In this video we pay a visit to one of the most touristy neighborhoods in Chicago, River North. It is located North & East of the Chicago River, south of Chicago Avenue, and West of Michigan Avenue.

River North is known for great dining, exciting nightlife, fun things to do, historic architecture, and being part of Chicago’s downtown.

River North has a rich history, starting with the American Indian tribes who called this area home for many years. They used the Chicago River as a mode of transportation.

As Europeans moved into the area, River North became Chicago’s first “neighborhood”. Italian immigrants also settled in the area, earning the neighborhood the nickname “Little Sicily”.

River North became a hub of manufacturing, shipping, railways, and warehouses. The smog from the factories was so bad that you couldn’t see the sun, earning the neighborhood the nickname “Smokey Hollow”.

As industry began to move out of River North, the area became a skid row, but in the 1970s Albert Friedman began buying up and restoring the old buildings.

The architecture of River North includes Italianate, Dutch Renaissance, Richardsonian Romanesque, and Modern.

To get to River North, take the CTA Brown Line and get off at the Chicago or Merchandise Mart stop. Other options include the CTA Red Line to Grand or Chicago. You can also take the 22, 36, 156, 65, or 66 CTA bus.

River North is known for its varied and highly rated restaurants. From casual spots like True Food Kitchen, Eataly, Corey’s NYC Bagel, Sweetgreen, and Lyfe Kitchen to fine dining like Sunda, Sushi San, GT Fish & Oyster, and Ema. Our favorite coffee spots in River North are Big Shoulders Coffee and Dollop.

There are many things to do in River North like attend mass at Holy Name Cathedral, enjoy nature at A. Montgomery Ward Park, watch stand-up comedians at The Comedy Bar, relive Chicago’s Gilded Age at the Dreihaus Museum, or purchase some paintings at one of the various River North art galleries.

PLACES VISITED IN THIS VIDEO: Holy Name Cathedral The Comedy Bar A. Montgomery Ward Park Merchandise Mart True Food Kitchen Dollop Corey’s NYC Bagel Chicago Riverwalk

My favorite things to do in River North include playing arcade games at Headquarters, enjoying the historic details of the Dreihaus Museum, and watching the boats float down the Chicago River.

I hope you enjoyed this Chicago Vlog / River North Chicago Travel Guide!