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Chicago Riverwalk in River North neighborhood

In the Neighborhood: Your ultimate guide to Chicago’s River North

This upscale neighborhood in the Windy City combines sophisticated dining, cultural institutions, smart design and buzzy nightlife.

By Alina Dizik | June 1, 2023

Immerse yourself in bustling River North. Once the hub of Chicago's art gallery district, River North is now home to some of the city’s best restaurants, famous architecture and nightlife. Start with a stroll on the Chicago Riverwalk. With a mix of restaurants, bars and live music, the path alongside the Chicago River is a popular way to spend an afternoon. Don’t forget to look up at Marina City — or what locals call the corncob towers — which includes two circular-shaped high rises that define the city’s skyline. Then explore galleries around North Franklin Street or visit the Merchandise Mart, aka theMart, a hub for interior design. End your night at one of the many nightclubs or bars dotting this enticing downtown Chicago neighborhood.

EAT

River North offers some of the city’s prime dining, but there are also plenty of casual eats where you won’t need reservations. Highlights include:

- Le Select, the sprawling brasserie helmed by Michelin-starred chef Chris Pandel includes their signature croque-monsieur. After dinner, head up to Bar 504, the restaurant’s second-floor Parisian-style cocktail den.

- Indienne, one of the city’s most inventive dinner spots showcasing an Indian-inspired menu using French techniques.

- Mr. Beef on Orleans offers some of the city’s famous Italian beef sandwiches complete with hearty au jus for dipping. The legendary spot has been around since 1979 and even inspired a TV show.

SEE

With plenty to do on and off the water, the River North neighborhood is the ideal homebase for exploring Chicago’s cultural scene. Discover:

- Chicago Riverwalk, the 1.25-mile-long (2-kilometer-long) stretch from Lake Shore Drive to Lake Street is filled with restaurants, bars and plenty of places to chill. It’s also a popular spot for kayaking, paddle-boating and riverboat tours.

- Art on the Mart, watch the Merchandise Mart light up after dusk. The public art installation transforms the building’s facade into a canvas for artwork by leading artists.

- The Driehaus Museum, which offers a glimpse into what life was like for Chicago’s Gilded Age elite. Knowledgeable docents give visitors guided tours of the meticulously restored 19th-century mansion.

SHOP

Indie boutiques, vintage finds and plenty of fabulous window-shopping means you’re bound to spot a few items from your wish list.

- Vintage lovers and antiques enthusiasts will love P.O.S.H. Chicago’s trove of unique pieces. Locals come in to browse the shop’s eclectic collection of estate silver and mix of European flea market finds.

- Trendsetters will adore Blake Chicago, a designer boutique that carries a mix of local and international designers.

- With two floors of more than 70,000 new and used tomes, After-Words Bookstore is an area favorite for author book signings, lectures and events.

Whether you're looking to soak up Chicago’s rich culture, find inspiration by visiting local galleries or taste your way through the city, exploring River North is a must when in the Windy City.

Alina Dizik is a veteran lifestyle journalist, covering travel, real estate, family, work trends and dining. Her work appears in The Wall Street Journal, BBC, The Cut, The Guardian and other top publications. She lives in Chicago and has spent time living in New York, Europe and the Middle East. She spends more than two months each year traveling internationally with her husband and two school-age children. She has visited more than 50 countries.