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So amazing to see in person. The reflection alone at night from all the lights is beautiful. From all the sculptures to active night life made it worth it. Parking was fairly easy to find. We parked near Trump Tower and were so close to the river walk. I loved that so many spots were open late on a random Wednesday. Downtown in a lot of cities is a dead zone at night. Not here. If you've never been be aware of all the foot traffic and one ways. We can't wait to come back and possible stay down here on our next trip.
Just absolutely beautiful. I love the walkability and connectivity to trails and major roadways. What a dream!
Take in gorgeous views on the Chicago Riverwalk! We loved taking strolls whenever we could along the Chicago Riverwalk. Plus it's free!
This was my first visit! Loved it! So beautiful out there! Great food options and views! I will be back next time I'm visiting!
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.
A gorgeous walk along one of America's coolest skylines. This place is seriously awesome, and I got here just at the beginning of the season - lucky for me! You could see people running, cycling, and just enjoying getting out all along the walk. It was an excellent way to engage with Chicago and get to know the loop area a bit better. Highly recommended!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!!
1 month ago
The Chicago Riverwalk was one of our favorite things to do in Chicago. It was also very convenient to reach from our hotel because we were on the Loop and our room faced the Riverwalk. We got some great photos! Be sure to put this fabulous and popular activity on your List of Things to Do. There are many wonderful restaurants, bars, shops, great architecture buildings, great views, as well as the river cruise boats to see as you walk along. There are benches along the way as well as people sitting stairs to rest. It is about a mile + to walk. The Chicago Riverwalk starts at Lake Michigan (near Lake Shore Drive) on the east and ends at Lake Street on the west. It takes between 20 to 30 minutes to walk it without any stopping. read more
The Chicago Riverwalk is a beautiful place to walk along the river, and it would be easy to spend a few hours stopping for tapas snacks and bar hopping from one place to the next. We visited around 1:00 p.m. on a Saturday, and it was already becoming very crowded. The walkway was easy to navigate, but the number of people made it feel much less peaceful. Even the river itself was busy with tour boats and other traffic. We stopped at The Northman but skipped trying anywhere else because of the crowds. I would visit earlier in the day or on a weekday for a more relaxed experience. After seeing how busy it was, I also decided I would rather rent a boat and cruise along the river than fight the weekend crowds on foot. The Riverwalk is worth experiencing, but your timing will significantly affect how much you enjoy it. read more
29 days ago
So amazing to see in person. The reflection alone at night from all the lights is beautiful. From all the sculptures to active night life made it worth it. Parking was fairly easy to find. We parked near Trump Tower and were so close to the river walk. I loved that so many spots were open late on a random Wednesday. Downtown in a lot of cities is a dead zone at night. Not here. If you've never been be aware of all the foot traffic and one ways. We can't wait to come back and possible stay down here on our next trip. read more
3 months ago
Take in gorgeous views on the Chicago Riverwalk! We loved taking strolls whenever we could along the Chicago Riverwalk. Plus it's free! 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
A gorgeous walk along one of America's coolest skylines. This place is seriously awesome, and I got here just at the beginning of the season - lucky for me! You could see people running, cycling, and just enjoying getting out all along the walk. It was an excellent way to engage with Chicago and get to know the loop area a bit better. Highly recommended! read more
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
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
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
7 months ago
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
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
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
3 months ago
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
3 months ago
Best part of chi town. Just a walk beautiful walk. Love to see the different buildings. You can stop along the way to eat some ice cream or coffee. Just a fun experience to walk to talk to friends and family. People watching experiences are plentiful. Lots of cute dogs along the walk aswell and people enjoying there days in the boats floating along aswell. 12/10 must see in Chicago. Staying along or very close to riverwalk is recommended! read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
9 months ago
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
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
2 years ago
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
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
11 months ago
Perfect place to do lot of sight seeing of the historical buildings of Chicago downtown, but pick a non-windy day or layer up. It can be to the bone chilly and chap your face/lips. It's just a pretty city of mixed old and new buildings. read more
1 year ago
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
3 years ago
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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Chicago Riverwalk - landmarks - Updated October 2026
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