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Chicago Elevated Architecture Tour: Train Ticket Included
4.8
62 Ratings
Chicago
Discover Chicago’s iconic architecture on an elevated train tour. Learn about the history of the ‘L’ system and explore the city’s famous buildings from a unique perspective. Train ticket included!
Discover Chicago’s iconic architecture on an elevated train tour. Learn about the history of the ‘L’ system and explore the city’s famous buildings from a unique perspective. Train ticket included!
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Chicago Architecture Center - Start your tour at the Chicago Architecture Center. The fare for the Chicago Elevated Rail system is included. Be sure to get a “Ventra” card from the Chicago Architecture Box Office when you check in for the tour.
- Washington/Wabash - Washington/Wabash “L” station
- Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago -…
- Chicago Architecture Center - Start your tour at the Chicago Architecture Center. The fare for the Chicago Elevated Rail system is included. Be sure to get a “Ventra” card from the Chicago Architecture Box Office when you check in for the tour.
- Washington/Wabash - Washington/Wabash “L” station
- Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago - See Trump Tower.
- Marshall Field and Company Building - See the Marshall Field Building
- Harold Washington Library Center - See the Harold Washington Library and State/Van Buren Station
- MCC Chicago, Federal Bureau of Prisons - See the Metropolitan Correction Center
- 343 S Dearborn St - See the Fisher Building.
- DePaul University - DePaul Center - See the DePaul Center.
- 175 W Jackson Blvd - See the Insurance Exchange Building
- Clinton - Clinton St/Lake St “L” Station
- 567 W Lake St - See the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) headquarters.
- Chicago Board of Trade Building - See the Chicago Board of Trade Building
- 180 N Wabash Ave - See the LeMoyne Building
- Washington/Wabash - Washington/Wabash “L” Station
- Chicago Architecture Center - Return to the Chicago Architecture Center
What's Included
- Ride on the Chicago Elevated Rail
- Access to Chicago Architecture Center galleries
- Guided narration by a certified professional
- Ride on the Chicago Elevated Rail
- Access to Chicago Architecture Center galleries
- Guided narration by a certified professional
What's Not Included
- Food or drink
- Storage for luggage or strollers
- Coat check
- Food or drink
- Storage for luggage or strollers
- Coat check
Additional Information
Experience the awe-inspiring architecture of Chicago from the distinctive vantage point of its elevated rail and station platforms. Discover the history of the renowned ‘L’ system and its influence on the development of the Loop’s buildings. The inaugural elevated train, a significant emblem of Chicago, began its operation in 1892. Now, the ‘L’ offers…
Experience the awe-inspiring architecture of Chicago from the distinctive vantage point of its elevated rail and station platforms. Discover the history of the renowned ‘L’ system and its influence on the development of the Loop’s buildings. The inaugural elevated train, a significant emblem of Chicago, began its operation in 1892. Now, the ‘L’ offers unparalleled views of the downtown area. Its elevation of over 20 feet provides an opportunity to observe architectural nuances that often go unnoticed by sidewalk pedestrians. This is our most extensive tour in the Loop, encompassing hundreds of buildings and spotlighting those of architectural interest. As a certified nonprofit organization, your CAC ticket purchases directly fund our educational initiatives and community outreach programs.
- Only about 15 minutes of this two-hour tour is on a train, while most of the remaining tour takes place outdoors standing on the station platforms.
- Pets are not allowed.
- The itinerary of this tour is subject to change without notice.
- Seating at stations and on the train is not guaranteed.
- This tour is not ADA accessible. Stairs are required.
- Not recommended for travelers with difficulty walking or standing.
Location
111 E Wacker Dr
East Wacker Drive
Chicago Architecture Center at 111 E Wacker Drive.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(62 Ratings)
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Pioneer59908604583
Feb 24, 2025
A really great way to better understand both Chicago and its architecture. - This was one of the best tours I've ever had. Our guide, Cynthia, was friendly and extremely knowledgeable about Chicago and about architecture. In an easy walk we visited a wide range of buildings from the 1800s to the recently constructed, including amazing Art Deco that shows Chicago style so well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mar_ap310
Feb 16, 2025
Chris's Chicago L Train Tour: A Must-Do for Architecture Lovers - I really enjoyed this tour!
Our guide, Chris, was great and full of interesting stories and facts about the architecture surrounding the train and the train itself. He really knew a lot about Chicago!
We started from the Chicago Architecture Center and walked to the elevated train (the "L" train). Once there, we got on the train and stopped at some stations to admire the architecture. The ride was on a section of one of the "L" lines (Pink and Green lines on this occasion).
The tour gives you the chance to enjoy the city from a different perspective.
I definitely would recommend it to those who want to learn about and enjoy one of the most iconic infrastructures of Chicago.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Francescocu3505wn
Feb 9, 2025
Great tour - Wonderful morning discovering Chicago through the L train. Thanks again for the insights Quentin!
Would recommend it
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gilesn2025
Feb 9, 2025
Fantastic tour with expert and engaging guide - My family has an interest in architecture and I like CTA trains, so our expectations were high, but the tour greatly exceeded them. Seeing Chicago’s architectural gems up close from one or two stories up and with the expert guidance of Steve was a fantastic experience! I have loved each of the 4 CAF tours I did but this was the best by far!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hughmv9450hw
Jan 25, 2025
L tour was terrific - We greatly enjoyed the tour, despite the intense cold of the day. Our guide remained upbeat and informative throughout.It was our first tour as members. We look forward to many more.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Monroe_h
Dec 9, 2024
Tour of the elevated Loop - Steve our tour guide was great, very professional and knowledgeable and great stories about the history and characters involved in building the elevated system. I would highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
U4748rjstepheng
Nov 23, 2024
A different and fascinating view of the Loop - As part-time residents of Chicago who rarely use public transportation, this tour gave us a new perspective on buildings and neighborhoods we see all the time. Our guide Amanda was wonderful. She provided thorough historical background, described distinctive features of the many buildings highlighted in the tour, and brought to life the people and events that brought the L into being and shaped its long history. She answered the many questions we had, and we appreciated how much she enjoyed sharing the distinctive history of the Loop with us. We look forward to doing other tours with Amanda and deepening our knowledge about the great city we live in.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Schiang68
Nov 10, 2024
Best CAC tour so far - We've visited the CAC for years and taken many of their walking tours. While they've all been very enjoyable, this was the best tour so far. Our docent Matt was warm, extremely enthusiastic and knowledgeable, and very considerate of individual attendees' needs (e.g., getting a stroller and young kids around the Loop). Thank you, Matt!
The individual audio systems were easy to use and made it simple to hear Matt despite background city noise.
Great experience and very highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mbweigel
Oct 26, 2024
El Tour Outstanding - Chris did an amazing job with this tour. We enjoyed it so much. We are members and go on 5-6 tours each year. He is one of the best as is the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Linday619
Oct 16, 2024
Great experience and definitely bring your walking shoes. - For this tour, you go to the Chicago Architecture Center where there was a visible check in counter. You received a Day Venture Pass. Steven was the tour guide for this run, he was quite knowledgable about the facts of each site that he took us on. Also the fact that this tour also provided headphones and listening devices became very good. You can still hear Steven as he spoke about each locations and didn't have to necessary need to be as close to listen to him speak. There is some walking up and down the stairs on this trip. This is a walking tour, and we visited roughly three stations and the challenge apparently was that this was the day of the Chicago Marathon so the amount of people using the L on a Sunday apparently was more than normal Sunday travel. I would definitely recommend this tour experience for anyone visiting Chicago and wanting to explore the facets about the L with architecture points.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
