Chicago Riverwalk-1: Chicago's Second Waterfront and Must-visit Destination (Chicago, IL)

After seeing it in movies and TV dramas, the Chicago River was my number one choice of attraction that I wanted to experience since I was not even aware of its existence (I mean the river) when I visited Chicago for the first time about 20 years ago.

Luckily, there was very close access to Chicago Riverwalk from the hotel where we stayed (just across the street). So we couldn’t wait to get out and experience it as soon as we saw the view of the Chicago River from our hotel room right after we checked in.

Located on the south bank of the Chicago River in the downtown area, the open pedestrian waterfront Chicago Riverwalk was an absolutely amazing, very Chicagoan experience for me!

 Spanning from Lake Shore Drive to Lake Street, strolling all along the river I felt it was a gigantic theme park with examples of amazing architecture and a river and urban landscape containing restaurants, park-seating, boat rentals, and so many other activities. It is no doubt why Chicago Riverwalk is called the city's “Second Waterfront.”

I took so many pictures and saw so much at Chicago Riverwalk that I cannot possibly show everything in one posting. So I decided break it up into at least two postings, and I want to introduce the general information about Chicago Riverwalk in this first posting.

It was hard to believe that the inviting “Chicago’s second shoreline” was once a shipping channel heavy with the stench of sewage. Now without a doubt I recommend this as one of Chicago’s must-visit star attractions!
 
I found Chicago’s water history is very interesting.
 
Over the years, the Chicago River has been many things- an industrial shipping channel, a convenient place to dump sewage, and a barrier to new urban development and transportation networks. The years of heavy industry have given way to the new downtown with offices, homes, and cultural institutions. The many efforts to clean up the river (starting over 100 years ago with reversing the Chicago River’s flow away from the lake) have finally paid off and the city no longer needs to be humiliated by the state of its namesake river.

I found that Chicago Riverwalk as the way it is now was not something that happened over night. Although the vision was ambitious from the start, the actual development had a slow start.
 
Chicago has been working on the Chicago Riverwalk development plan since the 1990s. Construction began in 2001 as an extension of the Wacker Drive reconstruction project and work was accelerated in 2012.

Chicago Riverwalk is divided into distinctive six coves or “rooms”:
 
- Marina Plaza from State to Dearborn:
Marina Plaza connects the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with the new Riverwalk additions to the west with restaurants, outdoor seating, and boat access.
- Cove from Dearborn to Clark:
This area provides access for docking of kayaks and canoes.
 
- River Theater from Clark to LaSalle:
This urban oasis provides shade and a respite for city explorers during hot summers or inclement weather with shade trees and seating. It also has a sculptural staircase linking to Upper Wacker Drive.
 
- Water Plaza from LaSalle to Wells:
This area is great for families- adults can relax around a fountain where their children can run around in the water sprays. Originally called the Swimming Hole, it features a zero-depth fountain.
 
- Jetty from Wells to Franklin:
At the Jetty, visitors can observe fish and learn about the river’s ecology. The series of piers and floating wetland gardens offers an interactive learning environment about the river, as well as opportunities for fishing.
 
- Riverbank from Franklin to Lake:
With floating gardens, the riverbank provides spectacular views of the convergence of the Chicago River’s three branches. The lawn area and accessible walkway provide continuous access to Lake Street.

 

Each area has its own nickname with a different design and purpose, accommodating diverse activities, from dining and performances to kayaking and fishing. These new Riverwalk sections, along with their commercial and recreational amenities, draw people closer to the river.

 Besides providing top-notch recreational opportunities, Chicago Riverwalk has earned another honor- the 1.25-mile long waterfront park was among the 13 projects in North America, Asia, and Europe to be recognized by the Urban Land Institute’s annual Global Awards for Excellence.