In a city as diverse and vibrant as Chicago, each of its 77 neighborhoods pulses with a unique rhythm, offering a rich mosaic of arts, culinary delights, historical depth, and resilient communities. These neighborhoods are what make Chicago truly distinctive and exciting.
What sets Chicago apart from other destinations is the vibrant character of its 77 neighborhoods. At Choose Chicago, we work closely with long-time residents, small businesses, and community organizations to ensure we authentically represent every corner of our city, inviting visitors to experience the neighborhoods we love and call home.
You can visit an authentic Mexican taqueria in Little Village, sip a cocktail in an Uptown jazz club, and explore the historic Pullman community’s worker cottages — all without leaving the city limits. No matter where you go, there’s something to do around every corner in this multifaceted “City of Neighborhoods.”
Neighborhood Strategy initiatives
The 77: A City of Neighborhoods
“The 77: A City of Neighborhoods” is a new travel series that delves into the intricate stories of five distinct Chicago neighborhoods: Uptown, Pullman/Roseland, Bronzeville, Humboldt Park, and Little Village. Through engaging narratives, historical perspectives, cultural explorations, and culinary adventures, “The 77: A City of Neighborhoods” exemplifies Choose Chicago’s innovative approach to marketing the city. The series not only aims to attract and entertain viewers but also seeks to challenge preconceived notions about Chicago’s neighborhoods by revealing the untold stories that make each community unique and vital to the city’s identity. Watch The 77: A City of Neighborhoods now.
Neighborhood brochures
Partnering with local chambers of commerce (or equivalents), Choose Chicago has developed brochures for more than 20 neighborhoods. These brochures, available in print and digitally, highlight each area’s cultural and historical character, showcasing key businesses and points of interest. If your organization is interested in receiving neighborhood brochures, please contact ecastellan@choosechicago.com or please fill out this form for neighborhood brochures.
Neighborhood Canvas: Chicago Artistic Collaborations
Choose Chicago has collaborated with esteemed artists from the city’s South and West Sides to bring you limited-edition sling bags featuring artwork that capture the unique character and cultural heritage of Chicago’s neighborhoods. This partnership is a true celebration of our neighborhoods’ vibrant community fabric and an opportunity for Chicagoans of all stripes to proudly represent their hometown. To purchase, stop by Buddy Chicago at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Choose Chicago Neighborhood Resident Influencer Network
Choose Chicago’s multi-award-winning Neighborhood Resident Influencer Network directly engages local residents to promote the small businesses, events, parks, museums, public art, and attractions that make Chicago unique. Are you a resident in one of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods? Does visiting and spreading the word about your neighborhood’s coolest spots sound like a job for you?
If you would like to be considered for participation, please fill out this form to apply for the Chicago Neighborhood Resident Influencer Network.
Holiday activations
In 2023, Choose Chicago partnered with 14 community organizations across 10 neighborhoods to enhance holiday activations in 21 locations. This was supported by a multi-channel marketing strategy, which included a customized holiday landing page, influencer engagement, and out-of-home advertising to attract visitors to these neighborhoods.
Chicago Alfresco
The Chicago Alfresco program was launched in 2021 in partnership with the City of Chicago’s Department of Transportation and generously supported by a $2.5 million grant from Diageo North America. Through this program, neighborhood organizations were asked to create active community spaces that promote outdoor dining, highlight community-focused placemaking and support community identity.
Placemaking is the iterative process of transforming common spaces into community places by cultivating a sense of ownership, belonging, and safety through community engagement, physical transformation, and the nurturing of community capacity and local leadership. Chicago Alfresco is an integral part of Choose Chicago’s push for more neighborhood tourism and one pillar of the City’s broader initiative to open streets and create places for dining, public life, community, arts, culture, walking and biking.
Thanks to generous support from Diageo, a limited number of grants will be awarded to local community organizations such as Chambers of Commerce, Special Service Area Providers, and other not-for-profit organizations for projects dedicated to outdoor public space, with 76% of funds being distributed to communities on the South and West Sides. All neighborhood locations will be open in late Spring 2022.
Mobile data portal
We’re giving neighborhood stakeholders access to customized mobile data from Near (formerly Uber Media) that shows visitor flows to our city’s neighborhoods and tourist attractions. Using this data, neighborhoods can better understand who their visitors are and how to attract new guests.
Do you think your community organization could benefit from having access to this data? Email us at neighborhoods@choosechicago.com to request access.
Community events
Choose Chicago’s Marketing and Media Relations teams regularly promote neighborhood events through our social media channels and with reporters. Make sure to submit your events to our community calendar.
