Best Chicago Riverwalk Stops

This guide follows the Chicago Riverwalk stop by stop, for visitors and locals planning a riverside stroll beneath the downtown towers. It runs along the main branch of the river from Merchandise Mart Plaza past Clark, Dearborn, Wabash and Michigan Avenue toward the lake end, including the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum.

City Winery pours house wines on tap with the corncob towers of Marina City across the water. The River Theater's tree-planted steps between Clark and LaSalle make a free spot to watch architecture boats and kayaks glide by. Near the lake end, The Northman Beer & Cider Garden serves Chicago-made ciders. From the Michigan Avenue bridge, Chicago's First Lady boards for the architecture cruise narrated by Chicago Architecture Center docents. Many vendors are seasonal, so check before going, and for Art on theMART's free nightly projections, watch from between Wells and Franklin.