Chicago Riverwalk
Entrance to Chicago Riverwalk surrounded by skyscrapers, Chicago
Entrance to Chicago Riverwalk surrounded by skyscrapers, Chicago

Chicago Riverwalk Tours and Tickets

18,962 reviews
Free admission

Connecting Lake Michigan to downtown, the Chicago Riverwalk is an open-air, pedestrian-friendly walkway that runs along the Chicago River. Composed of six main sections, the Riverwalk is a main hub for entertainment. Head to the Marina Plaza section for restaurants, outdoor seating, and boat access. Take a stroll through a series of piers and floating wetland gardens at the Riverbank, or head to the Water Plaza where the kids can splash in water fountains.

  • East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60601

Tours and Tickets to Experience Chicago Riverwalk

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What are people saying about Chicago Riverwalk

Sridhar_T, Nov 2023
Chicago architecture (meh) tour.
1. Drinks options available. 2. Detailed description and relevant information regarding almost all buildings and Chicago in general. 3. Washrooms were clean and maintained well
Michael_W, Nov 2023
Beautiful boat nice pacing. Your guide just average - a little loud and choppy
Well organized and easy to find. Clean boat with lots of seating. Tour guide herself not the best. Just average.
Timyra_W, Oct 2023
The trip was wonderful. ...
The trip was wonderful. The boat was clean and had excellent amenities. The cruise was very enjoyable and I learned a lot.
Tremain_C, Sep 2023
Good Purchase
Tour was well organized and they even let us switch to earlier time since we arrived ahead of schedule. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable. He read the audience’s level of engagement well so we did not feel information overload. Bar was good too. Wish there were snack options, but understandable that might be more difficult for cleanup and turnover.
People Also Ask
Q:What types of tours can you do of the Chicago Riverwalk?
A:There are many ways to explore the Chicago Riverwalk, which follows the main arm of the Chicago River for 1.25 miles (2 kilometers) to Lake Shore Drive and Lake Michigan. Highlights include architecture river cruises, city walking tours, Chicago food excursions, bike and Segway tours, self-guided audio tours, and custom photo shoots.
Q:Is there a boat tour of the Chicago Riverwalk?
A:Yes, many of Chicago's most popular boat tours run along the Chicago River, parallel to the Chicago Riverwalk. These include the city's ever-popular open-top architecture boat tours, sunset cruises, and special-occasion holiday and fireworks boat tours. It's also possible to book a kayak rental and explore the Chicago River independently.
Q:Should you book Chicago Riverwalk tours in advance?
A:That depends. Chicago architecture boat tours depart throughout the day—and last-minute tickets are usually available—but it may be worth securing tickets in advance if you visit in summer. Most walking tours, bike tours, and Segway tours depart less frequently, so it's best to reserve your spot for those in advance.
Q:Are there restrooms at Chicago Riverwalk?
A:Yes, there are some freestanding public restrooms along the Chicago Riverwalk. They are typically open from morning through late evening, though many are closed for the cold season (late October–late April). Alternatively, the Chicago Riverwalk is lined with bars, restaurants, and cafés, which offer bathrooms to customers.
Q:Is there parking at Chicago Riverwalk?
A:Yes, there are various parking options along the Chicago Riverwalk. While there are no dedicated Riverwalk public parking garages, there are private garages nearby. Additionally, there is some street parking on the lowest level of Wacker Drive, which runs parallel to the Riverwalk. Street parking is free on Sunday.
Q:What do you see on a Chicago Riverwalk tour?
A:Whether self-guided or guide-led, a tour of the Chicago Riverwalk offers top-notch views overlooking the Chicago River and the city's iconic buildings, including the Merchandise Mart, Marina City's towers, DuSable Bridge, Wrigley Building, and Tribune Tower. The Riverwalk ends at Lake Michigan, and nearby attractions include Navy Pier and Millennium Park.