Chicago’s Next Tourist Attraction: A Glass Tube Under the River
In an effort to build on 2018’s record-setting year for tourism, the City of Chicago has announced plans for a new attraction: A glass-enclosed pedestrian tube running underneath the Chicago River. Speaking to reporters at his Ravenswood estate Sunday, outgoing Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced plans for The Deep Six, a transparent tube running down the center of the Chicago River’s main channel from the Michigan Avenue Bridge...
Wild Plan Advances For Greening the Chicago River
The second community meeting about Wild Mile Chicago was held recently, and enthusiasm is growing for a project that would have seemed a few McNuggets short of a Happy Meal a decade ago. Anchored on the banks of the Chicago River in the Goose Island area, Wild Mile Chicago envisions a mile-long “eco park” running along, and into, the industrial waterway. Don’t get too excited. This image that’s been circulating...
On TV Tonight: Baer in the Water
In a time when most Chicago media can’t be bothered to look out their window unless someone has been shot, WTTW’s Geofffrey Baer remains the face of Chicagoans interested in their city, its history, and what it looks like today. Bear hunters rejoice, because the city’s premier urban explorer has a new special which airs tonight on channel 11 at 7:30pm. It’s called Chicago River Tour With Geoffrey Baer, and is...
Slice of Life: Chicago’s Glitter Gulch
The number of skyscrapers lining the confluence of the Chicago River recently increased by three. You might think that would have a serious impact on the brightness of the area, but as always — Nature finds a way. Such is demonstrated in this photograph by Joe Zekas of YoChicago!. You can see sunlight reflecting off the towers, scattering sunbeams all across the river in a dazzling display. You can also see the intense progress...
Chicago River Museum Marks its 10th Anniversary
It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since the McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum opened on the downtown riverwalk. Back then, there wasn’t much to the riverwalk compared to today, and hardly anyone knew about the museum cleverly tucked inside an 86-year-old Michigan Avenue Bridge bridgehouse. Today it provides a fascinating glimpse into the history of downtown Chicago, and if you happen to be there...
Slice of Life: Bridges Up
There is something uniquely photogenic about a bridge being raised along the Chicago River. You don’t need to take our word for that; observe for yourself how many folks have their cameras engaged as they wait on the sidewalks for a bridge to be lowered back into crossing mode. Every spring and fall, regular bridge lifts are scheduled on Wednesdays and Saturdays for Chicago boaters to snake their high-masted vessels to and from...
Chicago River and Lakefront Time Lapse
This video by Philip Bloom has been making the rounds on social media lately. A friend in Ohio sent it to me, and I’m sharing with all of you. If you haven’t seen it, here it is. If you have seen it, here it is again. Speaking of social media, let me take this opportunity to plug our Facebook and Twitter feeds, which are just wonderful sources of breaking development news, since we’re the only organization that...
Main Section of the Chicago Riverwalk About to Become a Thing
A couple of days ago, 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly sent out an e-mail letting his constituents know that another link in the chain of parks that will eventually make up the Chicago Riverwalk will inch toward reality just in time for the onset of winter. The e-mail claims that the Chicago Department of Transportation is going to begin construction on the portion of the riverwalk along the heart of the main channel of the Chicago...
Slice of Life: The Liquid Lunch
On a hot summer day, two unidentified women enjoy lunch on the quayside of the Chicago River. Entertainment is provided by the boats and barges floating...
