933 W Van Buren Street, 721 Chicago, IL 60607

West Loop used to be the industrial part of downtown, full of meatpacking warehouses and small factories. Lately, it’s foodie paradise, with inventive eateries from fast to fancy, and a bar and nightclub culture that keeps visitors busy post-dessert. It’s also the historical home of Chicago’s Greektown. In the summer, the streets (built wide enough for wagons) fill with live music events, pop-up cafes, and street festivals. Former factories have been converted into fashionable lofts, and where there’s not a pub or a pastry shop there are funky clothing boutiques and some of the city’s hottest art galleries. The neighborhood is convenient to other parts of the city by foot, car, and public transportation, though the lake can seem far away — geographically, and attitudinally.