The Loop Neighborhood Guide

Nicknamed for the elevated trains which circle downtown; The Loop is a hub for art, culture, and shopping. Lady Louise, our adorable French Bulldog mascot and the inspiration for our logo, has got tips for living your best life in the Loop. Home to more than 10 prominent universities and colleges, the loop is also a center for education. This neighborhood is bound by Lake Michigan and the riverfront, providing many bike trails and walking paths to enjoy. The 24.5-acre Millennium Park is internationally recognized for iconic sculptures like “Cloud Gate” (collectively referred to as “The Bean”) and the Pritzker Pavilion which offers free concerts and entertainment in the summer months.

Louise's paws have been hitting the pavement to bring another guide to one of Chicago's most bustling neighborhoods.

Restaurants

1. The Gage | 24 S Michigan Ave | Upscale gastropub with views of Millennium Park. Need help getting a reservation or getting around town? Check out one of these mobile apps that will make your adventures around the city much easier.
2. Revival Food Hall | 125 S Clark St | Fourteen delicious food stalls and one lively bar. Perouse the hall and let your senses choose your meal. A perfect spot for grabbing lunch alone or drinks with friends after work.
3. Russian Tea Time | 77 E Adams St | Afternoon tea service and yummy Eastern European dishes.
4. Latinicity | 108 N State St 3rd Floor | World famous Chef Richard Sandoval’s Latin food hall is also a lounge complete with a full bar and conveniently located in Block 37.
5. Eleven City Diner | 111 S Wabash Ave | This South Loop deli is the spot for Sunday brunching and fulfilling all matzah ball soup cravings. 

Bars

1. Cocktails with a view | Cindy’s, 12 S Michigan Ave | The crown jewel of rooftop bars in the city is located in the historic Chicago Athletic Association hotel, known for its breathtaking art-deco style and picturesque views from the thirteenth floor.
2. Craft beers and pub fare | Miller’s Pub, 134 S Wabash Ave | Serving up traditional pub fare and beer to the neighborhood since 1935. Today they have an expansive selection of local craft beer, imports, and spirits.
3. Dive bar with Karaoke | Brando’s Speakeasy, 343 Dearborn St | Vintage tavern that’s brought to life by nightly karaoke, this cocktail lounge is a hidden gem in The Loop.
4. Chef-driven menu & live music | Boleo, 122 W Monroe St | South American rooftop bar where the food is as irresistible as the drinks, located atop the Kimpton Gray Hotel in the Financial District.
5. Local Favorite | Monk’s Pub, 205 W Lake | This quirky watering hole, beloved by locals, stands out amongst the shiny new developments with its antique-filled charm.

Activities

1. Chicago Architecture Boat Tour | 465 N McClurg Ct | Cruise along the Chicago River a learn the rich history of our beautiful skyline along the way. Take the classic route or opt-in for an evening tour that swings by Navy Pier to watch the fireworks.
2. See a performance at the Chicago Theater | 175 N State St | A famous venue to catch A-list entertainment from music to comedy to theater.
3. View the famous Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza | 50 W Washington St | Chicago’s first major public artwork was gifted to the city by Picasso himself in 1967. Running up the slanted metal platform is basically a right of passage, no judgment.
4. Willis Tower Skydeck | 233 S Wacker Dr | Stand in a glass box suspended off the 103rd floor of the tallest building in the western hemisphere, you can see four states! Those who fear heights might want to skip this one.
5. Visit a Museum. The Loop is home to some of the most magnificent museums in the world, what interests you? The Field Museum, The Shedd Aquarium, The Art Institute, and The Adler Planetarium are all in the Loop.

Shopping in The Loop

1. Block 37 | Indoor shopping experience with a variety of fan-favorite stores like Anthropologie, an AMC DINE-IN theatre, dining options, and even access to the CTA blue line.
2. S. State St Shopping | Shops along South State include international retailers such as Sephora, Urban Outfitters, DSW, and Macy’s.

Keep it Fresh with Dry Cleaners in The Loop

Keep your "dry clean only" clothing looking fresh, The Loop has plenty of options for cleaning and tailoring.

1. Four Seasons Cleaners and Shoe Shine | 175 W Jackson Blvd
2. Hartford Plaza Drycleaners | 150 S Wacker Dr
3. O K Cleaners & Tailor | 703 S Dearborn St
4. Primo Cleaners | 899 S Plymouth Ct Suite 1

Working out in The Loop

1. The Alfred | 30 E Adams St | Sweat it out with city views. Weekly group fitness classes led by unbeatable trainers are complementary to all FLATS residents.
2. First Ascent Block 37 | This world-class climbing gym also offers yoga classes and state-of-the-art fitness equipment.
3. 190 Athletic Club | 190 S LaSalle St | This neighborhood gym includes a variety of group classes, a steam room, and lockers + laundry.
4. Franklin Street Boxing Club | 162 N Franklin St | Partners of the gym have been training all levels of fighters for a combined 30+ years.

Yoga

1. Bottom Line Yoga | 141 W Jackson Blvd Suite 750 | 20 N Wacker Dr. Suite 1325 | Both have class schedules that were formulated to accommodate the busy lives of The Loop’s professionals whether you prefer getting your workout done before, during, or after work.
2. 105F Chicago’s Original Hot Yoga | 47 W. Polk St. | Turn up the heat inside Dearborn Station, Chicago’s oldest standing train station. Instructors work with each individual to realize their yoga and health goals.
3. Room to Breathe: Yoga & Wellness Studio | 25 E Washington St Suite 1025a | A sanctuary from the busy urban surroundings. Their mission is holistic wellness, in addition to yoga classes, they also offer other wellness services.

Parks of the Loop

1. Grant Park | 337 E Randolph St | Known lovingly as Chicago’s “front yard”, this lakefront park stretches across the loop and is home to Chicago’s most iconic architecture, events, and museums.
2. Millennium Park | 201 E Randolph St | One of the most celebrated urban parks in the country and home to a sprawling landscape design that is the backdrop to many free cultural events year-round.
3. Maggie Daley Park | 337 E Randolph St | Beautiful park at the very north end of Grant Park, try out the climbing wall!
4. Lurie Garden | E Monroe St | This spectacular four-season urban garden filled with perennials includes a dramatically lit 15-ft hedge, a physical representation of Carl Sandburg’s famous description of the “City of Shoulders”.
5. Chicago Riverwalk | 1.25 Mile long recreational pathway along the Chicago River. Stop at various riverfront bars like the Tiny Tapp to enjoy a drink with a scenic view.

Grocery

Pick up your groceries from big-box or niche gourmet stores.

1. Mariano’s | 333 E Benton Pl Suite 206
2. Trader Joe’s | 1147 S Wabash Ave
3. Jewel-Osco | 1224 S Wabash Ave
4. RudiGourmand | 105 W Madison St

University and College

Chicago has many well respected educational institutions, many of which you will find in The Loop.

1. Columbia College | 600 S Michigan Ave
2. DePaul College of Law | 25 E Jackson Blvd
3. American Academy of Art | 332 Michigan Ave
4. Roosevelt University | 430 S Michigan Ave

Vets in the Loop

You won't have to search far and wide to find top-notch healthcare for your furry companions.

1. East Side Veterinary Clinic | 333 E Benton Pl Suite 205
2. Blue River PetCare | 200 W Monroe St Suite 1802

Hospital

World-class medical care is never far away.

1. Northwestern Memorial Hospital | 251 E Huron St

Daycare Options in The Loops

With so many companies located in the central business district, The Loop offers great options for childcare.

1. A Child’s Space | 1020 S Wabash Ave
2. Corporate Child Care Learning | 78 W Van Buren St
3. Kids & Company | 1255 S State St
4. It Takes A Village at River City | 800 S Wells St Suite 180