Segway Tour of Chicago Review - A Great CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE FOUNDATION Experience

Chicago is a city infamous for their abudance of public transportation. Whether it’s the El, the Metra, Bus or bike, getting from point A to point B is simple and easy. I suppose it’s not all fun and games though, when one discusses modes of transportation here. As I have been here for the summer, I have witnessed a varying display of antics on each method. Whether it’s the crying baby , iPod that is so loud you feel as if you’re second row at a Bon Jovi concert or the distinct aromas that fill such a compact and tiny space.

 So, in a quest to experience all that Chicago has to offer this summer, I leapt at the opportunity to try my hand (or feet) at another seemingly strange, but otherwise fascinating mode of transit: the segway. In previous years, I believe segways have gotten a bad rap. This vehicle has been featured in various movies (Mall Cop, anyone?) and claims to be the ‘elite vehicle of the future.’ And well, it really kind of is. My mantra, especially after my rendezvous with the segway has been, “Don’t knock it, till you’ve tried it.”

First off, many might ask what a segway actually is. Segway’s are a two-wheeled, electric vehicle that equate your weight once you step on. It’s virtually impossible to fall off of a segway, making it one of the safest and fun ways to get around the city. I was thrilled to have Chicago Architecture Foundation as guides to Chicago’s amazing lakefront architecture.

I was lucky enough to be able to go on one of these tours and experience all that exemplifies Chicago. Located on 224 South Michigan Avenue, the Chicago Architecture Foundation provides a bit of sightseeing along with information on architecture throughout the city.  The tour is given on Segways provided by Segway Experience of Chicago, also at 224 S. Michigan.

On this two hour journey, Segway Experience guests travel to Chicago’s most popular attractions including Millenium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavillion, Buckingham Fountain, the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and view the lakefront to Lake Michigan. Along with “segging” to the different locations, there is a docent who explains the varying levels of Chicago architecture.

My docent was a gracious volunteer from the Chicago Architecture Foundation and informed me that many of the high rises seen in the city are relatively new. He explained that the majority of the buildings were erected after the 1960’s and up until then, the Prudential Building was the tallest in the city. During the tour, you not only get a taste of some of places the city hides, but also gain immense knowledge. In fact, I used these tidbits I got from the tour to impress my friends. Side note: they were wildly impressed at my abundance of Chicago knowledge, making me appear like a veteran city dweller.

The segway takes a bit of getting used to, but just like a bike, after a few minutes, you’re a pro. Reaching a maximum speed of 8 to 9 mph, the segway is designed to go at a “safe” speed and is automated to balance whoever is on the vehicle. During the trip, travelers are encouraged to take photos of landmarks and explore the various areas.

After a two hour long excursion, I not only felt like I got an amazing tour of the city in half the time, but tons of history I would have never realized before. The experience I got from Segway Experience of Chicago  with the Chicago Architecture Foundation was just that, and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Check out The Chicago Architecture Foundation at www.architecture.org or call 312.922.3432. The tour is given Mondays and Saturdays at 10:00am through October.

Space is limited to 8 participants per tour; reservations are strongly recommended – day-of, walk-up tour booking is not guaranteed. Reservations are non-exchangable, non-refundable. Children must be 12 years or older and weigh more than 80 lbs. 

Published on Jul 31, 2010