Chicago's Navy Pier/Riverwalk
 

Spent Saturday afternoon walking around Navy Pier and down part of the Riverwalk. Some of the restaurants weren't open yet for the season but overall this area is gorgeous. Can you park your boat somewhere along the Riverwalk and enjoy the area?[ATTACH=CONFIG]566732[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]566733[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]566734[/ATTACH]

You can go into the locks and a little bit down the river to dock and walk from there...but depending on where you go they will charge you for docking...last time i was down there they wanted $20/half hour but since we were eating at the joint and stayed for about 2hrs they waved the fee, but we gave the kid watching the boats $20/boat and he was giddy! :D

There IS a new spot you can dock right by Navy Pier....they just set it up last year. Only room for a couple boats, and I'm sure they get a hefty price for the time spent there...let me see if I can find it...

Found it...here you go! http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/

Also...like Wally said...you can lock through to the river. The new docking area by City Winery is actually very nice...we've swung in there a couple times for a bite to eat. I want to say the charge $1/foot per hour? BZ and I even rafted off there last fall...the kids working the docks are cool...toss them a little green and you are good to go.

Those are killer pix Sommer.

Nice! We're going to try it this year. What harbor would be closest to the lock?

Well...Millenium is closest, but I'm not sure they have transient space available. Monroe is next, but that is just cans and no docks, then Burnham...which might have the same issue as Millenium. If I were you, I'd go for the newest one....31st St. TONS of open docks, nice facilities, a nice beach, pool...and a short Uber ride to downtown.

We spent a nice weekend there last year with a group of OSOers from Ohio.

Depending upon the size of your boat and the lake conditions, you might consider launching in Indiana at East Chicago and running to the city. Parking and ramp space is much greater there than at 31st.

Chicago is an awesome city to look at from the water...but it's only been recently that they have gotten their collective heads out of their bloated rear-ends with regards to being "boater-friendly." We are hoping for more in the future...

The tiny guy in the blue shirt in the last picture may/may not be around directing things...that is the mayor...Rahm Emmanuel. My wife went and talked to him...I was going to offer him a ride in the boat, but decided against it...

:We launched at Burnham the last couple of times we tried to boat in Chicago (Air and Water Show and a Play Pen day). The harbor is nice and ramp is adequate for our size of boat. We even went through the lock to buy an anchor at West Marine as we lost one to start the morning. Our issue is the size and design of the boat. It's a 26 ft cat that doesn't do well in the rough. I was hoping to find a launch ramp close to the lock and protected from the wind! We ran from Burnham to the Air and Water Show cruising along at 80mph in the morning a few years ago. Trying to get back to Burnham late in the afternoon after the winds kicked up was difficult at any speed! Wasn't sure if we were going to make it back:poopoo:

Time for a bigger cat Rob. 36 Skater should do the trick! :party-smiley-004:

A 36 Skater would be a great solution if I won the lottery. As for now my thin wallet is looking for alternate water routes to creatively enjoy my little boat!

Little boat, big engine!

Heck yeah...even WITHOUT any wind, the chop from boat traffic alone during the Air Show would make things...interesting in your boat! Burnham would definitely be the closest ramp...Diversey would be another option a bit further north...

Should have taken him for a Fast and Furious ride, then dumped him overboard in the middle of the lake.

If you are looking for options. We have launched in Worth, IL at the municipal ramp and ran the Cal Sag out to the lake, or you can head north to the city. Or run the whole loop. There is a nominal fee to launch there. 31st street harbor has closed their launch ramp on the weekends due to lack of parking. The whole launch/parking situation there is a clusterf***. Lately we have been launching at Northpoint Marina up by Winthrop Harbor and having a nice run down. FYI - that launch is no longer free and will start charging a fee this summer to launch there.

When hitting the river across from City Winery is Bridge House Tavern and Restaurant, you can park on the wall for free if you are eating there. It is a little sketchy, with a climb up the ladder to the tables. The food was great and the views are good too.

I still wouldn't consider Chicago "Boat Friendly" but they are getting better. Of course be careful with lake Michigan. The wind changes and your day gets ****ty really quick.

Very informative post, thank you.

I think Worth may be where the old Crownline group launched for the Chicago Loop Cruise each April.

Edit: Yup, here it is.

http://www.chicagoloopcruise.com/
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