Chicago Riverwalk Opens for the 2009 Summer Season
1st Annual Taste of the Riverwalk Scheduled for June 19 - 21
Release Date: 05/01/09
The Chicago Riverwalk returns in 2009 offering visitors a wide-range of amenities, with three new vendors added the line-up. The Riverwalk officially opens Memorial Day from 6a.m. - 11p.m. Some attractions will begin to open by mid-May, weather permitting. Tour boats and water taxis have already begun service for the 2009 season.
Also new this year, look for the 1st Annual Taste of the Riverwalk to take place June 19 – 21. The event will feature tasty samplings from vendors at a discounted rate, music, programming and fishing. Entrance to the event will be free and will take place throughout the Riverwalk promenade.
The Riverwalk is a river-level promenade offering visitors concessions that include riverfront cafes, tour boats and water taxis, bicycle rentals, and retail stands featuring crafts made by local women entrepreneurs.
Currently, the Riverwalk runs along Wacker Drive and the south bank of the Chicago River from Franklin Street to Lake Shore Drive. Boat tours and water taxis also operate from the north side of the river at Michigan Avenue. Stairs to the Riverwalk are located at every bridge. East of State Street, it is wheel-chair accessible and continuous between the lakefront and a pedestrian ramp located in the VietnamVeteransMemorialPlaza at State Street. Visitors may also be dropped off at Lower Stetson between Michigan and Columbus.
Listed from east to west, 2009 Chicago Riverwalk activities include:
Between Lake Shore Drive and Columbus Drive:
· Babette’s Liquid Assets, featuring bubble tea, exotic coffee drinks and beignets. Open weekends.
· Bike Chicago Rentals & Tours. Rent bikes, take a guided tour, or hire bike taxi service to Navy Pier. Open daily.
Between Columbus Drive and Michigan Avenue:
· Cyrano’s Café and Wine Bar on the Riverwalk, featuring French cuisine, beer, wine and spirits. Open daily.
· Women-Eye, featuring retail crafts and souvenirs made by local women entrepreneurs. Open Thursdays - Sundays.
· Chicago’s First Lady and the Chicago Architecture Foundation offer architectural river tours, and Mercury, Chicago’s Skyline Cruiseline offers lake and river tours. Open daily.
· Mayor Daley’s River Fishing Festival has expanded to run every weekday during the summer months this year. Fishing equipment is provided for free.
· Shoreline Water Taxi operates on the north side of the river in front of Pioneer Court. Open daily.
Between Michigan Avenue and Wabash Avenue:
· McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, located inside the southwest tower of the MichiganAvenueBridge. The museum also serves as an information center for the Riverwalk. Open Thursday through Monday, 10a.m. – 5p.m.
· Wendella Boats returns to their location on the north side of the river in front of the WrigleyBuilding, offering architectural, lake and river cruises daily.
· O’Briens Riverwalk Café, featuring burgers, steak sandwiches, beer, wine and spirits. Open daily.
· Chicago Water Taxi operates from Rush Street on the north side of the river. Open daily.
Between State Street and Dearborn Street
· Diosa on the River: Sushi and Grill, featuring sushi and kabobs. Open daily.
Between Dearborn Street and Clark Street
· Lagniappe Creole Cajun Joynt, featuring authentic Creole and Cajun dishes. Open daily.
Between Clark Street and LaSalle Street
· New! Chicago River Dog Café. Open daily.
· Chicago Water Taxi operates a stop on the north side of the river.
Between LaSalle Street and Wells Street
· New! Riverwalk Grill. Open daily.
Between Wells Street and Franklin Street
· New! Shoreline Water Taxi. Open daily.
Admission to the Chicago Riverwalk is free, but fees vary for the attractions. The Chicago Park District runs concessions on the Chicago Riverwalk through an agreement with the City of Chicago. For information, visit www.cityofchicago.org/riverwalk.
- Contact Phone: 312 742 7529
- Publication Date: 05/01/09