by the city's artistic offerings. The city is bursting with incredible energy that makes it hard to miss its diversity and world renowned architecture. (If you're interested in learning more about the city's architecture, you can visit the Chicago Architecture Foundation).

For the museum enthusiasts utilizing furnished apartments in Chicago, you'll definitely feel at home in Museum Campus. Overlooking Lake Michigan and located in the Near South Side of Chicago, you'll find such gems as the Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum of Natural History. Other notable museums located throughout the city are: Chicago Museum of Science & Industry, National Museum of Mexican Art, Richard H. Driehaus Museum, The Chicago Children's Museum, The Art Institute of Chicago, and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.

Chicago is also well known for its performing arts scene. The city's most celebrated theaters—Broadway in Chicago and the Steppenwolf Theater Company—hold performances that regularly draw packed houses. Steppenwolf Theater Company, located in Lincoln Park, has featured such renowned actors as Gary Sinise, Joan Allen, and John Malkovich. If live comedy or improvisation is something you enjoy, then The Second City Chicago (located in Old Town) is not to be missed. A renowned training ground for some of the most recognizable comedic actors—producing such household names at Steve Carrell, John Belushi, Jane Lynch, Chris Farley, Mike Myers, and many more—it's always a fun time. You can also visit the Lookingglass Theatre Company or the Goodman Theater for a good show.

Live music is also another celebrated aspect of Chicago's cultural scene. From classical to contemporary music, Chicago boasts a number of unique venues for live music. For those who enjoy classical music, then The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and The Lyric Opera of Chicago are very much worth visiting. You can also find some of your favorite contemporary bands at such spots as the UIC Pavilion, The Chicago Theater, House of Blues, and the Auditorium Theater.

Dining:
If you're someone who enjoys a well cooked meal but prefers dining out, Chicago has many wonderful and varied dining experiences to offer. Whether you lean towards pizza and burgers, or prefer fine dining, there are high-quality venues at every price range. Some of Chicago's best known award winning restaurants are located in Lincoln Park and Wicker Park. Highly recommended restaurants like Charlie Trotter's, Riccardo Trattoria, and Alinea can be found in Lincoln Park. Mana Bar, Seadog Sushi Bar, and Prasino are some of the best restaurants to hit if you happen to be in the Wicker Park area. Because Chicago is such a large city with an extremely diverse population you won't run out of great restaurants to try while utilizing furnished apartments Chicago.

If high prices aren't your thing, there are also many great restaurants that aren't so expensive. Among these are: Pequod's Pizzeria, Capi's Italian Kitchen, Georges Rib House, Big Jones, Heaven on Seven, Frontera Grill, and Hub 51. The Purple Pig at The Magnificent Mile, Sepia in the West Loop, and Ed Debevic's on North Wells are some other local favorites.

Nightlife:
Chicago has a vibrant nightlife scene, with so many opportunities for an evening of fun that you might have a hard time choosing where to go or what to do. Chicago's nightlife is everything you'd expect in a great city, and more. There are an almost endless amount of bars, taverns, nightclubs, and lounges to choose from. For those of you staying in one of our short term rentals Chicago, we'll try to mention some of the more popular places.

Though there's an active nightclub scene in the city, for most Chicago locals, it's the neighborhood bars and taverns where the majority of night goers spend their evenings out, typically handing out with their friends and neighbors. If you take a stroll at night through almost any Chicago neighborhood, you'll soon see what we mean when you begin to come across bar after bar with friendly atmospheres, and filled with local regulars. Whichever type of bar you gravitate towards, whether it be sports bars, classic bars, pubs, or dive bars, you'll find what you're looking for in Chicago. Among these are 10pin on State Street, 404 Wine Bar on Southport Ave, Billy Goat Tavern below the Wrigley Building on the Miracle Mile, Betty's Blue Star Lounge on Grand Ave, Clark Street Ale House, Cortland's Garage, Celtic Crossings, The Duke of Perth, and Webster's Wine Bar.

If nightclubs are more your kind of thing, there are also many to consider. Among them are Underground Wonder Bar, The Empty Bottle, Redhead Piano Bar, Phyllis' Musical Inn, Kingston Mines, Elbo Room, Exedus II, Funky Buddha Lounge, Buddy Guy's Legends, and Andy's Jazz Club.

Shopping:
Chicago is one of America's best cities for shopping. There are stores here carrying just about everything you could ever imagine, and The Second City played a huge role in the development of the great American retail chains (both Montgomery Ward and Sears started here). We think you'll find that the variety and glamour of the boutiques available in Chicago just can't be beat.

The following is an outline of the local shopping venues along the Miracle Mile to help you get a feel for the area's most vital shopping areas.

• When you're shopping in The Loop area, most of the stores are located along State Street (mainly between Randolph Street south to Congress Pkwy). Here you will find T.J. Maxx, Filene's Basement, Loehmann's, and Macy's at State Street.
• Oak Street is best known for its many luxury boutiques such as Prada, Bulgari, and Salvatore Ferragamo, while nearby Magnificant Mile/Michigan Avenue area has everything from the major designer stores such as Chanel, Armani, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, and Bottega Veneta, to the lower priced fashion trend retailers such as Banana Republick, H&M, and Forever 21. You'll also find several upscale stores in this area including Prada, Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus, Prada, and Tod's.
• Armitage Avenue specializes in shops catering mainly to women's fashion such as Fox's, Art Effect, Cynthia Rowley, Lori's Designer Shoes, and the Second Child.
• River North is home to many creative shops such as Manifesto, Lightology, Orange Skin, and Merchandise Mart.
• The Wicker Park and Bucktown area has a mix of unique gift shops, antique shops, and edgy clothing boutiques, including some great clothing stores like Tangerine, Stitch, and Pagoda Red.
• Lakeview & Lincoln Park are where you'll find stores like Chicago Comics, Alley, and Tragically Hip.
• West Division Street has become one of Chicago's more recent hot shopping destinations. It's here you'll find unique shops like Bullfrogs & Butterflies, Grow (organic baby clothing), Mulberry & Me, Renegade Handmade, and Anastasia Chatzka.

Powell's Bookstore is an impressive specialty store on East 57^TH Street in the Loop that offers a huge selection of used books. As far as chocolate and tea go, Vosges Haut-Chocolat on North Michigan Avenue offers some exquisite chocolate and Adiago Teas on North State Street's tea variety is unrivaled. No matter what you're after from the Second City, it is sure to offer you its best.

One of the most interesting places that come to mind when you think of shopping in Chicago is the Christkindlmarket, but it's only there during the peak Christmas shopping season. If you're staying in one of our short term rentals in Chicago at any time from late November through December 24^th, you can visit the lovely model-German market village that is set up along the streets near Daley Plaza.

In the event the need arises, you should know that almost any Chicago short term rental that you find will not be far from a hospital or medical center. Chicago has more than thirty hospitals and medical centers throughout the city. We hope the following lists will be useful to you.

Hospitals:

• Northwestern Memorial Hospital
• Saint Anthony Hospital
• Rush University Medical Center
• Cook County Hospital
• Weiss Memorial Hospital
• University of Chicago Medical Center
• Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
• Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
• Methodist Hospital of Chicago
• Chicago Medical & Surgical Center

Schools:
If you will be staying in Chicago long enough for you or your family members to require schooling, there's no doubt you'll find many public and private options to choose from. You may want to consider doing some research on this before you choose the area in which you'll be renting your furnished apartments in Chicago.

Elementary Schools:

• Mount Greenwood Elementary School
• Bell Elementary School
• Leland Elementary School
• McDade Elementary Classical School
• Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center
• Skinner Elementary School
• Blaine Elementary School
• Norwood Park Elementary School
• Oriole Park Elementary School

Middle Schools:

• Jane Addams Elementary School
• Louis A Agassiz Elementary School
• Louisa May Alcott Elementary School
• Ira F. Aldridge Elementary School
• John P. Altgeld Elementary School
• Ariel Elementary Community Academy
• Brighton Park Elementary School
• Mount Greenwood Elementary School

High Schools:

• Chicago Vocational Career Academy High School
• King College Prep High School
• Gage Park High School
• Chicago Virtual Charter School
• Harlan Community Academy High School
• Westinghouse High School
• Lindblom Math & Science Academy
• Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences

Colleges/Universities:

• Argosy University Chicago
• Adler School of Professional Psychology
• Chicago State University
• Chicago School of Professional Psychology
• Columbia College Chicago
• McCormick Theological Seminary
• American Academy of Art
• University of Illinois
• University of Chicago

Places of Worship:

For those of you who may wish to attend weekend services during your stay, here below is a list of just a few of Chicago's places of worship.

Churches:

• Antioch Baptist Church
• Armitage Baptist Church
• Bellevue Baptist Church
• Douglas Park Baptist Church
• Mayfair Lutheran Church
• Mount Olive Lutheran Church
• Mt. Greenwood Lutheran Church
• Pine Avenue United Church
• Edgewater Presbyterian Church
• Wesley United Methodist
• Ravenswood United Methodist
• Calvert House (University of Chicago)
• Holy Name of Mary Church

Synagogues:

• Beth Itzchok of West Rogers Park
• K.I.N.S. –Knesseth Israel of North Shore
• Lake Shore Drive Synagogue
• Chicago Sinai Congregation
• Central Synagogue of Chicago

Mosques & Islamic Centers:

• Islamic Center of Chicago
• As-Salaam Center of Chicago
• Makki Masjid Chicago
• Jamia Masjid Chicago