The Chicago River flowing through Chicago covers total area of 156 miles. When you have scheduled a trip green trip to Chicago, it is extremely important you are visiting the Chicago River flowing through the downtown area. It is a very notable river. The Chicago River is well known for the civil engineering feats which directed the flow towards the South. The river is popularly known as Chicago Loop. There is a very popular custom of dyeing it in a green color on the eve of the St. Patrick's Day.

The Chicago River

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_River

With a trip to the Chicago River you can also take a glimpse of the Lake Michigan which is situated towards the West. At the northern branch of the river you get to see the Merchandise Mart and the Wrigley Building. The northern branch comprises of Middle Fork, East Fork, and West Fork.

The Chicago River from the downtown Chicago takes turn towards the south flowing along southern branch into the Chicago Sanitary, Michigan Canal and the Ship Canal. You also get to see the Gulf of Mexico as the river eventually flows into it.

Chicago River; a major attraction

http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/us/illinois/cook-county/chicago/chicago-river-PLTRA0000105.topic

There are a number of bridges constructed over the Chicago River. The 1st ever bride was constructed in Kinzie Street. At the southern branch the 2nd bridge was constructed in Randolph Street. In the Dearborn Street, the first ever moveable bridge was constructed. In total there are 52 bridges and 38 moveable bridges above the river. Some of the other bridges include vertical lift bridge, swing bridges, trunnion bascule and the scherzer rolling lift.

Chicago River website

http://www.chicagoriver.org/home/index.php

The Chicago River tour is all about going through the Lakefront rocks, up and down the river and is one way in which you get to experience Chicago travel. However, this 75-minute lake and river drive gives one an excellent view of some of Chicago's most famous landmarks.

This river tour is made up of a passage that goes through the famous Chicago River Locks, all the way to the Sears Tower and Chicago River.

What to learn from Chicago River Tour

This high-tech tour is educational, interesting and fun-filled. You will learn many things from this tour like why there was a reverse in the Chicago River and how Chicago architects started skyscraper construction.

In addition to this, you will get to know all about the breathtaking Chicago lakefront and you will know the $80 million worth blunder that was the Skyscraper construction

http://www.chicagotours.us/tours/tourDetail.cfm?tour_id=5777

What to expect in a Chicago River Tour

http://www.chicagotraveler.com/attractions/chicago-architecture-tours.html

The River tour will take you through Evanston Lakeshore Historic District where you will have a chance to see Romanesque and Georgian style churches; Tudor, Italianate residences, Queen Ann, and much more. If you want to cruise along the Chicago River, book for this tour 48 hours in advance.

Visiting Chicago and not taking experiencing the Chicago river tours cannot be counted as a fruitful trip. Various boat tours, private chartered cruises and sightseeing tours available which will help you see the splendors of the city in a better way. The companies that provide these tours have different packages with varied durations and destination. There are comfortable seating arrangements inside as well as in open-air. Visitors can buy food and beverage on the cruise.

You will get to know more about the history of Chicago from the experienced guides on-board and enjoy the scenic beauty of the city as well. Some of the cruises that provide tours are the Odyssey, Mystic Blue, Seadog and many more. You must make prior reservations for group tours. It will be the most romantic experience of your life.

How to find a Chicago River tour that would suit my needs?

If you search the internet, you will find many companies of Chicago providing such tours. These company websites have all information regarding the duration of the entire tour, the charges, etc. that will help you to choose a tour.

How to find hotels in Chicago?

Finding a hotel in Chicago is a two step process. First, placing a search in a website like Google and then making reservations with the help of the numbers given in the sites. You can find hotels close to your point of interests. If someone is on a business trip, then hotels close to the business centers is a good option and the ones in a mood for a holiday should try the ones near the restaurants, shopping complexes and tourist attractions. Some of the hotels that you can try for a very relaxing stay are

- Affinia Hotel Chicago

http://www.affinia.com/Hotels.aspx?city=Chicago

- Hilton Chicago

http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/CHICHHH-Hilton-Chicago-Illinois/index.do

- Drake Hotel Chicago

http://www.thedrakehotel.com/

- Hyatt Hotel Chicago

http://www.chicagoregency.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

- Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=196

The Chicago River is 251 kilometers long and flows through the main city of Chicago. As part of conserving the environment, the Chicago River was diverted to flow to Chicago Portage into the Michigan and Illinois canal. The river has a history of being dyed on St. Patrick's Day every year. This started as a fluke when some plumbers started applying dye to seek out contraband material that went on to pollute the river. That was considered as a pollutant, but today, safe dye is used to avoid harming organisms found in the river.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_river

Turning the river green

http://www.fairfieldmirror.com/2.4873/other-cities-dye-ing-to-know-what-turns-chicago-river-green-1.482160

This has been a special moment for the past 40 years in the city. The original color of the die is normally orange and one would think that the moment it mixes with the water, it turns orange. This is becomes quite contrary to what is expected and with the river turning green at the immersion of the orange die. Mike Butler, the great mind behind this idea, claims that other cities have tried this kind of thing on their rivers but they fail to manage. This phenomenon makes Chicago travel amazing.

The secret behind this is that it takes 40 pounds of vegetable dye to create the green carpet along the river waters that last for four to five hours.

On March 14th every year, during St. Patrick's parade, hundreds of people turn out to see the Chicago River turn Murky Irish green. The site can best be viewed from the eastern side of the bridge at Columbus Drive or at the Waker Drive. Anyone planning a Chicago travel can not miss to make a date at Chicago River.

http://www.greenchicagoriver.com/

This website offers other useful details of Chicago River.

Do not fail to witness the modern day miracle that happens during the St. Patrick's Day when the Chicago River turns into incredible Irish green shade. Witnessing this breathtaking event which has been taking place for the last 40 years will make your visit in Chicago memorable. The river is dyed green at the beginning of the St. Patrick's Day weekend.

http://www.chicagostpatsparade.com/river-dye.html

Research on the event

To learn more on what to expect you can go through the many Chicago hotel reviews for guests who had a chance to watch and be part of the St. Patrick's Day. There reviews will make you yearn for the day more. You will also be able to learn more on how the event was born by reading the reviews on the event that is now ranked almost at the same level as biblical parting of water by Moses.

When and where

The St. Patrick's Day is marked on March 14th every year. The river can be viewed well from the east side of Columbus near the bridge or at the lake shore drive. You can get a detailed map to help you locate the river from various website links.

http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick's_Day