The best things to do in West Loop

Punk, hard-rock and electronic acts rule the stage at Bottom Lounge, where you can grab a burger, some poutine or a beer before heading into the midsize music venue. The bar feels like a rocker hangout that thrives regardless of what is happening in the live room, with some great craft beer options (including Three Floyds' Zombie Dust Pale Ale, which is usually on tap). Thanks to its proximity to the United Center, Bottom Lounge is also a popular destination for Blackhawks fans during hockey season.

Whether you're in search of a new pair of Air Jordans or the latest pieces from Paris fashion label Maison Margiela, you'll find some of the most sought-after looks at this high-end menswear boutique. Walk up the brick steps in the shop's cavernous vestibule and into its minimalist showroom, where you can browse a tightly curated selection of Notre's latest offerings. Regular programming like the Notre Talk series (which has featured Alinea chef Grant Achatz and Ghostly International founder Sam Valenti) provide a reason to visit, even if you're not ready to drop a few hundred bucks on some trendy threads.

Experience an utterly unique and engaging experience at Aire Ancient Baths, the sultry, vast candlelit bath house located in the basement of a historic industrial building on Superior Street. Amid the concrete jungle that is Chicago, you’ll be transported to a peaceful oasis that is sure to relax you and engage all of your senses. The bathhouse has a variety of different temperature baths to choose from, gorgeous facilities and provides an atmosphere unlike any other in the city. Enjoy a massage, salt scrub or an intimate couples experience, and come prepared to disconnect from the outside world and have a full mind and body reset. 

Boasting one of the best views in the West Loop from a chic, swanky rooftop, Cabra in The Hoxton hotel is the perfect spot for pre-dinner drinks or Peruvian-inspired cuisine courtesy of celebrated Chicago chef Stephanie Izard. Drink pisco sours while savoring the bright and bold flavors the menu has to offer. You can try a variety of ceviches (mushroom ceviche for the veggie inclined!) or Izard’s beloved goat empanadas in a vibrant and colorful tropical setting. In the summer, enjoy skyline views and breathtaking Chicago sunsets outside by the wading pool.

Summer festival fans know Union Park as the venue for the annual Pitchfork Music Festival, but this West Loop park is worth visiting even when there aren't stages set up on the lawn. You can take a dip in the swimming pool, check out the auditorium, visit the fitness center or show off your skills on the basketball and tennis courts. It's also a nice destination for a walk after you finish a meal at a nearby restaurant on Randolph Street or Fulton Market.

Stocked with pinball machines, arcade games, foosball, air hockey and pool tables, the Fulton Market offshoot of Emporium Arcade Bar is one of the neighborhood's best places to face off against your friends. When you're not pumping tokens into the Centipede cabinet, sit down and enjoy a beer or a cocktail from the bar—it's a great spot to kill time while you're waiting for a reservation at a nearby restaurant or to unwind after a delicious meal.

If you've ever thought about taking up rock climbing as a hobby, there's no better spot to begin than this expansive West Loop climbing facility. The 25,000-square-foot venue is packed with vertical surfaces that you can crawl up, as well as trained professionals who will keep you safe while you navigate the holds. Take an introductory class to learn the ropes or spring for a day pass to scale the gigantic walls at Brooklyn Boulders until your muscles ache.

This classic Chicago landmark opened in 1925 as a replacement for an 1881 train station and remains in operation today as a transportation hub for Amtrak and Metra trains in and out of the city. Film buffs will want to stop by Union Station's Great Hall, which has been featured in movies like The Untouchables, My Best Friend's Wedding and Flags of Our Fathers, among others. If you have time to poke around, find the two Henry Hering statues—one holding a rooster and the other holding an owl—which represent the around-the-clock nature of this bustling station.

Bargain hunters, hagglers and collectors head to the West Loop to shop the wares of more than 100 vendors at Randolph Street Market. During the warmer months, the bazaar takes over the parking lot of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union Hall, filling the space with antiques, records, vintage movie posters, clothing, jewelry and assorted knickknacks. When it gets colder, the market moves inside, but you'll still find plenty of sellers who might be willing to make you a deal. Don't forget that your ticket to the market is good for both days of the event!

Chicago has plenty of speakeasy bars housed throughout its many neighborhoods, and Moneygun is one of the best. If you’re in the mood for cocktails in a sleek, understated setting, look no further than this fun bar located on Lake Street under the green and pink “L” lines. It’s a go-to spot for every classic cocktail you can imagine and offers good music, great vibes and no BS. Whether you’re winding down after a long day or getting ready to start your night on the town, Moneygun is the perfect place.

Check out the Art Deco historical building that once was the postal service headquarters, and is now a Chicago Landmark. Built in 1921, the Old Post Office has entered its next phase after undergoing a massive $800 million renovation. And did we mention the expansion of the Riverwalk? The building is open to the public, but tenants and those who occupy the workspaces have access to the city’s largest private urban rooftop, The Meadow. For everyone else, visit From Here On, an expansive food hall. Start your morning off with fresh pastries (baked daily!) or grab a quick cup of Joe. During the afternoon, you can enjoy a wide range of dining options featuring vendors from the city's diverse neighborhoods, and end your day with happy hour at Snorkelbox.

You don't need to have bulging biceps or wear flannel to toss a lumberjack's favorite tool at targets. The West Loop outpost of Bad Axe Throwing allows groups to book time in one of the facility's two rooms and test their accuracy, with some assistance from a coach. While there are limited walkup hours available for spur-of-the-moment throwing, you're better off making a reservation for an evening of creating wood chips.

Head on over to WNDR Museum and let your curiosities run wild. This multi-sensory interactive experience features immersive installations that combine art and technology. The highlight of the museum is undoubtedly the works by artist Yayoi Kusama—especially the exhibit “Let’s Survive Forever,” otherwise known as “The Mirror Room,” where one finds themselves surrounded by large mirrored balls suspended from the ceiling and mirror-lined walls. Take Insta-worthy photos for your feed while immersing yourself in the unique works of the famed artist. Other exhibits currently at WNDR Museum include “One Minute,” WNDR’s exclusive video game collaboration with artist Oseanworld, “The Forever Machine” by Chicago Artist Mac Blackout and the FLUX ROOM, a multi-sensory immersive experience set in an infinitely shifting futurescape.

While the West Loop has plenty of day spas and salons, Scratch Goods is the standout when it comes to all things apothecary and self-care. Home of Chicago’s first Mask Bar—the city’s only BYOB interactive skin care experience—this cute, inviting shop offers an array of products for everyone. Grab your friends and have a day date getting pampered with food-grade skin care and customized masks. The store also stocks lots of unique items perfect for gifting someone else, or in the name of self-care, yourself.

Open Books isn’t your average bookstore. The nonprofit venture is situated within the Chicago Literacy Alliance's Literacenter and contains more than 50,000 books—mostly used and donated, with some recent new titles—housed in rows of wooden shelves painted in bright, cheery colors. Open Books invites customers to sit and stay awhile, offering plenty of snug reading nooks, complete with comfy seating, as well as a dedicated children's section. Go ahead, buy a handful—all proceeds go to literacy programs in the city.

Just off the bustle of the restaurant-studded stretch of Halsted Street in Greektown, the first and only major museum in the country dedicated to Greek-American culture is housed in a 40,000-square-foot building. The permanent collection includes artifacts and documents that portray the Hellenic immigrant experience and the origins of Chicago’s own Greek community.

Sneakerheads and streetwear enthusiasts alike should follow a Notre visit with a trip to the Leaders 1354 store. From the latest sneaker drop to the dopest collabs and featured collections, this store is at the forefront of all things streetwear. Chat with one of the store’s knowledgeable staff members to learn more about the latest in fashion from your favorite brands and designers, and maybe get a new fact or three about Chicago’s rich streetwear history and the artists and musicians that had a hand in the trends we see today.

With 30,000 square feet of space devoted to dining, bowling alleys, private karaoke rooms and vintage arcade games, Punch Bowl Social's Fulton Market outpost is a destination for post-workday hijinks. After chowing down on burgers, fried chicken and hot dogs, grab an adult milkshake at the bar before trying to pick up a spare on the lanes or making a fool of yourself in the VR lounge. If games aren't your thing, you can at least snap a few Instagram photos amid Punch Bowl Social's kitschy decor.

Dolci Amori is an Italian bakery brought to us by the folks at Piccolo Sogno. This pastry shop, or “pasticceria” in Italiano, serves fresh Caffe Umbria coffee and offers a variety of pastries, from Italian classics such as biscotti, panna cotta, and Italian cookies to newer takes on tiramisu and buttery cornetti ischitanis (flavors include dark chocolate cremeux and Sicilian pistachio cremeux). Looking for an evening cocktail or pizza? Dolci Amori also features savory bites and cocktails until as late as 11pm on the weekends.

Just like this chain's locations around the country, the West Loop's City Winery provides plenty of food, beverages and live music. The booking leans heavily on adult contemporary artists (Bilal, Los Lobos) and legacy acts (Booker T, Lucinda Williams), attracting an older crowd that appreciates dinner and a show. If you're looking for a music venue with a wine list that goes deeper than "red or white," stop by City Winery for a glass or two.

A combination skatepark, music venue and event space, House of Vans is an old Randolph Street warehouse that has been transformed into a totally rad hangout. Outfitted with a bar taken from the defunct Goose Island brewpub in Wrigleyville, skateboard ramps and a stage, this shoe-company–sponsored venue hosts free (with RSVP) concerts, screenings, skate nights and other programming throughout the year. Just make sure that you're on the list—the standby line usually wraps around the building.

Go full Caddy Shack at this exciting mini-golf cocktail bar on Randolph Street. With 23,000 square feet of open space, the decor is stunning and the atmosphere is on point for an entertaining, fun experience. Additionally, Puttery uses state-of-the-art technology like digital scorecards and trackable golf balls to make the experience even better. Featuring two unique nine-hole putt putt courses, swanky bars and lounges to enjoy cocktails with friends, Puttery is a fun interactive activity everyone is sure to enjoy.

Gallerist Kavi Gupta owns and operates this eponymous space, which is one of the few galleries that has managed to remain in the West Loop. Inside, you'll usually find exhibitions of work by emerging and mid-career artists—in the past the gallery has displayed work by the likes of Theaster Gates, Puerto Rican–born painter Angel Otero and multimedia artist Tony Tasset.

Before food halls started springing up throughout the city, Chicago's French Market was one of the only places in town where you could sample cuisine from multiple local restaurants in a single building, including sushi, tacos, bahn mi and other delicious dishes. In addition to great grub, you'll also find a European-inspired marketplace, with fresh fruit, veggies and baked goods that you can bring home for dinner. Good luck snagging a seat during the weekday lunch rush—this place hasn't gotten any less popular.

Located near Greektown, this West Loop park is best known for its ADA-accessible children's playground, which allows for inventive, non-linear play without traditional play equipment, though it does have swings, slides and a lot of other cool things to run around on. In the rest of the park, canines love the sunken dog park, complete with a continuously filling, oversized dog bowl, ramps, ledges, steps and an artificial grass exercise area. The viewing hill is up to six feet high and provides a stunning view of the park with a backdrop of the Chicago skyline.

You can get a Big Mac at anywhere, but you can sample McDonald's menu items from around the world at the restaurant located inside of the fast food giant's West Loop headquarters. The McDonald’s International Headquarters Restaurant offers a new selection of items from all over the globe every few months, ranging from sweet potato fries that are served in the Netherlands to a breakfast sandwich made with Halloumi cheese that's popular in Cyprus. If you're not feeling adventurous, you can also order from the usual menu of American McDonald's dishes, but where's the fun in that?