7.6/10
Stay here for the best mix of walkable sights, dining and nightlife.
First because it scores well on everything, with the strongest character and short walks to the river, Loop and Mag Mile; held back only by middling value.
- Getting around
- 8.4
- On your doorstep
- 8.3
- Hotels
- 6.4
- Value
- 5.4
- Axel’s verdict
- 8.7
River North sits just across the river from the Loop, between the Merchandise Mart and the Magnificent Mile. The Riverwalk and architecture boat tours are minutes away, Millennium Park is about a 20-minute walk, and the blocks are packed with restaurants, rooftop bars, clubs around Hubbard Street and art galleries. The Red, Brown and Purple lines run straight through.
It is the area local guides and Fodor's forum regulars suggest most often to first-timers who want evenings as lively as their days. The trade-offs: it is touristy, it is one of the pricier areas, and the bar blocks get loud on weekend nights. Light sleepers and families with small kids should look a few blocks east or north.
- Best for
- first-time visitorsnightlifetravelers without a car
- Skip it if
- you're a light sleeper; you're on a tight budget
- Getting around
- Red Line at Grand and Chicago, Brown and Purple at Chicago and Merchandise Mart; Clark/Lake (Blue and Orange) is about a 10-minute walk south across the river for direct trains to O'Hare and Midway. The Loop, Riverwalk and Mag Mile are walkable.
- After dark
- The liveliest base downtown: restaurants, rooftops and clubs stay busy late, and the blocks around Hubbard Street get loud on Friday and Saturday nights.
Top hotels by Axel's take
Typical Axel rate $322 a night · usually 8% under the public rate- 1. The Langham, Chicago8.9
- 2. The Royal Sonesta Chicago River North8.7
- 3. Hyatt Place Chicago/River North8.2
