Chicago

Trendy district

To the north of the city is Chicago's queer center: the Northalsted neighborhood, long known by the nickname "Boystown." It is considered the first officially recognized gay village in the USA. Along Halsted Street, it is marked by the rainbow-colored Rainbow Pylons. On the section between Belmont and Grace, there are over 30 bars, clubs and restaurants. If you like it quieter and more homely, you will find a second, more relaxed queer address with cafés, bookstores and restaurants in neighboring Andersonville further north.

Nightlife

The nightlife is concentrated on Halsted Street, where the offer ranges from show bars to large dance clubs. Sidetrack is a permanent fixture. For over 40 years, the bar has been an anchor of the neighborhood, with showtune nights and an expansive rooftop terrace. Dance at the Hydrate Nightclub, known for its drag shows, while the Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club combines dinner with stage programming. On long weekends, the hustle and bustle lasts from the early cocktail hours until late at night.

Beaches

Despite its inland location, Chicago has several city beaches that are located directly on Lake Michigan along the Lakefront Trail. The traditional meeting place of the queer community is Hollywood Beach in the north, near Andersonville, often simply called "Halsted Beach". The lake keeps the water cooler than the sea, and the season is limited to the warm summer months. If you want to combine sun, volleyball and skyline views, this is the place for you.

Best time to visit

The most pleasant time to visit Chicago is between June and September, when the weather is warm and life shifts outside. These months also include the big community events: the Chicago Pride Fest, the Chicago Pride Parade with around one million spectators, and the Northalsted Market Days, the largest street festival in the Midwest. The winter, on the other hand, will be very cold and windy. Chicago owes its nickname "Windy City" to this weather. Spring and autumn are milder and quieter, but less reliable due to the weather.

Arrival

Chicago is connected by two airports: the large hub airport O'Hare International in the northwest and the smaller Midway International in the southwest. From both, the "L", the city's elevated railway and subway network, leads directly to the city centre; from O'Hare you take the Blue Line, from Midway the Orange Line. Northalsted can be reached by taking the Red or Brown Line to Belmont or Addison stations. In the city itself, you can easily get around by bus, train and on foot. A rental car is rarely necessary for a pure city trip.

Safety & LGBT Rights

Chicago is located in the US state of Illinois, which recognizes same-sex marriage and prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity by law. The city is considered cosmopolitan. In Northalsted and Andersonville, openly lived queerness is part of everyday life. As in any big city, it is advisable to pay attention to the surroundings at night in the outskirts and to keep an eye on valuables. In the trendy and inner city area, queer travelers usually move around in a relaxed manner.