Moving Guides|Illinois|Chicago|Neighborhoods|River North
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Anna Shoultz
Illinois Local Expert

Last Modified: January 9, 2026

River North map

River North Neighborhood Overview

Clark St., The Mart, Romanticizing the Riverwalk

2of 55 Chicago Neighborhoods

🧭Bordered by: The Chicago River's Main Branch to the South, North Branch to the West, Chicago Avenue North, Michigan Avenue East, with Merchandise Mart commanding the elbow

📌Widely recognized as the place for: Sunday brunching, steak dinners, hotel rooftops

👕You can spot a River North local by: black boots, light blue jeans, blowout at 7am, tiny Pomeranian under arm

👍Locals live here because: nice buildings, walkable everything, and instant after-work plans

👎The downside to River North is: tourist herds and 2 am karaoke echoes

✨The overall feel is: flashy, buzzy, art-splattered nightlife

foodies, speakeasy afficionados, and cocktail collectors

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Moving to River North - Make Sense Of Your Next Move

Whether you're new to Chicago or deciding which part of the city fits you best, Snappy Scout cuts through the noise and shows you what living here is really like. If you're still finding your way, start with our Moving to Chicago guide for the big-picture view — or compare River North against other parts of the city in our Chicago neighborhood guide.