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The Loop, Chicago

4.5

#2 of 15 in Neighborhoods in Chicago

Neighborhood Tourist Spot

The Loop is the central business district of Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the city's 77 designated community areas. The Loop is home to Chicago's commercial core, City Hall, and the seat of Cook County. In the late nineteenth century, cable car turnarounds and prominent elevated railway encircled the area, giving the Loop its name.The community area is bounded on the north by Lake Street on the west by Wells Street on the east by Wabash Street, and on the south by Van Buren Street. The Loop got its name by the loop of the elevated CTA El tracks that create a loop this area. although the commercial core has expanded into adjacent community areas. As a business center, some of the corporations the Loop hosts include the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), the world's largest options and futures contracts open interest exchange; the headquarters of United Continental Holdings, one of the world's largest airlines; AON; Blue Cross Blue Shield; Hyatt Hotels Corporation; BorgWarner, and other major corporations. The Loop is home to 500 acre Grant Park; State Street, which hosts a historic shopping district; the Art Institute of Chicago; several theaters; and numerous subway and elevated rapid transit stations. Other institutions in the Loop include the Willis Tower, once the tallest building in the world, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Goodman Theatre, the Joffrey Ballet, the central public Harold Washington Library, and the Chicago Cultural Center.

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Where to stay in Chicago

The Midwest's major center for business conventions, Chicago boasts many affordable places to stay, with most hotels located around the airport and the city's central business district. To discover the city from a comfortable base within walking distance of most tourist attractions, aim for one of the big chain hotels in the downtown area. If you're traveling on a limited budget and wish to get a deeper sense of Chicago's many diverse neighborhoods, consider staying away from the pricey city center and explore suburbs on a commuter train line for easy city access.

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rubiecutie

More moderate priced shopping area. Not much higher end shopping, so go to Magnificent Mile if that is your focus. Lot's of trendy shops that may have greater appeal for college students and millenial... more »
balasubramanian16847

The Loop is the central business district of Chicago and it is designated community areas. THe loop is home to Chicago's commercial core, city hall etc. Prominent elevated railway encircled the area, ... more »
Travelling G

From walking the Magnificent Mile, to looking at the parts of worldwide structures in the Tribune building, from enjpying the parts to observing the sculptures and museums, this is the place to be! more »

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The Loop, Chicago

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