Chicken wire lines the perimeter of the Michigan Avenue Fish Hotel to keep out undesireable tenants like geese.

The Michigan Avenue Fish Hotel was floated up river and moored on the south side of the Chicago River between Dearborn and State Streets.  A project of the Friends of the Chicago River, it will give fish and other aquatic wildlife homes on a stretch of the river with no natural bank or shade trees.

This is the fourth season the hotel will float on the river.  This year marks the addition of a submerged island made from coconut bedding planted with underwater flora, according to Margaret Frisbie, executive director of Friends.  Each year they have adapted the hotel with what they've learned.

Friends will be putting up a website about the hotel soon!  Stay tuned to the Chicago River Blog for more details!  For now, here's a video and some pictures of my new favorite lodging:

The fish hotel bobs in the wake of passing boats.

Tucked in the corner formed by Dearborn Street and the Riverwalk, the hotel rides waves by sliding up and down on its red moorings.


For a close up view, hop on a water taxi, or take the stairs down to the Riverwalk and grab some ribs.  Deelish!

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