Best of
Active and unusual things to do in the West Loop, Chicago.
The West Loop is best known for restaurants, but the neighborhood has a handful of activities for people not centering an evening on a tasting menu. Below is a curated short list of indoor activities and unusual venues, with every pick linking to its full business listing.
Active and recreational
Sports, games, and physical activities open to drop-ins.
- Bad Axe Throwing Indoor hatchet throwing on North Loomis — group-friendly, BYOB at certain hours.165-171 N Loomis St 1, Chicago, IL, 60607
- Puttery Indoor mini-golf bar on West Randolph with three nine-hole courses and a full cocktail program.932 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL, 60607
- Union Padel Indoor padel courts on North Paulina — racket sport between tennis and squash, growing in Chicago since 2023.207 N Paulina St, Chicago, IL, 60612
- Blackhawk Community Ice Rink, LLC Community ice rink at the Blackhawks Ice Center on West Jackson — public skating sessions and skating lessons.1801 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60612
Unusual and experiential
Distillery tours, immersive art, and a restored 1885 cathedral as an event venue.
- Ch Distillery Vodka, gin, and brandy distillery on West Randolph offering distillery tours alongside a full cocktail bar.564 W Randolph St 1st&bsmt, Chicago, IL, 60661
- Wndr Museum Interactive light, sound, and digital-art installations on Monroe Street — closer to an immersive experience than a traditional museum.1130 W Monroe St 1 and 2, Chicago, IL, 60607
- Epiphany Center for the Arts Restored 1885 cathedral on South Ashland, now a multi-use event venue with rotating galleries and live performances.201-211 S Ashland Ave 1, Chicago, IL, 60607
Frequently asked questions
- What are unique things to do in the West Loop besides eating?
- Bad Axe Throwing on Loomis, Puttery on Randolph, and Union Padel on Paulina are the most-cited active drop-in options. For more passive experiences, WNDR Museum runs immersive art installations and CH Distillery offers distillery tours. The Blackhawks Ice Center on Jackson opens to public skating outside team-practice hours.
- Is there mini golf in the West Loop?
- Puttery at 932 W Randolph operates an indoor mini-golf bar with three nine-hole courses and a cocktail program — open evenings and late on weekends.
- Where can I throw axes in the West Loop?
- Bad Axe Throwing at 165 N Loomis offers walk-in hatchet throwing with coaches; sessions run roughly 75 minutes and groups can BYOB at certain hours per the operator. Reservations recommended on weekends.
- Can I tour a distillery in the West Loop?
- CH Distillery at 564 W Randolph runs scheduled tours of its on-site distillery alongside its tasting room and cocktail bar. See the operator's site for the current tour schedule.
- Is WNDR Museum worth visiting?
- Visitor reception varies. WNDR is an immersive-art experience — interactive light, sound, and digital installations — rather than a traditional museum with permanent exhibits. The current iteration is at 1130 W Monroe. Plan for roughly 60–90 minutes per the operator's typical visit guidance.