Chicago Elevated Architecture Tour 2 hr

See Chicago from a perspective few street-level walks can offer: above the Loop, aboard the city’s elevated train. On this Chicago Elevated Architecture Tour, a certified guide connects the views from station platforms with the stories behind the buildings below.

The Chicago “L” began service in 1892 and has become one of the city’s defining features. Ride the elevated rail and look across downtown, spotting architectural details more than 20 feet above the street. About 15 minutes of the two-hour experience is spent on the train; most of the tour takes place outdoors, standing on station platforms. Along the way, hear how the rail system influenced the Loop’s development and pass hundreds of buildings, with attention to those of architectural significance. Your ticket also includes admission to the Chicago Architecture Center galleries, and purchases support the center’s education and community engagement work.

Meet at the Chicago Architecture Center at 111 E Wacker Drive. Stairs are required, and seating is not guaranteed. Choose this Chicago Elevated Architecture Tour for a fresh view of the city’s architecture and the transit line that helped shape it.