vit / August 4, 2004 9:31 AM

Only for the occaisional trip to the Art Institute and the theater, or if I want to take the train out to the burbs when my car breaks down (will they ever finish rennovation the train station at Randolph and Michigan). Other than that, never.

anne / August 4, 2004 9:49 AM

If it would stop raining on Tuesdays I'd be down there every week for the Outdoor film fest.

brian / August 4, 2004 10:34 AM

Relatively often, for all the usual reasons: museums, to see the Bean, opera, etc. Best people watching there is, I say.

Benjy / August 4, 2004 10:35 AM

I've been out there every week for the Outdoor Film Fest in spite of the rain!

Andrew / August 4, 2004 10:46 AM

(You guys know the rain's supposed to stop this morning -- just bring a garbage bag to sit on and you'll be fine.)

I'm down there maybe once or twice a month, if that. Last month, both trips were to visit Millennium Park. I just don't have much need to go to the Loop.

Carly / August 4, 2004 11:14 AM

I've gone to a couple of the galleries around Columbia College.

Does State Street count? Sometimes I prefer to do my shopping over there (Marshall Field's, Carson's and the Nordstrom's Rack).

Mostly though, the loop seems rather drab to me...and it's eerie how dead it is during the week at night.

anne / August 4, 2004 11:21 AM

It hasn't been the rain as much as the thunder and lightning that's made me scamper away.

Steve / August 4, 2004 11:25 AM

Is there anything to do in the Loop besides work? (I'm using the technical definition of the Loop here, where the Art Institute, Millenium Park, Harold Washington Library, and even Sears Tower fall outside of it. Come to think of it, my office building is actually half a block outside of the Loop, as it's just west of Wells.)

State Street shopping and eye doctor appointments are just about all I've done down here outside of the job in the past year, and that's been more an after-work thing than a separate trip.

I should do more live theatre and Siskel film center stuff down here at the very least....

Audrey / August 4, 2004 11:34 AM

I go at least once a week for one of the following reasons:
* My favorite camera/film store -- Central Camera
* Flat File Gallery and the Museum of Contemporary Photography
* Gene Siskel movie theater!!
* Powells Bookstore in the south Loop area and the bookstore in the Architecture Foundation
* Marshall Field's on State street
* Goodman Theater

Mike / August 4, 2004 11:39 AM

There's always a lot to do downtown if you look for it: outdoor movies, critical mass, the farmer's market in Daly Plaza, restaraunts to impress out-of-towners, the Siskel Film Center.
On the other hand, there's a lot to avoid there too. For example, if there is a hell, it's bar-hopping anywhere near Lake St. Also, the appeal of shopping down there doesn't make sense unless you need work clothes, save a buck and drive around a bit.

Naz / August 4, 2004 11:52 AM

The Loop used to be a daily thing for me - when I was going to DePaul. Back when a few of us were skating daily, we'd go down there when it was dark and empty and skate to our hearts content.

These days I'm rarely down there (in the Loop proper) but it's excellent for taking late night photos. The city looks so serene and quiet. Creepy too, but it's got serious atmosphere.

Ian / August 4, 2004 12:16 PM

Generally at least twice a week, to restock up on coffee at Intelligentsia and raid the farmers markets.

Following on from Naz's comments, the true Loop, reminds me of London's square mile (financial district). It buzzes during the week days, but at night and on the week-ends, it can feel very, very quiet.

Carly / August 4, 2004 12:42 PM

Oh, I forgot about the Gene Siskel!

suz / August 4, 2004 2:10 PM

Well it doesn't count that I'm already down here for the farmer's markets but I would make a special trip if I wasn't.
Movies in Grant Park, Summer Dance, my doctor and the Art Institute are just some of the reasons why I venture downtown often.
And, if it wasn't so dead after eight, I would think about living downtown if for no other reason than being able to walk to work.

Ben Dover / August 4, 2004 2:29 PM

Adult book store (on Wells) anybody?

Dark and secluded, unlike the ones right next door to Brasserie Jo and the Boss (wtf wit dat?).

Lisa / August 4, 2004 3:50 PM

The Art Institute, State St. shopping, the occasional 5k, maybe a trip to the museum campus... lots to do in the daytime, but aside from the movies in Grant Park, does anyone ever hang out down there at night?

dav3 / August 4, 2004 8:44 PM

summerdance! (but not tonight)