Tours & Attractions
Open Your Eyes: Chicago’s Underground Pedway & Other Secrets of the Loop Walking Tour
“Open Your Eyes: Chicago’s Underground Pedway & Other Secrets of the Loop” is a 2‑hour, mostly indoor walking tour that uncovers Chicago’s hidden underground passages system, bringing guests to surprising building interiors accessible from underground, and filling in with lesser‑known stories and secrets around the Loop. It’s designed for curious locals and visitors who want a quirky, off‑the‑beaten‑path experience rather than a standard “top sights” overview.
Tour Highlights:
- Explore Chicago’s underground Pedway system, learning how this network connects offices, malls, and transit while keeping Chicagoans warm and dry in bad weather.
- Walk past surprising sights underground, including stained glass, artwork, and even views of an underground swimming pool, plus interiors that seem to “appear out of nowhere.”
- Hear quirky stories and symbolism behind everyday details people usually miss, from overlooked murals near City Hall to questions about what Picasso’s Daley Plaza sculpture might represent.
- See both hidden interiors and a few “secrets in plain sight” above ground, ending near Millennium Park so guests can easily keep exploring on their own.
- Enjoy a small‑group, story‑driven experience that emphasizes discovery, humor, and rich local history rather than a checklist of famous buildings.
In a nutshell:
- Duration: about 2 hours, covering roughly 1.5 miles at an easy pace.
- Setting: almost entirely indoors via the Pedway and interior spaces, with only short outdoor stretches—perfect for bad‑weather days.
- Group size: capped at about 20 guests for a more personal, interactive feel.
- Terrain: involves several staircases, so it’s not ideal for strollers or wheelchairs; other routes are better for full accessibility.
- Tickets (USD): approximately 35 for general admission, 30 for kids 5+ and seniors 65+, with children 4 and under free.
- Start & end: begins near City Hall at 120 N LaSalle (under the big mosaic) and ends within about a block of Millennium Park / Aqua.
