Explore Now: Chicago Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt for Teens

Grades 7-12

Explore Chicago’s unique neighborhoods with Google Maps and a list of city staples.

Chicago is a beautiful, diverse city full of historic sites and fun activities, but sometimes living in a suburb can make such a big city feel distant and overwhelming. While there are over 50 neighborhoods, tourists will have you believe that downtown is the only area worth seeing: that couldn’t be further from the truth. 

By the end of this game you’ll have a new appreciation for Chicago’s South, North, West, and East side, plus a bucket list of places to visit this summer! Most neighborhoods are only a car, train, or bus ride away from Niles.  

Now let’s play! 

Get a piece of paper and something to write with and create a list numbered 1-20. Using this Chicago Neighborhoods Google Map, look up the below Chicago locations and write down the neighborhood they’re located in according to the map. For an extra challenge, see if you can eyeball what side of the city they’re on. Once you’re done, check your answers here: 

Answer Guide

Each location is linked to a website with more information. You don’t need to visit the link to play this game, but I highly encourage exploring if something seems interesting to you. Good luck! 

1. Thalia Hall
2. Girls Rock! Chicago
3. The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
4. Women & Children First 
5. Young Chicago Authors
6. Center on Halsted
7. The Logan Theatre
8. Bud Billiken Parade
9. Garfield Park Conservatory 
10. Stony Island Arts Bank
11. American Writers Museum 
12. Chicago Torture Justice Center 
13. Lillstreet Art Center 
14. Gwendolyn Brooks House
15. Blackstone Bicycle Works 
16. Original Rainbow Cone
17. Liberation Library
18. Jane Addams Hull-House Museum 
19. Bucket O’ Blood Books and Records
20. The Second City

Feel free to email teen@nileslibrary.org if you’d like some Chicago recommendations! We can find you history books, albums by Chicago musical artists, documentaries, links to more cool locations, and much more! There are lots of Library and online resources about our incredible city, many specific to the neighborhoods this game explores. 

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