Chicago Riverwalk

The Chicago Riverwalk follows the south bank of the main branch of the Chicago River, from the lakefront near the Outer Drive Bridge west to the Wolf Point area at Lake Street. Work began in 2001 alongside the reconstruction of Wacker Drive, and the walk opened in stages: an early section in 2009, the stretch from State Street to LaSalle Street in June 2015, and the section from LaSalle to Lake Street in October 2016. Today it is one of the most pleasant ways to see the downtown skyline from street level, or rather from just below it.

The walk is divided into themed blocks, each with its own character. Marina Plaza has restaurants, outdoor seating and boat access, and The Cove offers docking for human-powered craft such as kayaks and canoes. The River Theater is a sculptural staircase that links the water's edge with Upper Wacker Drive and doubles as shaded seating. Further west, the Water Plaza has a zero-depth fountain, The Jetty has piers and floating wetland gardens with information on river ecology, and The Boardwalk is an accessible walkway and lawn running through to Lake Street.

Walking the Riverwalk is free, and it is a good way to link sights in the Loop. Boat and kayak rentals operate along the river here, and Marina Plaza has boat access, so it is easy to combine a stroll with time on the water. The towers on both banks, old and new, make the walk a lesson in Chicago architecture in their own right, and it is worth looking up at the bridges as you pass beneath them.

The Riverwalk suits almost everyone: couples on an evening stroll, families looking for an outdoor break, and visitors who want photographs of the river and skyline. The bars and restaurants along the water are seasonal and busiest on warm summer evenings, so expect crowds then; early mornings are calm and good for photography. Allow an hour to walk the full length at an easy pace, longer if you stop for a drink.

The walk is in the heart of downtown, just below street level, and can be joined at several points along the river. The Chicago Architecture Center at 111 East Wacker Drive and the First Lady cruise dock at 112 East Wacker Drive are close to the river, which makes an architecture cruise an easy addition. Millennium Park, the Magnificent Mile and the theatres of the Loop are all within a few minutes' walk.