Top things to do near Aloft Chicago Downtown River North
Top things to do near Aloft Chicago Downtown River North: stroll the Chicago Riverwalk, shop the Magnificent Mile and visit nearby venues like the Merchandise Mart and House of Blues. Use the hotel’s River North location as a base for museums, lakefront walks, and neighborhood dining at Beatrix and nearby restaurants.
In this guide
Walk the Chicago Riverwalk and explore River North
The Chicago Riverwalk is a short walk from Aloft Chicago Downtown River North and offers riverside paths, outdoor seating, and views of downtown architecture.
River North itself is known for galleries, restaurants, and nightlife; the hotel’s address on North Clark Street places you within easy walking distance of many of these options.
- Chicago Riverwalk — riverside paths and public seating
- House of Blues — live music venue near the hotel
- Merchandise Mart — showrooms and events within a few blocks
| Nearby spot | Typical visit |
|---|---|
| Chicago Riverwalk | Strolling, dining, river views |
| Merchandise Mart | Showrooms, events |
| House of Blues | Concerts and late-night shows |
Shop the Magnificent Mile and nearby retail
Michigan Avenue’s Magnificent Mile is a few blocks from the hotel and offers major retailers, department stores, and restaurants. The hotel location makes it straightforward to walk there when the weather is favorable.
For quick stops, River North also has local boutiques and galleries. If you prefer indoor shopping, Merchandise Mart is close by.
- Magnificent Mile — flagship stores and dining
- Local boutiques and art galleries in River North
- Merchandise Mart for trade showrooms and design shops
| Where | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Magnificent Mile | Retail flagship stores, restaurants |
| River North galleries | Contemporary art and smaller shops |
| Merchandise Mart | Design showrooms and events |
Dine and drink at the hotel and nearby restaurants
On-site dining includes Beatrix (breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch) and the Coffee & Pastry Counter for morning drinks and pastries. Beatrix’s hours and the counter’s opening times are published by the restaurant.
W XYZ Bar operates in the lobby as a loft-inspired spot for cocktails, live music, and a complimentary pool table — a convenient option for evening drinks without leaving the hotel.
- Beatrix — contemporary American menu with vegan and vegetarian options; reservations recommended
- Coffee & Pastry Counter — house blends, pastries (opens 6:00AM weekdays, 7:00AM weekends)
- W XYZ Bar — cocktails, live music, and a free billiards table
| Venue | Typical hours / note |
|---|---|
| Beatrix | Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner; weekend brunch hours vary |
| Coffee & Pastry Counter | Opens 6:00AM Mon–Fri; 7:00AM Sat–Sun |
| W XYZ Bar | Evening cocktails and live music; hours vary |
Hotel amenities to use between outings
Aloft Chicago Downtown River North provides free Wi‑Fi throughout the property and a 24/7 business center with computer stations and a printer in the lobby.
For workouts, the complimentary Re:charge Gym is open 24/7 and includes yoga mats, free weights, and Life Fitness cardio and strength equipment; reservations are required for cardio machines. Note: the hotel does not have a swimming pool or on-site spa.
- Free Wi‑Fi throughout the hotel
- Re:charge Gym — 24/7, reservations required for cardio machines
- 24/7 business center in the lobby
| Amenity | Key detail |
|---|---|
| Re:charge Gym | 24/7, complimentary, reservation required for some equipment |
| Business center | Computer stations and printer, open 24/7 |
| Pool / Spa | No pool and no on-site spa |
Rooms and views to consider
Aloft Chicago Downtown River North has three room types listed on the hotel overview. Room configurations include 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds depending on the type.
If you want more city light and views, the Room, City View and Room, City View (Windows on 2 Sides) offer city-facing windows; the Room, City View (Windows on 2 Sides) is shown with two Queen Beds in the property descriptions.
- Room (beds: 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds)
- Room, City View (beds: 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds)
- Room, City View (Windows on 2 Sides) (beds: 2 Queen Beds)
| Room type | Bed options |
|---|---|
| Room | 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds |
| Room, City View | 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds |
| Room, City View (Windows on 2 Sides) | 2 Queen Beds |
Meetings, events and weddings near the river
The hotel offers meeting and event space including the River Room, which is dividable and listed at about 1,900 sq. ft. The River Room can be configured for theater-style, classroom, boardroom, U-shape, and banquet rounds.
Aloft Chicago Downtown River North lists multiple meeting rooms in total (six rooms and nearly 3,000–3,700 sq. ft. of meeting space depending on the source), and Beatrix can cater events.
- River Room — approximately 1,900 sq. ft., up to 200 theater-style
- Dividable River Room A/B/C for smaller gatherings
- On-site catering available from Beatrix and other local partners
| River Room layout | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Theater | 200 |
| Banquet rounds | 170 |
| Boardroom | 46 |
Getting around: transit, parking, and day trips
The hotel is close to multiple transit options: the Merchandise Mart Brown Line stop and various CTA buses provide access across the city. Union Station and other downtown transit hubs are within a short distance for regional connections.
Parking options include on-site valet parking (daily surcharge, includes an electric car charging station) and off-site self-parking at Greenway Self Parking on Kinzie Street. For longer day trips, public rail and Amtrak options from downtown connect to places such as Indiana Dunes and Milwaukee.
- Merchandise Mart Brown Line station provides L access
- Valet parking is offered by the hotel; Greenway Self Parking available nearby
- Day trips via train: South Shore Line to Indiana Dunes; Amtrak Hiawatha to Milwaukee
| Option | Note |
|---|---|
| Hotel valet | Valet parking with electric charging (daily surcharge) |
| Greenway Self Parking | Off-site self-parking on Kinzie Street |
| CTA / regional rail | Brown Line, buses, and nearby rail options for day trips |
