Tours offered by Chicago Loop Bridges
Questions / Information / Reservations: 312-540-0696; 505-330-7039 (cell+text); email
Regular Tours Lift Tours Build Your Own Tours School and non-profit groups
Read the Liability Waiver
South Branch of the Chicago River from above Wolf Point ©2011 Patricia Armell
General Information
Guided walking tours will be offered daily by reservation from May thru October between the hours of 9:30 AM and 4:30 PM. Specific tour times and meeting place will be determined when reservations are made. Tours are limited to a maximum of 10 people with no minimum. These walking tours cover about 1.5 miles and last approximately 2 hours. Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes ahead of the scheduled tour time.
Visitors are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes, have adequate protection from the elements (rain gear, sun screen, etc.), and bring water. Note that there will be stairs to climb, very little cover from the elements, and few public rest room facilities available. Tours will take place rain or shine.
Tours offering transportation use public providers such as Chicago Water Taxi, Shoreline Water Taxi, or CTA. Accessible tours can be arranged through the "Build your Own" option.
The nature and content of these tours make them most appropriate for ages 10 through adult. Up to two children under the age of twelve may accompany a paying adult at no charge. Please include the number of children at the the time of reservation.
Call 312-540-0696; 505-330-7039 (cell+text); or email for information or to reserve your place on a tour. The tour options are described below.
“Meet Me at the Bridgehouse”- May 15 - Oct. 31; Thur - Mon
We begin at the McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum (376 N. Michigan Ave. - Riverwalk Level). For about 30 minutes we explore the museum, learning some Chicago River history and viewing the bridgeworks. Next we head west, walking along the Main Stem and the South Branch of the Chicago River, enjoying Chicago's cityscape and visiting about the bridges between N. Michigan Ave. and W. Madison St (see map below). The tour ends at W. Madison St. as we board the water taxi for the ride back to N. Michigan Ave. Walking distance about 1.5 miles; total time about 2 hours. Limit of 10 persons per tour. Cost $20 per person - price includes museum admission and water taxi fare.
E-mail or call 312-540-0696 or 505-330-7039 (cell+text) for Reservations.
Pay at the time of tour - cash or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, or Discover)
Single Ticket Price $20 each (exact change please if using cash).
View Meet Me at the Bridgehouse in a larger map
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“Follow the Lift Tours" (Spring 2013)
Schedule (calendar version)
Wednesdays begin at 11 AM: May 8, 15, 22, 29 -- June 5, 12, 19, 26
Saturdays begin at 9:30 AM: May 11, 18, 19 (Sunday) -- June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
One of the unique features of Chicago's bridges is that they move. Walking tours during bridge lifts provide an opportunity to enjoy these kinetic sculptures in their natural habitat. During scheduled bridge lifts, we will meet at the NW bridgehouse of the W. Jackson Blvd. bridge. We will head north, walking along the South Branch (see map below), following the lift for an hour – longer if members of the group want to see more (see the disclaimer below). Meet at the Jackson Blvd. bridgehouse at 11AM on Wednesdays and 9:30 for Saturday lifts. Limit of 10 persons per tour. Cost $10 per person.
Disclaimer: Scheduled bridge lifts are dependent upon river traffic and may be canceled. We will try to give at least 24 hours notice that a lift has been canceled and you can decide if you still want to tour the bridges. Bridge lifts can take as little as 2 hours or more than 4 hours to travel through downtown. The tour duration of 1 hour was set to account for uncertainties of a lift. The tour can go longer if any members of the group wish to continue. Tours take place rain or shine. Note that the McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum is available for viewing a lift from inside the bridgehouse for a fee of $10 – not included in this tour.
E-mail or call 312-540-0696 or 505-330-7039 (cell+text) for Reservations.
Pay at the time of tour - cash or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, or Discover)
Single Ticket Price $10 each (exact change please if using cash).
View Meet the Lift in a larger map
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Available year round
Choose any or all of the 18 bridges, tell me your interests, your time frame, and we can explore the bridges tailored to your specifications. Starting at $15 ea. (total depends on tour length and added features such as water taxi, museum, etc.) For information e-mail or call 312-540-0696.
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Presentations for school or non-profit groups
Available year round
Presentations or tours for these groups are free of charge and tailored to the group. Note that payment of water taxi fares and museum fees are not included and will be the responsibility of the group. For additional information or to arrange details call 312-540-0696 or e-mail.
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I understand that during my participation in a Chicago Loop Bridges walking tour (“Tour”), I may be exposed to a variety of hazards and risks, foreseen and unforeseen. These risks include, but are not limited to personal injury, property damage or loss, and death (“Injuries and Damages”). I know that these Injuries and Damages can occur by natural causes, accidents, through actions of third parties, or negligence. I further understand that I am responsible for my personal safety and will alert others in the group to dangerous situations, should they occur.
To the fullest extent of the law, I agree to waive, discharge claims, and release from liability James Phillips & Patricia Armell from any and all liability on account of or in any way resulting from my participation in a Tour. I further agree to hold harmless James Phillips & Patricia Armell from any Claims that result from my own negligence while participating in a Chicago Loop Bridges tour. I understand and intend that this assumption of risk and release is binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and includes minors accompanying me on the Tour.