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Visiting Obama's neighborhood in Chicago

BY JAY JONES | Los Angeles Times

December 7, 2008

Hyde Park, which is on Chicago's South Side, is a well-established, diverse neighborhood where majestic houses share the tree-lined streets with scores of brownstone apartment buildings. On a brisk autumn day, a mix of students in scruffy jeans (the University of Chicago is here) and businessmen in expensive suits mingled amiably, greeting neighbors and strangers.

Most tourists skip Hyde Park, choosing instead the popular attractions downtown, about 10 miles to the north. But this eclectic community is braced for a growing number of visitors now that Barack Obama, its favorite son, is about to ascend to the presidency.

Obama bought the large, red brick house on South Greenwood Avenue in 2005 for nearly $1.7 million. Until the final months of the presidential campaign, he would still come home most weekends to be with his wife, Michelle, and his daughters, Malia and Natasha (called Sasha).

The area has plenty of attractions, of course. The University of Chicago's fine museums draw their share of visitors, as do two Frank Lloyd Wright homes. And Obama isn't the first famous person to live here. Louis Farrakhan lives here and Muhammad Ali once did, too.

Obama has lived in the area since the late 1980s, but only recently has his home taken on a celebrity aura.

His block of Greenwood is cordoned off, and tourists - who are kept behind barricades across 51st Street - are told not to stop, even to snap a photo.

There are, however, many places in Hyde Park (and elsewhere in the Windy City) where visitors can walk in Obama's footsteps without drawing the attention of the ever-watchful Secret Service agents. Here's a sampling.

Obama's haunts

57th Street Books, 1301 E. 57th St., 800-777-1456, semcoop.booksense.com

The Obamas have been customers of this basement bookstore for years. In fact, they (and thousands of other members of the co-op) are part owners. "They still come in, with an entourage," says manager Jack Cella.

Hyde Park Hair Salon, 5236 S. Blackstone Ave. (at 53rd Street), 773-493-6028, hydeparkhairsalon.net

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, about 10 patrons a day are flocking to Barack Obama's longtime barber, Zariff, and asking for the "Obama Cut" ($21).

Burnham Park, east of where 55th Street dead-ends, chicagoparkdistrict.com

Before becoming famous, Obama and his family were frequently spotted walking through this sprawling park along Lake Michigan. Promontory Point offers views of downtown in the distance.

Basketball courts at Hayes Drive at South Lake Shore Drive

Obama has come here to shoot hoops with his brother-in-law Craig Robinson, head coach of the basketball team at Oregon State University.

Maria Pinto, 135 N. Jefferson St., 312-648-1350

The Market District shop features clothing designed by the woman who dressed Michelle Obama for the Democratic National Convention and other events.

Obama's history

University of Chicago Law School, 1111 E. 60th St.