Chicago neighborhood teeming with nightlife, art and dining
River North is among the Chicago neighborhoods that showcases some of the Windy City’s cosmopolitan flair. Whether it’s during the day or at night, this neighborhood located right on the edge of the Chicago Loop is regularly bustling with pedestrian traffic passing below the L rail and through blocks full of structures ranging from low-rise and repurposed commercial buildings from before the mid-20th century to sleek and modern high-rises with glass, concrete and steel exteriors. Residents here can leave their homes and travel on foot to a variety of destinations that include art galleries, the Chicago Riverwalk for brunch meetups and the House of Blues for some memorable times. Or they can go kayaking at night on the Chicago River and marvel at the projection of a digital art display on the Mart, an impressive and nearly century-old art deco style building and one of the most significant structures in this part of the city. “In River North, there’s lot of restaurants and nightlife that are popular. It’s easy access to public transportation. You have a mix of newer construction high rises, some vintage buildings and lofts that are really attractive to people who want to live in the city,” says Loren Connell, a Realtor with Baird & Warner, who’s made several sales in River North. “It really is all different kinds of people, different ages who are really attracted to this area. There’s proximity to the Loop, proximity to the lake and the river.”
Art on The Mart is a unique digital art experience nightly during the summer in River North.
River North at night is an amazing sight to see with countless iconic buildings to see lit up.
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Ramen on Hubbard and grooves at House of Blues
River North boasts a plethora of dining spots, bars and cafes, as much of the neighborhood is filled with those types of establishments — and many of them can conveniently be reached on foot. Complementing the eateries are a number of late night venues ideal for younger residents looking for fun weekend entertainment. There are a few ramen shops along West Hubbard Street, including Kyuramen x TBaar. The restaurant comes complete with traditional Japanese decor like red lanterns marked with black syllabary. River North, of course, wouldn’t be among Chicago’s top destinations for dining if there were no Italian restaurants. Osteria Via Stato serves some fine Italian dining fare in an upscale setting. Those simply looking for some sweet pastries can pick up some within the modern spaces of regional staple Stan’s Donuts & Coffee. Then to celebrate the night, many fill the House of Blues’ European-style opera house setting to enjoy live music. Another popular spot here is the Fame Nightclub, which emanates a retro mood with its buttoned leather couches and mix of neon and chandelier lighting. Whole Foods on Chicago Avenue provides a close grocery shopping option.
River North residents enjoy amazing nightlife experiences at spots like House of Blues.
Dom's Market is a curated grocery store and high end cafe near River North.
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High-rise condos and some contemporary townhouses
Much of the homes in River North seamlessly blend into the urban scape, with many condos filling low- to high-rise buildings with concrete, stucco and brick exteriors. Price points can go from just under $300,000 for a one bedroom unit to just over $450,000 for a two-bedroom unit. A two-bedroom penthouse with access to amenities like a rooftop deck can go for over $700,000. There are some townhouses style homes, too, and price points for those can go from just under $600,000 for a three-bedroom half-duplex to nearly $1 million for a modern three-bedroom townhouse with contemporary features like a sleek exterior, more prominent window space and flat roofs. Some even larger and newer townhouses that are at least several thousand square feet can easily exceed $2 million.
River North features a number of townhomes that are typically newer builds.
River North has condo buildings along the riverfront.
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Urban green spaces and the Chicago Riverwalk
Despite this neighborhood’s strong urban makeup, it is either home to or close enough to some notable destinations for those simply looking to stretch their legs, walk their dog or meet up for some basketball or softball games. The nearly 9-acre Seward Park is among the sites that caters to those activities. In addition to outdoor fixtures that include a water fountain, this tree-enclosed park is home to two gyms that are regularly used for organized sports meetups. The gyms also house unique sports amenities like a boxing ring for budding pugilists. Children enjoy going to the Ward Park playground to burn off some energy. The park is set against a backdrop of the Chicago River and urban cityscape and features public art installations like stainless steel “Commemorative Ground Ring” sculpture. Neighborhood residents can also cross the river to walk along the Riverwalk, book one of several boat cruises or go on an urban kayaking adventure.
River North residents are known to play basketball at Seward Park.
River North residents kayak along the Chicago River's branches for a great day outdoors.
River North residents love to take their kids to Ward park on nice days.
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The academically distinct Walter Payton high school
Whether it’s through a private or public school, students in River North have access to a number of schools that emphasize diverse coursework. The public schools serving River North include the Manierre Elementary School, the Ruben Salazar Bilingual Center and Walter Payton College Preparatory High School, which respectfully received grades of C-minus, C-plus and A-plus from ratings site Niche. In addition to being regularly ranked as among the best public high schools in both the state and country, Walter Payton houses the Confucius Institute, an international organization intended to promote Chinese language and culture. Walter Payton is the only high school in the world to have the institute. The high school’s students can also take part in unique extracurricular activities that include improv comedy, judo and horseback riding.
Walter Payton College Preparatory High School is a public school in River North.
Manierre Elementary School serves the students of River North.
Ruben Salazar Elementary in River North is best known for offering a bilingual education.
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Taste of River North in July
One of the events here is Taste of River North, essentially a multi-day block party in July that sees many pack the neighborhood’s streets. Goers can enjoy live music performed from a fully equipped stage, as well as numerous food vendors.
Taste of River North has a large variety of art vendors in addition to great eats.
Taste of River North features a variety of local eateries sampling popular menu items.
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Commuting on the L and highway routes to suburbs
Those looking for a quick commute to either downtown Chicago or other parts of city can get on the L train, which has several stations in River North. A number of CTA buses stop here, too. U.S. Highway 41 to the east provides a direct route to areas like the affluent North Shore, while Interstate 90 to the west of River North connects to the other suburban destinations northwest of the neighborhood. One of the places I-90 passes is Chicago O’Hare International Airport, located about 16 miles west of River North. Nearby medical facilities include Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, a nationally ranked research hospital known for its focus on traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.
River North residents are known to commute on bikes and scooters as well as on the El.
River North has access to Chicago's "L" train that runs on both elevated and subway lines.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
River North
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
9
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
9
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
8
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
River North Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in River North, Chicago sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in River North, Chicago over the last 12 months is $415,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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An exceptional investment opportunity in the heart of River North, a spacious 2-bedroom, 2-bath home can deliver immediate rental income and the kind of consistent demand investors love. The unit showcases sweeping skyline views through floor-to-ceiling windows and opens onto a generous balcony-an inviting place to pause, breathe, and take in the city. The interior feels warm and elevated with
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Emily Sachs Wong@properties Christie's International Real Estate
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