How Do You Explore the Chicago Riverwalk? | Tailor Lofts

What Are the Best Ways to Experience the Chicago Riverwalk and River Boat Tours?

The Chicago Riverwalk is a free, 1.25-mile path along the south bank of the Chicago River, running from Lake Shore Drive to Lake Street. It's open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and lined with restaurants, public art, and kayak rentals. It's also the launch point for the city's best-known boat tours, including the Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady and Wendella's architecture tours. Tailor Lofts, at 315 S Peoria St in the West Loop, is a short Blue Line ride or Water Taxi trip from all of it.

Tailor Lofts sits inside the historic White Tower Building, a ten-story clock tower built in 1915 for the International Tailoring Company. It's steps from the University of Illinois Chicago, Rush University, and Chicago-Kent College of Law. Fully furnished studios and two- and four-bedroom apartments put residents in the middle of the West Loop, with downtown's riverfront just a few minutes east.

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Tailor Lofts Guide to the Chicago Riverwalk & Boat Tours

The Chicago River runs through the heart of downtown, and there are two main ways to see it. You can walk the Riverwalk at water level, or you can get out on the river by boat, kayak, or Water Taxi. Most visitors stick to a couple of blocks near Michigan Avenue, but the full path has quieter corners, historic landmarks, and a handful of ways to get on the water. This guide covers what's there, how to get there from the West Loop, and which boat tour fits the kind of afternoon you're after.

What Is the Chicago Riverwalk?

The Riverwalk is a linear park built into the river's south bank. It's split into block-long sections called "rooms," and each one has its own design and purpose. Knowing the layout makes it easier to decide where to spend your time.

• The Marina Plaza: Restaurants and outdoor seating with views of passing tour boats, water taxis, and barges.
• The Cove: The Riverwalk's hub for human-powered boats, with kayak rentals and docking.
• The River Theater: A sculptural staircase between Clark and LaSalle Streets, shaded by trees and built for sitting and watching the river.
• The Water Plaza: A zero-depth fountain that makes a good cool-off stop on hot days.
• The Jetty: A series of piers and floating wetland gardens where you can fish (with an Illinois fishing license) and spot native plants and birds.
• The Riverbank: The western end near Lake Street, where the river's three branches meet.

Farther east, closer to Michigan Avenue, you'll also find Chicago's Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the McCormick Bridgehouse. Walking the full length at a relaxed pace takes about 30 to 45 minutes, and longer with stops.

How Do You Get to the Riverwalk From the West Loop?

One of the best things about living in the West Loop is that the Riverwalk doesn't require a car. Downtown parking is expensive and hard to find, so transit is the easier choice anyway. Tailor Lofts residents have three practical options:

1. Take the CTA Blue Line. Board at the UIC-Halsted or Clinton station and ride to Washington or Clark/Lake. From either stop, it's a short walk to the stairs at State, Clark, or LaSalle.
2. Ride the Chicago Water Taxi. The Ogilvie/Union dock sits beneath the Madison Street Bridge, under a mile from Tailor Lofts. The boat runs east to Michigan Avenue, so the ride itself becomes part of the outing.
3. Walk it. The Riverwalk's western end at Lake Street is roughly a 30-minute walk from Tailor Lofts on a nice day.

Each option gets you to the river in well under an hour. The Water Taxi is the most scenic of the three.

Which Chicago River Boat Tour Should You Take?

A handful of operators run tours on the Chicago River, and each one offers a different experience. The table below compares the main options before we break them down.

The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise Is the Docent-Led Classic

The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady is the only river cruise led by the Chicago Architecture Center's trained volunteer docents. Over 90 minutes, it travels all three branches of the river and covers the stories behind more than 50 buildings. Tickets start at about $57. For about $5 more, you can add admission to the Chicago Architecture Center, good for seven days after your cruise. In 2026, the cruise runs through November 23.

Wendella Has Run River Tours Since 1935

Wendella bills itself as Chicago's original architecture boat tour and departs next to the Wrigley Building at the DuSable Bridge. Its 45-minute tour is a quick introduction to the skyline. The 90-minute Lake and River tour passes through the Chicago Lock for a view of the city from Lake Michigan. Wendella also runs sunset cruises, which make a good pick for an evening out.

The Chicago Water Taxi Doubles as Budget Sightseeing

The Chicago Water Taxi isn't technically a tour, but it's one of the most affordable ways to see the city from the river. A one-way ride costs about $10. Boats connect Michigan Avenue, the Ogilvie/Union dock in the West Loop, and Chinatown's Ping Tom Memorial Park, so you can pair a river ride with a dim sum stop.

The CAC cruise is the strongest pick for architecture fans. Wendella is a good fit if you want a shorter tour or time on the lake, and the Water Taxi works for a spontaneous ride without the tour price.

Can You Get Out on the Water Yourself?

If you'd rather paddle than sit back, Urban Kayaks rents single and tandem kayaks from its launch at 435 E Riverwalk South. It also runs guided historic architecture tours and sunset paddles. The river gets busy with tour boats and barges, so the Riverwalk launch is best for experienced paddlers. First-timers are encouraged to pair up with someone experienced or join a guided tour.

A few operators along the Riverwalk also rent self-drive electric boats by the hour. These let a group of friends split the cost and set their own route. Either way, seeing the skyline from water level with your own paddle or wheel feels very different from a narrated tour.

What Else Is There to Do Along the Riverwalk?

The Riverwalk is more than a route between boat docks. A few stops are worth building an afternoon around.

The McCormick Bridgehouse Shows How Chicago's Bridges Work

The McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, at 99 E Riverwalk, sits inside the southwest tower of the DuSable Bridge. Visitors climb five stories past the huge gears that raise the bridge and finish with views at the top. It's generally open Wednesday through Sunday from May through October. Admission is pay-what-you-can, with a suggested $6 for students.

Art on theMART Turns the Riverfront Into a Free Evening Show

After dark on select evenings, digital art is projected across the 2.5-acre river-facing wall of the Merchandise Mart. It's the largest permanent digital art projection in the world, and it's free to watch. The Jetty, between Wells and Franklin Streets, is one of the best viewing spots.

Riverwalk Restaurants Are Mostly Seasonal

City Winery, at 11 W Riverwalk South, serves a full menu with river views. Island Party Hut brings tiki huts and tropical food, and Sweet Home Gelato sits near the Water Plaza for a quick treat. Most Riverwalk vendors run from roughly May through October, so check before planning a visit around one spot.

Together, the museum, the free projections, and the waterfront patios make it easy to spend half a day on the Riverwalk without ever boarding a boat.

When Is the Best Time to Visit the Chicago Riverwalk?

The Riverwalk path is open year-round, but late May through September is when everything is running, including restaurants, kayak rentals, and daily Water Taxi service. Weekday mornings are the quietest, and warm weekend afternoons are the busiest. Fall is a great time too, since architecture cruises continue into November and the crowds thin out after Labor Day. Bring water and sunscreen in summer, because shade is limited on most stretches.

The Chicago River Is Closer Than It Feels From Tailor Lofts

Between the Riverwalk's free public spaces, docent-led architecture cruises, kayak launches, and a Water Taxi dock under a mile from home, the Chicago River is one of the easiest ways to enjoy downtown on a free afternoon. A Blue Line ride or a short walk to the Madison Street Bridge is all it takes to get there.

Back at Tailor Lofts, residents come home to a 24-hour fitness center, a 24-hour computer lab, a game room with a pool table, and a dedicated study room, all inside a restored 1915 clock tower building. Choose from fully furnished studio, two-, and four-bedroom floor plans designed to fit however you and your roommates want to live.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Chicago Riverwalk free?

Yes. The Chicago Riverwalk is free to walk and open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. You only pay if you choose to eat, rent a kayak, visit the McCormick Bridgehouse, or take a boat tour.

What is the best architecture boat tour in Chicago?

The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady is the most widely recommended option. It's a 90-minute tour led by trained volunteer docents that covers more than 50 buildings along all three branches of the river.

How do you get to the Chicago Riverwalk from the West Loop?

The easiest route is the CTA Blue Line from UIC-Halsted or Clinton to Washington or Clark/Lake. You can also catch the Chicago Water Taxi from the Ogilvie/Union dock under the Madison Street Bridge.

How much does the Chicago Water Taxi cost?

A one-way Chicago Water Taxi ride costs about $10. Boats connect Michigan Avenue, the Ogilvie/Union dock in the West Loop, and Chinatown's Ping Tom Memorial Park.

Can you kayak on the Chicago River?

Yes. Urban Kayaks rents kayaks and runs guided tours from 435 E Riverwalk South. The Riverwalk launch is best suited to experienced paddlers or anyone joining a guided tour.

When do Chicago River boat tours run?

Most Chicago River boat tours run from spring through late fall. In 2026, the Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise operates through November 23.