Lakefront Tour via Segway

On July 23, 2004, my friend John Lewin and I had a grand adventure on a segway touring Chicago's lakefront led by Kathryn Lake [773-271-3011] of CitySegwayTours. This is a fantastic 3 hour tour including Kathryn's effective segway training that starts at the Adler Planetarium and goes to the new Millennium Park. I highly recommend this $65 tour. Parking at Adler Planetarium is $12 for the whole day.

The first 30 or 40 minutes was spent on segway training. Kathryn played a video, instructed us as a group and gave us individual training. In minutes, you are able to maneuver a segway well. By the end of the tour, the whole group was following Kathryn down Michigan Avenue thru pedestrian traffic with ease. The 7 mile tour took over 2 hours. One interesting fact learned on the tour is that the fountains of Buckingham Fountain are controlled by computers in Atlanta.

The Lakefront tour gives one a good view of a number of famous Chicago landmarks including: Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, Soldier Field, the Field Museum, Buckingham Fountain, Millennium Park and the fountain towers at Millenium Park. It is also a chance to admire the Chicago skyline and many of the famous buildings including Sears Tower. One building that has sentimental value for me is the Chicago Hilton where I stayed the first time I visited Chicago in 1945.

Adler Planetarium The tour starts inside the south entrance, on the right, of the Adler Planetarium. Skyline Chicago's skyline is one of the wonders of the world! Sears Tower is on the left.
Navy Pier From the Adler Planetarium, there is a good view of Navy Pier and ships. Soldier Field From Adler, there is also a good view of the reconstructed Soldier Field.
Shedd Aquarium Shedd Aquarium, largest in the world, is next door to Adler. Note Hilton hotel to the right. John on Segway Kathryn gave us individual segway training. Here she monitors John Lewin.
Segway Tour Group Here is the group, after Segway training, at the first stop of our Lakefront tour. Field Museum This photo of the Field Museum, like half of these photos, I took while on my segway.
Time Check The pace was comfortable. Kathryn kept us on time. Wonderful views all the way. Segway Trio Here, John, Kathryn and I pose in front of the famous Buckingham Fountain.
Kathryn at Millenium Park Kathryn points out the new $470M Millenium Park, just opened earlier in July 2004. Millenium Park Here is the rest of Millenium Park including an unusual bridge over the road.
Millenium Fountains The high-tech twin fountain towers have to be seen to be appreciated. Kathryn at the Bean The tour ended on Michigan Avenue at a new Chicago icon, the Bean as Kathryn gestures.