Top things to do near Hotel 505 River North
Hotel 505 River North sits at 505 N. State Street in Chicago's River North neighborhood, within easy walking distance of the Magnificent Mile, the Chicago Riverwalk, galleries and nightlife. Top things to do nearby include strolling the Chicago Riverwalk and Michigan Avenue, visiting Navy Pier, using the hotel's 17th-floor pool and fitness facilities, and dining at CBR inside the hotel.
In this guide
Location & getting around
Hotel 505 River North is located at 505 N. State Street in River North, a walkable part of downtown Chicago close to shopping, galleries and restaurants.
The CTA Red Line's Grand station is on State at Grand Avenue and is essentially at the hotel's doorstep, making subway access to the rest of the city simple.
- Chicago Riverwalk: about a 5–7 minute walk from the hotel
- Michigan Avenue / Magnificent Mile: roughly a 3–5 minute walk
- Navy Pier: about 1.5–2 miles from the hotel; walking is roughly 28–38 minutes, taxi about 3–4 minutes
| Destination | Typical travel time from hotel | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Riverwalk | 5–7 min walk | Riverfront paths, dining and city views |
| Magnificent Mile (Michigan Ave) | 3–5 min walk | Major shopping and dining corridor |
| Navy Pier | 28–38 min walk or short taxi/ride | Pier attractions; CTA/bus options available |
Dine at CBR, the hotel's on-site restaurant and bar
CBR is Hotel 505 River North's on-site modern American brasserie serving breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner and a weekday happy hour. The restaurant also operates a bar with craft cocktails, spirit-free options and an extensive whiskey selection.
Reservations are recommended for CBR; hours vary by meal with weekday breakfast and lunch and weekend brunch service listed on the restaurant site.
- Breakfast (Mon–Fri): 7:00–11:00 a.m.
- Lunch (Mon–Fri): 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
- Happy hour (Tue–Fri): 4:00–6:00 p.m.; Dinner hours listed 4:00–10:00 p.m. on select evenings
- Brunch (Sat–Sun): 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (Bar service begins at 9:00 a.m.)
| Service | Typical hours |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | Mon–Fri 7:00–11:00 a.m. |
| Lunch | Mon–Fri 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. |
| Brunch / Bar | Sat–Sun 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (bar from 9:00 a.m.) |
Pools, rooftop sun deck and fitness
The hotel maintains a heated indoor pool on the 17th floor, with the fitness center located on the same level. Pool capacity is managed for guest comfort.
When weather allows, guests can step out to the rooftop sun deck that sits alongside the indoor pool. The 24-hour fitness center includes cardio equipment and Peloton bikes.
- Heated indoor pool on 17th floor (open year-round)
- Rooftop sun deck adjacent to pool (seasonal use according to weather)
- 24-hour fitness center on 17th floor with Peloton bikes
| Amenity | Floor / availability |
|---|---|
| Indoor heated pool | 17th floor, year-round (capacity limited) |
| Rooftop sun deck | Adjacent to pool, seasonal use |
| Fitness center | 17th floor, open 24 hours |
Nearby arts, galleries and nightlife
River North is known for its gallery district and a dense mix of restaurants and bars. Gallery clusters sit near Superior and Franklin Streets and are within a short walk from the hotel.
Evening options within walking distance include music venues and cocktail bars; House of Blues, Untitled Supper Club and Hubbard Inn are commonly listed nightlife spots nearby.
- River North gallery district: short walk; look for individual gallery hours before visiting
- House of Blues Chicago and The Escape Game are within a few blocks of the hotel
- Riverwalk dining and seating along the river are good for evening strolls
| Spot | What to expect |
|---|---|
| River North galleries | Clustered gallery scene, walkable routes |
| House of Blues | Live music venue a short walk away |
| Chicago Riverwalk | Restaurants and benches overlooking architecture |
Beaches and outdoor lakefront options
Lake Michigan beaches are accessible from River North. North Avenue Beach and Oak Street Beach are popular public beaches within a couple of miles.
You can reach North Avenue Beach by CTA Red Line plus a short connection or by a longer walk; expect transit or a bus ride rather than a quick walk.
- North Avenue Beach: roughly 1.5–2.5 miles away; reachable by CTA or bus
- Oak Street Beach: located in the nearby Gold Coast neighborhood
- Seasonal activities include swimming, sunbathing, biking and kayaking at lakefront beaches
| Beach | Approx. distance / access |
|---|---|
| North Avenue Beach | 1.5–2.5 miles; CTA/bus options |
| Oak Street Beach | Nearby Gold Coast beach, short transit or rideshare |
Rooms, accessibility and practical hotel details
Hotel 505 River North offers 261 rooms and suites; standard room types include the Deluxe Room (available with 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds) and the Deluxe Room, City View (1 King Bed).
The property provides wheelchair-accessible rooms and public spaces, free Wi‑Fi in guest rooms, valet parking and a 24-hour front desk. Housekeeping is available on request rather than automatically each day.
- Room names: Deluxe Room; Deluxe Room, City View
- Check-in: 4:00 PM. Check-out: 11:00 AM. 24-hour front desk available.
- Hotel is dog-friendly (up to two dogs per room, up to 50 lbs each) with posted pet fees
- Valet parking and nearby off-site parking options are available
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Wi‑Fi | Free in guest rooms and some public areas |
| Pet policy | Dogs allowed (max two per room, up to 50 lbs; fees apply) |
| Pools & fitness access | Included within the hotel's destination/daily fee |
