South Loop, Chicago, IL

Once a highly industrialized area – and before that, a key stop on the Underground Railroad – South Loop has gained popularity as an inexpensive and accessible alternative to living north of the Chicago River, with a number of sleek modern condos popping up shortly after the millennium for the young professionals who work downtown.

Add to that its proximity to the Bears' home at Soldier Field, major aquariums and museums in the Museum Campus, and the outdoor oasis Grant Park, and it’s no wonder that a number of restaurants and bars have also moved in.

Although the club scene is sparse, the South Loop draws a young and stylish crowd of professionals and residents in the market for classy fusion cuisine, some live blues, or a late-night cocktail.

Most of South Loop’s action runs down Michigan Avenue and State Street just south of Grant Park, both of which head south into the neighborhood’s historic Prairie District – one of the few areas spared during the Great Fire of 1871.