Things to do right outside: Chicago Riverwalk & nearby sights
The Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk sits directly on the Chicago Riverwalk, making riverside strolls, river architecture boat tours, Michigan Avenue (the Magnificent Mile), Millennium Park, and Navy Pier easy on-foot outings. From the hotel's riverfront location you can eat along the Riverwalk, join an architecture boat tour, or walk to major downtown attractions.
In this guide
Step onto the Chicago Riverwalk
The hotel is located directly on the Chicago Riverwalk, so you can step out of the lobby and onto the riverside promenade for a flat, paved walk along the river.
The Riverwalk offers riverside seating, public art, and places to sit and watch tour boats and other river traffic pass by; seasonal vendors and restaurants appear along the path at certain times of year.
- Access the Riverwalk directly from the hotel entrance or riverside terrace.
- Seasonal dining options appear along the Riverwalk (Chicago Burger Company operates seasonally).
- Good for morning runs, casual strolls, and watching architecture tour boats.
| Feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Direct access | Yes — hotel sits on the Riverwalk |
| Seasonal Riverwalk dining | Chicago Burger Company may be open depending on season |
Take a river architecture boat tour
Narrated Chicago River architecture tours depart very close to the hotel — one source notes tours leave only about 1,250 feet from the property — making these a convenient way to learn about downtown skyscrapers and bridges.
Tours run year-round with different operators and formats; some boats are family-friendly and some offerings are specialty cruises.
- Departure point: roughly 1,250 ft from the hotel per the hotel's local attractions map.
- Typical focus: architecture, bridges, and downtown buildings.
- Options: narrated architecture tours, kid-friendly tours, and specialty boat experiences.
| What to bring | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Light jacket (spring/fall) | River breezes can be cool |
| Camera | Good views of skyline and bridges |
| Booking confirmation | Many tours reserve seats in advance |
Walk to the Magnificent Mile and Michigan Avenue
Michigan Avenue (the Magnificent Mile) is a short 5–7 minute walk from the hotel, giving easy access to shopping, dining, and flagship stores.
The hotel’s location in River North/Streeterville places you close to this primary retail corridor without needing transit.
- Walk from the hotel to high-end shops, national retailers, and department stores on the Magnificent Mile.
- Good for window-shopping, quick purchases, and people-watching along Michigan Avenue.
| Walking time from hotel | What to expect |
|---|---|
| 5–7 minutes | Access to flagship stores and restaurants on Michigan Avenue |
Nearby parks and cultural stops: Millennium Park & Art Institute
Millennium Park and the Cloud Gate sculpture (the 'Bean') are about a 10-minute walk from the hotel, making them easy short visits for photos and open-air art.
The Art Institute of Chicago is within walking distance as well, listed at roughly 0.7 miles from the hotel on local attraction maps.
- Millennium Park: open public spaces, seasonal concerts and exhibitions (check event calendars).
- Art Institute: major museum collection; verify current hours and ticketing before visiting.
| Attraction | Approximate walk |
|---|---|
| Millennium Park | About 10 minutes |
| Art Institute of Chicago | About 0.7 miles per local maps |
Navy Pier and lakefront options
Navy Pier is a walkable option from the hotel; property materials indicate it’s about a 14-minute walk or roughly one mile depending on the route.
If you want beaches or wider lakefront access, Oak Street Beach and other Lake Michigan beaches are reachable on foot (Oak Street Beach is listed as about a 24-minute walk on the hotel's attractions map).
- Navy Pier: rides, shopping, and seasonal events; check Pier schedules.
- Beaches: Ohio Street Beach, Oak Street Beach, and North Avenue Beach are listed as nearby lakefront choices.
| Lakefront spot | Reported walk time |
|---|---|
| Navy Pier | About 14 minutes (roughly 1 mile) |
| Oak Street Beach | About 24 minutes per hotel's attractions map |
On-site dining and riverside meals
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk offers several on-site restaurants and bars for a range of needs: Riverside Café for breakfast and brunch, Shula's Steak House for evening fine dining, Link Café for coffee and quick bites, CHI Bar in the lobby, and the seasonal Chicago Burger Company on the Riverwalk.
Riverside Café provides river views and serves breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch; Shula's Steak House serves dinner and follows a smart-casual dress code.
- Riverside Café hours: Mon–Fri & Sun 6:30 AM–12:30 PM; Sat 6:30 AM–1:30 PM.
- Shula's Steak House hours: 5:30 PM–11:00 PM nightly per hotel dining page.
- Link Café hours: 6:00 AM–4:00 PM for coffee and light fare.
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Riverside Café | Breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch; river views |
| Shula's Steak House | Dinner; smart-casual dress code |
| Link Café | Coffee and quick bites |
Hotel services that help you explore
Concierge and porter services at the hotel can help with tour and ticket arrangements, and the front desk can confirm current Riverwalk and tour vendor details.
The hotel’s Sheraton Fitness Center and indoor heated pool on the 7th floor are available if you want exercise or indoor swimming before or after sightseeing.
- Concierge: assistance with tours, tickets, and local recommendations.
- Indoor heated pool: located on the 7th floor; reported hours are daily 7:00 AM–10:00 PM (hotel sources list pool hours).
- Fitness center: two-story Sheraton Fitness Center with Peloton bikes and Life Fitness equipment; reported 24-hour access.
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Concierge | Tour and ticket help available |
| Indoor heated pool | 7th floor; towels provided; reported daily hours 7:00 AM–10:00 PM |
| Fitness center | Two-story gym with Peloton bikes and dry sauna |
