Trail Section 1 — Eggers Woods to Navy Pier to Elmhurst
Point-of-Interest | Accommodations | Bike Shops | Print | Close Window


This route takes you through the historic Calumet industrial area. The steel mills have been razed and the area is seeing an economic transformation with new job centers. You will pass under the shadows of the Chicago Skyway, through Jackson Park and the site of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, along Chicago’s world-famous park-rich lakefront, into downtown Chicago and Navy Pier, along Augusta Boulevard and its ethnic museums, through artistically-rich Oak Park and on to the Illinois Prairie Path.
Point-of-Interest
Chicago
Calumet Park, 100th St. and Lake Michigan, Southeast Side Historical Museum in the Calumet Park Fieldhouse (the largest building in the park) Exhibits on 100 years of industrial, labor, and environmental history of the Calumet area. Open Thursday afternoons.
Jackson Park, 67th to 56th on the Lakefront
The Museum of Science and Industry, 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, 773-684-1414
The Polish Museum of America, Milwaukee Ave. and Augusta Blvd. 773-384-3352
Oak Park
- A number of Frank Lloyd Wright houses in Oak Park can be seen by turning south on Forrest Ave. from Augusta St. But Hemingway and many other notable American artists hailed from Oak Park and there are several museums and historic sites worth seeing. Contact http://www.visitoakpark.com.
The Chicago Lake Plain
- The reason Chicago is so flat is because it was entirely under water during the melting of the last glaciers 10,000-12,000 years ago. The glacial moraines of the western suburban region held back the meltwater as the glaciers receded to the north.
Accommodations — Motel/Hotel/B&B
Chicago
- Chicago International Hostel – 6318 N. Winthrop, Chicago 773-262-1011,
www.chicagointernationalhostel.com
This hostel is located far north of the trail. - Chicago Office of Tourism – www.877chicago.com, 312-744-2400
- Bed & Breakfast listings in the area — www.bbonline.com/il/ilbba/region1.html
Bike Shops
Chicago
- Mission Bay, 738 West Randolph, 312-466-9111 (downtown — near west)
- Rapid Transit Cycle Shop, 1900 West North Avenue, 773-227-2288 (west neighborhoods)
- Recycle Bicycle Shop, 1465 South Michigan Avenue, 312-987-1080 (downtown — near south)
- Village Cycle Center, 1337 North Wells, 312-751-2488 (downtown — near north)
- Wheels & Things, 5210 South Harper, 773-493-1781 (south lakefront)
- Art’s Cycle, 1636 East 55th Street, 773-363-7524 (south lakefront)
- Appreciated Bicycle Sales & Service, 855 North Mohawk Street, 312-664-0703
(downtown — near north) - Kozy’s Cyclery, 601 South LaSalle, 312-360-0020 (downtown)
Oak Park
- Barnard’s Schwinn, 6109 West North Avenue, 708-524-2660
- Lickton’s Cycle City, 310 Lake Street, 708-383-2130
- Oak Park Cyclery, 1113 Chicago Avenue, 708-524-2453