THE LOOP

While many of the restaurants and bars in the Loop are geared towards business lunches and happy hours, the neighborhood has some amazing spots! Enjoy a dry-age bone-in ribeye with properly whipped potatoes alongside classic cocktails such as an Old Fashioned or Manhattan at Prime & Provisions. The Dearborn’s elevated American tavern fare has many of the traditional American classics, but their nostalgic dessert menu, featuring Chef Juliana’s Ice Cream Sandwiches and Cookie Pudding, will keep you coming back. 

Want your dinner and drinks with a view? Look no further than Cindy’s Rooftop on the 13th story of the Chicago Athletic Hotel. With stunning view of Lake Michigan and Millennium Park accompanied by a menu of classic comfort food and cocktails, its no wonder Conde Nast Traveler voted it one of the best rooftops bars in Chicago (check out the full article here)!

The Loop has everything you could want! 

Stunning architecture is everywhere, including historical buildings like the . Take one of the many Chicago River Boat Architecture Tours to learn all about the city’s architectural history and development after the Great Fire! 

Millennium Park is one of the most popular attractions for tourists and city dwellers alike, including the iconic Cloud Gate (“the Bean”), Maggie Daley Park, Lurie Garden, Jay Pritzker Pavilion (home to some of the most legendary Chicago Music Festivals), and the McCormick Tribune Plaza and Ice Rink. 

Head East to Lake Michigan and go for a bike ride along the Lakefront Path or take a stroll through Grant Park and take pictures by the Buckingham Fountain. Visit one of Chicago’s many museums, like the Field Museum, Adler Planterium, the Art Institute of Chicago.  Walk along the newly updated Chicago Riverwalk! Stop at one of the many amazing waterfront restaurants, hop on any one of the riverboat tours, or just take a stroll and enjoy the sites, including multiple art installation exhibits along the pedestrian trail. The lights of the city are especially stunning at night! 

The Loop is home to the renowned Chicago Theatre District is home to several classic venues that regularly run award-winning shows, including the Auditorium Theatre, a national historic landmark called “the greatest room for music and opera in the world” by Frank Lloyd Wright (check out the full history here), and the Cadillac Palace Theatre, home to pre-Broadway hits including the Producers, The Color Purple, and the Lion King. 

Soldier Field is home to the Chicago Bears Football Team (at least for now😊) and the Chicago Fire Soccer Team, but it also happens to be a popular music venue for some of the best musical artists, including Elton John, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Jay-Z. The nearby Huntington Pavilion at Northerly Island is an amazing summer outdoor venue for musical artists and DJs. Of course, you can’t mention outdoor music venues in Chicago without mentioning Grant Park and the Jay Pritzker Pavillion. The Pritzker Pavilion hosts the Millennium Park Summer Music Series, Summer Film Series, and the Chicago Jazz Festival. Grant Park is home to one of the largest and most iconic music festivals – Lollapalooza – originally created as a farewell for the band Jane’s Addiction, today it features 4 days of music from more than 170 bands across 9 stages.

Farmers Markets:

South Loop Farmer’s Market

• every Thursday 4PM-8PM (June 2nd – October 13th)
• Southeast corner of Michigan Ave & Roosevelt Road
• every Saturday 9AM-1PM (May 28th – October 15th)
• 632 S Dearborn St

Street Fests:

• Grant Park Music Festival – throughout the summer
• Millennium Park Summer Music Series– throughout the summer
• Millennium Park Summer Film Series– throughout the summer
• Gold Coast Art Fair – June
• Pride in the Park – June
• Taste of Chicago – July
• Lollapalooza – July
• Chicago Jazz Festival – September
• Chicago House Music Festival – September
• Sundays on State – July-Sept