When someone tells you they are from Chicago, they might actually hail from the wider Chicagoland area—the sprawling network of suburbs that spill miles out beyond the city proper.

The term “Chicagoland,” initially popularized by Chicago Tribune Col. Robert R. McCormick, first referred to the city and surrounding land that produced resources like grain and lumber. Today, the boundaries of Chicagoland are slightly nebulous, but generally refer to the city and ring of suburbs accessible within 60 minutes of the city.

The City

Chicago is one of the largest cities in the country, but residents quickly become accustomed to breaking it up into a handful of sections: downtown, North Side, South Side, and West Side.

Downtown Chicago is the regular stomping ground of office workers, commuters, tourists, and residents alike. This part of the city is comprised of neighborhoods like the Loop, West Loop, South Loop, River North, and Streeterville. This part of the city is known for its skyscrapers (both office and residential) and major landmarks like Millennium Park and Museum Campus.

The North Side is made up neighborhoods like Edgewater (a pet-friendly haven), Logan Square (home of oh-so-many coffee shops and restaurants), and Lincoln Park (Lincoln Park Zoo and North Avenue Beach).

South Side neighborhoods include Bridgeport (White Sox country), Hyde Park (seat of the University of Chicago), and Beverly (a neighborhood known for its strong community bonds), just to name a few.

North Shore Suburbs

The aptly named North Shore section of Chicagoland is generally considered to be a collection of suburbs on the lake just north of the city, including Evanston, Winnetka, and Wilmette.

Evanston is a popular option for homebuyers who want to trade city living for suburban comfort without leaving Chicago too far behind—you can get to the Loop from Evanston on the CTA Purple Line in just under an hour. Winnetka is likely familiar to John Hughes fans—the “Home Alone” house is still standing in the suburb. Wilmette is known as a family-friendly suburb with amenities like beaches and bike paths.

Northwest Suburbs

When suburban transplants connect with one another in Chicago, they often use shorthand to talk about where they grew up. Saying “I’m from the northwest suburbs” will likely ring a bell, even if the name of the specific burb doesn’t. In the northwestern section of Chicagoland, you will find suburbs like Niles, Arlington Heights, and Schaumburg.

Niles, located just about 15 miles from downtown Chicago, is often noted for its replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but it is more than its quirky landmark. This northwestern suburb is also known for its shopping options and local festivals.

In Arlington Heights, you’ll find the Arlington International Racecourse, which is as close as you’ll come to the spirit of the Kentucky Derby without actually being in Kentucky. Schaumburg has a lot to offer families with kids (Legoland and a Medieval Times), as well as plenty of wide open space, like the Gray Farm Park and Conservation Area.

Chicago Southland

Just as the name suggests, Chicago Southland comprises the communities located to the south of the city. Notable among these communities are Chicago Heights, Oak Lawn, and Tinley Park.

Chicago Heights is bisected by miles of forest preserve land, including Indian Hills Woods, Wilson Woods, Halsted Woods, and Joe Orr Woods. The neighborhood also has two golf courses. Likewise, Oak Lawn has hundreds of acres of recreational space. This suburb is also convenient for frequent fliers—it is a quick drive over to Midway Airport.

Even committed city dwellers may be familiar to Tinley Park, thanks to the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. This outdoor music venue attracts some big names that draw people from both Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

Western Suburbs

The western suburbs of Chicago are found off of the BNSF Metra Line, which runs in and out of Union Station. Along the heavily trafficked commuter line, you will find suburbs like Lisle, Downers Grove, and Naperville.

Lisle is a scenic western suburb in large part because of the Morton Arboretum. The arboretum is a beautiful place to simply walk through, but it also hosts regular educational and fun events for both kids and adults.

Downers Grove is a favorite suburb among single professionals and families with members who work downtown. The Metra will take Downers Grove residents to Union Station in about 30 minutes. At home, the suburb has a welcoming downtown complete with a classic movie theater (the Tivoli) dating back to the 1920s.

Though further from downtown Chicago, Naperville makes up for its distance from the city with its own enviable downtown. This western suburb’s downtown has a river walk, a posh hotel, and enough restaurants and bars to give residents something new to try on a regular basis.