Hyde Park–Kenwood Historic District

Hyde Park-Kenwood is a large historic district on Chicago's South Side stretching from 47th to 59th Street with hundreds of acres of residential properties. The buildings display multiple architectural styles including Spanish Colonial Revival, Prairie School, and Late Victorian designs, with sections of the University of Chicago campus integrated throughout.

After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, this area grew as a neighborhood because its elevated ground protected against flooding. This advantage attracted wealthy residents who built substantial homes, turning it into a prosperous residential enclave.

The area has long attracted creative thinkers and academics who settled in its grand homes, establishing a cultural center on the South Side. Walking through the leafy streets today, you can sense how this intellectual tradition shaped the neighborhood's identity.

The district is accessible via Lake Shore Drive and features pathways that make walking through it practical. Set aside time to explore on foot since the buildings are spread across a sizable area.

The area is known as a longtime home of former President Barack Obama before his rise to national politics. While his house is not open as a museum, it remains a quiet reminder of the neighborhood's connection to his early life.