Your insider's guide to the best things to do, see, and experience in Chicago.
4 MIN READ – There’s no sweeter way to see the Chicago Loop than from a bicycle (or a scooter, or a skateboard, or any of those other crazy little things you see in the bike lane!). Whether you’re getting back to work, coming in for fun, or you’re already here and you need a quick way to get from A to B, here are some tips for biking to the Loop.
When you stand in acclaimed conceptual artist Shonna Pryor’s studio, deconstructed dinner tables hang draped in fabrics screen printed with pages from 19th century census archives. One of her Afrofuturist works is tacked up on the wall displaying a jump rope, sketchbook, and gas-mask shrink wrapped among other objects of pleasure in one of her “Care Packages for an Afro Migration to Mars.”
3 MIN READ – May marks the celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Commemorate the invaluable contributions of these communities in the Loop through special events and programming.
3 MIN READ — Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) released its quarter one 2024 State of the Loop report on downtown activity, using a variety of data sources, which the organization has produced since July 2020. The report tracks pedestrian activity, hotel occupancy, office workers on-site, arts and culture, retail, investment and more. View the quarter one (Jan.-Mar. 2024) State of the Loop report here.
4 MIN READ – Get ready to witness history in the Loop as the inaugural Chicago River Swim breaks a nearly century-old tradition, marking a revival of open water swimming events in the heart of downtown Chicago. Scheduled for September 22, 2024, this remarkable occasion will not only celebrate the river’s renaissance but will also serve as a fundraiser for ALS research.
5 MIN READ –Any true Chicagoan, or well-informed visitor, knows that to fully experience the city of Chicago, you can’t skip exploring the Loop, Chicago’s official downtown area, also known as “Everyone’s Neighborhood.”
4 MIN READ – Four adaptive re-use projects within the Loop’s historic financial district will be formally proposed for development assistance this spring as part of the City of Chicago’s ongoing commitment to mixed-use, mixed-income vitality downtown, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced on April 3, 2024.
Taking place June 28-30, Sundance Institute x Chicago 2024 will feature artists programs, film screenings and events across the city and will be an opportunity to highlight Chicago’s vibrant cultural scene and bolster its status as a diverse and innovative filmmaking hub.
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…
