The Chicago Riverwalk is a free, roughly 1.25-mile path along the south bank of the Chicago River downtown. Choose Chicago lists daily hours of 6 am to 11 pm.
You pay only for extras, such as boat tours, kayaks, water taxi rides and meals. This guide separates free from paid and covers each block, season and route.
Key Takeaways
- Walking the Chicago Riverwalk costs nothing, and it is open daily from 6 am to 11 pm.
- Most sources give its length as about 1.25 miles, from Lake Michigan to Lake Street.
- Boat tours, kayaks, the water taxi and restaurants charge separately.
- The Chicago Architecture Center cruise starts at $57 and runs about 90 minutes.
- Chicago Water Taxi lists $10 one-way fares, and it does not accept cash.
- Plan one to three hours, depending on how many stops you add.
Chicago Riverwalk at a Glance
This table gives the key facts first. Entries marked “verify” differ across sources, and the sections below explain why each one varies.
| Detail | Information | Status |
| Location | South bank of the Chicago River, downtown Chicago | Confirmed |
| Length | About 1.25 miles | Verify |
| Hours | Daily, 6 am to 11 pm | Verify |
| Entry | Free | Confirmed |
| Time needed | 20 to 45 minutes to walk, 1 to 3 hours with stops | Approximate |
| Best season | Late May to October for most services | Verify |
| Nearest attractions | Chicago Architecture Center, Art on theMART, Skydeck | Confirmed |
What Is the Chicago Riverwalk?
Running along the river’s main branch, the path passes beneath the bridges and below Wacker Drive. It links Lake Michigan in the east with Lake Street in the west.
Together it serves as a park, a promenade and a dining strip. Walkers, kayakers, cafe guests and boat passengers all share the same stretch of river.
An older section sits near Michigan Avenue and Wabash Avenue, where the first phase finished in 2009. Wikipedia says the six-block extension to Lake Street opened in stages.
The Six Blocks, From East to West
Six themed “rooms” make up the expansion. The City of Chicago lists them from east to west, as shown below.
| Block | Between | Character |
| The Marina | State and Dearborn | Boat hub for tours and rentals |
| The Cove | Dearborn and Clark | Kayak launch and seating |
| The River Theater | Clark and LaSalle | Steps for sitting and river views |
| The Water Plaza | LaSalle and Wells | Originally planned as the Swimming Hole |
| The Jetty | Wells and Franklin | Floating gardens and a good Art on theMART view |
| The Boardwalk | Franklin and Lake | Western end near Union Station |
The City page calls the fourth block “The Swimming Hole,” while Wikipedia says it became the Water Plaza. Only the name changed, and the location stayed the same.
Marina Plaza, The Cove and River Theater opened in June 2015. The Water Plaza, Jetty and Boardwalk followed in October 2016, according to Wikipedia.
Chicago Riverwalk Hours and Tickets
Choose Chicago and two other guides list daily hours of 6 am to 11 pm. The City’s page gives none, so confirm before a very early or late visit.
Walking it needs no ticket. However, boat tours, kayaks, the water taxi, restaurant meals and some museums charge their own prices.
| Activity | Cost | Source |
| Walking the Riverwalk | Free | Choose Chicago, Skydeck |
| Art on theMART light show | Free | Choose Chicago |
| Chicago Architecture Center river cruise | From $57 | Chicago Architecture Center |
| Chicago Water Taxi | $10 one-way | Chicago Water Taxi |
| McCormick Bridgehouse Museum | Pay what you wish, suggested $8 adults | Little Chicago Guide |
| Kayak rentals and tours | Varies, confirm when booking | Little Chicago Guide |
The Bridgehouse figure comes from a single source, so check it before you go. Resale sites also list “Chicago Riverwalk tickets”, but the walk itself needs none.
Chicago Riverwalk Things to Do
Most visitors start with a simple walk. The path passes under historic bridges, with the skyline overhead, and each block feels different.
Beyond walking, these are the main activities, based on Choose Chicago and Little Chicago Guide, so you can choose what fits your day.
- Eat or drink at a riverside cafe or wine garden
- Join a boat tour or ride the water taxi
- Rent a kayak or book a guided paddle
- Watch the nightly Art on theMART show
- Visit the Bridgehouse Museum
- Look at rotating public art and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza
Food and Drink Along the River
Restaurants and concessions open mainly in warmer months, says Choose Chicago. City Winery sits at 11 W. Riverwalk South and offers heated domes in winter.
Little Chicago Guide also lists Tiny Tapp and Cafe, The Northman Beer and Cider Garden, Island Party Hut, O’Brien’s Riverwalk Cafe, Sweet Home Gelato and TacoRio. Many are seasonal.
Skydeck’s guide adds Beat Kitchen on the River. Prices vary and no menus were reviewed, so treat venue lists as a starting point.
Kayaking on the Chicago River
Urban Kayaks operates at 435 E. Riverwalk South, according to Little Chicago Guide. The company offers rentals plus guided architecture paddles and sunset tours.
Pricing varies, so confirm when booking. Expect kayaking to run in warmer months, and check weather and river conditions on the day.
Public Art and Museums
Art on theMART projects a free light show onto the Merchandise Mart’s river-facing facade. Choose Chicago says it runs nightly from April through December and covers over 2.5 acres.
Little Chicago Guide recommends the Jetty as a viewing spot. Show times change by season, so check the schedule before you plan the evening.
The McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum sits in a bridge tower. Choose Chicago describes it as five stories, with 360-degree views from the top.
Chicago Riverwalk Attractions Block by Block
Walking east to west makes the route easy to follow. This summary draws on the City’s block names and the venue lists above.
At the Marina, you find boat departures, the Marina Plaza and the easternmost dining. It works well as a starting point if you plan a cruise.
The Cove and River Theater offer seating and river views. They suit a rest stop, a snack or a few photos under the bridges.
Further west, the Water Plaza and Jetty feel quieter. Little Chicago Guide says the Jetty gives a strong evening view of Art on theMART.
Finally, the Boardwalk leads toward Lake Street and the stations near Union Station. Choose Chicago mentions a stairway at Lake Street, close to Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center.
Boat Tour on the Chicago River
A boat tour is the most popular paid add-on. The Chicago Architecture Center’s cruise aboard First Lady is the best-documented option.
According to its official page, the cruise lasts about 90 minutes and starts at $57. Every passenger needs a ticket, including infants and children.
The 2026 season runs from 15 March to 22 November, with summer running from 22 May to 12 October. Departures after 5 pm count as evening cruises.
Boats leave from the southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge, at 112 E. Wacker Drive. Arrive 30 minutes early, since missed boats may not be refunded.
Choose Chicago names other operators, including Shoreline Sightseeing, Wendella Sightseeing, Mercury, Chicago Cycleboats, Chicago Electric Boat Company and Island Party Hut Charters. City Experiences runs a dinner cruise.
Prices and schedules for these operators were not confirmed. Compare duration, departure point and commentary style before you book, so the tour matches your plans.
How to Choose a Boat Tour
Think about what you want to learn. Architecture-focused tours suit visitors who care about buildings, while party boats and dinner cruises focus on the evening.
Time of day matters too. Daytime tours give clearer views of building details, whereas evening cruises show the skyline lit up.
Check the boat size and the weather policy. Small electric boats feel quieter, though larger boats often run in more conditions.
Chicago Riverwalk Water Taxi
Chicago Water Taxi links the Riverwalk with other parts of the city by river. It is a practical ride, not a guided tour.
The main branch route stops at Michigan Ave (400 N Michigan Ave), Ogilvie/Union and Chinatown at Ping Tom Park. Chicago Avenue service is extremely limited and needs a transfer.
The official site lists a $10 one-way fare, $5 for seniors and free rides for children 3 and under. Active-duty military ride free, and people with disabilities get half off.
Cash is not accepted. You can buy tickets online, at the dock, on board or at ticket offices, according to the fares page.
A full run takes about 45 minutes. Note that the service does not reach Navy Pier, and the Michigan Ave stop is about a mile away.
Season dates conflict. The official FAQ says service generally runs from March through December, while Little Chicago Guide says late May to September. Check the trip planner first.
Best Time to Visit the Chicago Riverwalk
Most services run from late spring to early fall. Little Chicago Guide recommends late May through September, with quiet weekday mornings and Wednesday to Sunday evenings for Art on theMART.
| Season | What to expect |
| Spring | Some boat tours and kayaking start, while some cafes open later |
| Summer | Full dining, kayaks, cruises and the water taxi |
| Autumn | Cruises continue into November, and evenings cool down |
| Winter | The path stays open, and City Winery offers heated domes |
Weather changes quickly in Chicago, so pack layers. Wind off the lake can feel colder than the forecast, especially near the eastern end.
How to Reach the Chicago Riverwalk
Public transit is the easiest way to arrive. Little Chicago Guide lists the CTA Red Line to Lake and the Blue Line to Washington as options.
Skydeck’s guide names State/Lake, Clark/Lake and LaSalle as nearby CTA stations. Metra riders can walk from Union Station or Ogilvie Transportation Center to the western end.
Choose Chicago says the Riverwalk has street-level access from each major intersection. It also recommends the CTA trip planner for the fastest route.
By water, the Chicago Water Taxi stops at Michigan Ave. Our guide to the best things to do in Chicago helps you plan a wider route through the city.
Sample Half-Day Plan
This plan suits a first visit to the river. Adjust it for the season, your group and the weather, since conditions change.
- 9:30 am: start at the Marina and pick up coffee.
- 10:30 am: board a river architecture cruise.
- 12:30 pm: eat lunch at a riverside cafe.
- 2 pm: walk west toward the Jetty and the Boardwalk.
- 4 pm: visit the Bridgehouse Museum or take a water taxi ride.
- Evening: return for Art on theMART if the show is running.
If you have less time, choose either a cruise or a walk with lunch. Doing everything in one afternoon feels rushed.
Tips for Families, Dogs and Accessibility
The Riverwalk is family-friendly, according to Choose Chicago. Children enjoy the water views, boats and open plazas, though visitors should supervise them near the river edge.
Little Chicago Guide says dogs are welcome on a leash, and that City Winery and The Northman have dog-friendly patios. Check each venue’s own policy first.
For accessibility, the only sourced detail is street-level access at major intersections. Ask venues about ramps, stairs and restrooms before you go.
Carry water, sun protection and a light jacket. Summer sun reflects off the water, while wind can chill you in cooler months.
Nearby Attractions
The Chicago Architecture Center sits at One Illinois Center and offers over 85 docent-led tours, according to Choose Chicago. It makes a natural pairing with a river cruise.
Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower sits a short walk west. Its guide says the deck stands 1,353 feet up and includes The Ledge, which extends 4.3 feet outside.
Skydeck lists winter hours from 1 October to 28 February, though the page’s schedule is unclear, so verify the times. Tickets and prices were not listed.
Conclusion
The Chicago Riverwalk rewards a slow walk, a boat ride and a meal by the water. Start with the free path, then add paid extras that suit your season.
Check hours and ticket details before you go.
