About Gold Coast
Amongst the picturesque tree-lined streets and stunning architecture, you’ll see how
Gold Coast gets its name. While being situated along Lake Michigan, the neighborhood also boasts historic mansions and designer boutiques. In the 1980s, Gold Coast was only second to Manhattan Upper East Side as the most affluent neighborhood in the country (now sitting at 7th in the United States).
After the Great Chicago Fire, many wealthy Chicagoans decided to claim their piece of
land in Gold Coast, as it was mostly untouched by the destructive flames. Today,
architects and history buffs alike can appreciate the Astor Street District – filled with notable buildings by Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright.
During the day, check out some of the high-end retail shops, spend an afternoon in the
quirky International Museum of Surgical Science, or get lost in the expansive Newberry
Library. In the evening, locals flock to Rush street for the exquisite restaurant scene and
lively bar-hopping options.