12 Great Things to Do in Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

As the third largest city by population in the United States, Chicago is a very popular city to visit. Being such a large city there is plenty to see and do.

The Chicago River goes right thru downtown Chicago before emptying into Lake Michigan. A walk along the river is a must all year long but especially in the warmer months of the year. On warm days, the combination of the river’s clay bottom, water coming from Lake Michigan and algae give the river an almost tropical color that will have you thinking you are somewhere in the Caribbean and not in the Midwest! Speaking of the color of the water, on St. Patrick’s Day they even dye the water green to celebrate the holiday.

- Have a meal with river views - there are restaurants along the river with both indoor and outdoor dining.

- Have a drink along the river - from regular bars to tiki bars in the summer, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a drink.

- Watch the artists along the river - if you are lucky enough, you might be at the Chicago Riverwalk when the artists are out painting. They are really amazing to watch.

While there is plenty to see and do along the river during the day, I also recommend seeing the river after dark as well. Of course, make sure to be safe after dark, the river can be viewed from spots downtown. The many bridges that cross the river are great spots to grab a great photo. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).