Lake Shore Campus

Lake Shore Campus is located in the Rogers Park and Edgewater neighborhoods of Chicago’s North Side. It’s a vibrant, diverse urban area with beaches, parks, global eateries and arts venues that our students explore all the time. Here are just a few of our favorite places to visit!

Places to Eat

• Eggs with Benefits: A Korean-inspired breakfast place started by a Loyola alum which also sells amazing tacos!
  ➤ 6441 North Sheridan Rd
• Honeybear: A popular brunch spot with creative menu items and fun, colorful decor.
  ➤ 7036 N Clark St
• J.B. Alberto's: A long-standing neighborhood pizza spot that serves classic Italian-American comfort food. It sells pizza by the slice!
  ➤ 1326 W Morse Ave
• Metropolis Coffee Company: A specialty local coffee roaster and café in Edgewater with really good coffee.
  ➤ 1039 W Granville Ave
• Sam's Chicken & Ribs: A casual Chicago eatery known for hearty comfort food like ribs, fried chicken, hot dogs, gyros, and more!
  ➤ 1102 W Granville Ave
• Waterfront Cafe: A seasonal cafe open in the warmer months that has a scenic outdoor patio with a view of Lake Michigan.
  ➤ 6219 N Sheridan Rd

 

Places to Experience

Water Tower Campus

Water Tower Campus is located in the heart of downtown Chicago’s Near North Side, just steps from the Magnificent Mile. It’s a busy, walkable area filled with world-class shopping, restaurants, museums, and cultural attractions that our students experience every day. Here are a few of our favorite places!

Places to Eat

• Ghost Donkey: A lively mezcal and taco spot known for bold flavors, colorful interiors, and a fun, social vibe.
  ➤ 415 N Dearborn St
• Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba: A casual Spanish tapas restaurant offering small plates, sangria, and a welcoming neighborhood feel.
  ➤ 441 N Clark St
• LondonHouse Chicago: A stylish rooftop destination with sweeping views of the Chicago River and skyline.
  ➤ 85 E Wacker Dr
• Quartino Ristorante: An Italian eatery serving shareable plates, pizza, and classic comfort dishes in a lively setting.
  ➤ 626 N State St

Places to Experience

Beyond Campus...

We encourage every student to venture beyond our two campuses and explore more of the city. Here are a few of the places we think are worth the trip.

Places to Eat

• Fulton Market: A trendy food district packed with award-winning restaurants, global flavors, and lively spots to explore.
  ➤ W Fulton St between N Halsted St & N Ogden Ave
• Little Bad Wolf: A neighborhood favorite known for serving one of the best burgers in Chicago, just 10 minutes away from campus in Andersonville.
  ➤ 1541 W Bryn Mawr Ave
• Scooter’s Frozen Custard: A classic late-night stop for rich frozen custard, shakes, and sweet treats.
  ➤ 1658 W Belmont Ave
• Taqueria El Asadero: A beloved local taqueria serving authentic Mexican dishes and some of the best tacos in the area.
  ➤ 2213 W Montrose Ave
• The Chicago Diner: A legendary vegetarian diner famous for comfort food classics and its iconic vegan milkshakes.
  ➤ 3411 N Halsted St
  
  

Places to Experience

How to Get Around

One of the most unique aspects of life in Chicago is how easy it is to get around without a car. In many cases, public transit is actually the easier option! Chicago’s transit system is reliable and can take you almost anywhere within the city, and even to some nearby suburbs. As a Loyola student, you'll also receive a U-Pass, which offers you unlimited free rides on city buses and trains!

Here's a quick overview of transit options as a student!

The Loyola Shuttle

The Loyola Intercampus Shuttle is free to students and operates on weekdays only in the Fall and Spring. It runs frequently (20 - 30 minute intervals) between Lake Shore Campus and Water Tower Campus. Depending on traffic, the ride can take anywhere between 20 - 45 minutes.

City Buses

Chicago has more than 120 bus routes spanning the whole of Chicago. Here are some of the routes Loyola students most frequent.

• #147 Outer Drive Express – An express bus that stops directly by both campuses; connects Rogers Park to downtown Chicago.
• #151 Sheridan – Serves major north–south streets near both campuses, another popular choice for students heading to class.
• #36 Broadway – Stops near Lake Shore Campus and can be useful for getting to and from neighborhood destinations.
• #136 Sheridan/Skokie Valley – Provides access north toward Skokie and connects with other transit options.
• #155 Devon – Another route with stops close to campus and helpful for cross-city trips.

City Trains

You can call them "trains," but many Chicagoans would rather refer to them as the "L" (short for "elevated," referring to the elevated tracks that much of the system runs on). Chicago has 8 lines and 146 train stations, and Loyola is the only university with a station named after it!

The Loyola Red Line Station will probably be one of your most frequented points of transit at Lake Shore Campus. The train takes you all the way downtown, where you can stop at the Chicago Red Line Station close to Water Tower Campus. The Red Line also stops around many of the Chicago landmarks you'd might want to visit like Wrigley Field, Chinatown, and Argyle Street.

Other lines you might take include the Blue Line, which takes you to O'hare International Airport, or the Brown Line, which takes you through popular Chicago neighborhoods. These lines "loop" in downtown Chicago (hence why the downtown area is called "The Loop"), so they're always easy to access if you want to explore new neighborhoods.

Metra

If you want to venture farther into the suburbs, Metra trains have stops in farther areas! To get to the larger malls and commercial districts in the Chicagoland area, you may have to take one of these buses.

How to Use Buses and Trains?

You can use Google or Apple Maps to plug in your destination, and there should be an option to see how to get there via public transport.

• On the bus, you tap your U-Pass, Ventra Card, or Credit/Debit Card on the reader next to the bus driver. When you're one stop away from your destination, let the bus driver know by pulling the cord or pushing the buttons on the poles.
• On the train, you tap your U-Pass, Ventra Card, or Credit/Debit Card on the reader at the entrance of the station, then head to the right platform. Make sure you're going the right direction. Get in the train when it comes, and get off when you get to your stop.
• On the Metra, you purchase your tickets at the station or in the Ventra app. You go into your train, and a conductor will come around and verify your tickets.

 

Tips and Tricks

• Sometimes, the arrival times on Google or Apple Maps are not accurate. It's better to download the Ventra app to track the trains and buses in real time.
• If you're using the train late at night, take the cart that is closest to the operator. If you feel threatened, press the button in your cart to call the operator.
• If you miss your stop on the train, just get off at the next stop, cross to the next platform, and take the train back!
• Check the signs to make sure you're going the right direction. Whether you're taking the train or the bus, make sure you're on the right side!
• If you like to bike, you can get a Divvy membership and bike to your destinations!
• Sometimes, the best way to get somewhere is to just walk. Chicago is built to be walkable, so don't be afraid to skip the hassle of waiting for a bus or train and go by foot! You'll see more of Chicago that way too.