IPW 2025: Explore Chicago Neighborhoods

We invite IPW 2025 attendees to fully experience Chicago before, during, and after the event. To make your exploration unforgettable, we’re curating a unique, immersive neighborhood experience featuring Hyde Park, Pilsen, and West Town.

These vibrant communities are home to iconic landmarks — such as the private residence of President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama —along with rich cultural and culinary diversity, dynamic entertainment, and the true spirit of Chicago

Know before you go

Buses will depart from all hotels at 6:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., heading to neighborhood drop-off locations indicated below. 

Pilsen

• Drop-off location: 1940 W. 18th St. (In front of school) 
• Buses will be waiting at the same location to return back to the hotels at 9:00 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.  

Neighborhood description:
Calling all urban explorers to come and see all the exciting things happening in Pilsen, which has been named one of the coolest neighborhoods around the world by Forbes. Rich in Mexican culture, Pilsen is a neighborhood named for the Bohemian town of Plzen (home to Pilsner beer) thanks to the original Czechoslovak immigrant community in this area. Today, this Lower West Side neighborhood overflows with music, art, culinary tradition, and nightlife. It’s home to award-winning restaurants, iconic music venues, and sensational murals as far as the eye can see! 

Tour overview:
Buses will drop you right in the heart of Pilsen on 18th Street. Once there, a local tour guide will be providing short tours for those interested, and you can cruise the corridor at your leisure and grab dinner, drinks, and specialty retail along the street. A local band playing regional Mexican music will be adding extra fun with pop-up performances for attendees and the local community. Our volunteers, community advocates, and Choose Chicago team members will be there to provide wayfinding assistance and answer any questions you might have. 

West Town

• 1950 W. Chicago Ave.
• Buses will be waiting at the same location to return back to the hotels at 9pm and 9:45pm. 

Neighborhood description:
Art aficionados and cultural savants will love this cultural melting pot known for its eclectic vibes. It’s one of the city’s hip hot spots, where you can uncover laidback taprooms, unique museums, old-school vintage shops, Michelin-star restaurants, and tons of cool art — both in the galleries and on the streets.  

Tour overview:
Buses will drop you right in the heart of West Town on Chicago Avenue. Once there, a local tour guide will be providing short tours for those interested, and you can cruise the corridor at your leisure and grab dinner, drinks, and specialty retail along the street. In honor of Ukrainian Village, an important part of West Town, a band will be playing traditional music along the street in pop-up performances for attendees and the local community. Our volunteers, community advocates, and Choose Chicago team members will be there to provide wayfinding assistance and answer any questions you might have.  

Hyde Park

• Drop-off location: 5450 S. Lake Park Ave. (Hyde Park Shopping Center lot) 
• Buses will be waiting at the same location to return back to the hotels at 9 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.  

Neighborhood description:
Hyde Park is filled with history and lots to do, even on a Tuesday night! This South Side neighborhood was the site of the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, home to former President Barack Obama, and an incubator for Nobel Prize winners at the University of Chicago — basically, history is made in Hyde Park!  

Tour overview:
Buses will drop you right in the heart of Hyde Park, steps from 53rd and 55th Streets. Once there, a local tour guide will be providing short tours for those interested, and you can cruise the corridor at your leisure and grab dinner, drinks, and specialty retail along the street. A jazz band will be playing pop-up performances for attendees and the local community along 53rd Street. Our volunteers, community advocates, and Choose Chicago team members will be there to provide wayfinding assistance and answer any questions you might have.