One might expect me to be all doom and gloom about the sheer number of restaurants and bars along the river. Surprisingly, I won't be that guy, at least not this time. The main thing I really love about the Riverwalk is that it's a place in Chicago where someone can simply exist and vibe without the necessity of spending money. There is more than enough space to walk along the riverfront, take a seat, and enjoy the atmosphere. In terms of safety, there are more than enough "eyes on the street" as well as a visible police/private security presence. As with any high-traffic spot, use common sense, but other than a possible pickpocket, I don't foresee any issues. In terms of cleanliness, it is well-maintained, and I've not encountered any noticeable dirt, grime, or trash. I also really appreciate that the Riverwalk has both public bathrooms and is accessible! Accessibility needs no further explanation, and being able to wash up without buying an overpriced drink is worth its weight in gold. Another Yelper has compared it to the San Antonio River Walk and called out Chicago for having a shorter, less green "rip-off" of what one would find in Texas. However, I believe one should cast this comparison aside and judge the Chicago Riverwalk on its own merits. With that said... The final verdict: The Chicago Riverwalk is not your traditional, greenery-filled park. It is, however, a fantastic public space to take a stroll, have a bite, or just relax. Better still, while there is no shortage of tourists, it is an excellent destination for locals and visitors alike. read more

Chicago Riverwalk is this great pathway that takes you, as the name implies, right along the river. Basically to get there, it branches just off of the lake shore, just by a little bit, then you walked down and around, and you are there. From Navy Pier you will find signs to guide you to the actual pathway. Simple as that. Along the Riverwalk you will find a bunch of restaurants, a couple of places to have drinks; i.e.: cocktails, and/or coffee oriented drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, plus, I'm sure, they also have soft drinks and things like that. Mostly, you will find great and unique views of the city. In terms of the actual functionality of the Riverwalk, it's a great place to get your steps in, as it travels along the river for quite a ways. Once you reach the end, there you can turn around and walk back the other way. Especially if you're in the area, and you want to get some exercise in, it's a great place to do just that. The Riverwalk is lined with stairwells. Plus, a number of embedded, cement seats. Thus, if you want to take a break and just sit back and enjoy the day, you can do that along the Riverwalk, as well. Overall, it's one of those main examples of Chicago life. Chicago Riverwalk is a great place to find a place to eat and/or a great place to take a walk. read more

The Chicago Riverwalk is very cool. It's not only an opportunity to get your steps in, but to take in all the sights, and grab lunch during. Because you're downtown, the Riverwalk is lined with tall buildings on both sides of the river. You can't miss the Trump building with all the glass windows reflecting the sun! It's also a sight to see when the drawbridge goes up. You hear the alarms going off for a while before it finally does. Because I walked here from my hotel, I can't comment about parking. I'm pretty certain it's not easy though. The majority of people on the streets are walking. The sidewalks are crowded. read more

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A wonderful 1.25-mile pedestrian path along the Chicago River, from Lake Michigan to Lake Street. Vibrant multi-use public open space, filled with bars, and cafes. There are also boat tours, kayak rentals and the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum. Many waterfront restaurants on the north side of the river. read more

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Spent all day today on the Riverwalk as the great city of Chicago turned it's river green to celebrate their annual St Patrick's festivities. Amazing!! This is always my favorite part of downtown, but was exceptionally beautiful today as the entire river turned green. It also snowed!!! Being from Florida, we don't see snow and being able to walk around in it and eat great food and drink great beers was so much fun. Can't wait to come back. read more

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The Chicago Riverwalk is a1 1/4 mile pedestrian path along the south bank of the Chicago River, extending from Lake Michigan to Lake St. It's a popular destination for walking, dining & enjoying views of the city's architecture and the river. The Riverwalk features a continuous path with access points at various street intersections. There was music playing & many dining outdoors. I was impressed that there were clean bathrooms, lots of garbage receptacles and even water fountains along the river walk. The Riverwalk is accessible from various street-level intersections along Wacker Drive. Visitors can enjoy walking, running, and even kayaking on the river. It provides unique perspectives of downtown. There are elevators for those that are physically challenged. read more

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Chicago riverwalk is a beautiful place to catchup city architecture and also have a good relaxed stroll along the river. There are restrooms along the walk. There are lot of cafe, bars, quick eateris along the walk and some of them have great activities. One of the must do while visiting Chicago, you can join and exit along the route but would worth doing the full city walk. read more

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The Esplanade [Chicago IL] We made our way down to the RiverWalk from the northeast corner of N Wabash Ave and E Wacker Dr. where immediately below is O'Brien's Riverwalk Cafe. We saw a lot of activity going on at the Chicago River including boat tours and cruises, leisure boats, water taxis and, of course, kayakers and paddle boarders. On the riverfront patio are seasonal shops, cafes, public art, wine and cocktail bars, and plenty of dining options while enjoying stunning views of the Chicago skyline, We walked through the crowded riverfront taking in the scenery and the cool vibe... this is similar to the San Antonio River Walk. Unfortunately, we were not able to complete the 1.25-mile path due to an evening boat tour we were trying to catch at another meeting point location and not at the Riverwalk. We ascended back up on Michigan Ave. Review #3827 read more

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Great area in downtown Chicago, and another thing that bugs me about Louisville, KY. Architects and city developers in Louisville have vision, but not an elaborate vision of what our downtown and waterfront could be. Back to the riverwalk. It's another place I always walk every time I'm in Chicago. Whether it's above ground walking down the river or down next to the river... you're sure to have a good time. You can walk, eat somewhere, look at all the architecture, take a cruise, rent a kayak, or whatever. It is full of people, and tourists are all around the riverwalk, to the north and the south, but it's still always an entertaining and relaxing place to be. I'm not sure if I can add anything here that others haven't talked about, but if I could add just one thing, it would be to take a walk during the day and again in the evening. The reflections from the buildings vary wildly. I can't choose the best time because they both have their benefits. read more

Chicago Riverwalk - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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If you're in Chicago, you must take a stroll along the Riverwalk. Last night, I left my hotel as the sun was setting and spent a blissful hour people watching, visiting places that meant something to me from previous visits to the city, taking pictures of the gorgeous buildings, and simply sitting by the river and reflecting on life. Refreshing! Can't wait to return!! read more

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I was in Chicago for St Patrick's day weekend and I was fortunate enough to stay at a hotel that had a view of the river and the Riverwalk. I got to see the river turn green for the holiday YAAYY The Riverwalk was a total VIBE everyone was out walking and partying and thoroughly enjoying themselves Before leaving Chicago I was able to enjoy a nice walk alone along the river, the views are amazing, the architecture is breathtaking A must do when in Chicago!! I love it here, and I cant wait to come back read more

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The Chicago Riverwalk is a great way to see the Chicago River and enjoy the windy city. It's a paved place that runs alongside the river. You can access it from various points along the river. There are also many spots where you can sit and enjoy the space, plus there are a bunch of restaurants and bars along the way. Runners and walkers also make their way through on the regular, so watch out. I'm such a fan of this lovely part of Chicago! read more

Beautiful walkable area. Great views of the Chicago River. Alot of awesome restaurants of all types, and price levels. Fun dessert vendors, etc. Clean, and scenic route. Certainly worth a visit when visiting Chicago. read more

This is a great area to walk around in downtown Chicago. There are so many bars and restaurants to pick from. There are also plenty of seating areas to watch the tour boats and water taxis go by. I did notice that in the morning there was no adverse smells, but later in the day there was a strong fish smell. There were a couple people fishing, but I think they were doing catching release. Well, I hope they were doing catch and release because the watercolor is not good. read more

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SWEET!!! Cool to see the vibrant and much alive city. Lots of stuck up rich folks going on runs but beside that the river is amazing!! read more

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The Riverwalk absolutely exceeded my expectations. It's such a nice place to walk while enjoying the beautiful city skyline. From its starting point at Lake Street, you can take it all the way to Lakeshore Drive, and even end up over by Navy Pier. There are quite a few restaurants and bars along the riverwalk, most of which have plenty of outdoor seating. There's also a bunch of areas you can stop to sit, including an area with adirondack chairs over by the Lake street entrance. We ended up sitting there for 30 minutes watching the boats and kayakers pass by, and taking in the amazing architecture. While we didn't stop at any of the bars or restaurants this time, we'll definitely be doing that on our next visit. read more

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One of the best things to check out when you're in Chicago. Multiple entrances along Wacker Drive to get down to the walkway, nice views of the skyscrapers and of course the river itself. There are a few restaurants/patio bar near the State St. entrance and a few boat tour ticket booths. The riverwalk also feels a lot more calmer than walking around street level with all the cars driving around downtown. read more

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The pulse of Chicago. Not just a path along the water -- it's an experience that embodies the character of this city. Chicago is mesmerizing and a city which is second to none. Stunning architecture and views only get better when illuminated at night. You can catch an awesome sightseeing tour, rent a kayak or bring your own; you can launch it from REI in Lincoln Park. The Chicago River is also an engineering marvel. In 1900, engineers implemented canal locks to reverse the current for water to flow from Lake Michigan instead of into it; removing pollution and improving the waterway. Come to the Riverwalk, breathe in the history, cultural depth, beauty and vibrancy which is Chicago. You might not want to go home. read more

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Simply beautiful! Our hotel's view was literally of the Riverwalk, so we enjoyed this beauty our entire stay. We walked so much exploring this gem with stunning views of the river, architecture, and Chicago skyline. Tourists' boats passing by waving "hello," lots of eateries, a great atmosphere, and simply a very enjoyable and peaceful walk. It does get chilly cold in the evening during this month of (late) October already, and being Californian, I had to wear a coat & beanie. We got to enjoy the Riverwalk daily, which was amazing. read more

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Super cool to see the city again and with new eyes. The bridges the buildings etc. I know it's insane to walk the city but it's the best way to see things you didn't before and honestly it's a vibe! Cold and wet and can't stop me it is a beautiful city!! So worth it! read more

Chicago Riverwalk - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Want a nice stroll and some time with your thoughts? The river walk is just for you. Stop and enjoy some sights, snap a few photos, and clear your head. Perfection. read more

Chicago Riverwalk - Green for St. Patrick's Day! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is a wonderful addition to the city. It spans 1.5 miles and runs along the Chicago River. This is pretty much a must stop for tourist. This is the spot where you catch those tour boats that give tours of the city and architecture tours. There are tons of eateries and bars located along the walk. The walk is somewhat secure. I do not know how much confidence I have in the "Top Flight" security guards that patrol the walk and there are some dim spots along the walk as well. The walk has some decent recent rooms and you will also find the Illinois Vietnam War Memorial and Illinois WWII Submarine Memorial along the walk. The walk has a ton of benches and other seating for visitors and there is also a small playground area with some very modern equipment that includes: play cubes and bright orange ninja warrior playset. Visitors can also rent and launch kayaks here. I saw some very nice yachts docked here and transiting through. On one side of the walk, their is a water feature that shoots water across the Chicago River, and almost to the opposite side of the walk. I will say, be on the lookout for the large rats that pop out of the bushes along the walk. They have no fear. The walk is very popular among joggers, who also do not have any fear and will almost run into oncoming pedestrians while they are passing walkers that were in front of them. Some of the eateries along the route include: Chicago Brewhouse, Sweet Home Gelato, O'Briens Riverwalk Café, Beat Kitchen on the Riverwalk, Tiny Tapp & Café, The Northman Beer & Cider Garden, and the Island Party Hut Tiki Bar and Grill. The walk is home to the Chicago Architecture Center and McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum. You can only access the walk from a few entrances on the upper level and they do have accessible elevators if you need them. I really liked this spot. You can spend a half day there easily. You can get some panoramic, picturesque views, some savory drinks and tasty eats or just sit along the water, relax, and take it all in. If you are visiting Chicago, this should be one of your first stops......weather permitting. read more

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Every city I visit, I like to try and take a jog to view the area on foot. It's different than seeing the area in a transport like a ride share or public train/bus. Downtown Chicago has such great architecture, I was jogging and walking while constantly looking up. Of course there's the famous river that sits right through this skyline. It has several bridges allowing easy crossings, and on one crossing, I noticed people walking up staircases. I thought they had parked their car down below or maybe they were lost finding their way up. Upon closer look, I see there's an actual Riverwalk with much to see. Restaurants, boat tours, art installations, and more things to see. It's a great way to be outside when most downtown areas are constrained to street sidewalk ways. On this early morning, I had seen several dog walkers, people lounging, enjoying coffee, and of course other joggers like myself. I would even take this path in the evenings when the night sets in and the building light illuminates river water. There was info on one art installation in which images are projected onto a riverside building. How neat, I would like to see that. read more

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This was my favorite part of Chicago. I like that a lot of the main tourist spots are all pretty close together. I went at night and the skyline was lit up beautiful. You could also still see the green river at night. read more

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Loved the scenery and the skyline.. Weather pretty.. water very calming .. The Aquarium and planetarium is located there.. food venders...view is magnificent . read more

Chicago Riverwalk - Planetarium - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Excellent city attraction anytime of the year. Obviously, during the spring, summer, and fall months, it's more enjoyable. Plenty to see and plenty of places to stop in for a drink or meal. It's a relatively new attraction which has become a place to enjoy lunch or a stroll for those who work in the Loop or nearby. read more

There are few better places to enjoy the outdoors than the Chicago Riverwalk. The Chicago River runs through the heart of the city, parallel to the lakeshore, and is known for its large number of movable bridges. In just two miles, there are 18 bridges, each with the ability to allow large boats to pass. The 1.25-mile pedestrian walkway on the south bank of the Chicago River is the perfect place to take a stroll and observe the city skyline. what I found unique is - it's not a monotonous walk. Did you know that the Riverwalk is made of six separate coves? Each cove has a unique identity and nickname (Part of my R&D The Marina (State to Dearborn): The Cove (Dearborn to Clark): Stop for a snack or rent a kayak The River Theater (Clark to LaSalle)- plenty of trees and greenery. The Water Plaza (LaSalle to Wells)- great for families. Adults can relax around a fountain, The Jetty (Wells to Franklin)- See floating wetland gardens The Boardwalk (Franklin to Lake)- perfect place to see the Chicago River's three branches. it is one of my favorite attractions in the city, the other two are Navy Pier & Millenium Park - I can keep these 3 to the top -best experience in Chicago. visit the public gardens and art displays, or grab a meal at a popular restaurant or bar overlooking the Chicago River. The Riverwalk is home to many dining options and hosts special events throughout the year, and you can also find several river tours and cruises that depart from the Riverwalk. Public art is on show throughout the pedestrian trail. But Art on the MART is perhaps the Riverwalk's most famous work. This is the largest video-projection art installation in the world, taking up approximately 2.5 acres of the MART's river-facing facade bw guys, let me tell you a fact- it was not as beautiful in the past as you are seeing right now- strolling along the picturesque Riverwalk, it's hard to imagine that it was once a shipping channel -- and a smelly one at that. After a lot of effort and dedication, though, it has become one of Chicago's star attractions The Riverwalk is also the epitome of romance as the sun goes down. Listen to live music, and sip wine on a riverside patio. read more

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So many spots to hop on and off, you can't beat the classic views while on the Riverwalk! If you're looking for speed, don't come here in the afternoon since many seem to be strolling. But there's a lot of fun places off the riverwalk to stop and get a drink, bite to eat or buy some souvenirs! read more

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Very beautiful at night. Always worth a stroll and there are many nice restaurants nearby.

We entered the Riverwalk from Magnificent Mile at DuSable Bridge. The walk goes both ways from this entrance. So we did one all the way out to Lake Michigan, turned around and did the walk in the other direction. Such beautiful views on a gorgeous day. Yes we wrapped up, and I'm normally a very cold person, but it was actually gorgeous. The views are just stunning. I love the fact that the walk is wide enough for at least four people to walk side-by-side, which means you can walk with a stroller, or go down the Riverwalk with a wheelchair it's really very well done. The landscaping is beautiful oozing fall colors and of course decor for Halloween. read more

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The Chicago Riverwalk is a great way to explore Chicago. The skyline is just so stunning, whether you are in a architecture boat ride, strolling down the Riverwalk, or driving by. All sorts of the day are beautiful - in sunny skies, cloudy days, snowy days, nighttime - a beauty that cannot me missed! It's a great running route too, you just get so caught up looking at the mix of all the historic and modern buildings alike. Prepare to be enchanted! Gotta love Chicago!!! read more

The riverwalk is a must visit in Chicago. Make Sure to visit during the day and at night. If you can score the Architecture boat tour do it. There are a number of works of art and plaques. Make sure to stop by read and learn about the history of Chicago or pay tribute to those immortalized there. read more

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Quality/Quantity - What a perfect beautiful day for a walk on the riverwalk! So many places to eat and drink! Kid and dog friendly. Art & architecture to view along the way. People and boat watching. Close to Downtown, Navy Pier, Lakefront, trails, shopping, malls, parks, museums, beaches, clean public restrooms, etc. Atmosphere - See above, see pictures. 1.25 miles of beautiful riverwalk. Service - Good, also depends on what you do/or eat and drink. Huge tourist (and local) location, so businesses cater to such. Price - The actual riverwalk is free and open from 6am till 11pm. Depends on what you do/or eat and drink. Owner Comment - Congrats on your success since 1909 when Chicago first planned for a riverwalk. And congrats since 1972 when it was finally put into play. 2019 - New paths were created ($12m). read more

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My absolute favorite part of Chicago is the Chicago Riverwalk! No matter of the season, I love walking around here. You can walk directly by the river, by walking down on the stairs or take an elevator. The Riverwalk has plenty of options where to eat, or drink your favorite cocktail. You can also access multiple river cruise lines from the Riverwalk. My favorite one is the Architecture cruise. My next adventure will be kayaking on the Chicago River, and you can also start that from the Riverwalk. And if you don't want to do anything, you can always do people watching by sitting on the stairs right by the huge Apple Store! read more

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Ok, admittedly my knowledge of downtown Chicago mainly comes from the 80s movies I watched as a kid, Blues Brothers, Ferris Bueller, and Adventures in Babysitting. Maybe some episodes of ER. The reality as a grown woman...it is beautiful. I was there on a perfect summer day, with the temperature about 87, which to a Texan, is a GIFT. It was clean, lots of people out and about, and the river looked so inviting. We wished we had time to rent a boat and go exploring from that vantage point. Of course, all of the restaurants lining the river were completely full, so we found dinner a few blocks away. However, we made it a point to walk back toward the water to see it lit up at night, and catch our Uber there. I was absolutely charmed by the area and I can not wait to visit again and spend a bit more time. read more

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Trail Series, Part 17 If you're wanting to explore the Chicago River and are feeling all "Sporty Spice", we'd recommend that you try walking or running along the Chicago Riverwalk. End to end you're only talking about 1.5 miles of flat, paved trail, so this experience is accessible to nearly all travelers. We found the trail pretty busy during the early evening, so safety was not a concern whatsoever (even if enjoying it alone at a similar time of day). However, the amount of foot traffic did make running at our desired pace challenging. While bikes, skateboards, etc. are permitted, just know that you'll be doing a good deal of weaving and bobbing around others. You'll find numerous restaurants (and a public restroom) in case you are interested in either and the photo opportunities are seemingly endless. If you're searching for a safe (and free) way to enjoy the Chicago River, this one is hard to beat. And that's...Henry's Take. #chicagoriver #chicagoexcercise read more

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Love the Riverwalk. So scenic with many great restaurants and bars along the walk. I always make sure I take a stroll here when I'm in town. read more

Chicago Riverwalk - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Even in winter, the Chicago Riverwalk is spectacular. We walked from the Oglivie Metra to the entrance near Wacker and strolled all the way past Columbus Drive, exiting at State to shop at Uniqlo and then at Michigan to hit the Apple Store. A great way to spend a late December afternoon with temperatures creeping into the 50s. Peaceful, beautiful and quintessentially Chicago. read more

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There's a reason everyone loves the Riverwalk. The 1.25 mile path is an excellent place to stroll next to the Chicago River with lovely views of the buildings downtown. There are benches along the way for folks to sit and enjoy the scenery as well as people watch. Open daily from 6am to 11pm, I love the fact that you can get some steps early and late. On my most recent visit, I was taking a stroll after dinner and I got to see Art on theMART, which is the largest video-projection art installation in the world on display March through December. A dance video was being projected onto the 2.5-acre facade of THE MART, the largest privately held commercial building in the U.S., while an audience had gathered on steps of the Riverwalk to enjoy the show. The next time I'm there, I'd love to rent a kayak and do one of the night tours! read more

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Many of Chicago's best tourist attractions are located in the Loop. One that I believe people are sadly sleeping on is the Chicago Riverwalk. While not as well known as the one in San Antonio, this amazing stretch of walkway along the banks of the Chicago River is ideal for certain activities such as sightseeing, people watching, strolling, eating, etc. Today was like my second time descending the steps from the ever-so busy streets of America's third-largest city, a shortcut en route to Portillo's on the north side of the river, or River North. One gaze at the river, and I couldn't help but think about how it's dyed green every St. Patrick's Day. Private and tour vessels occasionally sailed by, adding to the vibrant environment all around me. One of these boats has people on an architectural tour. Depending on my mood and time, I may do one before I leave. And speaking of architecture, it was really awesome to take in much of Chicago's famous skyline at my own pace. The fact the weather was cooperative made for terrific pictures. And yes, I took one of the hotel owned by a very controversial former leader of the free world who shall remain nameless. *Laughs* Sure, there are plenty of bars, restaurants, and little green spaces, but I feel that one part of the Riverwalk people should see is the memorial to the Chicagoans who gave their lives serving in Vietnam. TLDR: the Chicago Riverwalk is a must-see for visitors to the so-called most American of American cities. You won't be disappointed. read more

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