Things to do in the Gold Coast include strolling through residential streets lined with historic homes, visiting a contemporary art museum, lounging at a beach with skyline views, shopping on the Magnificent Mile, and taking in the view from top of the Hancock Tower.
The Gold Coast is home to some luxurious hotel properties including the Waldorf Astoria, The Drake, and the Viceroy. This is a great neighborhood to stay in since it puts you close to many major attractions including museums, theatres, Navy Pier, and the lakefront. The train gives you easy access to the Loop, Lincoln Park, and Lakeview.
Last updated: April 2022
More about the Gold Coast:
Table of Contents
Where is the Gold Coast:
The Gold Coast is a small neighborhood on the North Side of Chicago. It’s located along Lake Michigan and borders Streeterville, Old Town, and Lincoln Park. Its boundaries are Chicago Avenue to the south, North Avenue to the north, Clark Street to the west, and Lake Michigan. (Note: the borders are often debated, and according to the city, Streeterville, Old Town, River North, and the Gold Coast get lumped together as the Near North neighborhood.)
What is the “Viagra Triangle”?
There is an area referred to as “Viagra Triangle” within the Gold Coast. This triangular section of the neighborhood where State Street, Oak Street, and Rush Street form a triangle is where you can find restaurants like Gibsons, Hugo’s, and Tavern on Rush. These are spots frequented by men of a certain age.
How to Get to the Gold Coast:
The Red Line train stops at Clark and Division and buses go down North Avenue, Division Street, and Lakeshore Drive.
Parks and Outdoor Activities:
Oak Street Beach
This smaller beach along Lake Michigan is home to the Oak Street Beach Cafe and volleyball courts. The beach is located just beside the city skyline.
The Lakefront Path
A path alongside Lake Michigan that runs north through several neighborhoods. The southern end of the path is in the Gold Coast – this section of the path offers great views of the Chicago skyline.
Washington Square
Also called Bughouse Square, this small scenic park 2.85 acre park across from the Newberry Library has a fountain and gardens.
Lake Shore Park
A 7.08 acre park with tennis courts, a soft surface running track, and a playground. In the summer the park hosts concerts and Movies in the Park.
Walk Down Astor Street
This street is a historic district and home to some of the city’s most stunning mansions. Many of the homes get elaborately decorated for Halloween and Christmas. The north end of the street will leave you near North Avenue Beach and at the start of Lincoln Park (the park, not the neighborhood).
Landmarks:
The Newberry Library
An independent research library housed in a Spanish Romanesque style building along Washington Square. Today the library’s collections include 1.5 million books, 5 million manuscript pages, and 500,000 historic maps. It is not a lending library, but reading rooms are available. The library is free and open to the public, and hosts events and exhibits.
Original Playboy Mansion
This isn’t on the official list of Chicago landmarks, but it is a fun slice of Chicago history. Built in 1899 and combining Gothic and Tudor styles, this 72 room mansion is located at 1340 North State Parkway in the Gold Coast Neighborhood. What makes this home especially interesting is that it purchased by Hugh Hefner in 1959 and was his primary residence during the 1960s and 1970s.
Hefner sold the building in the 1990s, it became a college dormitory, and was eventually converted into luxury condos. It’s just a block away from the Astor Street historic.
Historic Water Tower
This white stone water tower that contained a large water pump survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The water tower is located on Michigan Avenue just north of Chicago Avenue, in the middle of the Mag Mile.
The Hancock Tower
The Hancock Tower is located on the Magnificent Mile and is the fifth tallest building in Chicago. When it was constructed in the 1960s, it was the tallest building in the world.
The building’s viewing deck 360Chicago, provides a 360 degree views of Chicago. The space is home to Tilt, an experience where guests can experience tilting out over the streets below to get a unique view of the city below. Some people prefer to go to the top of the Hancock Tower instead of the Willis Tower so that they can enjoy the view of the Willis Tower.
The Magnificent Mile
A hub of shopping, dining, and upscale hotels that stretches down Michigan Avenue through the Gold Coast and Streeterville to the Chicago River. The Historic Water Tower, Hancock Tower, the 900 North Michigan Shops, and the Water Tower Place shopping center all are on the Mag Mile.
Museums:
Museum of Contemporary Art
This museum has a collection that includes painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, installation, performance, and moving image and sound spanning from 1920 to today. In addition to their permanent collection, MCA hosts a wide range of traveling exhibitions – some of which are hugely popular and require purchasing tickets in advance.
Charnley-Persky House Museum
A home designed by Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright that is a prime example of early modern American architecture. Tours are available.
The City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower
A small gallery that is located within the Historic Water Tower. Admission to the gallery is free.
International Museum of Surgical Science
A museum dedicated to telling the history of surgery through its collection of art and artifacts from throughout the history of medicine.
Things to Do in the Gold Coast:
360 Chicago
The observation deck of the John Hancock Tower has some of the best views of Chicago. As the name suggests, you can see 360 degree views of Chicago including Lake Michigan, the skyline, and the Willis Tower (formerly called the Sears Tower).
Tea at the Drake
The Drake is one of Chicago’s most iconic hotels and afternoon tea is served in the stunning Palm Court. Guests can choose from 17 unique blends of tea that some served with a three tiered tray filled with finger sandwiches, breads, scones, and petit fours.
American Girl Place
The American Girl Place is more than just a store selling dolls. This location offers experiences like a doll salon, personal shopping, and a restaurant.
Shopping in the Gold Coast:
The Gold Coast is the place for high-end shopping in Chicago. Designers including Dior, Hermes, Prada, alice + olivia, Tory Burch, and Jimmy Choo all have locations here. Many of the shops can be found on Michigan Avenue, North Rush Street, East Walton Street, and East Oak Street.
900 North Michigan Shops
This is an upscale mall where you will find shops like Bloomingdales, Kate Spade, Gucci, MaxMara, and Michael Kors. If you need lunch, check out Aster Hall, a beautiful food hall located on the upper floors of the mall.
Water Tower Place
A mall with more affordable shops like American Girl Place, Abercrombie & Fitch, Free People, Macy’s, and Sephora.
Music Venues:
Zebra Lounge
A piano lounge that features live music 365 days a year.
Theaters and Comedy Clubs:
The Lookingglass Theatre Company
Founded in 1988 by Northwestern University graduates, the Lookingglass Theatre showcases new plays. Currently, Lookingglass Alice, “a circus-infused trip down the rabbit hole” is on stage at this theater.
Porchlight Music Theatre
Porchlight has staged more than 70 Mainstage work and has hosted 5 world premieres in the past 27 years.
Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place
A intimate 549 seat theatre venue run by Broadway in Chicago that stages plays and musicals.
The Comedy Bar
A stand-up comedy venue within Gino’s East Pizzeria that attracts both local and national acts.
Annual Events:
If you are looking for special events, check out the MCA’s calendar of events.
Evening on Astor
Called “the world’s most elegant block party”, this annual event brings together over a thousand Gold Coast residents for a block party and fundraiser for the Gold Coast Neighbors Association.
Ghouly Park Halloween
An annual Halloween event for families that takes place in Goudy Park.
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Friday 1st of April 2022
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