Chicago Riverwalk

The Chicago Riverwalk is generally open daily 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Vendors, museums, tours, boat docks, elevators, and restrooms follow separate seasonal hours.

There is no dedicated free Riverwalk lot. Use downtown garages, metered parking, transit, walking, or bikeshare and select the entrance closest to the intended room.

Choose a named cross street or Riverwalk room. Street-level access includes stairs and selected ramps or elevators between Lake Street and the lake.

Seasonal public restrooms are available at selected Riverwalk locations, but vendor and museum facilities use their own hours. Identify one before descending.

Walking, sitting, art, and river views are free. Architecture cruises, museums, kayak rentals, food, drinks, and special programs charge.

Accessible ramps and elevators serve selected entrances, but not every bridge stair. Construction, flooding, crowding, and vendor layouts can affect the continuous route.

Leashed dogs are allowed in general public areas under posted rules. Keep pets away from crowded dining, boat boarding, and river edges and carry waste out.

The promenade is stroller-friendly from the right entrance, with boats, bridges, art, and water views. Railings do not replace close supervision at the river edge.

Loop trains, Metra, buses, and multiple CTA stations surround the corridor. Pick the first room before choosing a station.

The Riverwalk sits below street level, and entrances are not interchangeable for accessibility. High water, maintenance, events, and winter operations can close segments or services.

Check current heat, air quality, storms, wind, lake or river conditions, and operator alerts. Chicago weather can close water, beach, climbing, skating, garden, and event areas independently of general park hours.