Chicago's Iconic Bridges

Ask any visitor to Chicago what they remember most and you’ll get a slew of answers, but a few consistently top the list:


  1. The Lakefront

  2. Chicago Architecture

  3. Chicago River Drawbridges

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This image from our “C is for Chicago” book highlights the fantastic Chicago River and the moveable bridges. These bridges span the river, connecting the Loop to the Near North Side. There are 18 moveable bridges from Lake Shore Drive and the lakefront to the east winding through the city and the South Branch of the Chicago River to Congress Parkway.

One of the unique features of Chicago’s bridge network is the CTA El Trains runs across the Wells Street Bridge. When the bridges are up, even the El Train has to wait!

For more information about Chicago Bridges and Chicago architecture, check out The Chicago Architecture Foundation’s site here.

What’s your favorite feature of Chicago’s downtown?