Planning a trip to Chicago? Yes, you should take a selfie in front of The Bean in Millennium Park, seek out the stunning Monet paintings at the incredible Art Institute and take a breathtaking ride on the Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier.

But if you really want to experience the city like a local, get out and explore Chicago’s neighborhoods. There are 77 to discover and they all offer their own charms. Most can be reached via the L, the CTA’s cheap and easy-to-use elevated train system that can whisk you around town quickly. It’s made up of eight different lines, delineated by color.

Some lines offer stunning views of the city, such as the Brown Line that snakes through the Loop’s canyon of skyscrapers and passes over the scenic Chicago River. Others land you right in the middle of the action, including the Blue Line stops in Wicker Park and Logan Square...