If you arrive in Chicago alone, that doesn't necessarily mean you have to
spend your entire stay on your own. A lively bar scene, outstanding local
music and a burgeoning twentysomething population make the town quite
welcoming for young solo travelers. Most of the city's singles live in
neighborhoods that are decidedly hipper and slightly more economical than
the bustling center city -- Lakeview, Wrigleyville, Bucktown, Old Town and
Wicker Park, to name a few. Unfortunately, these areas, while replete with
clubs, restaurants and the requisite smattering of Starbucks, are lacking
when it comes to accommodations. But if it's location you want, book a room
on West Diversey Parkway.
If you're on a tight budget, looking to meet like-minded travelers and
don't mind scaled-down quarters, you might want to see if there's space
available at one of a handful of youth hostels scattered throughout the
city. One option is Hosteling International's Chicago Summer Youth Hostel
(731 S. Plymouth Court), which caters to seasonal backpackers and student
travelers.
