Your insider's guide to the best things to do, see, and experience in Chicago.
4 MIN READ – What will be the new normal for retailers in a COVID-19 world? That’s the question Chicago Loop Alliance explored with its June 25 Downtown Futures Series: Retail Reset webinar. View a recording of the full presentation here.
2 MIN READ – Artist Barrett Keithley, who has worked on various ACTIVATE events with Chicago Loop Alliance, is working to replace images of desolation and destruction with images of hope and unity.
1 MIN READ – The past three months have presented unimaginable challenges for the Loop community, but we know your resilience and ingenuity will create a stronger Loop than ever. We know that rebuilding after the damage done in the Loop at the end of May doesn’t begin to compare to rebuilding from hundreds of …
2 MIN READ – Protests turned violent and millions of dollars in damage was done to at least 45 properties in the Loop over Friday and Saturday, resulting in restricted access to the Central Business District as imposed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Days ago, the Loop was preparing for cautiously reopening in phase three of Mayor Lightfoot’s Protecting Chicago framework. Now, Chicago Loop Alliance is focused on clean-up and supporting businesses.
3 MIN READ – While nearly all employees at HeplerBloom LLC in the Loop—a law firm that offers trial lawyers, estate planning services, business counsel, and more—have worked from home amid COVID-19, it would likely be impossible to maintain operations without one person willing and able to continue going into the office. That person is litigation support clerk Michael Lowe.
The 2020 Attractiveness of Global Business Districts Report, a ULI and EY partnership, ranked the Chicago Loop the 10th most attractive business district in the world. This report is the only international study that assesses and compares the world’s leading business districts. The study was commissioned by the Global Business Districts Innovation Club, of which Chicago Loop Alliance is a founding member.
5 MIN READ – What does returning to work look like after a public health crisis? That’s the question Chicago Loop Alliance explored with its May 20 Downtown Futures Series: Creating Healthy Workplaces webinar. View a recording of the full presentation here.
The Chicago Picasso in Daley Plaza may be the strangest of the Loop’s many artistic landmarks. Despite the ongoing controversy surrounding its purpose and intent, the Picasso remains iconic of the City of Chicago and the Loop to all who visit, work, or live here.
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…
