Chicago turned an abandoned rail line into one of America’s happiest public spaces. The 606 — named for the city’s zip code prefix — is a 2.7-mile elevated trail that glides above the streets of Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Bucktown, and Wicker Park, stitched together with art, gardens, and stunning skyline views.
Raised nearly 20 feet above the pavement, the trail offers a peaceful perch above city traffic: runners, cyclists, dog walkers, and stroller-pushers all share the wide path, while pocket parks, murals, and native plantings line the route. Mile markers make it easy to pace yourself, and access ramps connect the trail to the surrounding neighborhoods every few blocks.
It’s made for joggers, cyclists, families with strollers, and explorers who want to see real Chicago beyond downtown. Tip: ride or walk it end to end around sunset for the best light, then finish with a well-earned treat in the shops and cafés of Wicker Park or Logan Square at the trail’s ends.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Victorgrigas
