Rebuilt as an urban center after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the River North neighborhood quickly became the industrial center of Chicago. In fact, in the early 1900s, the neighborhood was notoriously known as “Smokey Hollow” because of the constant pollution from the surrounding factories and trains.
There is never a dull moment on the Chicago River. Whether you like to be in on the action or just sightseeing, you’ll have no trouble filling your days with some of these most popular activities:
- Check out THE MART – Once the largest building in the world, THE MART is two city blocks of retro-designed retail space. During the winter months, it’s the perfect place to spend a cold Chicago day;
- See the city from the water – this is one of those touristy things that even locals have to experience once. On a warm day, rent a kayak from one of the many outfitters near the water and take in the unique views of Chicago from the river of the same name;
- Shop till you drop at The Magnificent Mile. Even though the Mag Mile is technically the border of the River North, it’s the place to visit here. With more than 450 retailers and enough cafes and restaurants to feed an army, the Magnificent Mile is one of the top people-watching spots;
- Visit a local art gallery – Only Manhattan boasts more private art galleries than Chicago’s River North neighborhood. 5 Try Zolla Lieberman Gallery, Addington Gallery, or Victor Armendariz Gallery for a taste of some of the best collections in the city.