L Tours
Life Along The 'L'
Explore the city's diverse neighborhoods
during these one-of-a-kind excursions. Tours visit a variety of sites,
from gritty industrial districts to elegant cultural institutions.
Tours are held on select Sundays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
- Brown Line: Sunday, March 7
- Green Line South: Sunday, March 14
- Green Line West: Sunday, March 21
- Blue Line: Sunday, March 28
- Brown Line: Sunday, April 11
- Green Line South: Sunday, April 18
- The Loop ‘L’: Sunday, April 25
- Brown Line: Sunday, May 2
- Green Line West: Sunday, May 16
- Blue Line: Sunday, May 23
Location:
Tours meet at the concierge desk of the Palmer House Chicago, 17 East
Monroe Street, unless otherwise noted.
Cost:
$15; $10 members. Ticket price includes a one-day CTA transit pass.
Tickets must be purchased at least one day in advance.
Brown Line
Sundays, March 7, April 11, and May 2, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Squeezed between historic buildings, back porches and pocket yards, the Brown Line runs through neighborhoods that offer up a broad ethnic and farming heritage. Take in the architecture of the business district at Armitage, explore the German heritage of Lincoln Square, or stop off at street level to wander the tree lined streets of Ravenswood Manor.
Cost:
$15, $10 members
Sunday, March 7
> Purchase tickets
Sunday, April 11
> Purchase tickets
Sunday, May 2
> Purchase tickets
Green Line South
Sundays, March 14 and April 18, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Take a historic trip on Chicago’s oldest ‘L,’ retracing the development of the city as it grew south. The group will step off the train once or twice to visit neighborhoods along the way. This tour offers a unique way to see the dynamic South Side, from mansions to public housing, railroads to stockyards, and decline to rebirth.
Cost:
$15, $10 members
Sunday, March 14
> Purchase tickets
Sunday, April 18
> Purchase tickets
Green Line West
Sundays, March 21 and May 16, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
This tour affords plenty of heavy-duty industrial and railroad sights, including abandoned factories and active freight railroad lines. The group will step off the train to visit sites along the way, including the historic Garfield Park Conservatory or Oak Park.
Cost:
$15, $10 members
Sunday, March 21
> Purchase tickets
Sunday, May 16
> Purchase tickets
Blue Line
Sundays, March 28 and May 23, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Long before it made it out to O’Hare, the line we know today as the Blue Line connected downtown with the city’s western park system. Using a mixture of elevated and underground tracks, this tour covers the history of the most ambitious of the four original elevated lines. During the trip, you’ll travel over the recently renovated Paulina Connector, explore the Pilsen and Wicker Park neighborhoods, and learn about the development of the subways.
Cost:
$15, $10 members
Sunday, March 28
> Purchase tickets
Sunday, May 23
> Purchase tickets
The Loop ‘L’
Sunday, April 25, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Greg Borzo, author of The Chicago ‘L’, leads this journey of the Loop. The tour includes commentary about stations and buildings along the route and amazing photographic opportunities. Please be prepared for 1.5 miles of walking.
Cost:
$15, $10 members
Refund Policy:
Refunds for a tour will be given in the form of tour credit which can
be applied to another tour. Credit will be given with a minimum of two
weeks notice prior to the day of the tour. No exceptions.
Weather Hotline:
The Museum maintains a Weather Hotline to provide updates about
weather-related delays or cancellation. If you think your program or
tour may be affected by inclement weather, please call 312.799.2002 for
the most current information about your tour.
Sign Language Interpretation:
The Chicago History Museum is happy to offer sign language
interpretation at any of its public programs. Please contact the Public
Programs Manager, at least 48 hours prior to the day of the event in
order to accommodate this request 312.642.4600
