Map 11 • South Loop / McCormick Place image

image

 

South Loop / McCormick Place

image

Map 11

In the summer, joggers and bicyclists crowd the lakefront trail and soak in the sun in Burnham Park. Once temperatures reach a friendly sub-zero reading in December, Bears fans turn parking lots into 6:30 a.m. Sunday Funday spots. Throughout the year, McCormick Place looms over the neighborhood to welcome meetings, trade shows, and business gatherings of all kinds.

image Landmarks

• Adler Planetarium • 1300 S Lake Shore Dr

312-922-7827

Depression-era wonder that thrilled millions at 1933 Century of Progress Exposition.

• America’s Courtyard • 1300 S Lake Shore Dr

A spiral of stones that echoes both the Milky Way and ancient structures. Designed by Denise Milan and Ary R. Perez.

• Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens • 1800 S Prairie Ave

312-328-0821

A garden from a former first lady.

• Clarke House Museum • 1827 S Indiana Ave

312-326-1480

Built in 1836 by an unknown architect, this Greek Revival-style home has been relocated twice and is now an official Chicago landmark.

• The Field Museum • 1400 S Lake Shore Dr

312-922-9410

Go to see Sue, world’s largest known T. rex; stay for the jam-packed halls of vaguely macabre taxidermy.

• McCormick Place • 2301 S Lake Shore Dr

312-791-7000

Hard to miss.

• Museum Campus • S Lake Shore Dr

The ultimate destination for educational field trips.

• Northerly Island Park • 1400 S Linn White Dr

312-745-2910

Greenspace now encompassing former site of Meigs Field airport.

• Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church • 2401 S Wabash Ave

312-791-1846

Built in 1892, this Victorian Gothic-style church houses Chicago’s oldest African American congregation.

• Second Presbyterian Church • 1936 S Michigan Ave

312-225-4951

Reconstructed in 1900 by Howard Van Doren Shaw, this ponderous Gothic Revival-style church has stained glass by Tiffany.

• Soldier Field • 1410 Museum Campus Dr

312-235-7000

Once on the National Register of Historic Places, this renovated monster is home to Da Bears.

• The Wheeler Mansion • 2020 S Calumet Ave

312-945-2020

This Second Empire-style mansion now houses a boutique hotel for high-end travelers.

• Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation •

2120 S Michigan Ave

312-808-1286

Former Chess Records studio. Tours, exhibits, workshops, and performances.

image Nightlife

• M Lounge • 1520 S Wabash Ave

312-447-0201

Chic lounge with live jazz.

• Reggie’s • 2105 S State St

312-949-0120

Record store, all-age live music venue, and sports bar & grill all in one place.

• Square 1 • 1400 S Michigan Ave

312-786-1750

Craft brews, cocktails and…wait for it…self-service wine dispensers.

• Vice District Brewing • 1454 S Michigan Ave

312-291-9022

Craft beer spot featuring in-house brews.

• Wabash Tap • 1233 S Wabash Ave

312-360-9488

South Loop, no ties, relax-after-work joint.

image Restaurants

• Acadia • 1639 S Wabash Ave

312-360-9500 • $$$$$

Multi-course tasting menus inspired by Vacationland.

• Chef Luciano • 49 E Cermak Rd

312-326-0062 • $

Walk-in restaurant with eclectic entrees; Italian/African/Cajun influences.

• Gioco • 1312 S Wabash Ave

312-939-3870 • $$$

Great Italian dining.

• Kroll’s • 1736 S Michigan Ave

312-235-1400 • $$

Chicago outpost of Green Bay grill. Packers backers better watch their backs.

• La Cantina Grill • 1911 S Michigan Ave

312-842-1911 • $$

Comfy Mexican with no surprises.

• Nepal House • 1301 S Michigan Ave

312-922-0601 • $$

Nepalese and Himalayan cuisine.

• Tapas Valencia • 1530 S State St

312-842-4444 • $$

Par for the course tapas for the South Loop.

• Waffles • 1400 S Michigan Ave

312-854-8572 • $$

Your morning made better with syrup.

image Shopping

• Cycle Bike Shop • 1465 S Michigan Ave

312-987-1080

Bike shop, obviously.

• Waterware • 1829 S State St

312-225-4549

Designer plumbing fixtures.