Chicago Riverwalk

In summer, Chicago's answer to the Seine teems with diners, happy-hour revelers and folks out for a pleasant stroll.. Overview
This riverside promenade skirts the south shore of the river from Wells to the lakefront bike path. At the cafes between Wells and Wabash, the crowd is a mix of out-of-towners and downtown office hordes stopping for dinner or after-work drinks. Shady picnic spots line the path east of Michigan, along with rolling vendors of portable treats like hot dogs and ice cream. It's also the launching point for cruises and water taxis.

The Experience
In summertime (when not hobbled by Wacker reconstruction), the cuisine on offer includes French, Mexican, and straight American grub, accompanied by their respective national boozes. Prices are touristy, but you pay for a great sun-soaking spot on nice days, and outdoor dining without the irritation of a street side cafe. During crowded happy hours, some might wonder whether a $5 beer in a plastic cup is worth it, but they probably haven't lived through a Chicago winter.…