Open Your Eyes: Explore Chicago’s Underground Pedway & Other Secrets of the Loop

“What strange phenomena we find in a great city — all we need do is stroll about with our eyes open.” (Charles Baudelaire)

Come experience Chicago’s famous “Pedway” – the mysterious underground tunnels downtown that keep us all warm & dry in bad weather. Walking in the Pedway, through hidden corridors of stained glass and even past underground swimming pools, Inside Chicago Walking Tours will give you access to interiors that seem to come up out of nowhere as you’re exploring the tunnels. We’ll explore the hidden passages, overlooked details, rich symbolism, and quirky stories that add wonderful bits of color and texture to the overall narrative of the city. The details people walk by every day will amaze you, and you’ll feel like you’ve truly seen a hidden side of Chicago by the end of this walking tour. This is not a typical “must-see” tour for typical tourists – it’s a “must see” experience for travelers who want something BEYOND what’s typical. Is that you?

In addition to our underground wanderings to stunning architecture interiors, we will cover some “secrets” above ground, in plain sight. Are the waving balconies of Aqua really inspired by water, as so many guides say? Did Picasso intend for his famous Daley Plaza sculpture to look like something — or someone — specific? Ending with a fabulous interior not far from Millennium Park, you’ll be in the perfect central spot for continuing your exploration of downtown Chicago on your own after the tour!

NOTE: Weekday and weekend offerings of this tour route vary only slightly according to buildings’ hours of operation. But every tour explores main stretches of the Pedway, and treats guests to fabulous interiors and hidden secrets!

• TOUR LENGTH:  2 hours; ~1.75 miles
• TOUR COST:  $25-30/person
• Offered most days of the week.  See our Tour Schedule for availability and to book!  Also available as a private tour option.  Contact us to arrange!
• Starts near City Hall; exact address given upon ticket purchase.

Check out our other tours as well!  Click here to learn more!