Gold Coast Chicago, IL

Originally known as the Astor Street District, this community sprang up thanks to millionaire Potter Palmer, an early landowner whose mansion still stands today. The area was mostly swampland until the Chicago fire of 1871 forced citizens to build away from the burned-out areas. Lake Shore Drive opened in 1875, and the neighborhood gained prominence.

The International Museum of Surgical Science, on the north end of the district, contains exhibits regarding medical imaging, Japanese doctors, orthopedics, nursing and polio. The museum opens at 10 a.m. every day except Monday, when it's closed.

In addition to a fine arts academy through the public schools, Gold Coast hosts the Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Arts. Evening on Astor touts itself as the world's most elegant block party for one evening every September as a fundraiser for the neighborhood association.

Enjoy plenty of restaurants in and around Gold Coast, whether you enjoy ethnic food, local eateries, fusion cuisine or historic joints. Most restaurants sit on the south side of the neighborhood along Rush Street near Elm Street, Cedar Street and Bellevue Place.

Two night clubs and the famous The Second City theater, create fantastic opportunities for nightlife. Primary Nightclub and Detention have DJ-based entertainment as the area's primary night clubs. The Second City has been entertaining people as a world-class comedy club for more than 50 years just west of Gold Coast. Most live music venues, including Mother's Too and Underground Wonder Bar, lay to the south of the neighborhood.

Jellyfish on Rush Street features Asian fusion, sushi, brunch and desserts. The bar serves specialty mixed drinks made with vodka, gin or one of 17 different brands of sake. Seaweed salad arrives at your table with fresh, edible wakame seaweed and cucumber topped with lemon vinaigrette. Try one of 25 standard sushi selections, or wander into some of Jellyfish's 15 specialty sushi rolls. The Fire & Snow roll contains snow crab, avocado, soy paper, jalapeño, salmon, lime zest and spicy ponzu. The Big Chicago roll comes with tuna, salmon, white tuna, shrimp barbecued eel, avocado and pickled cucumbers. Tuna tartare sits on top of a paste made with avocado, cilantro, onion, jalapeño and orange ponzu alongside wonton chips as an appetizer to share.

World-famous Pump Room , established in 1938 in the Ambassador East Hotel, hosted celebrities of Hollywood's Golden Age such as Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, David Bowie, Frank Sinatra and Alfred Hitchcock. Take in this upscale restaurant's history as you sip a lavish cocktail for breakfast, brunch or dinner. Pump Room selects farm-to-table, seasonal food for new American cuisine. The fried organic chicken represents a favorite of the house, served with sautéed market greens and a buttery hot sauce. The hamburger has grated farm cheddar, herbed mayonnaise and pickled jalapeños along with fries. The housemade ravioli comes with ricotta cheese and fresh herbs underneath tomato sauce. If you don't like foods with extra spices or sides, order some of the simply prepared meats, fish and chicken.

Tavern on Rush specializes in steak and seafood in an upscale atmosphere on the south side of the neighborhood. The seafood tower for two dominates your table with jumbo shrimp, seared tuna, snow crab claws, oysters and avocado-crab salad as a gigantic appetizer. If you crave steak, the 48-ounce porterhouse conquers all. During the spring time, Colorado lamb chops come with garlic demi glace and spinach-asiago au gratin potatoes. Side dishes, which may seem like meals unto themselves, include chipotle macaroni and cheese, lobster macaroni and cheese, sliced beefsteak tomato, adobo roasted corn and huge tavern onion rings.

The 3rd Coast Cafe & Wine Bar bills itself as the oldest cafe in the Gold Coast area. The place features dozens of regular live singers and musicians to complement more than 30 wines. Enjoy 12 standard mixed drinks, several craft beers and four black stout beers. The place remains open from 7 a.m. to midnight every day, so arrive any time to eat breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Feel free to stroll among the Gold Coast's many architectural wonders, historic sites and great eateries. Division Street, Clark Street and Dearborn Street mark bicycle-friendly thoroughfares, while Lakefront Trail to the east stands as the prominent cycling path. Most dwellings and buildings have driveways, so cyclists can pedal down low-traffic streets easily. Public buildings have ample free parking.

When you drive, the one-way roads Schiller Street, Goethe Street and Scott Street run east or west. Access Lake Shore Drive from Oak Street on the south side of the neighborhood. If your car breaks down or you need a ride in a pinch, call Uber or choose one of several Chicago-area taxi companies.

Chicago Transit Authority buses from route 151 pick up and drop off passengers at Lake Shore Drive and Goethe Street between 4 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. weekdays. Buses from Route 36 travel along Clark Street between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m. on weekdays.

Lincoln Park, just to the north of Gold Coast, has something for everyone. See exotic animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo, put in your canoe at the rowing canal, view exhibits on the city's rich past at the Chicago History Museum and take in the sights of nature at the North Pond Nature Sanctuary. Children love the numerous playgrounds, while leashed pooches get some exercise thanks to the miles of walkways at this free park. Several ball fields provide recreational opportunities among the 1,200 acres of the park.

The zoo holds a ball every summer as its premier fund-raising event. Musical and theatrical acts perform throughout warmer months at different venues in and around Lincoln Park.

Renters living on the Gold Coast pay an average of $2,749/month to rent an apartment, compared to the city average of $2,215. City dwellers exploring houses for rent throughout the Magnificent Mile can expect to pay around $3,000 per month. For those looking to buy, the average house is valued at $570,000, compared to the city average of $262,866.

Several local businesses and upscale boutiques call Gold Coast home. Like the restaurants, most shops sit along Rush Street to the south side of the neighborhood. Other stores have locations on Clark Street, while several high-end stores dot the landscape elsewhere. Potash Market on Clark Street represents the closest grocery store to Gold Coast.