Get to Know River North
Immediately north of Chicago's downtown (the Loop), River North is seeing an exciting growth in residential development, galleries, boutiques and design studios.
What to do in River North
Once a neighborhood filled with factories and warehouses, River North is often considered Chicago's version of New York's SoHo. It's a growing, cosmopolitan neighborhood filled with art galleries. In fact, some call it some call it SuHu, as many galleries are near the intersection of Superior and Huron. Many residents enjoy gallery hopping, particularly on Friday, the day many new exhibits are displayed.
River North is rich with trendy restaurants and dance clubs. The neighborhood covers a wide area, with artistic galleries to the west and big-name attractions to the east. River North boasts big names like the Rainforest Café, themed restaurants such as Hard Rock Café and Ed Debevic's. The area is kid-friendly and adult-friendly with a blend of tourist and local destinations. Plus, it's just a few café- and boutique-filled blocks to the Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue.
River North is also home to The Merchandise Mart, recently renovated into a first-class shopping center for home design and fashions. Once owned by the Kennedy family, The Merchandise Mart and the Apparel Center across the street are the epicenter of Chicago's world-class furniture and fashion design industry.
River North's Distinctive Housing
River North is an interesting blend of architecture and transformation. Former warehouses have been converted to loft residences, and new townhomes and mid-rise condominium developments are attracting urban dwellers who love the proximity to the Loop and the Financial District.