More than 55 million people visit Chicago each year, and most follow the same loop: Riverwalk strolls, selfies at the Bean and deep-dish detours on every corner. The city performs beautifully for visitors, but there’s another Chicago beyond the crowds. Locals know the real city is in neighborhoods that keep their charm without chasing attention.

Photo credit: Waldorf Astoria Chicago.

Chicago’s Gold Coast: History, charm and quiet wealth

Just north of the Magnificent Mile, the Gold Coast emerged during Chicago’s Gilded Age. After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, wealthy families rebuilt along the lakefront, creating a neighborhood of marble townhomes and limestone mansions that still stand today.

Despite its proximity to the city’s busiest shopping corridor, the Gold Coast feels a world

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