2018 W 21st Place

Lower West Side

Originally a gateway for immigrants coming to the City of Chicago, the Lower West Side has hosted many distinct ethnic groups, all of which have left a specific mark on its smaller neighborhoods. The most well-known of these, Pilsen, was actually named after a city in the Czech Republic, from which most of its residents once hailed. Most members of the community were primarily working-class at the time, laboring in nearby stockyards and factories, while the current population is much more ethnically and economically diverse. Home to numerous historical districts and unique Pilsen-style houses, simply walking around this community serves as a cultural lesson. The cuisine here is as authentic as can be, so much so, that residents from other parts of the city make their way over here just to try it! Pop into the free neighborhood museum on the weekend, grab a bite to eat from a local joint, and hob on one of many buses or the CTA Pink or Orange Lines if you plan to ventur