South Loop

The South Loop's main claim to fame is the Museum Campus—the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and the Adler Planetarium, on Northerly Island. Jutting out into the lake, it affords amazing skyline views. To the north, giant gargoyles (actually stylized owls signifying wisdom) loom atop the Harold Washington Library. East on Congress at Michigan Avenue is the Romanesque Revival–style Auditorium Theatre, designed by architects Sullivan and Adler. Farther south at Printers Row, lofts that once clattered with Linotype machines now contain condos. The South Loop begins more or less where the Loop itself ends, starting south of Van Buren, extending down to Chinatown, and including everything between Lake Michigan and the Chicago River.