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Yacht clubs, a golf course and beachfront access are all this Chicago neighborhood needs to attract the interest of Chicago's ultimate leisure activity-seekers. Once the summer boating season hits, you can bet this south side harbor will be a flurry of activity as crews and families take to the water for an adventurous afternoon on Lake Michigan. Many pass on the lake cruise for a relaxing game on the links at Jackson Park's 18-hole course. And if neither pastime floats your boat, head over to the Osaka Japanese Garden to reconnect with the natural world and your inner self. A word from the wise: After a bad score on the greens, a visit could prove helpful to calm the nerves and regain that important state of Zen.

Curving around the southern tip of Chicago's lakefront territory, the South Shore neighborhood offers public beaches for sunning and sand castle-building, long paved trails for jogging or walking, athletic fields and facilities for tennis, basketball, softball and working out, and open, tree-lined areas for picnics, reading, napping, or perhaps strumming the guitar. The South Shore Cultural Center also hosts many programs and events each year such as farmers markets, movie nights, cook-offs and live performances.

Serenity and tranquility are epitomized by Sauganash's pristine natural landscapes and well-manicured residential yards. Flanked by vast forest preserves and peaceful cemetery grounds, this Chicago neighborhood is nestled in one of the most beautiful areas of the city. Many enjoy just hiking through the woods and communing with the environment, but to spice up the regular routine, the community throws an annual Spring Party and Forth of July picnic and parade. And throughout the summer, everyone is welcome to attend the live musical concerts and movies in the park, all for free!

A hip cultural enclave on Chicago's north side, East Rogers Park boasts loads of theaters, community arts festivals, world-class culinary options, landmark sites, and acclaimed academic institutions. Like its diverse mix of inhabitants, East Rogers Park's residential architecture seamlessly blends classic constructions with contemporary condos to offer a charming hodgepodge of designs, preferences and living styles.

The unique circumstances of Pullman's past are what define this Chicago neighborhood today. As the first planned, company-owned town, Pullman was a model community at the time of its establishment. Now, the remnants of a small commercial district and a smattering of restored century-old buildings continue to tell the story of the pioneering neighborhood. Like taking a walk back in time, Pullman's main street is a stark reminder of another era. If you're a history buff, antique lover, or just appreciate exploring every inch of Chicago's city limits, Pullman is one quaint little area you should put at the top of your list.

Pilsen has become quite a cultural center with over a dozen separate art galleries, community theaters, two museums, a cluster of independently owned shops, ethnic bakeries and delis, and numerous restaurants offering an international array of cuisine. Supporting a large population of Latin American families, Pilsen has evolved into a popular destination for authentic Mexican dining and celebrating the arts of South America and beyond.

This far southwest side pocket of residential blocks is surrounded by spacious suburbs and landscaped cemeteries which, as you might guess, means the lifestyle out here is a little less hectic and congested than in downtown Chicago. Now that doesn't mean residents in Mount Greenwood are any less likely to have a good time than other Chicago neighborhoods, just make a stop at the local Irish pubs if you don't believe us! The vibe is always spirited, the TVs are always tuned to White Sox games, and the friendly bartenders are always ready with another round.

McKinley Park is a Chicago neighborhood where you'll find fun activities during anytime of year. There's swimming in the summer and ice skating in the winter at the community park which anchors the area and provides welcomed open space to the widely urban setting. Even though the shopping options in McKinley Park are limited, the existence of a Target seems to pick up all the slack and the diverse selection of restaurants, cafýýs, takeout joints and bars is right on mark to satisfy any craving. Home to Chicagoans of all different backgrounds, McKinley Park has become an international enclave for families from all over the city and from around the world.

Longwood Manor is the end of the line for the CTA Red Line El train, which stretches into the city's southern reaches, but Chicago's characteristic love of eating hardly stops here. Longwood Manor restaurants are known for cooking up finger-licking-good slabs of ribs, mouthwatering beer-battered cod dinners, and some of the best Jamaican jerk catfish this side of the Tropic of Cancer.

Recognized as Chicago's unofficial Mexican town, Little Village or "La Villita," is one of the best places in Chicago to appreciate the city's Latin American roots and celebrate its strong Hispanic heritage. Take your pick of delicious Mexican restaurants, which dominate the neighborhood's dining scene, or stop by the independent ýýýmercadosýýý (grocery markets) to stock up on specialty goods and foods for preparing your own customary dishes at home. In September, the Little Village observes Mexican Independence Day with a festive parade, live mariachi bands and traditional dances.

This sprawling west side Chicago neighborhood is diverse in culture and cuisine. Experiencing several shifts in community makeup over the years, the restaurants in Lawndale reflect the eclectic mix of heritage with an international array of places to dine. Choose from Italian, American, Mexican, Asian, even vegetarian. In between meals Lawndale's lovely parks system is a great locale to work off a few extra calories. Kids and adults alike enjoy the wonderful outdoor scene, fun water playgrounds and summertime showings of family-friendly movies for free.

Pockets of new construction and revitalization of the community's older 19th century homes are bringing interest back to this southern, lakeside Chicago neighborhood. Many are settling here to buy private residences and raise families outside the tight quarters of downtown Chicago. Generous community programs and special charter schools in the area also help to enrich students' lives and provide a sound educational foundation for future studies and careers.

Home to the ever-popular Museum of Science and Industry, Hyde Park has always been a well-visited area of Chicago's south side. Its lakefront public property and dozen or so other inland parks flood the neighborhood with outdoor beauty and amusement. And the slew of notable buildings and famous residential architecture (think Frank Lloyd Wright) grant an air of historic elegance and wealth that lingers amid the more contemporary structures of today.

The core of Humboldt Park neighborhood is its namesake 200-acre park. This large recreational area is more than wide open green space, local residents flock here to play sports, join dance classes, swim in the pool, see outdoor movies, attend music festivals and just enjoy nature. Still close to downtown Chicago, but far enough away to possess a distinctively unique vibe, Humboldt Park is a community all its own with strong ties to its Hispanic heritage. The streets are lined with excellent Latin American restaurants and the annual Puerto Rican Festival is one fiesta everyone will want to experience!

East Garfield Park's main attraction is the time-honored Garfield Park Conservatory, which has been around since the Victorian era. Still an excellent spot to spend a Sunday afternoon with the family, the conservatory features vegetation and landscapes from all corners of the earth. This neighborhood's interest environmental treasures extends out into the community with seasonal farmer's markets, outdoor music festivals and a 185-acre, Parisian-inspired park that hosts recreational activities and sports programs throughout the year in its iconic "Gold Dome Building."

Because this south side Chicago community is removed from the busy streets of the Loop, it offers residents block after block of private, single-family homes with quick transportation to downtown and beyond. Both the Red Line train and I-94 run right past the neighborhood, providing a straight shot to the city's center. But within Chatham's boundaries you'll discover long-established bars, a mix of cuisine at local restaurants and a number of independently-owned shops and national retail chains.

Notably one of Chicago's most historic sites, Bronzeville has deep ties to the African American community and the city's undying love of the blues. Today, many of the neighborhood's landmark buildings are hot tourist attractions. A recent renaissance has brought new life to Bronzeville's commercial and residential center where coffee shops and rehabbed condos invite Chicagoans to settle down in a culturally unique setting that was the birth bed of the classic Chicago music scene.

Just a few miles southwest of the downtown Loop, Bridgeport is home to the White Sox stadium and a wonderfully historic and cultural neighborhood. Embracing its diverse nature, this section of Chicago offers an international roster of tasty restaurants and unique shops you won't find anywhere else in the city. Bridgeport's bars and neighborhood pubs harbor a laid-back feel, although the atmosphere around U.S. Cellular Field can get pretty electric whenever the Sox are in town.

This rather suburban, tree-lined community is considered one of Chicago's safest neighborhoods (many members of the city police force and fire department live here). Sought after for its attractive residential streets, scenic parkland and friendly neighborhood vibe, Beverly is a popular spot for families and empty nesters who enjoy the verdant beauty and relaxed environment.

Located about seven miles northwest of the Chicago Loop, Avondale is an easy commute to downtown and offers a comfortable yet affordable alternative to the expensive, densely populated neighborhoods near the city's center. With plenty of dining, shopping, entertainment and recreation within its borders, there's something for everyone in this charming Chicago community.

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