Gold Coast

As one of Chicago’s most exclusive neighborhoods, the Gold Coast has some of the highest-priced homes in the city (the average sales price is over $2 million) and its locals include the likes of America’s talk show queen Oprah Winfrey and off-the-wall actress Joan Cusack. Both women have multimillion-dollar residences in this posh Near North Side setting and have been spotted in the vicinity on regular occasions.

Hugging the lakefront and pushing west past Michigan Avenue to Clark Street, the Gold Coast offers a whole lot more than luxury homes and big name natives. This fashionable neighborhood is known for its high-end boutiques, world-class couture retail and the famed Rush Street restaurant district, where you’ll find Chicago’s top dining spots and most celebrated chefs. But don’t think for a second the Gold Coast caters only to the rich and famous. Rush Street gets most of its action from out-of-towners, tourists and local Chicagoans looking to satisfy their appetite with the area’s broad range of popular themed eateries and eclectic cuisine choices. Some of the favorites Hugo’s Frog Bar (features specialty seafood dishes, and yes, you can get frog legs here), and Mike Ditka’s Restaurant (an upscale steakhouse founded by “Da Coach” himself).

The Magnificent Mile borders the Gold Coast on the lower eastern edge, so shoppers know right where to go for the ultimate shopping spree. And just off the Mag Mile is Oak Street, where Chicagoans can find styles and accessories by the world’s leading designers. The two- or three-block stretch holds everything from Prada and Hermes of Paris to Kate Spade and Barneys New York. Speaking of Oak Street, the road ends just before the waterfront at the scenic Oak Street Beach. This wide expanse of sand is often packed on summer weekends with sunbathers, swimmers, volleyball players and other beach-lovers who come with friends and family to relax in the cool lake breeze and enjoy the tropical sights. And when we say “tropical” we’re not kidding! For the warm weather months they import palm trees and plant them in the sand to give this Midwest locale the feel of an island paradise.

Provided by Chicago Real Estate