From essential visitor sites to insider spots, these are the 15 must-experience spots in the South Loop. 
Where To Eat
2201 S. Michigan Ave. / Website
Known for its housemade pastas and black truffle puff bread, this Michelin Bib Gourmand destination from chef Stephen Gillanders (S.K.Y., Valhalla) has cemented its status as the most ambitious restaurant in the South Loop.
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26 E. Congress Parkway / Website
This must-try Latin American breakfast and lunch spot serves up consistently excellent Cuban coffee, pressed sandwiches and more in an always-buzzing space.
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1401 S. Michigan Ave. / Website
Handsome, capacious surroundings in a historic 1905 firehouse combine with classic steakhouse fare and spot-on service to make this family-friendly destination a neighborhood go-to. Insider tip: Pop downstairs to the slinky Blue Room for a speakeasy vibe and regular live music.
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1310 S. Wabash Ave. / Website
Pizza and pierogi mingle happily on the menu at this Polish-Italian classic, which also boasts 17 flat-screen TVs for optimal sports viewing plus a sunny beer garden and a welcoming vibe.
638 S. Michigan Ave. / Website
Set in a stunning, airy space in the Blackstone Hotel, this upscale tapas destination features Spanish classics like patatas bravas and gambas al ajillo plus paella, stuffed pork chops and more.
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205 E. 18th St. / Website
Equally focused on community and deliciousness, this cheerful cafe beckons with a tree-shaded patio and a menu of farm egg breakfast sandwiches, smash burgers and local grain salads.
What To See & Do
1300 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive / Website
The first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere, this lakeside treasure is still among the finest, hosting more than 500,000 guests annually for a lively program of shows, exhibitions, youth STEAM programs and more.
50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, 312.341.2300 / Website
Both a National Historic Landmark and one of the city’s most beloved performance venues, this Adler and Sullivan-designed venue boasts 24K gold-leafed ceiling arches and Sullivan’s signature intricate stencil patterns. Just as impressive? The range of performers the 4,000-seat theater has hosted, from President Theodore Roosevelt to Jimi Hendrix and the Joffrey Ballet.
700 S. Wabash Ave. / Website
Blues fans are in heaven at this South Loop institution, where local and national talents—plus the iconic Buddy Guy himself—take the stage on a regular basis.
1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, 312.922.9410 / Website
This natural history nerve center is beloved for its world-famous resident T. rex fossil SUE, as well as dynamic exhibitions and the interactive Grainger Science Hub.
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1800 S. Prairie Ave. / Website
A National Historic Landmark tucked on a charming, tree-lined street, this cultural center and museum offers a striking glimpse of Chicago home life from the late 1800s to the present day.
1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive / Website
Opened in 1930, the Shedd is one of the largest indoor public aquariums in the world, with state-of-the-art exhibits. Highlights: Wild Reef, where visitors get up close to rays, reef fish, coral and sharks; Oceanarium, displaying beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, otters and penguins; Caribbean Reef, with over 500 tropical fish; and Amazon Rising, exploring the habitat of an anaconda and piranhas.
1410 Special Olympics Drive / Website
Catch a Bears game, a Chicago Fire FC soccer match or a world-class concert from the likes of Beyonce, Pink and the Rolling Stones at this iconic stadium surrounded by a swath of green space in the Museum Campus area.
Where to Stay
636 S. Michigan Ave. / Website
Set in an iconic architectural gem, this sophisticated hotel has been updated with modern amenities and is an ideal spot from which to explore the city south of the river.
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2121 S. Prairie Ave. / Website
Ideal for conventioneers at McCormick Place and for Soldier Field events, this sleek hotel boasts stunning city and lake views and roomy, contemporary accommodations.
Photography by: Top photo by Lucy Hewett/Field Museum; Auditorium Theatre photo by Todd Rosenberg; Buddy Guy photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images; Field Museum photo by Lucy Hewett
