Chicago River Tours and Tickets

The most unique characteristic about the Chicago River is that the river actually runs backwards from its original mouth in Lake Michigan. The river was civil engineered to run the opposite way of its natural flow. Also, the Chicago River runs right through Chicago, allowing people to get great views while wandering the city.

No, you aren’t allowed to swim in the Chicago River. There are many reasons the water is unsafe to swim in, ranging from hazardous bacteria to boat traffic. Plus, even though the Chicago River is cleaner today than it used to be, you should still steer clear of swimming in the water.

While visiting the Windy City, you may notice that the Chicago River is especially blue. The river is blue because the river’s clay bottom, lake water, and algae all mix to present a bluish color. This is most evident on warmer days, especially in the summertime.

Yes, the Chicago River does indeed have fish that call it home, and you can go fishing in certain areas. The types of fish you’ll find include carp, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, catfish, and rock bass. You can also catch (and see) crayfish there, too.