The Loop, when I visited Chicago was, the elevated train that "looped" around the heart of the city. The Loop, or "the L" enclosed Chicago's downtown. My middle eldest sister and I enjoyed our brief visit to Chicago and enjoyed riding "the L!" The Loop was the first elevated public transit I had experienced! It was magical, reasonably priced, and not at all scary! I did not realize the Loop is as old as it is. From the Chicago Loop Alliance, "The first "L" train was built in 1892, and its inaugural journey took place on June 6, spanning 3.6 miles in 14 minutes." This unique transportation really stands out vividly in memory as one of the coolest things we experienced during our Spring Break trip to Chicago and Evanston, Illinois. read more

The Loop is the place that tourists are referring to when they talk about all of the great things to see and do in the city of Chicago. Cloudgate (The Bean) at Millenium Park is a great place to visit. From there you can go to the beach, find a great place to shop, visit a museum (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science and Industry), or get a bite to eat and drink. Trying a slice of deep dish pizza is a must! There are always new things to try. The Loop is a fun day trip or a great place to get lost in for a week! read more

Basically Chicago's downtown. Certainly it can throw you for a loop. It's kind of unclear about whether The Loop means the area around the tracks, or how it also means the CTA tracks which make a loop around the downtown area, so many people consider it to be both of these things. Anyway, it's an iconic part of the city. Taking a train around The Loop is an essential part of any visit. A lot of people will know it's there, but not know much about it. If you didn't know already, the CTA subway system is known as the "L." This is shorthand for elevated tracks. All the Lines meet in this area. These make a sort of rectangle around the downtown area, on elevated tracks. However, the Blue and Red Lines are underground, and go through the middle. The Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple Lines either go completely around, or partially around this. A long time ago, officials considered burying the tracks and demolishing the elevated tracks, like what was being done in other major cities. Thankfully they didn't because these are an iconic part of Chicago's identity. Getting here is pretty easy. It only takes getting on a CTA train at pretty much any station, and it winds up around here. Take some time to look up more of the history because it sucks being out of The Loop, you know that? read more

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The Loop is downtown Chicago, officially. I think if out-of-towners think of Chicago, they think of The Loop. The neighborhood's boarders are the lake to the east, Chicago river to the north and west, and Ida B. Wells Ave. to the south, but legend has it that the moniker came from the loop through the downtown streets created by the elevated train. Chicago's zero point--the intersection upon which the grid is based and the streets in Chicago are numbered-- Some (most) of Chicago's biggest tourist attractions are here. You'll find Millennium Park, Grant Park, the museum campus, the Art Institute of Chicago, multiple universities, the Cultural Center and the library, multiple theaters, one of the countries best opera houses and one of the world's best orchestras, countless examples of architecturally significant structures, public art... and more. I am fortunate to work in The Loop, and to get to explore it during my lunch or after work. If you're in the city, even for a short time, you should get yourself down here to see some of what Chicago has to offer. read more

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The loop is a very fun and popular place in Chicago. It is filled with many shopping places and food establishments for all the people to enjoy. We really loved walking around and experience all the sights and sounds read more

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DOWNTOWN CHI - best place to Stay is the Loop! It's close to everything and you can stay, dine and be entertained by almost everything under the sun when you're here!! The ELEVATED train runs the whole loop and there are plenty of restaurants and hotels in this area!! It's like the magic land for adults !!! Come and get a TASTE OF CHI!! read more

Livin' inside the Loop! I'm feeling loopy just thinking about The Loop. If you're not from the Windy City, the Loop is where the El-evated trains run in a circle through the central business district of Chi-town. It's a loud, dirty, and fun place to hang out. If you just ride the train around in circles, you'll be sure to see some beautiful architecture, some interesting people, and some amazing sights. It's really the best way to take in the Second City. The Loop is elevated over the roadways, so it's fast. You get a good shot down all the streets and boulevards around here. Each stop in the Loop is different. They're ancient, so they are not really like the ones you see in other world cities. They look like they've been held together by sheer will and determination through the masses of throngs of people who use the CTA daily. I've never had to drive in downtown Chicago, and thanks to the Loop, I doubt I will ever have to! read more

When it comes to thinking I enjoy thinking outside the loop. When it comes to Chicago adventures I enjoy being in the Loop. The Chicago Loop that is. The Chicago loop, which is the Central Business District bounded by the Chicago River to the west and north, Lake Michigan to the east, and Roosevelt Road to the south is a limitless district of adventures from shopping to physical fitness . The Loop is a shopping adventure . It includes miles of sidewalks bordered by first-rate shopping. The State Street shopping district is a South of the Chicago River compliment to the Magnificent Mile. In all honesty State Street deserves it's own Yelp listing. From the Chicago River at the north border of the Loop fo the Harold Wilson Library Center at the south border of the Loop grand stores adorn the streetscape. There is City Target in the preserved Sullivan Center building. Up State Street there is a Macy's in the historic Marshall Fields building. Near DePaul stands a Barnes & Nobles. Just south of the Chicago Theatre is one of the oldest and most innovative Walgreens where they also sell sushi and sandwiches. The Michigan Avenue Historic District and the streets in the Loop make up a a major shopping destination . The Loop is an adventure of awesome Heights. Two of the three tallest buildings in Chicago are in the Loop. They are Willis Tower and the Aon Center. A magnificent skyline towers over the blocks in the Loop. The Loop is a learning adventure. Several institutions of higher learning grace it's streets. They include DePaul, Roosevelt University, and Columbia College. The colossal Harold Wilson Library is a major institution for books. The Loop is a transportation adventure. The elevated railroad tracks that circle the heart of the Loop are what gave it its name. It wouldn't be a Loop adventure without seeing the elevated trains travelling up above. A better adventure is seeing the train from inside. The trains reach several Chicago attractions that include baseball stadiums and airports. A much different transportation adventure is exploring the three level streets in the vicinity of Illinois Center. Or how about boarding a Chicago Water taxi for a ride on the Chicago River? Ultimately US 66-America's Main Street across America to Santa Monica, California starts at the Loop. The Loop is a physical fitness adventure . Several trails weave through Grant and Millennium Park. What can be a better workout than passing Buckingham Fountain? Then there is the Lakefront Path which is the linear park between the Loop and Michigan. It is a linear park with continuous breathtaking vistas of the lake and Chicago skyline. And the Chicago Riverwalk along its north side is a joyful ribbon of asphalt that hugs the Chicago River and Loop. The Loop is a fine arts adventure. A thriving Theatre district in the Loop includes Chicago Theatre, Oriental Theatre and Harris Theater. Art museums grace it's streets. And the Chicago Cultural Center is a must see point of interest. The Loop is a dining adventure. You name it and the Loop features restaurants of great taste ranging from Chick Fil-A to that elegant restaurant on top of a skyscraper. Coffee shops adorn it's sidewalks. The Loop is one of the many districts of adventures of Chicago's magnificent miles. Chicago is an awesome city with miles of districts and streets for adventure. Ultimately the Loop is an awesome downtown district with magnificent miles of unforgettable adventures. You don't have to think outside the box to want to be in the loop. ____________________________ I Daniel. S I I 2014 Yelp 150 CHALLENGE I I Review 105 I I_II______________________II__I II II II II II II Below are pictures from my adventures in the Loop read more

A tragic end to an era as I have learned "The Loop" was bought by a Christian radio station and has been taken off the air to be replaced by another venue. As a Chicagoan I grew up on this station. I had the opportunity to listen fo Garry Meier, Chicago Ed Schwartz, Steve Dahl and even Danny Bonaduce in the 90s. These guys were all ahead of their time and set the trend nationally. The Dahl / Meier days were awesome. This is a sad day in radio! The Loop was an institution that had ripples beyond Chicago. The Loop was the soundtrack to my life for much of my childhood and continues to entertain me currently, I hope my fellow yelper friend Mancow lands on his feet. In the meantime I will buy him a beer! read more

I feel like I've been left out of the Loop. I didn't even know this listing existed. Anyway. If you wander around the loop at a certain time of night such as 2:55 a.m. on a Saturday you will see some really spectacular looking women dressed extremely provocatively. Clubwear is very risquée these days but some of these girls wear it particularly well. You would be amazed that you're not on a modeling shoot or a music video shoot. Perhaps because Chicago is so huge so there are just more good-looking people here? Certainly I'm not going to compare anything to Los Angeles but if we compared to other similar cities such as Dallas Houston Atlanta New York DC Boston and Detroit then it has to be said Chicago is the winner. Of course these girls are not interested in me remotely but that's not going to stop me being nice to them. Here's my general Chicago food advice, too. Many of these are not in the Loop, but most are not too far away. Life Changing: Fat Johnnie's - in a rough area, nowhere to sit, but the best Chicago dogs I've ever had, dirt cheap, and all the crazy concoctions such as "Mighty Dog" and "Mother In Law" are very special, but unhealthy. Art Of Pizza - A lot of Chicagoans don't like Chicago style pizza. It may be because they haven't tried it here, dirt cheap, by the slice, where it will absolutely rock your world forever. Life Changing Drinks and Desserts Sugar Shack - maybe the best chocolate malt in the country DB3 Donuts - the original glazed and the raspberry are two of the best donuts I've had anywhere, as good as anything in NYC and less fancy. Mario's Lemonade - some of the best Lemon Ice I've ever had Eli's - the world of cheesecake, NW burbs, some of the best in the country Taipei Cafe - authentic Bubble Tea from Taiwan, give it a try. Other great stuff: Xi'an - real delicious western Chinese food in Chinatown L'Patron - amazing tacos, especially Ribeye Johnnie's Beef - my fave Italian Beef in town Bari - incredible Italian deli sandwiches Murphy's - lovely Chicago style hot dogs, friendly service Lou Malnati's - my fave chain for Chicago style pizza Cubanito - amazing Cuban sandwiches La Brasa Roja - for Latin chicken and beans and garlic sauce. Absolutely delicious Little Saigon - by far the best Banh Mi in the area Ghareeb Nawaaz - good 24 hour Pakistani food on Devon Aripo's Arepas - the Pabellon arepa is amazing Vienna Beef Factory Store - amazing place to go for Chicago Dogs Sultan's Market - good falafel and shawarma sandwich and so cheap Pollo Volador - another excellent peruvian chicken place Silver Palm - the three little piggies sandwich is a mountain of amazing pork Svea Swedish - authentic swedish pancakes, delicious Traspasada - try the chille relleno tacos, yum Uncle J's - fantastic rib tips at this south side bbq place THINGS TO DO For sightseeing in Chicago, go out to Adler Planetarium! It has the best views of the Chicago skyline and it's a wonderful walk to get out there and back. Close to the museums and downtown and Grant Park. The underground city beneath a city is very spooky and cool, and the Billy Goat Tavern from Saturday Night Live is down there. Also if you like going up tall buildings (some people do), while the Willis Tower (formerly Sears) will charge you a lot, you can go up the John Hancock (the 2nd tallest I think) for free if you say you're going to the restaurant. Once you get up to the restaurant, you don't have to order anything, necessarily. You can just check out the amazing views from the lobby, including of the iconic Willis Tower. A lot of people also go to the Navy Pier which is extremely touristy, but if you like touristy stuff, then you'll like it. And of course the elevated or "El" train in Chicago is as synonymous with the city as NYC's Subway is there. Now the length of this thing is driving me Loopy, so I'm out. Wisconsin State https://www.yelp.com/biz/wisconsin-state-capitol-madison-2 You Should Always Discuss This Building Using Capitol Letters Like I Am Right Now. actually nah who needs punctuation not to be confused with puncture asians, which is when you slash the tires of cars in Tokyo or Hong Kong. This is one of the most impressive State Capitols I have ever seen. I've been visiting this building since I was in my teenage years and I will always come back and we'll always love the way it dominates and yet complements the beauty and quaint progressive gorgeous collegeyness of lovely lakeside Madison, Wisconsin. Definitely one of the most impressive and perfectly situated capital buildings in the whole country. read more

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Also known as "downtown" -- The Loop is the center of culture, business, protests, festivals, trendy food, etc. in Chicago. This is where you see the iconic skyline and sculptures that Chicago is known for -- it's also home to theaters, museums, cultural centers, historical hotels, libraries, schools, etc. You'll find the headquarters or local sites of many large corporations here, especially near the financial district and river north areas. The loop is also a convenient transportation hub by train, bus, or subway in and out of Chicago. Definitely worth a visit whether you're a resident or a visitor. read more

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Chicago's cultural center, full of public art, museums, parks, hip restaurants- also a traffic nightmare. It's where the legendary "Mother Road" (US 66) meets up with Highway 20 on its cross-country journey from Newport, Oregon to Boston, Massachusetts. Chicago is the metropolis of the Great Lakes, the City of Broad Shoulders linking the Atlantic coast with that of the Pacific. At high traffic times, its chaos outstretches to the outer rim of the city. The Loop is a happening place, from its Willits (formerly Sears) Tower, to its underground clubs. It's where you can get authentic Chicago dogs&authentic Chicago deep dish pizza. You can literally get a taste of Chicago in the Loop. Depending on the time of day, one might want to be in the Loop... or not. read more

Chicago is an amazing city. If you're walking down in the loop, you'll notice that it is much cleaner than the other big cities in America. It has one of the nicest architectural scenes in the world! Check out the bean, sears tower, the lake, and all of the museums. Absolutely great. The traffic is a bit of a headache, but every big city has that problem. read more

The Loop - Local Flavor Near Me

The Loop! This is where all the stuff is! If you are a tourist all seems to be here, you name it Millennium Park (home to The Cloud, Crown Fountain), Grant Park (home to Buckingham Fountain as well as the tall Agora sculpture), the State Street shopping district and the Art Institute of Chicago. Its also not to far from the famous Magnificent Mile. So for tourist and locals this is the area to hang out and have fun! read more

The Loop is a weird place. Tons of business stuff going on there, but plenty of restaurants and shopping as well. Also museums and other places of interest for tourists. It's a weird mix of insane wealth, busy white collar workers, blue collar folks doing their thing, tourists wandering around looking stunned, and a ton of homeless people. My favorite sight in the loop is a tourist standing in the middle of the street with his back to oncoming traffic, looking up through his camera at the tall buildings, trying to get the perfect shot. I have yet to see one of these idiots get mowed down but I'm sure it's just a matter of time... Everything is crazy expensive in the Loop. Okay, Chicago in general is crazy expensive. But the Loop is even more so. Plus - tons of completely forgettable restaurants masquerading as gourmet places just because of their location. There are great places to eat, but you have to look for them. We recently started doing mystery shopping at bars and restaurants in the Loop and we have been directed to some lovely places. The majority are far too hipster-y for our taste, but the hipster demand for interesting cocktails can be fun if you ignore the snark that goes with them. It's dirty, it smells, the honking is non-stop. And do not under any circumstances be there after 9pm without backup - it's a dangerous place at night. But tonight we went to the Christmas tree lighting in Millenium Park. It was delightful. Happy people standing in the cold waiting for the brilliant lights on a huge tree to glow for us. Christmas carols and peppermint mocha and ice skating - it was awesome. Chicago in general and The Loop specifically have their moments of loveliness, which do their best to make up for all the shortcomings. You gotta enjoy those moments, and it's easy to do so. read more

The Loop was amazing! it has it all downtown Chicago! you can go shopping, eat, drink, I mean this is like Disney for adults...is a must go!!! you will not get enough of the loop...so much to see! beautiful view, architectural work and more. If you are looking for a vacation in Chicago visit the Loop! read more

The Loop - Local Flavor Near Me

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Loop, Chicago It's the heart of downtown Chicago. I love walkable cities, downtown areas that are real (not created 5 years ago like a stamp like in some places in South Florida) and I love Chicago. So, I like the Loop. For many Americans from other cities it might just be a little chaotic and, you know, maybe it's not even "beautiful" to look at. I like walking around it, in those intersecting streets, often accompanied by the noise of the Elevated Train ("EL" in Chicago). Of course, there are plenty of bars, restaurants and shopping so if you don't like the scenery (my Florida buddy told me "everything looks so old". But I am from Italy, so, you can imagine I don't have an issue with that. The Loop is where you can get pretty much every Metro Line (Clark/Lake, State/Lake) and there are plenty of places to go to that would be too long to list here. read more

I love the feeling of being in "The Loop". It is the heart of Chicago, and where many of the tourist go to experience Chicago. In the Loop you can find many things, such as Buckingham Fountain, Navy Pier, Museums, Trump Building, Chicago River, Sears Tower. Route 66, Millennium Park, Chicago Theatre, and many more. Back when I use to visit Chicago, I never felt as though I was home, unless I'd visit the Loop. Now living in Chicago, I make time to run, or ride my bike downtown, to get that feel of being in Chicago. Chicago is a huge city, and has many things to do even outside of the Loop, but if you want that city feeling "The Loop" is where it's at! The summer is a great time to visit, because there are many things out in the parks going on, and also parades. If you visit in March; there is also the dying of the Chicago River for St Patty's Day. I may have posted a picture of that. Enjoy the City, and be safe. There are also many ways to save cash, if you plan to stay for longer than a week. Many of us yelpers post things, so make sure to read other reviews, and check discussions. read more

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A trip to the Loop is a must when the weather's warm and both The Girlfriend and I have off. We take the pink line and transfer onto the green and take it all the way to Van Buren. The train cuts between iconic skyscrapers and buildings, and I often look up and peer into the offices, the many glass faces, The Girlfriend already standing by the door because the green line isn't exactly her favorite. But the streets are usually flooded with beautiful and hip dressed people, either college kids from Columbia or from Roosevelt, smoking cigarettes on the sidewalk, or sophisticated socialites sashaying down Wacker, peppered with tourists gazing up at the Willis Tower with open mouths. Truly the heart of this city, where none of its ills manage to creep in and infect the grand architecture and famous sculptures, such as Picasso's Baboon or the Winged Victory of Samothrace, a solid gold statue of a Greek goddess missing her head and arms. My favorite. The Girlfriend and I head to the Art Institute a block away from Wabash on a free day. We stare at a ten foot painting called Cupid Chastised. I stand in front of the work of art and wait for whatever truth locked in the brushstrokes and dimensions to wash over me, but nothing happens. So I shuffle on to the next painting, same thing, stand and wait for something to happen. The Girlfriend's looking at her phone and we head back to the train and get off on Clark and Lake to join a staged protest demanding divestment from South Africa, where we meet with Jo and Hanya and head to Akira because The Girlfriend really wanted some heel-less platforms, or embroidered pointed toe heels. The girls peruse the display shelves and I'm still whistling the grave, humanist slogans from earlier as I stare out the glass facade of the store and watch a businessman across the street set his briefcase down and put his hands on a steel pillar supporting the El and slam his head against the wrought iron column until he collapses. I have to cross my eyes in order to clear the vision, and suddenly I'm famished, STARVING, and luckily the girls want to sit so we stop at The Gage, a nice little gastropub serving Irish fusion. We're seated next to the window that faces Millennium Park and its famous Bean. For drinks Jo orders the Whiskey in the Jar, Hanya orders the lemon lime drop, The Girlfriend orders an Irish Coffee, and I order, off menu, a mojito, Ernest Hemingway's favorite drink. Jo's head quickly locks on a man limping by our window and she grimaces, actually clutches her stomach like just looking at the bum pains her, and she says she hates the way our society treats its homeless, and I chime in, saying homeless really is a problematic word, it connotes they are at a deficit. She should really be saying Temporarily displaced. To no one in particular, I add that Siri fails to provide answers when you ask what to do after you've been raped. I ask if anyone's going to the anti-Trump rally and The Girlfriend asks if any organizations are going to provide childcare for parents who wish to go, even though she doesn't have any kids. I'm like, uh, I'm not sure, and she shakes her head at this, upset at the lack of infrastructure and support from the community. The plus to taking the train is that you can move around without worrying about your car. But for those coming from further out: Always opt for valet. That way you don't have to struggle looking for a parking spot. And then you won't have to run out and pay 10 dollars for another 2 hours. You don't have to keep interrupting your day. This can go further. You don't have to stop for the college kids who ask you to sign their petition. You don't have to take the camera from tourists wanting to pose outside the Art Institute. You don't have to tip the bucket boys. You don't have to give every homeless person money. The sun turns and every pane on the Willis Tower gleams. Two men dressed like the Blues Brothers, wearing sunglasses, drive their 1974 Monaco down Michigan Avenue with a huge bullhorn strapped to the top, seemingly ignored by pedestrians and shoppers. You don't have to live up to anyone's expectations. You don't have to believe in ideas that make you sad or tormented, and you don't have to feel emotions that others try to manipulate you into feeling. You don't have to strive for something that's not very interesting to you. You don't have to be anything you don't want to be. You don't have to become illuminated. You don't have to do anything. My eyes lock with Hanya across the table and I feel my face short-circuit. The mood strikes me to lay in the grass at Grant Park. Maybe after lunch. read more