Kenwood Chicago, IL

A need for withdrawal from crowded urban life has driven the evolution of Kenwood and helped to preserve its cultural landmarks despite residential development. A Scottish landowner initially settled the land in the 1850s, paving the way for other well-to-do families searching for a gentrified haven. Including Kenwood in the expanding Illinois Central Railroad route opened the door to even greater prosperity as more families arrived and built lavish homes.

Improving transit options in the area led to a greater influx of apartment developers looking to attract lower income families, but population increases simultaneously changed the economic and social landscape of Kenwood. From the 1940s to 1970s, urban renewal efforts and historic recognition helped restore the community to its former affluence. In modern times, Kenwood's reputation soared after President Barack Obama purchased a home in one of its historic neighborhoods a few years prior to running for office.

Kenwood's arts and culture scene is small, considering the neighborhood's popularity. The stunning artistry of local high rises and historic buildings serves as a living museum for new arrivals and long-time residents alike to marvel at. For interactive entertainment, visit the Hyde Park Art Center to view innovative social exhibitions come to life through evocative visuals. The owners repurposed a saloon to build this creative art center where community members take classes to learn diverse skills, ranging from digital art to pottery making. Annual galas, fundraisers and moving screenings provide the opportunity to mingle with other art lovers and meet some of the local talent featured in the exhibits.

Kenwood's small cluster of eateries may not satisfy hardcore foodies, but it provides a basic sampling of American and ethnic foods to appease flexible appetites. Drive around East 47th Street and Kenwood's northwest corner for your pick of American, Asian, Italian and Latin American cuisine.

Kenwood is not, however, without its own culinary gems. When you want an alternative to beef and pork, have a juicy slab of barbecue ribs at Just Turkey. If you haven't guessed, every dish spotlights lean turkey, cutting back on the high-cholesterol ingredients found in many fast food joints without sacrificing flavor. Find everything from turkey lasagna, tacos and Italian sandwiches to creamy turkey soup. Never worrying about breaking the bank at this affordable restaurant; you can easily fill up on a generously priced platter of turkey tips and French fries.

Norman's Bistro delivers sweet respite after a long day of work with its sociable beverage lounge and masterful fusion of Cajun, Creole and Brazilian cuisines. Locals pack the house in the evening for a taste of authentic chicken, lobster and shrimp gumbo topped with a steamed rice ball. Sit inside the main dining area if you prefer feasting on flame-grilled lamb, catfish and salmon cakes with the smooth sounds of an onsite DJ setting the island mood. Norman's Bistro covers your need for a nightly drink with a full-service wine bar. Stop by on Sunday mornings for a Southern-inspired brunch or Sunday evenings to listen to live jazz while sipping one of the restaurant's signature cocktails.

You won't find many options for local bars or clubs, so plan to make a 10- to 20-minute drive out to Hyde Park, New City, Bronzeville or Grand Boulevard for nighttime entertainment.

Residents of Kenwood mainly rely on personal vehicles to commute and reach shopping destinations. If you live on the east side, hop on South Lake Shore Drive for a fast 15-minute drive to central Chicago. Residents living closer to the western boundary often prefer to head west to South Martin Luther King Drive and follow it north to commute to downtown businesses. East 43rd Street, East 47th Street or 51st Street also connect with the I-94 Expressway for a speedier commute to places outside Chicago.

The CTA Bus 6 and Metra Electric train stops provide public transportation to the north and south of Kenwood. Catch a bus or train at the 47th Street terminal to ride down to Hyde Park or head up to downtown Chicago. A major bike trail also runs along South Lake Shore Drive, giving bikers who don't want to wait for a bus or train a safe way to pedal up to the city.

Five main parks provide Kenwood residents with green space to fit in daily workouts, play sports or socialize. These kid-oriented parks mainly feature small playgrounds for little ones to climb, swing and jump on, but most of the facilities include some open ground to go jogging or start an impromptu tai chi session with a friend or two.

The largest location, Kenwood Community Park, functions as a sports and recreation center, keeping kids entertained with ballet lessons, art classes and afterschool programs. Spend an afternoon at this 9.46-acre park on East 50th Street playing a round of tennis on the courts or organizing a game of touch football on the athletic fields. When your family finishes exploring the gym, auditorium and spray pool, take a walk through the community garden to see agriculture in action. Be sure to check the park's event schedule in the summer to get prime seats on the lawn at the next free movie night.

In northern Kenwood, visit Kennicott Park on Lake Park Avenue. This community-oriented park is the perfect spot to mingle with new neighbors while you tone up in the fitness center. A former school serves as the field house, equipping the park with multiple rooms for hosting events and space for a kitchen, gym and dance studio. To get your dose of spectator sports, stop by on weekend nights to watch teen basketball games organized by the Windy City Hoops program.

A cozy one-bedroom apartment in Kenwood offers a sanctuary at an average monthly rent of $1,600, ensuring you're nestled right in the heart of all the excitement. If the allure of a spacious house beckons, you'll find the houses for rent in Kenwood average around $1,300, providing you with both comfort and room to flourish. For those with dreams of homeownership, Kenwood presents an inviting opportunity to lay down roots, with an average house price of $330,000.

As Kenwood is largely residential, only a handful of commercial stores populate the area, most of which are franchises that line East 47th Street and South Cottage Grove Avenue. Since the neighborhood lies within close driving distance of busy communities with more shopping traffic, residents never have to drive far to find essentials.

If you need to hunt down a new pair of heels or running shoes close to home, travel about three blocks past the Kenwood southern border to Wesley's Shoe Corral at Hyde Park Shopping Center. The store stocks high-quality brands at affordable prices, so you can feel guilt-free leaving with a pair of leather boots or summer sandals. The friendly staff members happily answer questions and assist customers with shoe fittings, especially when you need comfortable shoes to ease foot pain.

For light shopping, make Zaleski & Horvath MarketCafe on East 57th Street your neighborhood spot. Stock up on everyday foods ranging from artisan bread to fresh produce. The owners make an ongoing effort to support the community by featuring local products. Before you leave, put in a quick lunch order at the cafe for sweet potato and chorizo soup or a roasted turkey panini loaded with pesto and red peppers. All the menu items have clever names or pop culture references, making it easy to remember your favorites on the next trip.

If you’re looking for a unique gift or furnishing for your home, look no further than Faie African Art on East 43rd Street. The store is filled with one-of-a-kind sculptures, wall hangings, knickknacks, fiber arts and furniture, all from the continent of Africa. The store owners' purpose is to make quality African art available to everyone.