Luxury Car Rentals Chicago and Chinatown

If you're looking to add a little Far East charm to your Midwest vacation, Chicago Car Rentals highly recommends visiting the unique neighborhood of Chinatown. Located in the Armour Square community area of the Near South Side, the Chinatown neighborhood features tons of exciting attractions and culturally significant landmarks. Home to scores of authentic Chinese and Cantonese restaurants, the neighborhood manages to impress both the minds (and stomachs!) of those who visit it. Although Chinatown was not officially formed until the 1950s and '60s, the city of Chicago has played an important role in Chinese immigration ever since the late 1870s. Today the community continues to welcome Chinese-American residents with open arms, as well as the thousands of tourist that visit the area annually. Adding an exotic flavor to your upcoming Chicago Car Rentals vacation is easy when you visit Chinatown, so why wait! Head to the Chinatown Gateway on Wentworth Avenue today!

Building Chinatown: A Brief History

The population of Chicago's Chinatown has gradually risen ever since the first immigrants entered the city back in the late 1870s. In fact, by 1970 Chicago was ranked fourth in Chinese population in American cities, rivaling metropolises like New York and San Francisco. In the early days, Chinese settlement of Chicago was centered on Clark and Van Buren Street, just north of what was then considered to be the city's heterogeneous center, the Levee District. As Chicago's business district grew, so did real estate prices forcing immigrants out of their homes. Chinatown was therefore force to uproot, moving itself to the current Cermak and Wentworth Avenue neighborhood. Customers can see much of the neighborhood by simply driving their Chicago car rentals along these two major thoroughfares, but Chicago Exotic Car Rentals highly recommends exploring the community by foot. A second Chinese neighborhood, called "New Chinatown" is also located in Chicago on the North Side. This neighborhood attracts a large number of people of Southeast Asian heritage.

Commerce and Culture: Seeing the Sights in Chinatown

Chicago's Chinatown neighborhood is currently overflowing with exciting tourist attractions. These include everything from traditional Chinese art to modern skyscraper buildings! Prominent attractions in and around the community include the Chinatown mural, a mural showcasing the history of Chinese immigrants in the U.S.; and the legendary Chinatown Gate. Customers of Chicago Exotic Car Rentals can also explore the traditional Chinatown Square which features a variety of sculpted Chinese zodiac signs. The Pui Tak Center in Chinatown is considered to be a landmark due to its cultural resignation and the Chinese-American Museum is highly recommended for its artistic interpretations of the city's Chinese history. If you see a number of Chicago car rentals parked along the Chicago River, chances are good you're close to Ping Tom Park so pull over and enjoy the sunshine. The park is well known for their sensational Chinese Gardens. Chicago's Chinatown is also a popular center of business in the Midwest, housing many banks, restaurants and Chinese medicine stores.

Everyone Loves Chinese Food!

If you're feeling a little hungry during your travels through Chinatown, by all means pull over! Tons of exciting restaurants are located within the neighborhood providing travelers with authentic Chinese and Cantonese delicacies. Top restaurant venues in the area include Emperor's Choice, the Phoenix, Mandarin Chef and Joy Yee's Noodle Shop. Happy Chef Dim Sum House is also a favorite with locals. Thirsty travelers can also find a fantastic array of cocktails at neighborhood clubs like The Cotton Club, Tantrum and Buddy Guy's Legends. Alcock's Inn and the South Loop Club are highly recommended for late night drinks and social hours.

With so much to see and do in Chicago's Chinatown neighborhood you may find yourself wanting to stay the night. Top hotels in the area include the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, the Wheeler Mansion and the Best Western Grant Park Hotel. To learn more about Chinatown before embarking on your upcoming Chicago car rental vacation please visit www.chicago-chinatown.com.