About NU/Evanston

Evanston

Evanston, Illinois is not only home to Northwestern. It is one of the most attractive and lively communities in the Midwest. A vibrant community of approximately 75,000 residents, Evanston boasts the amenities of a big city in a less hectic suburban setting.

While there are many events, activities and resources on campus, Evanston offers an alternative set of opportunities for Northwestern students. Within a short walk from campus, you can hang out at one of several coffee shops, try the Evanston Athletic Club's climbing wall, ice skate at Robert Crown Community Center or play pool and listen to live jazz at Pete Miller's Steakhouse, just to name a few examples.

The Evanston Symphony Orchestra, which plays all its concerts at Pick – Staiger Concert Hall on Northwestern's campus, was recently named "Community Orchestra of the Year" by the Illinois Council of Orchestras. Jazz fans will enjoy the entertainment at Pete Miller's Steakhouse and Nevin's Live, a live music venue downtown, offers an eclectic mix of musical performers year round.

For its relatively small size (8.5 square miles), Evanston offers a surprising number of parks – approximately 80. Many of these public spaces provide bicycle paths, picnic tables, tennis and/or basketball courts and beach access. Lake Michigan's beaches are perfect for swimming, sunning, sailing and volleyball. Evanston also has two golf courses, one public and one private.

Downtown Evanston has a mix of large retail chains as well as unique small businesses.

The state of the art Century Movie Theater boasts 18 screens and is actually two theaters in one. Mainstream cinema and the newest releases play at Century 12 Evanston while art house and foreign films dominate the offerings at the Century CineArts 6. The Theater is about a 10 minute walk from campus and offers discounted tickets to students.

Chicago

With downtown Chicago only 12 miles away and easily accessible by public transportation, Northwestern students are presented with limitless opportunities for research, internships, and exploring. Chicago's museums, parks and beaches, sports, neighborhoods, and shops provide uncommonly rich possibilities for culture and entertainment.

Recreation

The beauty of Wisconsin. The Dunes of Indiana. The largest Park District in the U.S. The one and only Lake Michigan. Chicagoland is nothing less than a recreational haven. Check out the links below to see the action.

Lake Michigan: http://www.great-lakes.net/tourism/circletour/michigan/
Wisconsin: http://www.travelwisconsin.com/
Michigan: http://www.michigan.org/
Chicago Park District: http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/

Cultural Institutions

In addition to dozens of theaters, Chicago is home to several world-class cultural institutions. Visitors can see paintings by masters like Picasso, Monet, and Matisse at the Art Institute of Chicago or explore the masterpieces of the future at the Museum of Contemporary Art. More than 8,000 aquatic animals call the Shedd Aquarium home, while the Adler Planetarium offers a glimpse into the past and future of the cosmos. The evolving natural world is on display at the Field Museum, while the Museum of Science and Industry boasts the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere.

Dining and Nightlife

Chicago offers a vast array of dining options, bars, music and clubs. See these links to find places to enjoy.

Sports

Chicago is home to several winning sports teams, includingthe Chicago Bears (football), the Chicago Cubs (baseball), the Chicago White Sox (baseball), the Chicago Bulls (basketball),the Chicago Sky (WNBA), the Chicago Blackhawks (hockey), the Chicago Fire (soccer), the Chicago Wolves (AHL hockey), and the Chicago Rush (arena football).