A practical day trip from Hotel 505 River North: Navy Pier and lakefront
From Hotel 505 River North (505 N. State Street) you can reach Navy Pier in about 28–38 minutes on foot, roughly 1.5–2 miles, or much faster by a short taxi or CTA bus ride. For a practical day trip, start with breakfast at CBR, walk or catch the CTA/bus toward the lake, spend time on the pier and nearby lakefront beaches, then return to relax on the Rooftop Sun Deck or in your Deluxe Room or Deluxe Room, City View.
In this guide
Getting there from Hotel 505 River North
Hotel 505 River North sits at 505 N. State Street in River North, very close to the CTA Red Line Grand station and a short walk from Michigan Avenue and the Chicago Riverwalk.
Navy Pier is roughly 1.5–2 miles east of the hotel. Walking typically takes about 28–38 minutes; a taxi or rideshare cuts travel time to a few minutes depending on traffic, while local buses provide a budget option.
- Walk: 28–38 minutes (1.5–2 miles) along State/Grand or via the Riverwalk where paths permit.
- Taxi/rideshare: commonly a quick 3–10 minute drive depending on traffic.
- CTA/bus: several bus routes connect River North to the lakefront; expect roughly 7–20 minutes travel time depending on route and stops.
| Option | Typical time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walk | 28–38 min | Best if weather is good and you want waterfront views |
| Taxi / rideshare | 3–10 min | Fastest door-to-door; times vary with traffic |
| CTA / bus | 7–20 min | Low-cost; check schedules and possible transfers |
Start with breakfast at CBR
CBR is the on-site modern American brasserie at Hotel 505 River North and serves breakfast Monday–Friday from 7:00–11:00 a.m. It’s a convenient place to fuel up before heading to Navy Pier.
Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends and for larger groups. CBR also offers a breakfast credit included in the property's destination fee benefit in some packages—check current inclusions when you book.
- Breakfast hours (Mon–Fri): 7:00–11:00 a.m.
- CBR serves breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner and hosts a happy hour on select weekdays.
- Reservations recommended; dress code listed as business casual.
| Meal | Typical hours |
|---|---|
| Breakfast (CBR) | Mon–Fri 7:00–11:00 a.m. |
| Brunch (CBR) | Sat–Sun 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. |
| Dinner / Bar service (CBR) | Evenings (varies by day) — check current schedule |
What to do at Navy Pier and the lakefront
Navy Pier is a long public pier extending into Lake Michigan with dining, seasonal events, and waterfront views; the lakefront nearby includes Oak Street Beach and North Avenue Beach for sand, jogging and biking activities.
If you plan to stay on the pier or on the lakefront, bring comfortable shoes for walking, sun protection in summer, and a light layer for breezier conditions near the water.
- Stroll the pier and watch boats and skyline views.
- Combine with a visit to Oak Street Beach or North Avenue Beach (both reachable from River North).
- Check event schedules for seasonal concerts, markets, or fireworks before you go.
| Nearby lakefront options | Why visit |
|---|---|
| Navy Pier | Pier dining, views, seasonal events |
| Oak Street Beach | Close Gold Coast beach access for sun and swimming |
| North Avenue Beach | Popular public beach with facilities and wide sand areas |
Transit tips and accessibility
The hotel's proximity to the CTA Red Line (Grand station) makes it easy to combine an L ride with a short walk or bus transfer toward the lakefront. Buses from downtown connect directly toward Navy Pier and the lake.
Hotel 505 River North provides accessible features on-site, and the lakefront and many pier areas have accessible walkways; check specific accessibility details for any attraction or boat service you plan to use.
- Use the Red Line to move quickly around downtown; confirm walking and connecting bus options to reach the pier.
- Bring a city map app or CTA tracker to see live bus and train times.
- If you need accessibility accommodations, inquire at the hotel front desk (24-hour) before you leave.
| Transit | Good for |
|---|---|
| CTA + short walk/bus | Budget travel with predictable schedules |
| Taxi / rideshare | Fast door-to-door service |
| Walking | Scenic route along Riverwalk if weather is pleasant |
Practical timing for a day trip
If you want a relaxed half-day, leave after breakfast at CBR and plan 3–4 hours at Navy Pier and the lakefront to stroll, eat, and return to the hotel for pool or rooftop time. For a full day, add lunch on the pier or a lakeside beach stop.
Allow time to return to the hotel before CBR happy hour (Tuesday–Friday, 4:00–6:00 p.m.) if you want an early evening drink, or plan dinner at CBR later in the evening (dinner hours vary, check current schedule).
- Half-day plan: breakfast at CBR → walk/taxi to Navy Pier → 2–3 hours exploring → return for Rooftop Sun Deck or pool.
- Full-day plan: include beach time at Oak Street or North Avenue Beach, or a lakeside lunch.
- Check CBR dinner/bar opening days and times before planning evening return.
| Plan | Example timing |
|---|---|
| Half-day | 7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (breakfast + pier + return) |
| Full day | 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (breakfast, pier, beach, return) |
| Evening | Return for CBR happy hour (Tue–Fri 4–6 p.m.) or dinner |
What to pack and other local tips
Chicago lakefront conditions can be breezy and changeable. Pack a light windbreaker, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen in summer, and a small umbrella in spring or fall.
If you plan to swim at a lakefront beach, bring swimwear and a towel; the hotel offers heated indoor pool access on the 17th floor and seasonal rooftop sun deck time if you prefer to swim or sun closer to the hotel.
- Layered clothing and a windbreaker for waterfront breezes.
- Comfortable shoes for walking the Riverwalk and pier.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat in summer; light umbrella in shoulder seasons.
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Windbreaker | Lake breezes can be cool even on warm days |
| Comfortable shoes | Plenty of walking along pier and river paths |
| Sunscreen | Sun reflects off water; summer sun is strong |
