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Cermak-McCormick Place Green line station
Photograph: Martha WilliamsCermak-McCormick Place Green line station

A complete guide to the South Loop

Just west of the museums and McCormick, and below the busy Loop is hub of nightclubs, restaurants and hotels. Here's what to do in the South Loop.

Written by
Brent DiCrescenzo
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The South Loop lies, well, just south of the Chicago Loop. That makes it one of the most accessible and easy-to-find neighborhoods in the city. Bordered by the lake and gorgeous Chicago parks, the Chicago River, Chinatown, some of the top Chicago museums and McCormick Place, the South Loop should feel more bustling than it is. In reality, the 'hood is a quieter residential area ripe for exploration just a walk from downtown. There's fantastic food to be had, from white-tablecloth artistry to snappy hot dogs. Shop for books in historic Printers Row. When the sun sets, slip into one of the many hopping music hotspots, as this has long been a hub for jazz, blues and soul. Here's what to do in the South Loop.

RECOMMENDED: Chicago neighborhoods guide

Things to do in the South Loop