River North, the Magnificent Mile and Streeterville sit just north of the Chicago River, between the river, the lake and Chicago Avenue. This is where most visitors stay, and where you'll find the big shopping streets, hotels, restaurants and galleries.The Magnificent Mile is the stretch of North Michigan Avenue from the river up to Oak Street, lined with department stores and flagship shops. To the west, River North is a former warehouse district now full of galleries, steakhouses and bars. East toward the lake, Streeterville is high-rise apartments, the hospital district and Northwestern's downtown campus.Navy Pier and 360 Chicago are covered on the main Chicago page. If you're picking one area for your hotel, this is the most practical: the Loop, the lakefront and the Red Line are all within walking distance.
Sights in River North, Magnificent Mile and Streeterville
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Historic Landmark
1Chicago Water Tower
The light limestone water tower at 806 North Michigan Avenue was built 1867-1869 to plans by William W. Boyington and is one of the few buildings to survive the Great Fire of 1871. Inside, the City Gallery displays free Chicago photography and art. Across the street is the associated pumping station, now home to a theater.
The Museum of Contemporary Art at 220 East Chicago Avenue exhibits post-1945 painting, sculpture, photography, and performance art; exhibitions change frequently. Tuesday 10 AM to 9 PM, Wednesday to Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM, closed Mondays. Illinois residents receive free admission Tuesdays from 5 PM to 9 PM. Behind the museum is a small sculpture garden.
The 1883 mansion of banker Samuel Nickerson on East Erie Street, dubbed the "Marble Palace" due to its marble halls, showcases Gilded Age interiors and decorative arts, including Tiffany glass. Wednesday 11 AM to 7 PM, Thursday to Sunday 11 AM to 5 PM; Adults pay $23 USD, on Wednesdays from 4 PM, pay what you wish. The tour takes about one hour.
The neo-Gothic tower on North Michigan Avenue, just north of the bridge over the river, was home to the Chicago Tribune and is now a residential building. Look at the facade at eye level: Embedded are stones from structures worldwide, each with a label, e.g., from the Great Wall of China or the Taj Mahal. You can't enter the building, the facade costs nothing.
Rick Bayless opened his restaurant for regional Mexican cuisine in 1987 at 445 North Clark Street, with dishes prepared using ingredients from Midwestern farms. Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner; Friday to Sunday, the bar also stays open between meals. You can reserve via Resy, for weekends it's best to do so well in advance.
Founded in 1941, this steakhouse at 500 North Franklin Street, under the elevated tracks, is considered the city's oldest. It serves aged steaks, chops, and Italian-American classics like Chicken Vesuvio, in wood-paneled rooms with waiters who have worked here for decades. Reservations recommended; a dress code applies.
A Supper Club at 350 North State Street, styled like 1930s-1950s Chicago clubs, featuring dark wood, leather seating, steaks, oysters, and classic cocktails. Live jazz plays several nights a week. Good for a dinner with atmosphere; for Friday and Saturday, you should reserve.
After the Great Fire of 1871, industrialists filled this area with warehouses and factories. Over the 20th century galleries, design studios and eventually restaurants moved into River North's brick buildings. theMART, the largest building in the world when it opened in 1930, is the landmark of that era; in the evening, the Art on theMART program projects artwork onto its river facade.The 1869 Water Tower on Michigan Avenue survived the 1871 fire and is one of the few buildings left from before it. Streeterville is named for George Streeter, who ran his boat aground on a sandbar in 1886 and spent decades claiming the landfill that built up around it as his own territory.Around Thanksgiving weekend, the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival parade kicks off the holiday season, and Michigan Avenue closes to traffic for the evening.
Tiki bar in the basement at 435 North Clark Street, opened in 2013 and ranked 13th in the World's 50 Best Bars in 2014. The entrance is hidden in an alley off Hubbard Street, often only the queue gives it away. Inside, you'll find rum cocktails in Tiki mugs, bamboo, and torchlight. You can reserve via OpenTable; it's advisable on weekends.
Piano bar at 16 West Ontario Street in the style of old lounges, where a pianist plays standards and audience requests, and guests often sing along. The venue gets busy late and stays open long. There is a dress code; shorts and sportswear are not welcome.
These three neighborhoods are close together: walking Michigan Avenue from the river to Oak Street takes about 20 minutes.Red Line: The Grand and Chicago stations are on State Street, two blocks west of Michigan Avenue. The line runs 24/7 to the Loop and north to Wrigley Field.Brown and Purple lines: The Merchandise Mart station sits right at theMART in River North.Bus: Routes 146 and 151 run along Michigan Avenue; the 29 and 65 go to Navy Pier.Water taxi: Spring through fall, water taxis link Michigan Avenue with Navy Pier and Chinatown.Driving: Hotel valet often runs $70 or more a night. If you're staying here, you won't need a car.
Accommodations in River North, Magnificent Mile and Streeterville
Find perfect stay in River North, Magnificent Mile and Streeterville
