South Loop - Chicago, IL Area Guide

The South Loop's residential area thrived for years until the Great Fire of 1871 destroyed many of the homes. Railroad construction aided in the reconstruction and invigoration of the neighborhood following the damage, and it brought new residents and businesses to the area. The year 1901 marked the grand opening of Grant Park. This park would soon become the heart and livelihood of the neighborhood.

South Loop has since acted as home to many great Chicago residents. Some noteworthy names include Former Mayor of Chicago Richard M. Daley and NBA player Juwan Howard.

Museums represent South Loop's biggest legacies and strengths. The Museum Campus grounds allow access to the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium. If you plan to visit the Field Museum, keep in mind that temporary exhibits coming through the museum draw big crowds, and purchase tickets well in advance.

When it comes to providing a thriving arts scene, South Loop doesn't disappoint. Arie Crown Theatre at McCormick Place and the Auditorium Theater act as the two main play venues. For cheaper rates, catch a performance at The Music Center, the performance venue for Columbia College's music and theater students.

The annual events that occur in South Loop have built a reputation over time. Huge festivals draw crowds for live music and local cuisine. Music festivals represent the neighborhood's biggest strength. However, the neighborhood hosts other festivals worth seeing. Manifest Urban Arts Festival serves as a showcase for Columbia College's students. This festival in particular displays new, cutting-edge sounds with four music stages and an extended art walk.

South Loop is home to a diverse selection of dining options, from Cuban cafes to musical hot spots like Buddy Guy’s Legends where performers like Eric Clapton and David Bowie once played. For a good place to grab a beer and watch the White Sox game, head to a local pub or tavern and cheer on the home team with a draft beer and pizza slice in hand. For a nicer night out, check out a cocktail lounge after work and find specialty drinks, such as chocolate-covered banana or lemon meringue martinis.

South Loop sits in a prime location for train travel in the city. Receiving service from three CTA lines, the neighborhood contains two train stations, one on Harrison Street and the other on Roosevelt Road. If given the option, go through the Roosevelt station, as this provides free and easy transfer between the Orange and Green lines to the Red Line subway. If you are headed for a plane, the Orange line takes 30 minutes with only six stops separating South Loop and Midway Airport.

Multiple bus lines service the neighborhood. With so many public transportation options, owning a car might seem unnecessary. Be this as it may, car owners hold the daily benefit of enjoying the scenic views of Lake Shore Drive, which runs along the coast of Lake Michigan. The I-90/94 highway borders the western edge of the neighborhood and gives easy access to drivers who need to commute further distances.

The neighborhood's proximity to the lakefront and parks results in an abundance of bike paths for commuting. The trails in Grant Park turn walking to work into a peaceful commute. If work happens to be further west, the sidewalks through the neighborhood and into the city still provide ample walking spaces for pedestrians.

Unsurprisingly, parking prices remain high in this city neighborhood. Unless you have dedicated spaces at work and your home, the lack of parking may be reason enough to sell a motor vehicle in exchange for taking public transport. Cabs frequent the area looking for passengers, and Uber also services the neighborhood.

Affectionately named Chicago's "front yard," Grant Park is the primary destination for outdoor activities in the neighborhood. Stretching a total of 319 acres, the park hosts many annual events and festivals for the city of Chicago. Other notable parks include Northerly Island and Burnham Park, with the latter bordering Soldier Field stadium.

Locals and visitors alike visit these parks for their scenic views of Lake Michigan and wide open spaces. Grant Park provides the greatest number of options when it comes to outdoor sports, with plenty of baseball fields, tennis courts and walking trails. Many people visit Northerly Island for its open-air amphitheater called Charter One Pavilion, which hosts large performances and concerts during summer months.

All of South Loop's parks cost nothing to enter, and most services besides food and beverage purchases are also free. Burnham Park holds sway as the most dog-friendly park of the area, with a multitude of bike paths, walking paths and open fields for frisbee or fetch. Grant Park also represents a prime location for dogs due to its large size and freedom of space. All parks remain kid-friendly, but Burnham Park may top the others due to its man-made sledding hill.

South Loop buzzes with activity throughout the year but especially in summertime. Grant Park welcomes numerous festivals throughout these warmer months, including Taste of Chicago, The Grant Park Music Festival, Lollapalooza and the Chicago Marathon. Every year, these events attract thousands of visitors to the neighborhood.

At the northeast corner of Grant Park lies Daley Bicentennial Plaza, which contains some of the best exercise equipment and facilities in the area. Daley Bicentennial Plaza offers a full fitness center with everything you might need for your workout.

Renters living in South Loop pay an average of $2,456/month to rent an apartment, compared to the Chicago city average of $2,239. City dwellers exploring houses for rent in South Loop can expect to pay around $2,669/month. For those looking to buy, the average house is valued at $367,000 compared to the city average of $340,000.

South Loop contains stores and boutiques for shopping spread throughout the area rather than confining the shops to a central area of commerce. Florodora displays local designs with a vintage theme. While this boutique sells pricey items, the designer pieces fit into a category of their own with no two items alike. For tighter budgets, find bargains at DSW Shoe Warehouse on trendy brands of shoes and accessories.

Trader Joe's, Whole Foods and Urban Market all serve the area as local grocery stores. For a bit more variety, check out South Loop Market, where you can find everything from aged cheeses to Boar's Head meat. Known to be more expensive than the average grocery, South Loop Market excels at providing innovative options such as craft beers and local cupcakes.

Every Saturday during summertime, Printer's Row Park Farmers Market offers fresh, local produce. Despite the market's small size, the prices for fruits and vegetables beat most large grocery stores.