Looking north along the South Branch of the Chicago River. The W. Monroe St. bridge is in the foreground. Both the W. Madison St. and W. Washington Blvd. Bridges are raised. W. Randolph St. and W. Lake St Bridges are visible in the background.

 

Touring Options/Aids/Speaking:

 

I am available to present the the story of Chicago's movable bridges (example presentation)

Contact me via e-mail or by phone 312-540-0696 for more information

 

Bob-tail swing and cable-stayed bridges a short CTA journey north of Loop

 

Rolling lift and vertical lift bridges a short CTA journey south Loop

 

Mobile Version of ChicagoLoopBridges

 

Guided Tours

 

Five Bridge Self-Guided Audio Tour & Pamphlet

 

General Information Pamphlet for Eighteen Bridges

 

Touring Pamphlet for Eighteen Bridges

 

The information provided on this site and its mobile version should provide enough information for a self-guided tour. If you would like to have a more in-depth look at the bridges, I offer free guided tours. These tours can be arranged to fit your schedule and interests. From a private tour to small groups.

 

Wacker Drive is a multilevel street that runs both East-West and North-South. With the one exception noted below, stay on the upper level of this street as you walk.

 

My favorite route is to start at the Monument of the Millennium at the mouth of the Chicago River and travel west along the south bank of the river. This is the beginning of the city's river walk trail that parallels Lower Wacker Drive. The city of Chicago has plans for a continuous river walk trail along the south bank of the Chicago River from Lake Michigan to the bridge at West Lake Street. Currently this trail extends from Lake Michigan to the North State St. bridge. At this bridge, use the stairway to access Upper Wacker Drive. From this point, you can walk west along Upper Wacker, using stairways at most bridges to access river level.

 

 

A view of the Chicago Riverwalk looking East from the N. State St. Bridge. The N. Wabash Ave. bridge is in the foreground. The N. Michigan Ave. bridge is in the background.

 

As you make the turn from West Wacker to North Wacker at Lake Street, you will notice that the river is no longer next to the street. After you have explored the West Lake Street bridge, continue south on Wacker to Randolph Street. Walk west on Randolph, over the bridge. From this point, you can travel south along the river bank to the West Jackson Boulevard bridge. Note that while there is free pedestrian access along this stretch of river, all of the property between streets is privately owned and controlled. Taking photographs from these private property areas may be questioned by building security personnel.

 

Walking provides the “top side” view for all the bridges, as well as the shore view of many of the bridges. Plan for two to four hours for the one-way trip.

 

A second touring option is to ride a water taxi. The water taxi is the quickest and least physically demanding of the two options and provides the unique view of the bridges from the water. A one-way water taxi ride from Navy Pier to West Jackson Blvd is about twenty minutes.

 

A tour that combines a walk along Wacker Drive, with a water taxi ride back to Navy Pier, combines the best of both touring methods. Regardless of the touring option chosen, the McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum in the southwest bridge tender house at the North Michigan Avenue bridge is a must see.

 

If you are interested in watching these bridges operate, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) maintains scheduled bridge lifts for the movement of sail boats to (late April to June) and from (September to early November) Lake Michigan. A link to the schedule will be posted on this site's homepage as it becomes available.

 

Other Sites of interest

CDOT

Bridgehouse Museum

Explore Chicago

Shoreline Water Taxi

Wendella Water Taxi

 

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