Chicago City Tour: Elevated Architecture Tour with Train Ticket Included
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Chicago, USA
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Chicago’s “L,” or elevated train, is an icon of public transportation and a major feature of the Loop neighborhood. On this interactive tour, you’ll learn about the railway’s history while experiencing it as a rider. Meet your guide in the morning and set off with just a small group for company. As you ride between stops, you’ll also view Chicago icons like the Willis Tower, and will learn about the city’s architectural history.
- This small-group tour is capped at 10 to keep things personal
- Learn all about the L’s history as you go for a ride (fare included)
- Admire Chicago’s architectural highlights as you go
- Admission to the Chicago Architecture Center is included in the cost
What's Included
- Narration by a professional and certified guide.
- Admission to the galleries of the Chicago Architecture Center.
- Fare to ride the Chicago Elevated Rail system
- Food or drink
- Storage for luggage or strollers
- Coat check
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Chicago Architecture Center at 111 E Wacker Drive.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Chicago Architecture Center
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Washington/Wabash
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
401 N Wabash Ave
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Marshall Field and Company Building
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Harold Washington Library Center
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
MCC Chicago
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
7
343 S Dearborn St
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
8
DePaul University - DePaul Center
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
9
175 W Jackson Blvd
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
10
Clinton
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
11
567 W Lake St
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
12
Chicago Board Of Trade Building
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
13
180 N Wabash Ave
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
14
Washington/Wabash
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
15
Chicago Architecture Center
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- 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.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 89 reviews
Curt_C, Dec 2025
If it is cold and windy, dress warm. If it is raining, wear waterproof clothes. If it is hot, dress in light weight garments. You get the idea...
Brian_L, Oct 2025
Didn't start well when the guide argued that we had to pay for our own tickets. Anyway, after that you walk around with a headset on trying to keep up with him and then just stand on a few platforms while we are told about some of the local buildings. It was informative but didn't fill us with confidence when the guide said to his colleague, I don't have a clue about what I am doing as never done one of these before'.... Right
Sarah_B, Sept 2025
I’ve been to Chicago many times but never ridden the L. This was a cool way to get some different perspectives on the buildings. Guide was extremely knowledgeable and organized.
Evelyn_J, Aug 2025
I guess it was my mistake, but I was anticipating more of a train trip than it was. It was more lecturing and very little train rides.
Carol_K, Jul 2025
The Elevated Architecture Tour gave us a new perspective of Chicago. Our guide showed us many unique buildings from the El platforms, and while riding the El, at a vantage point new to us. So wonderful to hear the history of how the El was developed, along with the history of Chicago and these fantastic buildings. Being from the area, we have walked below the El and heard its rumble several times, but this was an eye-opening experience for us. Highly recommend!
Anonymous, Jul 2025
Loved this tour as it gives a perspective that you simply don’t get from the ground. Bert our guide was excellent.
Andrea_B, Jul 2025
Starts with a 15 min walk. Stairs and lots of walking. INCLUDES TRAIN FARE....vender charged us again for this.
Rhonda_H, Jun 2025
This was so exciting! We were there on St. Patrick's Day and the water in the river was tinted GREEN! Awesome experience.
Uzo_N, May 2025
This was a really unique tour experience which involved riding the Pink line of the Elevated train to various stops along the line and getting out to the train platform to look at various buildings of architectural interest. The tour guide Howard is a Chicago native who knows the city in and out and was very knowledgeable about the architecture of Chicago and the architects who helped shape the city’s skyline. This was a very interesting and informative tour and I highly recommend it.
Monroe_H, Dec 2024
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.
Ruth_H, Sept 2024
Howard was an amazing tour guide. He was so knowledgeable. I highly recommend this Elevated train tour.
Blaine_P, Jul 2024
Very interesting facts about the Cotybif Chicago. Well worth the time. Not a bunch of time spent on the train so if that’s your main reason for the tour be mentally prepared for a train trip around the loop.
Bob_L, May 2023
Dan told us many stories of the personalities involved in the architecture of Chicago. He had a tough job as we toured on a spring day that was a combination of rainstorms, heavy hail, and cold winds. He showed an enormous amount of pluck in dealing with the elements and adjusting for the current weather. He clearly is knowledgeable and passionate about his subject.
Kim_T, Apr 2023
The oldest train terminal was awesome. Seeing a real train- Amtrak on tracks. I loved the experience.
SHEILA_P, Dec 2022
Tour and guide was excellent. Far exceeded my expectations. My guide was very knowledgeable and eagerly shared his knowledge and experience with the group eagerly answering all questions.
Sally_S, Oct 2022
I love the Chicago Architecture Tours and take at least 2 each time I come to Chicago.
I was delighted to see that there was a Tour including the El, and that we would ride to a couple of stations in addition to getting a good walk in. What fun!!!
It was a great group. 5 eager companionable members and a super terrific guide.
I’ve always wanted to know more about the beginnings of the Chicago passenger rail system, the Loop, etc. Our guide told the story well, including the political & financial ends-and-outs; the big ideas & the big egos; and the innovations that made it all possible.
I loved walking, talking, getting on at a station, taking a short trip, getting out and looking and talking about a certain buildings: Brutalist, Mid-Century Modern; Beaux Arts; Post Modernist, etc. it was great!
What you can count on with all Chicago Architecture tours is a professional guide who knows her/his subject; gives a great tour; answers questions thoroughly; adapts content to audience; additionally has a good practical knowledge of the area, and has a great sense of humor. Our guide was exemplary.
One note: this tour has lots of stairs. Im not sure how much accommodation can be made for guests with disabilities. My husband, who has back & hip issues, could not have done it.
Darcy_M, Apr 2022
Doug, our guide, had great knowledge and good presentation. Gives a different perspective of the great architecture downtown.
From $35.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Chicago City Tour: Elevated Architecture Tour with Train Ticket Included
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