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The Loop (Downtown) - Chicago Hotels .com

The Loop (Downtown) - Heart of Chicago

The Loop is bordered by Chicago River to the north and west, Lake Michigan to the east and Congress Parkway to the south. The Loop is the core of the Windy City's downtown area and the center of its cultural, governmental and business communities. The Loop is the hub for all the train lines and is the true heart of the city.

The Sears Tower, America's tallest building apart from the Chicago Board of Trade, the biggest options and futures trading floors in the world. City government offices and headquarters for major corporations can be found here.

After the work day ends the Loop becomes a thriving theatre district, showcasing great Broadway performances at locations like Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre, Shubert Theatre and Chicago Theater. One of the most attractive theater of the country, Auditorium Theatre holds concerts and musicals in the south Loop area.

The State Street serves as a shopping paradise showcasing brand names like Macy's, Carson Pirie Scott and Company, Toys R Us, Old Navy and Border's. Visitors to the Loop area like to visit Harold Washington Library, Art Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Cultural Center.

Grant Park on the exterior border of the Loop is not to be missed. See the Buckingham Fountain, the fascinating rose garden and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. This huge park hosts the popular Taste of Chicago festival annually. In summer, the park hosts Jazz Fest, Blues Fest and Gospel Fest that are not to be missed if you are in town.

The Original Heaven on Seven (312-263-6443), Italian Village (312-332-7005) and The Berghoff (312-427-3170) vie to whet the upscale appetite.  Trattoria No. 10 (312-984-1718), located on 10 N Dearborn St.,  is full of busy executives during the day. For stylish Italian dining, BiCE Ristorante (312-664-1474) is an excellent pick.

In the evenings, you can find a yuppie crowd, blaring music and a peanut littered floor at Monks Pub (312-357-6665); while at the Cardozos Pub (312-236-1573) the more serious minded blue and white collars meet.

Hotel Burnham, Hotel Monaco Chicago and Hotel Allegro Chicago are the modern boutique hotels that compete with the more traditional and historic type Palmer House Hilton.

Click here for a full list of hotels near the Loop.