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Overview
When you picture Chicago, you're probably envisioning the Loop. Known for its historic architecture, the Loop boasts office buildings, residential towers, and hotels interspersed throughout the neighborhood. While the Loop is certainly Chicago's center for business, museums, and monuments, the multitude of parks and festivals prevent the area from taking itself too seriously.
Millennium Park is home to Cloud Gate, or "The Bean" as it's more popularly known, while Maggie Daley Park offers hours of entertainment for the young (or just young at heart). You can enjoy a free concert at The Jay Pritzker Pavilion or visit the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Architecture Foundation, or the Chicago Cultural Center for an educational afternoon. Chicago's theaters (and that famous "Chicago" marquee) are also at home in the Loop, as is the start of the Magnificent Mile. While you won't find many residential pockets or tree-lined streets in this bustling neighborhood, its residents enjoy total immersion in the energy and excitement of Downtown.
Homes in Loop
Where To Live
The Loop is a fairly small area by square mileage, but large when you consider that most of the housing options are high rises. Residents pay for the privilege of having practically non-existent commutes to work, but condos by the lake might run you a bit higher on your budget. Farther West, what you sacrifice in views is made up for in savings.
Price Vibes
Though space is certainly at a premium in this neighborhood, affordable options are available for those willing to sacrifice a view or live without the latest renovations. While prices in the Loop are similar to what you might find in Streeterville, you can discover more options for your budget by looking in the South Loop. However, for residents who believe location is everything, you cannot beat the centrality and convenience of the Loop.
Around Loop
Where To Eat
Because of its central location, a lot of the dining in the Loop is aimed at businesspeople. Health-conscious cafes make for a peaceful lunch break, and upscale steakhouses are the ideal backdrop for an important business dinner. In the warmer months, a farmer's market calls Daley Plaza home, making it easier than ever to get farm-fresh food without ever leaving the city.
Friday Night Fun
Home to Chicago's Theatre District, the Loop contains over a dozen theaters where you can catch anything from a small, experimental showpiece to a famous Broadway musical. This neighborhood is also home to the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Joffrey Ballet, making it an epicenter for culture and the arts.
The Perfect Sunday
Head to a free concert in Millenium Park, or one of the city's many festivals, such as the Christkindlmarket that takes over the Loop every Christmas season with authentic European goods. Try shopping at one of the many stores in the area, or take up ice skating under Cloudgate, one of Chicago's most famous statues--better known by locals as "The Bean."
Transportation Options
This highly trafficked neighborhood was designed to accommodate commuters from every corner of the city. The 'L' runs in a loop (hence the neighborhood name) around the center of the area, making it easy to reach any destination. Millennium Station and Van Buren Street Station house the Metra for those navigating to Chicago's Far South Side and multiple bus routes traverse the area, including a route running west to Ogilvie Transportation Center.
You can also walk anywhere in the Loop without raising your heart rate. The Pedway, an underground tunnel system, spans 40 blocks and makes walking to work practical regardless of weather patterns. Though you technically can drive in the Loop, unless you enjoy playing chicken with hordes of pedestrians and seasoned cab drivers, you will want to avoid being in a car at rush hour.
You can also walk anywhere in the Loop without raising your heart rate. The Pedway, an underground tunnel system, spans 40 blocks and makes walking to work practical regardless of weather patterns. Though you technically can drive in the Loop, unless you enjoy playing chicken with hordes of pedestrians and seasoned cab drivers, you will want to avoid being in a car at rush hour.
Living Here
Locals Love
The ease of transportation in and out of the city • How quaint the neighborhood feels around the holidays • Having a walkable commute to the business district
Residents Say
Living in the Loop means you're in the center of everything. The lake and river are always a short walk away and there's really easy access to world-class museums, shops, and restaurants. It's also the ideal spot to see the amazing skyline and all the architecture the city has to offer.
- Loop Resident
Homes for Sale
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