Chicago Riverwalk

A 2 km path at water level beneath a canyon of towers

Hours: Path usually 6am-11pm (city park hours, confirm locally); vendors seasonal
Tickets: Free
Address: South bank of the river's main branch, about 2 km from the lakefront to Lake St; reached by stairs beside the bridges

Drop one level below the street to the waterline and the traffic noise falls away. Steel bascule bridges pass overhead one after another and the towers rise like canyon walls. Each stretch has its own mood: riverside wine and cocktail terraces in one, tiered seating and a floating wetland garden (The Jetty) in another, and a kayak rental dock where bright boats paddle past. It's a good walk while you wait for an architecture cruise, and in the evening you can sit and watch Art on the Mart, video projected onto the Merchandise Mart's facade across the water.