Luxury Car Rentals Chicago and Hyde Park

Every city has a definitive neighborhood dedicated to the pursuit of metropolitan culture and creativity. Best known as an urban playground, this neighborhood provides visitors with an atmosphere that's utterly unique, highlighting metropolitan interests that are common to that specific city. So which neighborhood is Chicago's cradle of culture? If you guessed Hyde Park, you're right. Located seven miles south of the Chicago Loop, the Hyde Park neighborhood houses a number of distinctly unique Windy City establishments including the Museum of Science and Industry and the University of Chicago. Founded in the 1850s and an independent township, the neighborhood of Hyde Park is now best known for its collection of educational facilities and cultural institutions. Intellectual types are guaranteed to feel right at home in this neighborhood, so get your thinking caps ready. Whether you're sipping coffee at the corner café or debating politics at a nightly lecture, Hyde Park is bound get you thinking differently. So go ahead - get involved during your upcoming luxury car rental vacation. Enjoy an afternoon or two in Hyde Park.

A History worth Telling

Hyde Park has always been a neighborhood worth visiting. Established in the 1850s by Paul Cornell, Hyde Park started to make its mark on Chicago's cultural scene in the 18902. Significant events at this time included the establishment of the University of Chicago by John D. Rockefeller and the arrival of the World's Columbian Exposition. Since then, the University of Chicago has grown to become one of the nation's most prestigious institutions, funding a number of exciting programs. The University even funded an urban renewal program in Hyde Park during the 1960s in order to create an "interracial community of high standards". Hyde Park has also been called home by a number of influential Chicago residents. These include Clarence Darrow, Saul Bellow and Julian Rosenwald. Boxer Muhammad Ali was also a longtime resident of the community as well as retail mogul Marshal Field. Luxury car rental clients may also be interested to note that Hyde Park has produced three US senators. A number of architecturally significant buildings are also located in the neighborhood, including works by Eero Saarinen, I.M. Pei, Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright.

Finding Your Way Around

The community of Hyde Park is based around a rather straightforward layout in which all even numbered streets are almost exclusively residential. Odd numbered streets boasts a collection of businesses, with the largest concentration located on 53rd, 55th and 57th Streets. Luxury car rental customers looking to enjoy a little retail therapy during their visit to Hyde Park should begin with a visit to 53rd Street and the area's oldest shopping center. Another charming shopping option is located just around the corner in Harper Court. Hyde Park is also known for it's collection of independent Asian restaurants on 55th Street as well as a handful of independent bookstores on 57th Street. Luxury car rental customers can also enjoy stunning views by parking at Promontory Point with extends out into Lake Michigan at 55th Street. A popular place to watch fireworks, Promontory Point showcases spectacular views of the downtown skyline and the Northwest section of Indiana.

Expanding your mind is easy in Hyde Park, so what are you waiting for? Luxury car rental customers will find the boundaries to Hyde Park between 51st and 61st Street. The eastern boundary is on Lake Michigan and the western boundary is Washington Park. Hyde Park has slowly expanded to include a small neighborhood known as Kenwood between 47th Street and 51st Street. Hyde Park is home to a handful of prominent city landmarks so don't forget to bring a camera along in your luxury car rental. Luxury car rental customers can also log onto the official Hyde Park Historical Society website at www.hydeparkhistory.org for more details.