Things to do in the Loop

5 places to start in the Loop

Art Institute of Chicago

Nighthawks, American Gothic and Seurat's Sunday afternoon on La Grande Jatte are all here on Michigan Avenue. Give it at least half a day.

Official site →Photo: ajay_suresh, CC BY 2.0

Millennium Park

Take your photo at Cloud Gate, which everyone calls the Bean, then check the Pritzker Pavilion lawn for free concerts in summer.

Official site →Photo: J. Crocker, Attribution

Chicago Cultural Center

Go up to the third floor to see the huge Tiffany glass dome. The building and its exhibitions are free.

Official site →Photo: DS1953, CC BY-SA 2.5

Chicago Riverwalk

The path along the south bank of the river has bars and waterside seating, and it's where the architecture boat tours board.

Official site →Photo: Victorgrigas, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Chicago Theatre

You know the vertical CHICAGO sign on State Street. Inside is a 1921 movie palace that now hosts concerts and comedy.

Official site →Photo: Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 4.0

Hotels in the Loop

Staying over? These are the picks from our guide, Best hotels in The Loop, Chicago, IL, and Dyme members see private rates on each. You can also browse every Chicago hotel guide or search hotels on Dyme.

Hilton Vacation Club Hotel Blake Chicago 500 South Dearborn Street, Chicago 9.02,630 reviews 4 min walk to LaSalle/Van Buren (Brown/Orange/Pink/Purple)The highest guest score on this list at 9.0, on Dearborn Street in the middle of the Loop, one block from the Harold Washington Library View hotel → The Blackstone, Autograph Collection 636 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago 8.8420 reviews 3 min walk to Harrison (Red)A 4-star with an 8.8 guest score, in a 1910 Beaux-Arts building on Michigan Avenue about half a mile south of the Art Institute of Chicago View hotel → The Buckingham Hotel 425 South Financial Place 8.91,128 reviews 1 min walk to LaSalle (Blue)A 3-star hotel at 425 South Financial Place, at the Loop's southwest corner, with an 8.9 guest score and the Blue Line at the door. View hotel → Hilton Chicago 720 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago 8.02,144 reviews 4 min walk to Harrison (Red)On Michigan Avenue with direct access to Grant Park and the museum campus, plus a pool and spa, so most of what you need is under one roof View hotel →

This weekend in the Loop: November 13–15

37 things on: 6 exhibitions, 6 shows, 2 tours and 6 free. Listed by day and start time.

Friday, November 13

8:00 AMA Spectacular Audio Tour : Wonders of ChicagoApp-led city scavenger hunt.Games111 S Michigan AveFrom $15View listing →10:00 AMA Palm of Victory by Emilia FaroEmilia Faro art exhibition.Art150 N Michigan Ave #1580View listing →10:00 AMSoul of the StoneZimbabwean stone sculpture exhibition.Art78 E Washington StFreeView listing →10:00 AMThe Taste of Italian DesignItalian design exhibition.ArtExpo 72FreeView listing →10:00 AMMedieval Torture Museum Ticket with Audio Guide and Ghost…Interactive dark history.Art177 N State StFreeView listing →11:00 AMLeRoy Neiman: A Keen Observer of StyleLeRoy Neiman exhibition.Art33 E Washington StFreeView listing →11:00 AMChicago Architecture, Art and History Tour - Off The Beaten PathHidden lobbies & local lore.Tour425 S Financial PlFrom $89View listing →1:15 PMPublic Group Tours: Chicago Cultural Center Building ToursGilded-age grandeur tour.Tour78 E Washington StFreeView listing →6:30 PMChicago’s Theatre of Magic at the Palmer House a Hilton HotelHistoric landmark magic show.Show17 E Monroe StFrom $59View listing →7:00 PMNikki GlaserSharp comedy, historic stage.Show175 N State StView listing →7:00 PMDrunk Shakespeare: A Drunk Christmas Carol (21+ Event)Boozy holiday improv.Show182 N Wabash AveView listing →7:00 PMJersey Boys (Chicago)Four Seasons jukebox musical.Show18 W Monroe StView listing →7:30 PMAndrew Bird & the CSOAndrew Bird CSO debut.Music220 S Michigan AveFrom $109View listing →

Saturday, November 14

8:00 AMA Spectacular Audio Tour : Wonders of ChicagoApp-led city scavenger hunt.Games111 S Michigan AveFrom $15View listing →10:00 AMSoul of the StoneZimbabwean stone sculpture exhibition.Art78 E Washington StFreeView listing →10:00 AMThe Taste of Italian DesignItalian design exhibition.ArtExpo 72FreeView listing →10:00 AMMedieval Torture Museum Ticket with Audio Guide and Ghost…Interactive dark history.Art177 N State StFreeView listing →11:00 AMLeRoy Neiman: A Keen Observer of StyleLeRoy Neiman exhibition.Art33 E Washington StFreeView listing →11:00 AMChicago Architecture, Art and History Tour - Off The Beaten PathHidden lobbies & local lore.Tour425 S Financial PlFrom $89View listing →2:00 PMJersey Boys (Chicago)Four Seasons jukebox musical.Show18 W Monroe StView listing →3:00 PMDrunk Shakespeare: A Drunk Christmas Carol (21+ Event)Boozy holiday improv.Show182 N Wabash AveView listing →7:00 PMNikki GlaserSharp comedy, historic stage.Show175 N State StView listing →7:30 PMAndrew Bird & the CSOAndrew Bird CSO debut.Music220 S Michigan AveFrom $109View listing →7:30 PMSol Invictus Hervé KoubiKinetic contemporary dance premiere.Show205 E Randolph StView listing →

Sunday, November 15

8:00 AMA Spectacular Audio Tour : Wonders of ChicagoApp-led city scavenger hunt.Games111 S Michigan AveFrom $15View listing →10:00 AMSoul of the StoneZimbabwean stone sculpture exhibition.Art78 E Washington StFreeView listing →10:00 AMThe Taste of Italian DesignItalian design exhibition.ArtExpo 72FreeView listing →10:00 AMMedieval Torture Museum Ticket with Audio Guide and Ghost…Interactive dark history.Art177 N State StFreeView listing →10:00 AMAmerican Writers Museum Free Admission DayFree museum admission day.Art180 North N Michigan AveFreeView listing →11:00 AMLeRoy Neiman: A Keen Observer of StyleLeRoy Neiman exhibition.Art33 E Washington StFreeView listing →11:00 AMChicago Architecture, Art and History Tour - Off The Beaten PathHidden lobbies & local lore.Tour425 S Financial PlFrom $89View listing →1:00 PMJersey Boys (Chicago)Four Seasons jukebox musical.Show18 W Monroe StView listing →2:00 PMDon PasqualeComic opera performance.Show20 N Wacker DrView listing →5:00 PMDrunk Shakespeare: A Drunk Christmas Carol (21+ Event)Boozy holiday improv.Show182 N Wabash AveView listing →7:00 PMNikki GlaserSharp comedy, historic stage.Show175 N State StView listing →

On all weekend

No set start time for these, so go when it suits you.

Freedom FightersQuilts of Black resistance.Art78 E Washington StView listing →Game Day ElevatedRooftop game day feast.Bar201 N State St 27th FloorView listing →