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Illinois, United States

The Loop & Chicago River

Fireworks over the river and the lake; 2 nights within walking distance of Wacker Drive. We have mapped 3 sights, 1 activity and 3 places to eat here, each with a reason to go.

Plan The Loop & Chicago River with friendsBrowse 9 places
The Loop & Chicago River, Illinois, United States
Places
9

3 See · 1 Do · 3 Eat · 1 Drink · 1 Stay

Curated routes
1

Chicago New Year's Eve

Best season
Dec 30 – Jan 1

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

25°C / 77°F avg high

Coolest month
January

0°C / 32°F avg high

Wettest month
May

about 117 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages for Chicago, the nearest city we track.

Things to do in The Loop & Chicago River

9 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in The Loop & Chicago River across The Loop, River North and Streeterville. All 3 are free to visit.

  • Chicago River NYE Fireworks in The Loop & Chicago RiverPhoto: Monk - Ihar Mahaniok · CC BY-SA 3.0
    See

    Chicago River NYE Fireworks

    The city's free midnight show, fired from the river bridges between Orleans Street and Columbus Drive; held in 2024 and 2025.

    Tip Best views are on Upper Wacker Drive between McClurg Court and Franklin Street; arrive by 11 pm.

    • The Loop
    • Free
    • 1.5 hr
    • 11 pm – 12:15 am
  • See

    Art on the Mart

    Large-scale projections across the Merchandise Mart's river facade; on Dec 31 it becomes the countdown clock for the fireworks.

    Tip Watch from the Riverwalk or the Wells Street side of Wacker Drive for a straight-on view.

    • River North
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • From 10 pm on Dec 31
  • Navy Pier New Year's Eve Fireworks in The Loop & Chicago RiverPhoto: edward stojakovic · CC BY 2.0
    See

    Navy Pier New Year's Eve Fireworks

    Free midnight fireworks over Lake Michigan, visible from inside and outside along the mile-long pier; held in 2024 and 2025.

    Tip The east end gets crowded early; Milton Lee Olive Park just north of the pier has a quieter lakefront view.

    • Streeterville
    • Free
    • 60 min
    • Midnight

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in The Loop & Chicago River in The Loop.

  • Chicago Riverwalk in The Loop & Chicago RiverPhoto: ajay_suresh · CC BY 2.0
    Do

    Chicago Riverwalk

    A 1.25-mile promenade along the main branch of the river, lined with cafes, boat docks and the city's architecture.

    Tip On NYE it closes to the public at 11 pm except for ticketed parties; walk it on Dec 30 or the afternoon of the 31st instead.

    • The Loop
    • Free
    • 60 min
    • Dusk

Eat

3 places to eat across Gold Coast and River North, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • Eat

    Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse

    Gold Coast steakhouse open since 1989, known for huge cuts, martinis and a packed bar on big nights.

    Tip NYE tables go fast; the bar does not take reservations if you are willing to wait.

    • Gold Coast
    • $$$$
    • 2 hr
    • Early seating on Dec 31
  • Eat

    Shaw's Crab House

    River North seafood house since 1984, with an oyster bar and a formal dining room for crab legs and lobster.

    Tip The oyster bar side is easier to get into the night before NYE.

    • River North
    • $$$
    • 2 hr
    • Dec 30 dinner
  • Eat

    Chicago Cut Steakhouse

    Steakhouse on the river at LaSalle Street, with window tables looking across the water to the Loop towers.

    Tip Ask for a window table; it is a short walk to the Wacker Drive viewing area after dinner.

    • River North
    • $$$$
    • 2 hr
    • Evening

Drink

1 bar or café in The Loop for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

  • Drink

    Cindy's

    Rooftop bar atop the Chicago Athletic Association with views over Millennium Park and Lake Michigan.

    Tip NYE is ticketed; on a normal night go just before sunset for the park and lake views.

    • The Loop
    • $$$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Sunset

Stay

Places to stay in The Loop & Chicago River in River North.

  • Stay

    The Langham, Chicago

    Luxury hotel in Mies van der Rohe's AMA Plaza tower, right on the river beside the Wabash Avenue bridge.

    Tip River-facing rooms look straight onto the bridge fireworks.

    • River North
    • $$$$

How to fit The Loop & Chicago River into a trip

The Loop & Chicago River is stop 1 of 2 on our Chicago New Year's Eve route. Follow it as-is or lift The Loop & Chicago River into your own plan.

Weather by month, based on Chicago

Our climate figures for The Loop & Chicago River come from Chicago, about 1 km (1 mi) away. Average daily highs run from 0°C / 32°F in January to 25°C / 77°F in July. May is the wettest month, with about 117 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages for Chicago. Chicago weather (covers The Loop & Chicago River) →

Near The Loop & Chicago River

8 other destinations from our guides within about 300 km (186 mi), measured in a straight line.

The Loop & Chicago River questions, answered

How many days do you need in The Loop & Chicago River?

Our route notes suggest 2 nights in The Loop & Chicago River. On our Chicago New Year's Eve route it is stop 1 of 2 in a 3-day trip. The listed visit times for our 9 places add up to roughly 11 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is The Loop & Chicago River best known for?

Fireworks over the river and the lake; 2 nights within walking distance of Wacker Drive. Standouts on our list: Chicago River NYE Fireworks (The city's free midnight show, fired from the river bridges between Orleans Street and Columbus Drive; held in 2024 and 2025); Art on the Mart (Large-scale projections across the Merchandise Mart's river facade; on Dec 31 it becomes the countdown clock for the fireworks); Navy Pier New Year's Eve Fireworks (Free midnight fireworks over Lake Michigan, visible from inside and outside along the mile-long pier; held in 2024 and 2025).

When is the best time to visit The Loop & Chicago River?

Our Chicago New Year's Eve route is best Dec 30 – Jan 1. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages for nearby Chicago put the warmest highs in July (25°C / 77°F), the coolest in January (0°C / 32°F) and the most rain in May (about 117 mm).

What are the best things to do in The Loop & Chicago River?

Start with Chicago River NYE Fireworks, Art on the Mart, Navy Pier New Year's Eve Fireworks and Chicago Riverwalk. Our guide lists 9 places in all, from 3 sights, 1 activity, 3 places to eat, 1 bar or café and 1 place to stay.

Where should a group eat in The Loop & Chicago River?

Our picks: Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse (Gold Coast); Shaw's Crab House (River North); Chicago Cut Steakhouse (River North). NYE tables go fast; the bar does not take reservations if you are willing to wait (Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse).

What is near The Loop & Chicago River?

The closest destinations in our guides are Chicago (about 1 km / 1 mi), Lincoln Park (about 4 km / 3 mi) and Indiana Dunes (about 54 km / 34 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan The Loop & Chicago River with your crew

Open the Chicago New Year's Eve route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 9 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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