Best Spots to See the Chicago River Dyed Green – Chicago, IL Travel Guide
by jazminmarie United States, Illinois, Chicago
You don’t need to be Irish to celebrate St. Patrick’s day in Chicago! On Saturday morning at 10am the Chicago River is getting dyed green and if you’re there early enough you can catch a great spot to watch it all happen. Here’s the spots to choose from:
Where does the Chicago River Get Dyed Green?
Motorboats dye the river between Columbus Drive (William P. Fahey Bridge) and State Street Bridge (Bataan-Corregidor Memorial Bridge). A boat will be pouring the dye mix, as other boats help disperse the mixture into the water. The Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 have been behind the tradition since it began.
The best spots to watch the Chicago River dyed green:
Chicago Riverwalk
Michigan Avenue Bridge (DuSable Bridge)
Wabash Avenue Bridge (Irv Kupcinet Bridge)
State Street Bridge (Bataan-Corregidor Memorial Bridge)
Lasalle Bridge
From a Cruise
If you aren’t into the free options because of standing in crowds, the next way to secure your spot to see the river turn green is on a cruise. There are several cruises offering St. Paddy’s Day rides and the prices start around $60+.
How long does the Chicago River stay green?
The river dye lasts 24 hours and around 48 hours. If you skip the initial dye job and just wait until the next day when the holiday is over you can still get your cute photo with the green water and without the crowds. After 48 hours the green color loses its vibrancy and it begins to fade away.
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Looking for More Fun or Free Activities Near Chicago?
Are you planning a trip to Chicago soon? I’ve written quite a few posts about things to do in Chicago, Illinois that include day itineraries, tips for traveling to Chicago, best (free) tours in Chicago, fun photo walks & free things to do around the city. You can see all of my Chicago related posts here.
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