Chicago Pedway

Chicago Pedway

Chicago Pedway
4.5
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Neighborhood: Near North Side
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles64 reviews
Excellent
31
Very good
22
Average
8
Poor
2
Terrible
1

Henry’s Take
San Diego, CA1,486 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2025 • Couples
One of the perks that comes with living in San Diego is that you can enjoy great weather almost every day of the year. Benefitting from this luxury creates a curiosity to experience the novelty of what others refer to as “cold weather”, so when I travel during the winter months I want to bundle up and then get outside! 🥶

I realize that living with freezing temperatures probably transitions from “novelty” to “torture” rather quickly, so I was curious about exploring a refuge for those less enthusiastic than myself about being out in the winter elements.

The Chicago Pedway System spans approximately 5 miles and connects 40 blocks as it weaves its way beneath the heart of the city. In what feels like an underground city, this maze of tunnels features multiple CTA (”L”) and commuter rail stations and also provides access to 50 public and private buildings. While there are shopping and food opportunities available, the pedway is more functional than a destination itself.

While the tunnels are well lit, clean, and safety never became a concern during my exploration, there are sections that can feel rather isolated (e.g., the parking garage segment), so the buddy system applies whenever possible.

The available routes are consistently marked by the pedway symbol (and several maps are posted), but you should be aware that the tunnels were not constructed in a contiguous fashion, so emerging from this subterranean sanctuary may be required at various intervals during your journey.

And that’s…Henry’s Take.

#chicagopedwaysystem
Written February 7, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,436 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Solo
Once every five weeks I get a haircut at the Anna George Salon that is located beneath the Illinois Center on the Chicago Pedway, somewhere around Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive. A couple of years ago, I did some research on the Pedway and decided to take an excursion through the network of tunnels, ground-level concourses and bridges that stretch more than 40 miles in downtown Chicago while connecting skyscrapers, hotels, restaurants, retail stores and train stations in the city's central business district. It's a fascinating journey that began in 1951, featured notable expansion in 1968 and 1973 and continues to this day. The oldest portions of the Pedway are the corridors between State Street and Dearborn Street, linking Chicago Transit Authority's Red Line and Blue Line stations at Washington Street and Lake Street and at Jackson Street. Today, most connections to the Pedway are commercial or government buildings, including hotels. Columbus Plaza, The Heritage at Millennium Park, Park Millennium, the 200 North Dearborn apartments and Aqua are the only residential buildings connected to the Pedway. After my haircut, I enjoy strolling through the smaller but more elaborate eastern section of the Pedway, connecting the Illinois Center to the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Fairmount Hotel, Swissotel and Agua, a magnificent 82-story residential building. On a cold or windy or snowy or rainy day, the Pedway is a convenient option for transportation around the Loop.
Written June 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dabney R
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
We thoroughly enjoyed this adventure! Hillary was a very enthusiastic and informative guide and we saw interesting sights both below ground and above ground. We were able to go into buildings that we probably never dreamed of going in, especially since we are from out of town. We highly recommend this tour!
Written April 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,436 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
Many people aren't even aware that the Chicago Pedway exists. And if they are, they probably haven't experienced the system for only a few blocks. The Chicago Pedway is a network of underground tunnels, ground-level concourses and bridges connecting skyscrapers, retail stores, hotels and train stations throughout the central business district of Chicago. Construction of the pedway began in 1951 and has continued ever since. Today, with a length of more than 40 downtown blocks, it contains shops, restaurants, hotels, commercial and government buildings and banks and helps pedestrians to navigate from one side of the city to the other in inclement weather. The oldest portions of the pedway, aside from the interiors of some buildings, are the corridors between State and Dearborn Streets, linking Chicago Transit Authority's Red Line and Blue Line stations at Washington and Lake Streets and at Jackson Street. The smaller but more elaborate eastern section of the pedway, connecting the Illinois Center buildings, Hyatt Regency, Fairmont Hotel, Swissotel and Aqua, are indirectly accessible from the main pedway network. Once described as a "confusing underground labyrinth" by one architectural critic, the pedway has become more user-friendly with maps and direction-finders. You can even arrange for a walking tour of the pedway, complete with secrets of the Loop.
Written May 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tensail
Venice, FL3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Friends
Today's Pedway tour with Mary Jo was amazing. It was so informative and was well presented by Mary Jo.
Walking and exploring the bowels of the City was quite a memorable experience and one to be repeated.

Thank you
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Irina
United States14,717 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
I think, this is a great idea - to design, build and operate a tunneled walkway system that connects about 50 buildings downtown Chicago (mainly, the Loop area), it also connects A and B Subway lines, and basically helps pedestrians to avoid bad weather and heavy ground traffic. Parts of this system are also several glass-covered sky-bridges connecting a few buildings, as well. The Chicago Pedway system was built in the early 1950s.

Recently, I was shopping at Block 37 (108 N State Street), and 'got acquainted' with Chicago Pedway, taking down the escalator to the lower level, where I talked to a Security lady on duty, she couldn't be nicer and friendlier, briefly told me about this system and how good it is for pedestrians, she also showed me the Pedway sign on the doors and said, that it was fine to take some photos there.

The tunnel walkway at this part of town is quite wide, clean, there are many shops, cafes and kiosks flanking the walkway, that was moderately busy. There are also ads there about cultural events in the city. I think though, that there could be more signs about directions to a particular destination point - that usually helps.

The maps and lists of the sites connected by Chicago Pedway are also available online.
Written December 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,436 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2016 • Couples
If you are a suburbanite or city dweller who works or shops in the Loop, you surely have become acquainted with the Chicago Pedway. If you are a tourist, you probably haven't. But you should. The Chicago Pedway is a network of tunnels, ground-level concourses and bridges connecting skyscrapers, retail stores, hotels and train stations throughout the downtown business district. It covers a length of more than 40 downtown blocks and allows easy access to shops, restaurants and public art and offers a cover for pedestrians during inclement weather. Most connections to the Pedway are commercial or government building, including hotels such as the Hyatt Regency, Swissotel and Fairmont. Popular entry ways can be found at Macy's department store, the James R. Thompson Center, Illinois Center, Grant Park's underground parking garages, Richard J. Daley Center, City Hall/County Building, Aqua, Chase Tower, Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, Columbus Plaza, Leo Burnett Building and Aon Center. The oldest portions of the Pedway are the corridors between State and Dearborn Streets, linking Chicago Transit Authority's Red Line and Blue Line stations at Washington and Lake Streets and at Jackson Street. Construction of the Pedway began in 1951 and has continued ever since, with expansions in 1968 and 1973. Perhaps the system is most visible in the basement of Macy's, the site of the candy department and food court, where 22 American-made stained glass windows are on display. On rainy days it is worth the time to stroll along the Pedway and observe the shops and people and life in the underground world.
Written April 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,436 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2015 • Couples
Chicago Pedway is more than a quick way for commuters to get from Michigan Avenue to the West Side and the train station. It's a tourist attraction, something to visit while you are strolling on the Magnificent Mile. It is a network of tunnels, ground-level concourses and bridges connecting skyscrapers, retail stores, hotels and train stations throughout the central business district of Chicago. With a length of more than 40 downtown blocks, it contains shops, restaurants and public art and helps pedestrians in inclement weather. Construction on the Pedway began in 1951 and has continued since then, especially after expansion was included in both the Transit Planning Study: Chicago Central Area in 1968 and the Chicago 21 Plan introduced in 1973. The oldest portions of the Pedway are the corridors between State and Dearborn Streets, linking the Chicago Transit Authority's Red Line and Blue Line stations at washington and Lake Streets and at Jackson Street. The smaller but more elaborate eastern section of the Pedway connects the Illinois Center buildings, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Fairmont Hotel, Swissotel and Aqua. For tourists, points of entry and exit for the Pedway include Block 37 shopping mall at 108 North State Street, Chicago Cultural Center, Daley Plaza, Macy's, Millennium Park, James R. Thompson Center, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Leo Burnett Building and City Hall/County Building. It is a part of Chicago that even most native Chicagoans are not aware of or have never visited. It is worth the time to examine Chicago's underground.
Written January 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

nanccEmporia_Kansas
Emporia, KS40 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2013
We signed up for this tour without knowing exactly what it was about. So glad that we did. Margaret was an excellent guide: funny and knowledgable. She guided us through the pedestrian tunnels and overpasses that connect many of the important buildings within the Loop while relating great stories that gave us good insight into some of Chicago's fascinating history.
Written September 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,436 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2018
The Chicago Pedway is a network of pedestrian tunnels, ground-level concourses and bridges connecting skyscrapers, retail stores, hotels and train stations throughout the central business district of Chicago. With a length of nearly five miles and more than 40 downtown blocks, it connects 50 buildings and contains shops, restaurants and works of public art. It is an answer to vicious winter weather and an easy link between train stations. The oldest sections are located between State and Dearborn Streets and date to before World War II. The rest of the network was begun in the 1950s and expanded in the 1960s and 1970s. By Macy's, the old Marshall Field's, check out the beautiful display of 22 stained glass panels, a holdover from the defunct Smith Museum of Stained Glass. Most connections to the pedway are commercial or government buildings, including hotels such as the Fairmont, Hyatt Regency, Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel and Swissotel. Columbus Plaza, The Heritage at Millennium Park, the Park Millennium, 200 North Dearborn Apartments and Aqua are the only residential buildings connected to the pedway. Tens of thousands of locals and travelers utilize the pedway each day. The longest continuous section of the underground pedway allows one to travel west to east from 120 North La Salle Street to the Millennium Park Bike Station with various points radiating north and south. A smaller branch connects 200 North Michigan at the westernmost point, east to the Swisshotel. Nearly every civically significant building in the Loop is connected by a section of the pedway, including the Aon Center, Chicago Cultural Center, Block 37, Daley Center, Dirksen Federal Building, Cook County Administration Building and James R. Thompson Center. Mbar, located within Millennium Station, where close to 20,000 people board Metra and South Shore Line trains daily, is the only bar along the pedway, providing commuters with drinks and snacks. On a cold and snowy day, the Chicago Pedway is a warm and convenient way to go from one side of downtown Chicago to another. And on a hot and sunny day, it's a cool and convenient way to make the same trip.
Written November 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Chicago Pedway - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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