Chicago River
Chicago River
4.5
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Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Tours & experiences
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Top ways to experience Chicago River
The area
Neighbourhood: Downtown / The Loop
Often visitors' first stop in Chicago, The Loop is a good starting point to sample the city's energy and flavor. This central business district boasts Michelin-rated restaurants, upscale hotels, premier shopping, and enough arresting architecture to keep your camera busy for hours. You won’t find too many photo galleries of downtown Chicago without a shot of Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. A stunning skyline coupled with cultural attractions like the Art Institute of Chicago present a Downtown where work and play peacefully coexist.
How to get there
  • Clark/Lake • 3 min walk
  • Clark/Lake • 3 min walk
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See what travellers are saying
  • Cindy B
    Nisswa, Minnesota23 contributions
    Worth the windy walk!
    The architecture is amazing with the sun reflecting from all the glass! Fun to walk near the river and see boats coming under the bridges. Lots of restaurants and little shops but many were closed when we were there which was ok with us. Lots of places to eat in Chicago!
    Visited November 2022
    Written 5 December 2022
  • Marilyn M
    Lincoln City, Oregon196 contributions
    Many shades of Chicago
    Our hotel was on the Chicago River so we had plenty of time to observe the river. Night time gives the city a lovely setting. Day time offers the River Walk, tour information on the river's history and the location and dimensions of the original fort.
    Visited May 2022
    Written 9 January 2023
  • Irina
    United States10,610 contributions
    Always Beautiful
    Chicago River makes its way through the downtown area of the city. Historically, as a result of two major engineering projects (1889 -- 1910), the flow of the river was redirected, turning it away from Lake Michigan, so since then Chicago River flows into Des Plaines River, which is over 150 miles away from Chicago. Chicago River is a part of a large system, that includes the North Branch, the South Branch, and Main Stem of Chicago River, as well as 52 miles of constructed waterways. Flowing through the central part of the city, Chicago River makes the whole area look even more colorful and beautiful. You can walk or drive on the bridges from the Loop to the Near North Side, take the River cruises, architectural boat tours, or just enjoy the Chicago Riverwalk, that in any time of the year shows the beauty of Chicago River and the stunning architecture of the city. I always enjoy Chicago River and the views, when I am in the downtown area of this great city.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 10 July 2023
  • Nightly Trader
    4 contributions
    Worth the visit
    Absolute must-see! It's like the city's glittering, liquid jewel, especially when it's all lit up at night. The riverwalk is a cool place to stroll, grab a bite, and enjoy the city vibes. And if you get the chance, take a boat tour – you'll get the lowdown on Chicago's fascinating history and some killer skyline views. Trust me, it's one of those iconic things you gotta check off your Chicago bucket list!
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 27 September 2023
  • Bill B
    Bel Air, Maryland8,077 contributions
    Watching the smooth waters makes for a restful experience
    The Chicago River is placid and stately as it moves along and reflects both modern and historic architecture in the Loop area of the city. Tour boats ply its waters up to Lake Michigan near Navy Pier. The waters, alternatively blue and green, are clear and clean looking. The numerous bridges that cross the river are often double decked and are themselves part of the river's history. Watching the smooth waters makes for a restful experience.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 21 October 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.5
2,028 reviews
Excellent
1,512
Very good
451
Average
56
Poor
6
Terrible
3

CaptainBristol
Seattle, WA35 contributions
Oct 2023
This is pretty silly, It's a river that runs through downtown Chicago. It has a lot of buildings on both banks. Some buildings look great, some look blah. The water is watery. It's just a river in a city!
Written 14 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bill B
Bel Air, MD8,077 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
The Chicago River is placid and stately as it moves along and reflects both modern and historic architecture in the Loop area of the city. Tour boats ply its waters up to Lake Michigan near Navy Pier. The waters, alternatively blue and green, are clear and clean looking. The numerous bridges that cross the river are often double decked and are themselves part of the river's history. Watching the smooth waters makes for a restful experience.
Written 21 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nightly Trader
4 contributions
May 2023 • Family
Absolute must-see! It's like the city's glittering, liquid jewel, especially when it's all lit up at night. The riverwalk is a cool place to stroll, grab a bite, and enjoy the city vibes. And if you get the chance, take a boat tour – you'll get the lowdown on Chicago's fascinating history and some killer skyline views. Trust me, it's one of those iconic things you gotta check off your Chicago bucket list!
Written 27 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Doron Z
Tel Aviv, Israel243 contributions
Sep 2023
I haven't seen such a combination elsewhere. The river is seemed flowing in a high canyon, where the walls of the canyon are high rises on both of the sides of the river.
Written 19 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Keywest
Key West, FL10 contributions
Aug 2023
After sunset the whole place comes to life. Music, lights and the fantastic buildings surrounding it. Really amazing
Written 3 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Irina
United States10,610 contributions
Jun 2023 • Friends
Chicago River makes its way through the downtown area of the city. Historically, as a result of two major engineering projects (1889 -- 1910), the flow of the river was redirected, turning it away from Lake Michigan, so since then Chicago River flows into Des Plaines River, which is over 150 miles away from Chicago.

Chicago River is a part of a large system, that includes the North Branch, the South Branch, and Main Stem of Chicago River, as well as 52 miles of constructed waterways.

Flowing through the central part of the city, Chicago River makes the whole area look even more colorful and beautiful. You can walk or drive on the bridges from the Loop to the Near North Side, take the River cruises, architectural boat tours, or just enjoy the Chicago Riverwalk, that in any time of the year shows the beauty of Chicago River and the stunning architecture of the city.

I always enjoy Chicago River and the views, when I am in the downtown area of this great city.
Written 10 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John
Indianapolis, IN5 contributions
May 2023 • Family
Outstanding!!! We had a blast!!! The tour was fascinating and the guide was spectacular!!! We brought our grand daughter (13) on the trip!
Written 3 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BradJill
Hong Kong, China159,119 contributions
May 2023
The Chicago River is a major waterway that runs through downtown. Near the mouth of the river into Lake Michigan is where the city of Chicago was first settled near the end of the 18th century.

During our recent visit to the city we stayed at a hotel on E Wacker Drive on the south bank and were able to spend quite a bit of time along the river, walking the designated Riverwalk and crossing several of the bridge to Streeterville on the north side.

The riverwalk is rather nice. There are some interesting monuments to see and they were setting up bars and coffee shops for this coming summer. Plenty of regular spots to grab a seat somewhere and enjoy being on the river during good weather days. There are regular access points down to the riverwalk.

We also very much enjoyed the views of some of Chicago's historic skyscrapers around the Michigan Ave. (DuSable) Bridge and while we didn't take one, it was nice seeing various boat cruises plying the river throughout the day. This seemed like a good family/group activity and way to experience the Chicago River.
Written 29 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Grover R
Pensacola, FL18,030 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Waterfronts make cities and it would be easy to think it was the lake that made Chicago. However, it was the Chicago River. Yes the rail intersection connecting east and west coast made the buildings soar, but it is the river that gave birth to city. The river provides that shortest portage from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River, the earliest highways. I did not understand that until coming to the Great Lakes.

However, the river has consistently changed and evolved to aid Chicago. In order to flush its waste and protect the lakes, the river was reversed flow to send Chicago's refuse to the Mississippi River. It was the river that impacted the spread of the fire that shapes downtown Chicago today and it is the river that enables you to see the city best.

We took an architectural boat tour on the river that was the best thing we did in Chicago. Whether boat or foot, you need to make sure your visit to Chicago includes some visit to the river. The views of the city are here on the river.
Written 17 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marilyn M
Lincoln City, OR196 contributions
May 2022
Our hotel was on the Chicago River so we had plenty of time to observe the river. Night time gives the city a lovely setting. Day time offers the River Walk, tour information on the river's history and the location and dimensions of the original fort.
Written 9 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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CHICAGO RIVER: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Chicago River

According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Chicago River: