Your insider's guide to the best things to do, see, and experience in Chicago.
4 MIN READ – Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced 77 “Chicago Arts Recovery Program” grantees, providing $10 million in project grant funding to aid local arts organizations still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
1 MIN READ — Chicago is known for a lot of things – hot dogs, deep dish pizza, the Cubs and Sox, and Al Capone to name a few. But did you know it’s also well known for its rich architectural history? After the Chicago Fire, architects got creative as they rebuilt, introducing a unique concept – the modern skyscraper.
But overall, crime rates in Chicago are dropping, not rising, and per capita we are decidedly average crime-wise for a large city
2 MIN READ — A two-year planning process to update the City’s 2003 “Central Area Plan” with contemporary, community-driven objectives will create a more equitable and resilient downtown on behalf of all Chicagoans, Department of Planning and Development (DPD) Commissioner Maurice Cox recently announced.
The report tracks pedestrian activity, parking volumes, hotel occupancy, office workers on-site, arts and culture, investment, and more.
3 MIN READ – Many workplaces and employees still see the value of having an office space and are even upgrading to spaces with more square footage and better amenities, despite some organizations shifting to hybrid or remote schedules. Read an excerpt from a Chicago Business Journal article written by Alex Zorn on why patent and intellectual property law firm Hanley Flight & Zimmerman decided to move and upgrade their office space in the Loop.
The August Loop Employee of the Month saves Illinoisans millions of dollars a year in healthcare costs—and her services are absolutely free.
5 MIN READ – Three proposals to create more than 1,000 mixed-income apartments at 111 W. Monroe St., 135 S. LaSalle St., and 208 S. LaSalle St. in the Loop were announced by Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today as finalists for City financial assistance through the LaSalle Reimagined initiative.
March 14, 2026
Chicago’s top-rated architecture boat tour, 90 minutes with expert CAC guides, stunning skyline views, open-air seating, and onboard amenities.
March 20, 2026
Explore Chicago’s haunted past on a nighttime river cruise featuring ghost stories, mob history, and eerie secrets of the Windy City.
April 16, 2026
Chicago River & Lake Michigan cruise with skyline views, iconic landmarks, and engaging guides sharing the city’s history and stories.
April 16, 2026
Experience Chicago at night on a 90-minute river and lake cruise, featuring a glittering skyline, cool breezes, and lively, family-friendly commentary.
April 21, 2026
Directed by Andrew Scoville. Co-created by Academy, Grammy, and Tony Award-winning artist David Byrne* and writer Mala Gaonkar, Theater of the Mind is a new theatrical…
May 23, 2026 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Cruise from the Chicago Riverwalk to Lake Michigan for skyline views and a 3D-enhanced fireworks show with music and narration.
May 31, 2026
Let your creative potential shine this summer with a class at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with options available for kids, teens and…
June 5, 2026
From June 6th until July 5th, the phenomenal Champions of Magic bring their acclaimed illusion spectacular to Chicago. Featuring their biggest illusions ever, experience the Broadway-scale…
June 19, 2026
MUSIC BY MARK HOLLMANNLYRICS BY MARK HOLLMANN AND JAY REISSBOOK BY ERIN QUINN PURCELL AND JAY REISSDIRECTED BY MARC BRUNISTARRING…
