This small museum is very compact, charming, and fits a lot of valuable information about Chicagos iconic bridges into such a small footprint. The interesting location of this museum, fitting inside an old boathouse tower directly on Chicagos iconic river-walk only adds to its grandeur stature. A highlight for me is when you get to walk under one of Chicagos functioning bridges! The prices arent outrageous, and this museum is a must-stop in Chicago, especially if you want to learn more about the stately bridges that line the Chicago river.

Its a must visit when it is open. Gives a history of the Chicago River and how it has changed over the years. Reflecting on the rivers many, many uses to the surrounding area. It also offers some amazing framed views of the area through it windows.

Amazing experience to walk threw the bridge tower and below the the bridge to see how the bridge works. Its free on sundays.

One of the best spots at Mag Mile to view the Skyline. It is surprising how too few people know that there an Whole Museum inside the southwest Bridgehouse ( the one near LondonHouse) . The BridgeHouse Museum gives you a great insight on the history of the city and the Chicago river and also the historic significance of the museum. Also , from the top floor , you get to see one the rarest point of view of the traffic and all those people below.

Chanced upon this museum on the Riverwalk and paid $5 --$4 for students-- to get out of the sun. Was surprised by how fascinating, and yet simple, the technical explanations of the bridge mechanics were, and the old electronics that were on display. But what really made this museum unexpectedly wonderful was how it explained the entire history of Chicago through a very unique lens. Definitely a bit of a hidden gem.

The museum is free on Sundays and you can learn a lot about how the rivers shaped Chicago into what it is today. There are 5 floors total and the top floor has lots of amazing views. A fun 1-hour detour if youre in the area

Pretty cool place to just chill!

Very cool little museum. Very clean and friendly staff. Free on Sundays. Be prepared for stairs, it had at least 5 floors.

Great little museum. Gives great detail of the history on the river. Easy to understand.

Loved every moment!

Chicago is very beautiful. It is better to visit in summer and enjoy city walk.There are many activities to enjoy like visiting to tallest tower..museum etc.Howere look around go little inside for parking your 4 wheeler.One can get it at cheap price . parking near bean or garden is expensive.Parking near tallest tower is cheap.

Really interesting museum. Well worth the visit, especially for a bridge lift.

Cool little museum if you happen to be passing by – its very small though, I was through in 30 minutes and read every display. I recommend stopping by on Sundays if you can because thats when entry is free.

A very small, but very interesting museum. If youve ever found yourself peering around the abutments while walking under one of the many bridges in Chicago, or wondered how they operate, this museum does a great job explaining just that.Take a walk behind/beneath the Michigan Avenue Bridge, as well as a walk up (and back down) one of the bridgehouses to learn how they operate, as well as history of the Chicago bridges, and information on the ecology of the Chicago River.

Really nice little museum But very interesting museum ,an important addition to local history and helps the average Chicagoan understand the importance of the river.

Interesting museum about the history of the Chicago river, it’s a small exhibition, ~30 mins to compete.

Museum is right on the river walk. This is very small but good place to see the mechanics of bridges and learn about history of Chicago river, how they turned the direction of the river, what role does river play in Citys life and how bridges on that river operate. Museum is free on Sundays and has very well organized exhibition. If one climbs the stairs, will get beautiful view of the streets

Very interesting museum if you like history. Youll know all about Chicagos bridges and channels

Great museum. Youll learn a lot about the history of the rivers in chicago

It was a pleasant find for me. Having visited Chicago so many times I was surprised to not know about it earlier. The museum is small but covers the history of the city which revolve around Chicago river. The Bridges were important part of the city and this museum educates about all the bridges on Chicago river.Sunday Free Entry made the visit more enjoyable for me

Closed for a private event. Id even checked the website to see if it was open before heading over.

Really nice little museum, an important addition to local history and helps the average Chicagoan understand the importance of the river.

What an awesome little museum. I learned so much about Chicagos movable bridges and the Chicago River in such a short amount of time. I loved getting to see the actual guts of the Michigan Ave drawbridge up close. The video they had playing explained what made the design of Chicagos drawbridges unique, which was really interesting. The placards explaining the history of the Chicago River were fascinating, and one of them FINALLY explained how they managed to reverse the flow of the river in a way that made sense to me. And being able to look down over the river and Michigan Ave from the unique vantage point of the top of the tower was really cool.And all of this for $6! Fantastic.

This is a great place to visit to learn about the rivers, swamp land and Lake Michigan and how they influenced the development of Chicago over time, the animal and plants that call the river home, as well as the technology of the many draw bridges.

Unique. With a visit to kill a few minutes. Try on a free or discount day. I dont see it as being a good value for the regular price.

Great tour. Learned a lot about the Chicago bridges and river. Great views from 5th floor. However try to go in the fall so you can see the DuSable Bridge go up and down.

Delightful museum just on the corner of Michigan and Wacker. Is a quiet, reflective and informative setting where you learn about the river, and its part in the growth of Chicago into a world class city. Stop in, you will like whats inside, plus the unique views of the city from within.

You can see the bridge gears moving here! Check their website for dates and times. I participated in the Saturday Breakfast last time I was here. Staff is helpful in answering questions about the history of the Chicago River. Wear comfortable shoes as there are stairs to climb.

Its a quick tour but worth it! Learn the history of Chicago from the inside of one of the bridgehouses on the recently revitalized river. Additional packages available and you can even rent the place for a party.

Busy, vibrant Chicago area. So much to see and do at and near the Riverwalk!

Very cool experience. You wont find a cheaper activity in the area. Really fun.

Amazing view at this titanic machinery of a city.

Great place on the riverwalk. I work there they have a lot of great things going on down there and its even a museum right next door.

Great new museum. Nice stop for a short visit.

What brought me here was two main things. Its easily accessible when walking between Millennium Park and Navy Pier, and its free on Sundays. There are a few pleasant views and some interesting information, but I was easily distracted and not very impressed. For anyone with bad knees there are some narrow staircases and no elevator. I would not waste my time here again, as it was not for me. But to each their own.

What an awesome place!

This is a very small museum, but very interesting with views of the actual gears that raise the bridge! If you time your visit right, youll see all this in action! Bridge lifts are infrequent, but you can generally catch it every Wednesday and Saturday around mid-day during peak Spring and Fall seasons when sailboats are moving to and from the lake. This is a great stop along Chicagos terrific riverwalk promenade!

Awesome! So much history about Chicagos water in such a small and unexpected location. It is free to visit during Open House Chicago event.

A unique Chicago experience!

Good place for price.

A very interesting museum, but be prepared for lots of stairs.

Well, I actually didnt get the chance to see the exhibition of the museum because it didnt open when I was here at 10:51 on Wednesday morning. The website says it opens at 10am but there was a note on their gate saying they would open at 10:30am today. However it was still closed when I got here around 10:40am. The visitors were waiting outside. Some tried knocking on the door. Nobody answered. I tried to call but it was transferred to voice mail. I am leaving now :-(

Full disclosure: They are a client. But the Bridgehouse museum offers a great opportunity to get off Michigan avenue for a bit, see the architecture and gears of a real bridgehouse museum, and learn about the history of the Chicago River. Good views. Great for kids. Note there are stairs, and no elevator, so be ready for that.

Very neat and clean. Exciting place to attend!!!

Pros: Unique, rich source of Chicago history, friendly and informative staff.Cons: No parking, not disabled access friendly, very narrow stairs.The Bridgehouse & River Museum is a tiny gem of a museum situated in one of the most highly trafficked areas of the city by the Michigan Ave (Dusable ) Bridge. The entrance, located at the base of the southwest tower, is situated on the newly built Riverwalk which will surely enhance its exposure. The museum is very small and there are about 5 stories of narrow stairwells to climb. Nonetheless, getting a behind the scenes look inside the tower and the gears under the bridge of one of the most iconic pieces of Chicago architecture makes this well worth it. The exhibits and views are interesting and unique.

Something different to do on the river walk.

Well worth dropping in at. Good views of the city and very interesting exhibit content.

Very cool place to learn and see the mechanics of bridges. You can also get interesting views of the river and city

Very informative about the history of the Chicago River

This is a cool museum if your right downtown and want something quick, interesting, cheap, and cool to do. my daughter and i love going to weird museums as my wife calls it and this is one of the best ones we have been to. you learn a little about chicago history and you get a neat view of the people walking along michigan avenue.

Easy to find.

Love to go for a walk and cruise ride again.

Beautiful place to visit!

Five stories small museum of bridges.

Fun and inexpensive. Great history.

Great venue. Super staff.

A really interesting view of Chicagos history

Cool Informational Place!

Beautiful!!

I walked and drove past this place a few times. I never knew that there was a museum there.

Nice Museum

Nice to see the progression of the river and the city.

Quite small but free once a week. there are two entrances which is why there are multiple addresses for this place.

Great place for romance

Good!

Cool

Very unique!

Very interesting and information

Amazing

Loved it

Inexpensive and educational self tour

Very cool piece of Chicago history.

OK