Tickets and Hours
General admission is always free for Friends of the Chicago River Members. Become a member here.
The Bridgehouse Museum self-guided admission is on a “Pay What You Can” system. Suggested donations are:
General admission:$8
Adults over 62: $6
Children 6 to 12 years old: $6
Students (with ID): $6
Children age five and younger: Free
Guided Tours:
$15/person
Friday & Saturday at 11:30am and 2:00pm beginning in May through October.
Please call or email the museum to make your reservation: bridgehousemuseum@gmail.com / 312-977-0227
Bridge lift viewing (Fall):
$15/person
Saturdays: 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/26, 11/2
Wednesdays: 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30
This special event provides a close-up view of the DuSable Bridge in motion from inside the museum. Guests can view the massive gears from several feet away in our gear room or climb to the top of the tower to see the bridge lift from above.
On Saturdays, the museum will be open at 9:15 am and the lift is expected to happen between 9:30am and 10:00am. We cannot guarantee the timing of this as it depends on the efficiency of the bridge tenders, how many boats need to pass, and weather. Your ticket includes access to the entire Bridgehouse Museum.
On Wednesdays, the museum will be open at 9:45 a.m. and the lift is expected to happen between 10:00-10:30 a.m., though it could take a bit longer for the boats to get to our bridge.
Tickets to the bridge lift viewing are $15 per person and reservations are suggested. Please email bridgehousemuseum@gmail.com or call 312-977-0227 to make your reservation once the schedule is announced.
*Note: No discounts apply to bridge lifts or tours.
Hours of Operation 2024
Open May 11, 2024 - Nov 2, 2024
Wednesday 10am-5pm
Thursday 10am-5pm
Friday 10am-5pm
Saturday 10am-5pm
Sunday 10am-5pm
COVID-19 Policies and Procedures
The health, safety, and well-being of our visitors and staff is our priority. Following the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and state and local health department guidelines, the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum (BHM) has adopted the following protocols in an effort to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19, while providing an enjoyable experience for our guests.
Hand sanitizer stations are located within the museum
Masks are optional in the museum and groups are encouraged to social distance when navigating the narrow stairwells.
Risk: An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. Those visiting the museum do so at their own risk to such exposure.
Parking
We recommend booking convenient and affordable parking in advance through SpotHero, the nation’s leading parking reservation app.
Use our custom link HERE
Group Travel
Thinking of traveling with a group to the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum?
Get to the museum efficiently on a bus rental from National Charter Bus Chicago. Contact them at 312-392-0239 or visit them here to learn more about their services.
GOGO Charters also provides safe charter bus rentals in Chicago to K-12 groups. Buses can be booked for small, specialized class groups or for large trips with multiple students, teachers, and chaperones. Call 312-546-3925 for a free quote and to learn more about Chicago charter bus services for school groups!
