Chicago Loop

Chicago’s central district encompasses its downtown business area and is named for the elevated railway tracks that loop around it.

Chicago 'L': Chicago’s rapid-transit system, much of which runs on elevated tracks. Its elevated downtown tracks gave the district its name and continue to define its boundaries.
Union Station: Chicago’s principal intercity rail terminal, on the west side of the Chicago River. Commuter and intercity rail bring workers and visitors into the Loop’s western edge.
Great Chicago Fire: The 1871 fire that destroyed much of central Chicago and prompted extensive rebuilding. The rebuilding reshaped the Loop and accelerated its transformation into a modern business district.
Near North Side, Chicago: A community area immediately north of the Chicago River in central Chicago. It adjoins the Loop but has a distinct mix of residential, retail, and cultural districts.
Chicago River: A river flowing through central Chicago into Lake Michigan. Its branches frame the Loop’s northern and western edges.
Metra: The commuter-rail system serving Chicago and its surrounding region. Its downtown terminals connect the Loop to suburban communities.
World's Columbian Exposition: A 1893 world’s fair held in Chicago to mark the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s first voyage to the Americas. The fair strengthened Chicago’s civic ambitions while the Loop consolidated its commercial role.
West Loop, Chicago: A Chicago neighborhood west of the Loop, across the Chicago River. Its warehouses, restaurants, and newer offices distinguish it from the historic central district.
State Street: A major north–south street in Chicago. Its Loop stretch became a defining corridor for downtown retail and transit.
Chicago Board of Trade Building: A 1930 Art Deco skyscraper that housed the Chicago Board of Trade. Its historic trading floors exemplify the Loop’s role as a financial center.

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Willis TowerRelated: Willis Tower anchors the Loop’s western edge and contributes to its office district.