A 1.25-mile pedestrian path along the south bank of the Chicago River, running from Lake Shore Drive to Lake Street, that has transformed the river from an industrial afterthought into the city's most dynamic public space. The Riverwalk descends from street level to the water's edge, creating a second city below Wacker Drive where restaurants, bars, kayak launches, and public seating areas line the river's course through the downtown canyon. The architecture on both banks rises directly from the water — Marina City's corncob towers, the Wrigley Building's terra cotta, the Trump Tower's glass — and the perspective from river level makes buildings you have seen from above feel entirely new.
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Walk the entire 1.25 miles from the lake to Lake Street for the complete architectural survey. Rent a kayak from the Urban Kayaks station and paddle the river for the perspective that no walking tour provides — floating between skyscrapers in the downtown canyon is surreal and beautiful. Stop at City Winery or one of the Riverwalk restaurants for a drink at water level. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial plaza at the east end is a quiet starting point.
Summer weekday late afternoon, from 4pm, when the office workers begin to fill the Riverwalk bars and the light on the buildings shifts to gold. Weekend afternoons are popular but the space absorbs crowds well. The evening light on the river, with building reflections doubling the architecture, is the Riverwalk's finest moment. Open roughly May through October; the path is accessible in winter but the restaurants close.
Free to walk, no admission. The Riverwalk is below street level — access stairs and ramps at multiple points along Wacker Drive. Kayak rentals run $20-35 per person for a 60-90 minute paddle. The restaurants and bars along the Riverwalk are seasonal (roughly May-October). The architecture cruise boats depart from near the Michigan Avenue bridge and the Riverwalk is the best vantage point for watching them pass. The river was reversed in 1900 — it originally flowed into Lake Michigan, carrying sewage with it, and engineers reversed the flow to send it away from the drinking water supply. This may be Chicago's most impressive engineering achievement, and that is saying something.