Chicago Loop Neighborhood

The loop is the downtown business district of Chicago. It was named for the elevated trains in Chicago, and the original area was the location within the elevated train loop. Today it includes more of the downtown area, the Loop is bordered by Michigan Avenue to the east, Chicago River to the West, Congress Parkway on the South, and Wacker Drive on the West.

Some of the historic landmark buildings in the loop neighborhood include, the The Carson Pirie Scott building designed by architect Louis Sullivan. Cast-iron ornamentation covers the first and second floor windows of the Building, a trademark of Sullivan's designs.

The Marshall Fields Building on State Street, which is now Macy's, covers an entire city block and features 4 clocks on the outside of the building. The archive located on floor 7, is a collection of items from the last 150 years. On the floor 5 is the largest unbroken example of Tiffany Favrile glass in the world, containing over 1.6 million pieces. Take the self-paced audio tours available at the visitor center.

Located at Jackson Boulevard and LaSalle Street in the Chicago Financial District is the CBOT's historical landmark Art Deco building. Stop in and discover the Historical artifacts from the early days of trading. Towards the West Side of the Loop is the Sears Tower.

Located in the Daley Center on Washington Street is the famous Picasso’s Sculpture.

The Historic Theater District is also part of the Loop and is a area with many restaurants and bars. The Landmark Chicago Theater is perhaps the most famous in the area with the familiar Chicago Marquee Sign. The Beaux-Arts style theater with its very elaborate decoration was one of the first in the U.S.

Other buildings of architectural interest in the area include, the Rookery Building on 209 S. LaSalle St., Frank Lloyd Wright redesigned the lobby of this 1885 landmark. The Reliance Building - one of the first glass clad buildings located on 32 N. State Street was the design of Architects Burnham and Root. Located on 15-17 S. Wabash Ave, The Jewelers Building is the only example of the early work of Adler and Sullivan that remains in the Loop Neighborhood.

The Civic Opera Building, home of the Lyric Opera of Chicago houses both an auditorium and more than half a million square feet of office and retail space. The the building's Art Deco-style faces the Chicago River and is recognized by it's shaped like an armchair.

Over on Michigan Avenue is the Art Institute of Chicago, a definite must see for a Chicago Visit. Another popular attraction along Michigan Avenue is Millennium Park. Also bordering the Loop is Grant Park which includes Historic Buckingham Fountain. Grant Park is home to many of the popular festivals in the city during the summer.

What is the Streetwall?
On Michigan Avenue, between 11th and Randolph Streets is often referred to as Michigan Avenue "streetwall" and has some of the best Chicago architecture.

Downtown Loop Area

• Art Institute of Chicago
• Buckingham Fountain
• Chicago Architecture Foundation
• Chicago Symphony Hall
• Lyric Opera of Chicago
• Millennium Park
• Sears Tower

Downtown Theater

• Cadillac Palace Theater
• Chicago Theater
• Oriental Theater
• Goodman Theatre
• Harris Theater
• LaSalle Bank Theater

Shopping in the Loop

• Carson Pirie Scott
• Macy's State Street

Restaurants in the Loop

• Atwood Cafe
• Aria Restaurant
• Everest
• Trattoria No.10

Entertainment

• Buddy Guy's Legends
• Ghostbar

Loop Hotels

• The Fairmont Hotel
• Swissotel Chicago

Loop Attraction Map