The South Loop offers great history while staying modern. It is home to the Museum Campus, jazz clubs, and Grant Park.
There are so many things it has to offer for anyone living or visiting the neighborhood!
The South Loop is one of Chicago’s first residential districts. Prairie Avenue had mansions built along with it in the 1870s by wealthy and elite Chicagoans such as Marshall Field and George M. Pullman of Pullan Railcars. Around the 1900s a large population of working-class immigrants settled and started moving in. By then, the South Loop was lined with railroads and four stations within a mile radius of each other. The neighborhood was filled every day by the heavy passenger traffic and attracted many individuals to this area. In 1976, a local businessman contracted developers to revive this area into a brand new neighborhood called Dearborn Park. Mid-rises and townhomes were built for the working class as this trend continues.
The South Loop has a wide range of architecture from Romanesque to contemporary. Many of the buildings originally used for industrial work have been converted into residential living. As one of the most historic neighborhoods in Chicago, it is home to the Printers House Row District where many historic printing and publishing companies resided. These few blocks of buildings were used as guides to build the skyscrapers that can be seen today. Fun Fact: When the Manhattan Building was built in 1891, it was the tallest building in the world!
The South Loop is full of diverse dining experiences. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner, won’t disappoint with these great restaurants. Date night? Try Mercat a la Planxa for tapas and drinks or Pacino’s for great Italian food! Brunch with friends? Look for Chicago Waffles South Loop for delicious waffles or Nana for a Latin-inspired menu. Need a good carry-out option? Roots Handmade Pizza is great for an easy takeout meal!
Evening drinks, dancing, and nightclubs are all available in the South Loop’s lively nightlife. There are great taverns, lounges, and clubs to have a great time in. Some of our favorite spots include…M Lounge, Buddy, Guy’s Legends, and Howl at the Moon
In this lively neighborhood there are so many things to do. For sports fans, head to a Chicago White Sox game. Grab a drink with friends in the ambient lighting of Venue OverDrive. Don’t forget to visit the Shedd Aquarium, Museum Campus, and Agora to learn about the world around us and its connections to Chicago. It is impossible to be bored when there are so many activities at your fingertips!
Walking Score:
Bike Score:
Transit Score:
CTA L: Red Line and Green Line
CTA Bus:
#3 (Fairbanks & Huron)
#6 (columbus & South)
#12 (Central & Harrison)
#18 (67th St & 47th Ct)
#62 (Dearborn & Wacker/Lake)
#146 (Marine Dr & Wilson)
Metra:
-MD-W
-ME
-UP-N
-UP-NW