The Loop is the popular name for the Chicago Business district. It is the second largest business district in the U.S., after Manhattan. The name is derived from the place where the strands powering cable cars turned around on a pulley in the center of the city. The idea was extended to the ring of elevated rail tracks connecting downtown with the surrounding neighborhoods.

The El train tracks run along Lake Street on the north, Wabash Avenue on the east, Van Buren Street on the south, and Wells Street on the west.

Currently the "Loop" is used to describe Chicago's entire downtown which is encompassed by the Chicago River on the north, Roosevelt Road to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, and the Chicago River to the west.

The Loop has many office skyscrapers that fill in the city's skyline. Several of these buildings are known for their architectural significance including the Chicago Board of Trade building, the Sears Tower, and 311 South Wacker.

The Loop remains the heartbeat of Chicago's business and cultural community and offers city dwellers the venerable State Street shopping of Marshall Field's and Carson Pirie Scott along with The Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Harold Washington Library Center and multiple theaters. With the Sears Tower, Grant Park, and Millennium Park, the Loop is a national tourist destination.

There are many high rise condos and trendy converted lofts to make living in the Loop enjoyable.