Your insider's guide to the best things to do, see, and experience in Chicago.
3 MIN READ — Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) released its quarter three 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, multimodal transportation, investment and more.
2 MIN READ – For eight consecutive years, Chicago has claimed the title of Best Big City in the U.S. in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Since 2017, Condé Nast Traveler readers have consistently recognized Chicago’s vibrant charm and unparalleled appeal—a true testament to the magic of our city!
4 MIN READ – El Grito Chicago, a vibrant 2-day festival in celebration of Mexican Independence Day, announces an exciting entertainment line-up made up of national and local performing artists from multiple musical genres. El Grito Chicago will take place in the Chicago Loop at Butler Field in Grant Park on Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15, 2024, from 2-10 p.m.
5 MIN READ – For many, Labor Day offers one last three-day weekend to enjoy summertime weather, so you’d better make the most of it! Spend the day in the Chicago Loop enjoying major events, great outdoor public space, world-class museums, delicious dining, an iconic shopping district, and more. If you’re having way too much fun, turn it into a vacation with an overnight stay in one of the Loop’s luxurious hotels. No matter what you’re into, the Loop’s got you covered.
6 MIN READ – Summers are fleeting in Chicago, only to give way to our brutal winters, so get out and enjoy the weather while it lasts. Do everything on your summer bucket list, like having a picnic, going on a bike ride, swimming, hanging out on a boat, and visiting the Chicago Loop’s best …
2 MIN READ — Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) recently released an in-depth Value of Downtowns report, created by the International Downtown Association (IDA), detailing that the Chicago Loop surpasses other U.S. downtowns studied by most value metrics and serves as the most significant and vital of Chicago’s neighborhoods. Chicago’s Loop is as an established downtown, showcasing robust employment rates, burgeoning population density, and sustainable growth prospects for the future.
4 MIN READ – Fall in love with your city all over again with this guide from the locals. Whether you want to sit back and relax or go on many active adventures, in the Chicago Loop, the possibilities are endless.
4 MIN READ — Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) recently released its quarter two 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, multimodal transportation, investment and more
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…
