River North

Across the Chicago River, immediately due north of the Loop, is a neighborhood of densely packed galleries, with its requisite art fairs and gallery walks; boutiques and specialty shops, including upscale antique stores and furniture dealers; and a foodie’s paradise, with an amazing assortment of dining options to satisfy every palate and budget. After dark, young and hip club-goers descend on River North for its plentiful and vibrant nightlife.

River North: “Galleries, Nightlife, Restaurants, and History” 

Written by Alan Solomon, with research assistance from the Chicago Neighborhood Tourism Project.

Once a factory zone, then a forgotten zone, then a low-rent haven for hungry artists, River North -- one of several neighborhoods within the Near North Side community -- has settled in as a district boasting many of Chicago's finest restaurants, most cutting edge galleries and hottest dance clubs.

But sometimes, to really appreciate what we have here, you have to look a little closer . . .

Two of the city's most honored restaurants belong to celebrity chef Rick Bayless. Frontera Grill and Topolobampo, and later Bayless' books and TV shows, introduced Chicago and America to regional Mexican cuisine beyond the taco, enchilada and burrito.

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