Your insider's guide to the best things to do, see, and experience in Chicago.
5 MIN READ – Step into the transformative world of Butterfly, where the harmony of music, dance, and visual art create an unforgettable and deeply moving experience. The following is an interview with Ellington Nichols, a relative of Holocaust survivors and who performs the role of Helga Weiss in Ballet 5:8’s Butterfly.
3 MIN READ — Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) recently released its Q4 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, shared mobility and transit, hotel occupancy, office workers on-site, arts and culture, retail, and more. Record-breaking attendance at holiday attractions and theater performances; robust hotel activity and continued increases in office attributed to success in pedestrian activity and office occupancy. View the quarter four (Oct.-Dec. 2023) State of the Loop report here.
2 MIN READ – In a move that serves as a plus for the Loop’s office space occupancy, advertising firm Havas is moving to the recently redeveloped Marshall Field building from its previous approximately 92,000 square foot River North office.
2 MIN READ — Welcome to the Loop, Chicago’s official downtown and everyone’s neighborhood. The Loop’s neighborhood boundaries are the Chicago River (north and west), Ida B. Wells Drive (south), and Lake Michigan (east). The southern boundary goes all the way to Roosevelt Road in context of Chicago’s 77 designated Community areas and census demography, but that definition also includes the neighborhood, which locals refer to as “South Loop.” There is also an area known as “West Loop” west of the river, but neither locals or geographical maps consider that neighborhood to be formerly part of “the Loop.”
2 MIN READ – New year, new you! Whether your focus is on improving your physical health, taking advantage of all your city has to offer, or a goal as simple as reading more books, you can practice your New Year’s resolutions in the Loop. Explore all the Loop has to offer here.
3 MIN READ – Chicago, like the rest of the United States, is experiencing an unprecedented bike boom as people seek out both an open-air mode of transportation and a fun activity that gets them out of the house. Also, mass bike commuting is a great way to keep vehicle congestion to a minimum. For any new riders—or riders who are new to cold weather—follow these tips on how to transition to winter-weather cycling. It’s a great way to get back in the Loop.
2 MIN READ – Google recently unveiled exterior renderings for the redevelopment of the James R. Thompson Center. Google has called Chicago home since 2000 and will soon call the Loop home as well.
4 MIN READ — Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) recently released an extensive five-year strategic organizational plan, commissioned to take advantage of the evolving downtown and CLA’s role in the Loop following several years that significantly altered the district and organization’s business model. To create the report, CLA contracted consulting firm BDS Planning and Urban Design, who conducted focus groups with Loop stakeholders and partners; analyzed the current landscape of Chicago Loop Alliance; and advised on the future trajectory of the organization to meet the Loop’s needs.View the full strategic plan at LoopChicago.com/StrategicPlan.
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…
