The Loop is Chicago's downtown historic and financial center, home to the titans of industry, world-class shopping ... and more than 30 works of public art.

Follow Insider Chicago’s Hilary Gowins as she bikes her way past some of these pieces before you check out the rest on your own.

photo gallery

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map

See Hilary's route - and more than 20 other public art pieces in the Loop - in a Google map.

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  Whachoo talkin' 'bout, Willis?

  Join us for an elevator ride up the Willis Tower's 110 stories and see beyond the stellar view.

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  Wine and dine

  BYOB...four letters sure to send your heart -- and your wallet -- aflutter. Here's a quick look at Chicago's cheap wine-and-dine culture.

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  Chicago's lit scene

  Long after Hemingway left town, Chicago is still breeding plenty of aspiring writers. Watch the Chicago Literary Club wax philosophic.

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  A walk on the wild side

  Watch as Insider Chicago's Hilary Gowins tries to contain her animal instincts at the nation's oldest public zoo.

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Life moves fast in the Second City. One minute you’re sporting long undies and a sleeping-bag-turned-winter-jacket and the next, you’re deflecting Cubs fans rabid after a day game in 90-degree heat.

But if you don’t stop and look around, you'll miss the gems hidden just below the surface. We’ve hit the streets, with video cameras in tow, to show you the Chicago that emerges between long coffee lines, disrupted El service, and lunch breaks that end too quickly. Slow it down for a moment and see Chicago in 60 seconds.

your chicago

Show us your favorite side of Chicago in a minute or less. We'll feature one each week on the home page and if we pick yours, you'll win merchandise, special access to Insider Chicago events, and more.

If your video is already on YouTube or Vimeo, just paste the URL here and we'll do the dirty work.

• featured video: Glessner House

  submitted by mpacatte

  

• see more submissions