South Loop Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
South Loop featuring a city and a high-rise building
South Loop
South Loop
South Loop
South Loop showing night scenes and street scenes
South Loop is the place to go for jazz and blues, museums and some of the hottest new pubs and restaurants in town.

Just south of The Loop is where you’ll find the aptly-named South Loop. It’s conveniently located, being framed by Lake Michigan, Chinatown, the Chicago River and several top museums. South Loop was once an unsavoury spot, complete with rowdy bars and burlesque theatres, but the area has been transforming, and is now a fun place to visit. South Loop has a more laid-back and gritty flavour, compared to its neighbours. This does not amount to boring, though!

Popular places to visit

McCormick Place

McCormick Place

4.5/5(21 reviews)

Attend an event at the United States’ largest convention center, which features hyper-modern facilities and huge exhibition spaces connected by promenades and sky bridges.

McCormick Place
Soldier Field featuring a city, modern architecture and a high-rise building

Soldier Field

4/5(13 reviews)

Events center, NFL stadium and historic landmark all in one, this waterfront field is one of Chicago’s most popular destinations.

Soldier Field
Shedd Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium

4/5(8 reviews)

Make time in your itinerary to visit the sea life who live at Shedd Aquarium during your visit to Chicago. Amble around this vibrant area's lakeside or experience its acclaimed art galleries.

Shedd Aquarium
Field Museum of Natural History showing a city

Field Museum of Natural History

4.5/5(9 reviews)

A great destination for all the family, home to over 2 million artefacts on archaeology, history and science, from dinosaur bones to Egyptian mummies.

Field Museum of Natural History
Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum featuring modern architecture

Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum

4/5(1 review)

Opportunities for fun, learning and wonder abound at this historic and state-of-the-art museum on the pretty shore of Lake Michigan.

Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum
Northerly Island Park showing a city, a river or creek and views

Northerly Island Natural Area

Bird life, paved paths and a built-in music venue give one of Chicago’s newest green spaces much to offer to nature lovers, exercisers and music fans.

Northerly Island Natural Area

Activities

Go City - Chicago All-Inclusive Pass: 1 to 5 Day Access to 25+ Activities

Chicago Pass: Save up to 50 Percent - Includes 360 Chicago

AU$196
Per adult
78% of travellers recommend
Chicago Pass: Save up to 50 Percent - Includes 360 Chicago
Chicago's Dark Side Smartphone

Chicago's Dark Side Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour

AU$11
Per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Chicago's Dark Side Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour
Field Museum of Natural History All-Access Pass

Field Museum of Natural History All-Access Pass

AU$62
Per adult
Field Museum of Natural History All-Access Pass
The Field Museum

Field Museum of Natural History Discovery Pass

AU$53
Per adult
Field Museum of Natural History Discovery Pass
Field Museum of Natural History Ticket with Self-Guided Audio Tour

Field Museum of Natural History Ticket with Self-Guided Audio Tour

AU$86
Per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Field Museum of Natural History Ticket with Self-Guided Audio Tour
Chicago: Ghost Bus Tour of Haunted Locations

Chicago: Ghost Bus Tour of Haunted Locations

AU$82
Per adult
Chicago: Ghost Bus Tour of Haunted Locations
See all activities in Chicago

Our pick of the best South Loop Hotel Deals

Congress Plaza Hotel
Congress Plaza Hotel
3.5 out of 5
520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
The price is AU$154 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
AU$154
includes taxes & fees
24 Nov - 25 Nov
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.8/10 Good! (8,119 reviews)
"It is an old building so We were very pleased with how clean the rooms were. Tub drained slowly but did not affect our shower schedules. Radiator was a little confusing but it didn’t bother is because the weather was beautiful. Will stay again"

Reviewed on 20 Nov. 2024

Congress Plaza Hotel
Best Western Grant Park Hotel
Best Western Grant Park Hotel
2.5 out of 5
1100 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
The price is AU$130 per night from 10 Dec to 11 Dec
AU$130
includes taxes & fees
10 Dec - 11 Dec
Stay at this hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,518 reviews)
Great Stay
"I read several negative reviews on the property. We found it quite adequate and really good in a few areas. Yes, some of the floors are not level. Yes, some of the furniture is older and has character. Yes, the elevators, hallways, room, and especially the bathroom are small. In New York City all ..."

Reviewed on 18 Nov. 2024

Best Western Grant Park Hotel
Hilton Chicago
Hilton Chicago
4 out of 5
720 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
The price is AU$259 per night from 22 Dec to 23 Dec
AU$259
includes taxes & fees
22 Dec - 23 Dec
Book a stay at this historic hotel in Chicago. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge), and a health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,462 reviews)
"The room was excellent but the hotel did not have a room available for me by 4pm, even when check in is at 3pm. Housekeeping was excellent."

Reviewed on 18 Nov. 2024

Hilton Chicago
Travelodge by Wyndham Downtown Chicago
Travelodge by Wyndham Downtown Chicago
2 out of 5
65 E Harrison St, Chicago, IL
The price is AU$146 per night from 25 Nov to 26 Nov
AU$146
includes taxes & fees
25 Nov - 26 Nov
Stay at this hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
6.8/10 (2,008 reviews)
"Friendly staff, clean room, great location"

Reviewed on 19 Nov. 2024

Travelodge by Wyndham Downtown Chicago
Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown South Loop
Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown South Loop
3 out of 5
59 E. 11th Street, Chicago, IL
The price is AU$143 per night from 8 Dec to 9 Dec
AU$143
includes taxes & fees
8 Dec - 9 Dec
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,725 reviews)
"Really close to everything and short walk to grand park and wonderful restaurants"

Reviewed on 19 Nov. 2024

Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown South Loop
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown South Loop
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown South Loop
3 out of 5
55 E 11th Street, Chicago, IL
The price is AU$136 per night from 11 Dec to 12 Dec
AU$136
includes taxes & fees
11 Dec - 12 Dec
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,520 reviews)
"The restaurant in the hotel lobby is convenient and reasonably priced, particularly for breakfast."

Reviewed on 17 Nov. 2024

Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown South Loop
See all 4,124 properties in South Loop
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around South Loop

Chicago which includes rides

Theatre District

While you're in Theatre District, take in top sights like Michigan Avenue or State Street, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Washington Station or Monroe Station (Blue Line).

Theatre District
The Loop - Downtown featuring a river or creek

The Loop

4.5/5(93 area reviews)

Millennium Park and Michigan Avenue are a few top attractions in The Loop. Hop around the city on the metro at Washington Station or Lake Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.

The Loop
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Near West Side

4.5/5(5 area reviews)

Live music, theatres and shopping highlight some notable features of Near West Side. Make a stop by United Center or Credit Union 1 Arena while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Racine Station or Polk Station (Pink Line) to get around town.

Near West Side
Downtown Chicago featuring a city

Downtown Chicago

Known for its fascinating museums, stunning river views and gorgeous architecture, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Chicago. Top attractions like Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier are major draws. Catch the metro at State Station or Clark-Lake Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Chicago
Default Image

West Loop

Consider a visit to Union Park and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in West Loop. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Racine Station or Ogilvie Transportation Center.

West Loop
Default Image

River North

Known for its fantastic nightlife, stunning river views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in River North. Top attractions like Merchandise Mart and Bally's Casino Chicago are major draws. Catch the metro at Merchandise Mart Station or Chicago Station (Brown Line) to see more of the city.

River North

South Loop Travel Guide

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