Chicago Pedway
Chicago Pedway
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4.5
63 reviews
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Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,498 contributions
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 21 May 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.
Irina
United States13,999 contributions
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.
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 18 December 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, IL8,498 contributions
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 17 April 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, IL8,498 contributions
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 14 January 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, KS45 contributions
Sept 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 16 September 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, IL8,498 contributions
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 25 November 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.
kathycV6399HQ
26 contributions
Nov 2019
We took the Chicago Architectural Loop and Pedway tour with Alex was our guide. This was a two hour tour that starts in the Marquette Building where you go into the lobby and see the beautiful moasic tiles. From there we visited the Chicago Temple; Picasso's Stature in the Daly Plaza, went into Macy's on State Street to discuss the architecture when it was built as Marshall Field's with the Tiffany and Company designed mosaic ceiling tiles; walked along sections of the Chicago Pedway and ended at the Chicago Cultural Center. I highly recommend taking this tour. The temperature when we visited was 19 degrees and it was nice to do a majority of the tour inside.
Written 17 November 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.
aazonemaster
Nokomis, FL135 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
Chicago is making efforts to link various underground tunnels so you can acces a bit of the loop underground. While parts are lacking clear identification, and not all parts are yet linked, you can explore chicago underground from the Swissotel to Daley center. A kind of pedestrian road rally - google search chicago led way for a map and you have free entertainment for an hour unless you decide to stop at the various restaurants and shops!
Written 17 March 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.
zoefiona S
Evanston, IL1 contribution
May 2013 • Couples
This was a very pleasant Sunday afternoon tour. Inside the Pedway, it was mostly deserted - nice to have the space and noise level conducive to an engaging history tour.
Pacing of sitting/standing/walking worked well. At least 2 convenient restroom stops available if needed during the 2.5 hour tour.
Appreciated receiving a map to keep, to have some idea of how buildings are connected. Most importantly, learned the pedway is privately owned by each building (with the exception of the 3 government buildings, publicly owned). So each building controls its access points to the pedway.
Our tour guide was an excellent storyteller of Chicago history.
Pacing of sitting/standing/walking worked well. At least 2 convenient restroom stops available if needed during the 2.5 hour tour.
Appreciated receiving a map to keep, to have some idea of how buildings are connected. Most importantly, learned the pedway is privately owned by each building (with the exception of the 3 government buildings, publicly owned). So each building controls its access points to the pedway.
Our tour guide was an excellent storyteller of Chicago history.
Written 7 May 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.
Thoughful-Traveler
Madison, Wisconsin190 contributions
Feb 2012 • Couples
Walking the corridors of the Pedway is fun way to spend a few hours in Chicago. Among American cities, Chicago features perhaps the most elements of the 1930's notion of the urban beehive what with streets stacked up on different levels, huge underground parking garages extending over multiple blocks, underground expressways, skywalks, etc. The Pedway is a relatively recent addition to this urban landscape. It is really the result of a multi-year effort to connect various pre-existing tunnels, basements and skywalks covering in total a distance of more than two miles under, over and through downtown Chicago. Through recent efforts it is now relatively well signed, but there are still lots of
obscure twists and turns. So pathfinding your way through it is still a really fun adventure.
The Chicago Architecture Foundation, as well as a number of commercial tour guides, provides guided tours of portions of the Pedway. You can find their offerings on the web as well as several self-guided itineraries. If you go on your own, as we did, it's more challenging, but again, that's the fun of it. I would suggest in that case that you go during business hours on weekdays as portions of the Pedway are closed at other times.
obscure twists and turns. So pathfinding your way through it is still a really fun adventure.
The Chicago Architecture Foundation, as well as a number of commercial tour guides, provides guided tours of portions of the Pedway. You can find their offerings on the web as well as several self-guided itineraries. If you go on your own, as we did, it's more challenging, but again, that's the fun of it. I would suggest in that case that you go during business hours on weekdays as portions of the Pedway are closed at other times.
Written 29 February 2012
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.
Are there escalators encountered on the Pedway?
Written 21 May 2016
There are no escalators on the pedway itself, but you can get to the Pedway on an escalator through Macy's or the State Street subway entrance.
Written 22 May 2016
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