Chicago's Moveable Bridges

Witness the engineering marvel of Chicago’s moveable bridges, a testament to the city’s innovative spirit and architectural prowess.

Understand how the unique Chicago-style bascule bridges work.

Architects and Styles

Meet

Northeast corner of Wacker and Columbus, at the top of the Riverwalk staircase.

View the underpinnings of the bridges, as the tour follows the bridge lifts of three of the Chicago River’s most famous bridges, including Michigan Avenue’s DuSable Bridge, Columbus Drive’s single bridgehouse and massive span, and Lake Shore Drive’s Franklin Delano Roosevelt Bridge. Explore how the Chicago River made Chicago the liveliest and busiest port of 19th-century America.

Know before you go:

This tour is scheduled based on the City of Chicago’s announced bridge lift schedule. If the bridges do not go up as scheduled, the tour will go on as planned.
This tour is not ADA accessible. Stairs are required.