The Loop
4.5
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This 35-block district in downtown Chicago is the commercial core of the city and home to some of its most iconic buildings and artworks.
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The area
Neighbourhood: Downtown / The Loop
Often visitors' first stop in Chicago, The Loop is a good starting point to sample the city's energy and flavor. This central business district boasts Michelin-rated restaurants, upscale hotels, premier shopping, and enough arresting architecture to keep your camera busy for hours. You won’t find too many photo galleries of downtown Chicago without a shot of Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. A stunning skyline coupled with cultural attractions like the Art Institute of Chicago present a Downtown where work and play peacefully coexist.
How to get there
- Harrison • 2 min walk
- Harold Washington Library – State/Van Buren • 6 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,263 reviews
Excellent
747
Very good
415
Average
80
Poor
19
Terrible
2
jgbtravels
Louisville, KY4,671 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
Unfortunately Covid and perhaps the protests have led to a number of businesses being closed on State Street just south of Macy’s (Formerly Marshall Field’s). There seems to be many empty storefronts along this area. However, it’s a bit better along Michigan Avenue where you can enjoy the architecture. Hopefully as restrictions are lifted these empty storefronts will be occupied as more tourists visit the area and more workers return to The Loop. Other than visiting the Art Institute and the Contemporary Museum of Photography we didn’t spend much time in area this visit.
Written 26 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
doctorfoxtrot
Taguig City, Philippines13,164 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
A huge radius encompassing everything. From shops , restaurants, convenience stores , hotels , theaters , historical buildings. Seeing an upward train , it reminds you of typical downtown. Be wary however of occasional sketchy situations at certain areas specifically at night time .
Written 12 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JeffBreedlove
Atlanta, GA4,509 contributions
Jun 2019
Love the Loop. We especially enjoyed the walks along the river. This is fun and safe way (at least the the daytime) to explore Chicago. There are so many photo ops and so many ways to enjoy the Loop that it deserves several visits.
Go Enjoy!
Go Enjoy!
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kbharti101
Mumbai, India50 contributions
Aug 2022
Must visit when in Chicago. Lot of Bars and Restaurants, and options for Public transport. Numerous busses, and multiple train lines. Buying a Ventra Card should be the first thing on your to do list when you arrive Chicago. Buy it from any train station and start using the busses and trains. Saves a lot of money. Ventra Card (must buy).
Written 14 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Razorfish
Little Rock, AR5,284 contributions
Jul 2022 • Business
My wife and I made our first trip to Chicago this past July on a business conference that I attended. We stayed in the North Loop on the River, which was a very central location for restaurants and tours. We went to the Art Institute, Millennium Park, the Magnificent Mile, Willis Tower Skydeck, and a Cubs and White Sox game. Overall, it was a great trip.
Written 1 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
slstraveller
Panama City, Panama145 contributions
Feb 2020
Really nice city, loved Chicago!
I had a good weather for be winter, had a nice walk around and enjoy the great architecture. Is amazing the mixes of the building designs. Easy acces by train. I really enjoyed my stay
I had a good weather for be winter, had a nice walk around and enjoy the great architecture. Is amazing the mixes of the building designs. Easy acces by train. I really enjoyed my stay
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Irina
United States14,053 contributions
Dec 2019
To the south from Chicago River, across from DuSable Bridge and N Michigan Ave, lies the downtown part of Chicago - known as the Loop. It is a very exciting place to visit, even in winter months. We were there last December, 2019 - a great time to enjoy this bustling city and its vibrant life. The Loop is commonly referred to as a business part of town. You can visit its famous shops (classic Macy's on State St, shops mall at Block 37, and many others), enjoy its theaters with 'Broadway in Chicago' program - i.e. pre-Broadway run of the latest plays and musicals, visit various types of excellent old and modern restaurants, admire contemporary outdoor art by famous artists (Calder, DuBuffet, Picasso, Miro, and many others), visit a grand Chicago Symphony, or spend a day (or more!) at the Art Institute of Chicago - a real gem of a museum ... There's so much to see and to enjoy! Willis Tower is one of constant attractions in the Loop.
It's very convenient to move around the area, using a well-developed Chicago Railway system (CTA), or the underground Pedway system, highly usable during cold or rainy days.
We stayed in a historic Palmer House Hilton Hotel (built in 1871), that is right in the center of the Loop, close to all the main attractions of the city, it was a party time in the lavishly decorated hotel, hosting a lot of guests from different parts of the world.
The east part of the Loop, that is close to Lake Michigan is probably more enjoyable in warmer weather - but I still managed to take some photos in Millennium Park, with stunning skyline views of the city.
I can talk about Chicago forever, because I love it. So, if you you are into a non-stop life-style of a big, modern city - the Loop is just the right part of Chicago to visit, to explore, to enjoy and to remember! ...
It's very convenient to move around the area, using a well-developed Chicago Railway system (CTA), or the underground Pedway system, highly usable during cold or rainy days.
We stayed in a historic Palmer House Hilton Hotel (built in 1871), that is right in the center of the Loop, close to all the main attractions of the city, it was a party time in the lavishly decorated hotel, hosting a lot of guests from different parts of the world.
The east part of the Loop, that is close to Lake Michigan is probably more enjoyable in warmer weather - but I still managed to take some photos in Millennium Park, with stunning skyline views of the city.
I can talk about Chicago forever, because I love it. So, if you you are into a non-stop life-style of a big, modern city - the Loop is just the right part of Chicago to visit, to explore, to enjoy and to remember! ...
Written 29 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Milton Kanno
Sao Paulo, SP9,892 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
The Loop is literally the eye of the tornado, everything works in this area. Companies, restaurants, theaters, stores, all in one group of blocks. Millenium park gives a touch of nature and modern at the same place. Great neibourhood.
Written 14 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
boondogglellc
Chicago, IL24 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
The Chicago Loop is really a wonderfull place to visit with the majority of Chicago's best attractions within walking distance or a short cab or bus ride. Multiple museums, extensive shopping options, theaters, more restaurants than you could visit in a year and of course its all right on the magnificent lake front. There are a few things that can make a wonderful trip into just a so so one. First is the cost of parking, it is outrageous whether it is in a parking garage or on the street and the parking enforcement people are everywhere looking for that foolish person who can't tell time. Second is the fact that every corner seems to have a homeless person soliciting money and they can be very persistant, intimidating and at times down right offensive. Third, just as in any big city pickpockets abound. Do not leave ANYTHING unattended and keep purses and wallets tucked tightly. Was told one of their favorite targets are purses hanging on the backs of chairs in restaurants and do not walk around using your cell phone. Snatching them seems to be a favorite past time in the windy city. Again, chicago is a big city with big city problems. Their police department seems to be extremely short handed so be extra cautious in certain parts of the loop at night. The loop is full of underground passageways, tunnels, alleys and low light areas. Avoid these at all cost. Even in mainstream areas like the Michigan Avenue shopping district weekend evenings bring out roving groups of youths causing havoc and in many cases causing injury to pedestrians. All in all the loop is a great place to visit . . . If you keep your wits about you.
Written 20 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MathurS11
India997 contributions
Sept 2016 • Business
The Loop area of Chicago is an absolute architectural marvel reflecting the true disposition of an international metropolis.
The area is named so because it was bound by an extensive rail and cable car network when downtown Chicago was being developed. It is now a prominent business hub with a number of international corporations setting up their offices in the area.
The Chicago skyline itself boasts of some of the tallest buildings in the world. Some other renowned buildings in the Loop are the Willis Tower (former Sears Tower), The Chicago Tribune building and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
The northern part of the Loop is home to the famous shopping area called Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue. World's leading retail stores, banks and hotels are located in this area.
The Loop area, overall, is definitely not one to be missed when visiting Chicago.
The area is named so because it was bound by an extensive rail and cable car network when downtown Chicago was being developed. It is now a prominent business hub with a number of international corporations setting up their offices in the area.
The Chicago skyline itself boasts of some of the tallest buildings in the world. Some other renowned buildings in the Loop are the Willis Tower (former Sears Tower), The Chicago Tribune building and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
The northern part of the Loop is home to the famous shopping area called Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue. World's leading retail stores, banks and hotels are located in this area.
The Loop area, overall, is definitely not one to be missed when visiting Chicago.
Written 17 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a station accessible by elevator for a wheelchair?
Written 15 July 2019
Unfortunately, many stations are not equipped with an elevator. The following CTA 'L' train stations are NOT wheelchair accessible. Users of wheelchairs and those who cannot ascend long flights of stairs should not attempt to utilize these inaccessible stations, many of which are in the downtown "Loop."
BLUE Line — Addison, Austin, Belmont, California, Chicago, Cicero, Clinton, Damen, Division, Grand, Harlem, Irving Park, LaSalle, Monroe, Montrose, Oak Park, Pulaski, Racine, Washington, Western
BROWN Line — LaSalle/Van Buren, Randolph/Wabash, State/Lake
GREEN Line — Adams/Wabash, Austin, Madison/Wabash, Oak Park, Randolph/Wabash, Ridgeland, State/Lake
ORANGE Line — Adams/Wabash, LaSalle/Van Buren, Madison/Wabash, Randolph/Wabash, State/Lake
PINK Line — Adams/Wabash, LaSalle/Van Buren, Madison/Wabash, Randolph/Wabash, State/Lake,
PURPLE Line — Adams/Wabash, Central, Dempster, Foster, LaSalle/Van Buren, Madison/Wabash, Main, Noyes, Randolph/Wabash, South Boulevard, State/Lake
RED Line — Argyle, Berwyn, Bryn Mawr, Clark/Division, Harrison, Jarvis, Lawrence, Monroe, Morse, North/Clybourn, Sheridan, Thorndale, Wilson
YELLOW Line — All stations on the Yellow Line are fully wheelchair accessible.
Go to the website for wheelchair travel and search Chicago public transportation for more information. I copied the above information from the website for you. Trip Advisor does not allow website links to be posted here.
Written 17 July 2019
Is there a pass you can purchase for transportation around Chicago, trains etc..
Written 20 October 2016
Yes. The Chicago Transit Authority sells day passes for $10 and three day passes for $20. Google the CTA for more info. By the way, Chicago now uses a Ventra Card that costs an additional $5 but you can cash it in at one ad the stations before you leave I believe. Or you can keep it if you are coming back to Chicago in the future. You tap in to use it at the turnstiles. This is very similar to the Oyster Card used in London. Oh, the day pass is good for 24 hours from the time you first use it. Just google the CTA for videos of how to use it and fares, etc.
Written 20 October 2016
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