Underground Chicago PLUS RATS Tour

Overview

One of the fantastic things about Chicago’s downtown is its underside consisting of hidden streets, train stations, and pedestrian tunnels. It’s filled with innovative and interesting design features you won’t find in any other city, and much of it has its roots from more than a century ago!

Do you know who appreciates Chicago’s underbelly? Rats! These fascinating creatures have a lot in common with Chicago: they’re scrappy, they’re adaptable, they’re resilient, and their fates are thoroughly interconnected.

Underground Chicago (Plus Rats!) is a fun, one-of-a-kind tour experience where you’ll explore an underground labyrinth discovering features people rarely notice and the stories behind them. Along the way, you’ll hear lots of surprising RAT FACTS that will likely give you a new appreciation for these critters.

I hope you can join for this unique tour experience showcasing Chicago’s infrastructure and urban wildlife!

City: Chicago

Sun 23 Feb

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $30.00

Make a reservation

Sun 23 Feb

Starting at $30.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Your award-winning tour guide, Mike, makes architecture, design, and history fun and interesting.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
COVID-19 vaccination required for guides

What To Expect

Magnificent Mile

We open the tour with a beautiful view of Chicago before heading underground

Michigan Avenue Bridge

Get amazing views of the famous bridge's underside and along the Chicago River

Chicago Pedway

We'll explore this labyrinth of underground pedestrian tunnels that are filled with amazing artwork, like a collection of Victorian Era stained glass and a Chance the Rapper mural

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (23)

elfring

Nov 2022

This was a great and unusual tour! We went on Black Friday and we were the only people on the tour. Mike is personable and super friendly with an incredible knowledge on the city of Chicago. He knows more about rats than anyone I have ever met. I loved the trip through lower Wacker Dr and the Chicago Pedway. While on lower Wacker a baby rat crossed the street, after first apparently waiting for the walk light. I had to hop a bit to avoid stepping on him. He was in a big hurry to cross before being run over. Great stained-glass windows on the Pedway. And I almost forgot to mention the abandoned subway stops!

Response from Host

Nov 2022

Thank you for your detailed review! I’m glad you enjoyed the tour, including our rat buddy! 🐀

Dreebird

Nov 2022

Such a fun and out of the ordinary tour! I went with my parents on Black Friday and it was unseasonably warm, which made the tour very pleasant. Mike has such an incredible wealth of knowledge on the city and architecture of Chicago! I was very impressed with all the facts and tidbits he had about the underground buildings and I loved learning about the Pedway. We were lucky and saw one baby rat.

Response from Host

Nov 2022

Thanks for the thoughtful review! You and your parents were so fun to have on the tour, and I’m glad we narrowly missed the rat running straight at us! 🐀

jane_cahill

Nov 2022

This is not just a RAT tour(although I learned a lot about rats).Mike does an excellent job at showing some of the underground infrastructure in Chicago. He is very knowledgeable and can connect with all ages.Excellent tour(not just for tourists--even worth it for folks who have lived in Chicago for decades!)

Response from Host

Nov 2022

Thank you for the review, Jane! I’m so glad you enjoyed the experience! 🐀