A Brief History Of Chicago's Lake Shore Drive

Although it may seem silly to show off an eight-lane expressway, this is easily the most beautiful drive in the Midwest. Lake Shore Drive (also referred to as the ‘Outer Drive,’ ‘The Drive,’ or ‘LSD’) was originally a very popular, unpaved path for the most affluent Chicagoans. This was the prime location for an afternoon stroll or even a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. In 1882, a very well-known Chicagoan named Potter Palmer was fully responsible for convincing the city to connect his mansion to the downtown area via Lake Shore Drive.
The Palmer Mansion (more of a castle) was located between the current-day streets of Schiller and Banks at 1350 N. Lake Shore Drive. This mansion was the largest private residence built in Chicago at the time, and locals flocked to the idea of living there – this home established the Gold Coast neighborhood. During the 1880s and 1890s, wealthy property owners helped finance a seawall and landfill behind it so that Lake Shore Drive could be extended south of Oak Street. The landfill used for the 1930’s extension was mostly dirt, but the 1950’s extension included rubble and debris from the destruction of homes that were demolished for the construction of the Congress Expressway.

The earliest version of Lake Shore Drive extended from Oak Street to Fullerton Avenue. In 1939, the construction of the Outer Drive was completed up to North Avenue, and by 1942, it was extended north to Belmont Avenue and south to 47th Street. The rest of Outer Lake Shore Drive did not yet reach as far south (to Marquette Drive and Jeffery Drive) until the early 1940s.

In 1979, Friends of the Parks advocated for resurfacing and marking the 18-mile Chicago Lakefront Trail from Hollywood Avenue to 71st Street. In the 1990s, beautiful medians (featuring trees and shrubs) were installed along North Lake Shore Drive. Since the 1990s, LSD has undergone little change. Although no physical changes have occurred, in 2001, there was the first annual ‘Bike The Drive.’ This is the one day of the year that bicycles reign on Lake Shore Drive, and it generally takes place in May.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.