Even in the busiest of cities there are pockets of peacefulness and refinement that help slow you down and appreciate your surroundings. Having been born and raised in downtown Chicago, I’ve always sought out these soothing sanctuaries.

One of my favorite places to wander is Chicago’s Gold Coast—which officially begins at Oak Street, the farthest northern street off Michigan Avenue, and runs north along the lake until North Avenue, the beginning of Lincoln Park.

You’ll find yourself marveling at beautiful landmarked Victorian mansions and perfectly manicured gardens. One of the oldest and wealthiest streets in Chicago, it was home to many a famous writer, industrialist, architect, and socialite—and it still claims its fair share of Chicago’s elite.

Explore

Outside the International Museum of ISurgical Science / Photo by Alice Rich

Start on shady Astor Street and you’ll come across the James Charnley House (1365 N. Astor), one of the few residential spaces built by the famous architect Louis Sullivan and his young apprentice Frank Lloyd Wright in 1892. Open to the public, it’s a true beauty and hints of Wright’s Prairie style to come.

Head two blocks north and a block east along the lake and you’ll come across the International Museum of Surgical Science. Housed in a 1917 mansion built for a local social socialite and modeled after Versailles, it’s home to some intriguingly gruesome early instruments used in Eastern and Western medicine as well as more than 5,000 rare medical texts. Bonus: The views of Lake Michigan from the museum are gorgeous.

Dine

Bathe in the Chicago sunshine at Somerset's uotdoor patio / Photo by Alice Rich

While Lou Malnati’s is a classic deep-dish must for out-of-towners, I challenge you to explore the Gold Coast’s less tourist-driven eateries.

If you’re looking for a little sophistication with your entree, Somerset is the place to be. Built incorporating the facade of the 1928 Cedar Hotel, this new sparkling 18-story boutique hotel’s popular restaurant is an oasis from city life. It features delicious lunch and dinner menus with the best crispy chicken sandwich I’ve ever tasted.

The 3 Arts Club Cafe—home from 1915 to 2010 to women studying music, painting, and drama—is now Restoration Hardware’s flagship store in Chicago. It also boasts chef Brandon Sodikoff’s (whose burger has been voted one of America’s best) garden cafe with wonderful ambience and a small but terrific menu. You can even have a glass of bubbly while you shop and wait for a table.

Shop

Oak Street is where you can find some of Chicago's finest shopping options

If you’re not in the market for household goods, some of the city’s highest-end shopping (and window shopping) lies just a few blocks away on Oak Street—shops like Hermès, Prada, Escada, Carolina Herrera, Christian Louboutin, and Barneys New York.

Author bio: Alice Rich is a foodie, explorer, and proud tourist of her own city from Chicago, IL. You can follow her adventures on Instagram!

Alice Rich

Author Bio

Alice Rich

Alice Rich

Meet My Neighborhood: Gold Coast