On June 29, 2006, in time for the busy Fourth of July travel weekend and Taste of Chicago, CLA introduced its new “Loop the Loop” educational walking tour program to enable visitors to easily explore the diverse cultural and entertainment offerings available in the city’s famed downtown neighborhood. CLA integrated area maps, free downloadable MP3 audio tours, City Information Panels, and street banners to bring three “Loop the Loop” tours to life.

Each “Loop the Loop” tour directs participants to visit some of the city’s most renowned offerings:

Public Art Loop  
From Picasso, to the Peristyle, Chicago’s Loop is home to some of the most acclaimed and notable artwork and installations in the country. Highlights of the tour include Joan Miro’s “Chicago” at Brunswick Building Plaza, Alexander Calder’s “Flamingo” at Federal Center Plaza, and the Picasso sculpture at Daley Plaza.

Theatre Loop  
With hundreds of productions each year and nearly a dozen theatres within walking distance in the Loop, Chicago is the ideal location to take in a show. Highlights of the tour include restored Cadillac Palace and Chicago theatres, and the new Harris Theater.

Landmark Loop  
The Loop is filled with architectural wonders and notable landmarks. Highlights of the landmarks tour include Pritzker Pavilion, the famous Marshall Field’s/Macy’s store on State Street, and the beginning point of Route 66. 

Need and MP3 Player?
For those without access to an MP3 player, CLA partnered with the Chicago Architecture Foundation to make MP3 players loaded with the audio tours available at the ArchiCenter located at 224 S. Michigan Ave.

The “Loop the Loop” audio tours were made possible in part through a grant from the State of Illinois Department of Tourism, as well as the sponsorship of TimeOut Chicago, Blick Art Materials, and Where Magazine.