Chicago Pedway

At first glance, Chicago dazzles with its soaring skyline, historic landmarks, and vibrant lakefront. But beneath the surface—literally—lies one of the city’s most intriguing secrets: the Chicago Pedway. A vast network of underground and overhead walkways, the Pedway quietly connects dozens of buildings, transit stations, and attractions in downtown Chicago.

 

Whether you’re a curious traveler looking to escape the cold, a local navigating the Loop with ease, or just someone chasing the city’s hidden corners, the Chicago Pedway offers a fascinating, almost cinematic experience of Chicago from below.

 

What to Know

The Chicago Pedway is an underground pedestrian system that stretches roughly five miles beneath the streets of the downtown core. It weaves through buildings, beneath hotels, and connects major CTA stations like the Blue Line subway.

 

Originally designed to help commuters avoid Chicago’s unpredictable weather, the underground Pedway has evolved into more than just a practical shortcut. It’s a mix of fluorescent-lit corridors, hidden art installations, warm bakeries, dry cleaners, food courts, and echoing silence that suddenly bursts into rush-hour life. You never quite know what you’ll find around the next corner.

 

Not all sections are open to the public at all times, and some areas close during weekends or evenings. Yet even in its patchwork design, the Pedway feels like stepping into another layer of the city’s soul—where utility meets quiet charm.

 

 

How to Get There

Finding the Pedway is part of the adventure. One of the most accessible entry points is via the CTA Blue Line subway, especially at Washington or Jackson stations. You can also access it from many prominent buildings like City Hall, Millennium Station, the Thompson Center, and Millennium Park.

 

Keep an eye out for signs that simply say “Pedway” or look for subtle arrows in public buildings. Some entrances feel like they’re hiding in plain sight—through unassuming doors near food courts, under escalators, or at the back of train stations. And that’s the beauty of it—it’s a little-known treasure you uncover, piece by piece.

 

Best Time to Visit

The Chicago Pedway comes to life during weekday mornings and lunch hours, when workers dash between towers and tourists venture underground to explore.

If you want to experience the buzz, go around noon on a weekday. But if you’re after a quieter, more contemplative walk, late morning or mid-afternoon might be your sweet spot.

It’s especially delightful in winter, when the wind is howling above and you’re gliding through a warm tunnel below—your own personal escape from Chicago’s icy streets.

 

Highlights & Features

 

Hidden Artwork:

Discover a stunning display of stained glass panels inside Macy’s Pedway corridor, originally part of the “Lightscape” art installation.

 

Millennium Station:

This central hub is not only a major access point to Metra trains, but also one of the Pedway’s busiest and most accessible entry points.

 

Connection to Millennium Park:

Walk underground from hotels or the Blue Line to emerge just steps from the iconic Cloud Gate (“The Bean”).

 

CTA & Transit Links:

Navigate easily between Blue Line subways, Red Line, and other key stations without stepping outside.

 

Food Courts & Shops:

Some buildings, like the Aon Center and the Prudential Plaza, feature underground food options—perfect for a quick bite without leaving the Pedway.

 

Architectural Layers:

The Pedway offers glimpses of Chicago’s multiple eras—1960s concrete corridors suddenly transition into sleek modern glass tunnels.

 

Fun Facts

- The Pedway began in 1951 with just a single tunnel linking State and Dearborn. Since then, it’s grown into a labyrinth of over 40 downtown blocks.

- It’s estimated that over 100,000 people pass through the Pedway daily during peak commuter hours.

- The Pedway has inspired everything from walking tours to art exhibitions—and even conspiracy theories about secret city passageways.

- Sections of the Pedway are used in emergency evacuation routes for skyscrapers and office towers.

- Some corridors host live music, art pop-ups, or temporary installations—making the underground feel surprisingly alive.

 

History

The Chicago Pedway wasn’t built all at once. It began in 1951, just a post-war idea to keep people dry on rainy days. Over the decades, it expanded as new buildings added their own pedestrian corridors. But there was no master plan. Instead, the Pedway evolved like a living organism—growing, adapting, and sometimes even shrinking when buildings closed or rerouted traffic.

 

That’s why it feels like a puzzle today. It’s not polished like a mall or sterile like a government hallway. It has quirks. A hallway might smell like cinnamon buns in the morning, echo like a chamber at night, and buzz with conversation at noon. Some locals call it “Chicago’s secret city,” and honestly, they’re not wrong.

 

Final Thoughts

Exploring the Chicago Pedway is like flipping to a hidden chapter in a novel you thought you knew. It’s part shortcut, part time capsule, and part urban adventure. You’re not just walking underground—you’re moving through the city’s layers, brushing against the edges of old architecture, future plans, and everyday Chicagoans just trying to get where they’re going.

 

So the next time you’re near Millennium Park or riding the Blue Line subway, take a detour. Follow the signs. Duck through that door. And let the Chicago Pedway show you a version of the city that most visitors never see.