Loop Survival Guide

Chicago is a city of neighborhoods. And, believe it or not, the Loop is one of them. The concrete jungle that is the Loop is undergoing a major transformation. No longer merely a place to work from 9 to 5, downtown Chicago actually has plenty to offer long after the traders go home and happy hour shuts down. Under-the-radar restaurants. A thriving theater district. Convenient shopping. Bars for every occasion. There’s so much going on, many people are now calling it home. Whether you’re a student, condo dweller, office drone or occasional visitor, our Loop Survival Guide will tell you everything you need to know to enjoy this surprisingly happening ’hood.

Get Looped: Late-night bars.

Fine diving: Undiscovered greasy spoons.

Thrown for a Loop: Last-minute shopping.

Park it: Secret parking spots.

Staging a revival: Theater District history.

Notes from underground: Mysteries of the pedway.

Living large: Living in the loop.

Oh, the places you'll go: Downtown as you've never seen it.



Downtown, broken down

Collected by Julia Borcherts. Sources: Apartment People, Chicago Association of Realtors, CAPPS/Chicago Police Department, City of Chicago, Chicago Transit Authority, U.S. Sensus Bureau, Starbucks and Colliers International.