Booking fee
The booking fee includes the costs of booking your tickets such as charges for payment processing. It also covers the provision of our customer care center for processing your order, and all charges imposed by our suppliers.
* This tour requires at least one of the following per booking: Adult, Senior
Explore Chicago’s amazing architecture from the unique perspective of elevated trains and station platforms. Learn the history behind the famous "L" system and hear how it has shaped the development of buildings within the Loop.
The city's first elevated train started making trips in 1892. Now considered one of Chicago’s most defining features, the "L" offers incredible views of downtown. By being more than 20 feet off the ground, you'll see architectural details that are missed by most pedestrians at street level. This is our most comprehensive tour in the Loop, passing hundreds of buildings and highlighting ones of architectural significance. As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.
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Fare to ride the Chicago Elevated Rail system
Admission to the galleries of the Chicago Architecture Center.
Narration by a professional and certified guide.
Food or drink
Storage for luggage or strollers
Coat check
Departure Point
111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Chicago Architecture Center at 111 E Wacker Drive.
Return Details
111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Chicago Architecture Center at 111 E Wacker Drive.
111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA Begin the tour at the Chicago Architecture Center. Fare to ride the Chicago Elevated Rail system is included. Please request a "Ventra" card from the Chicago Architecture Box Office when checking in for the tour. 10 minutes
Washington/Wabash, Chicago, IL 60602, USA Washington/Wabash "L" station 10 minutes
Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, 401 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA View Trump Tower. 5 minutes
111 N State St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA View the Marshall Field Building 5 minutes
Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States View the Harold Washington Library and State/Van Burnen Station 15 minutes
71 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL 60605, USA View the Metropolitan Correction Center 5 minutes
343 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60604, USA View the Fisher Building. 5 minutes
1 E Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604, USA View the DePaul Center. 5 minutes
175 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604, USA View the Insurance Exchange Building 5 minutes
Clinton, 540 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661, USA Clinton St/Lake St "L" Station 15 minutes
567 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661, USA View the Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) headquarters. 5 minutes
Chicago Board of Trade Building, Chicago, Illinois, United States View the Chicago Board of Trade Building 5 minutes
180 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60601, USA View the LeMoyne Building 5 minutes
Washington/Wabash, Chicago, IL 60602, USA Washington/Wabash "L" Station 15 minutes
111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA Return to Chicago Architecture Center 5 minutes
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
francescocU3505WN
09 Feb 2025
Wonderful morning discovering Chicago through the L train. Thanks again for the insights Quentin!
Would recommend it
gilesn2025
09 Feb 2025
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!
hughmV9450HW
25 Jan 2025
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.
This tour in
Chicago
is organized by
Chicago Architecture Center
We always double-check the availability with our local partners for each booking. Even though this is usually a swift process, it can take up to 24 hours. Once this process is completed you will receive your voucher or ticket by email. If our local partner is not able to confirm your booking we will offer you the best possible alternative. If the new date and/or time doesn’t fit your itinerary, we will reimburse the full amount paid.
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