Bridging the Gap (or River, in this Case): How Many Bridges Does it REALLY Take to Get to the East Side of Chicago?
Ah, Chicago. City of wind, deep dish pizza, and... a mysterious east side? That's right, folks. While the Windy City boasts a north, south, and west side that tourists flock to, the east side tends to be a bit of a forgotten relic. Maybe it's because it's guarded by a moat filled with... well, Lake Michigan. Or perhaps it's because Hollywood keeps picturing Chicago as a strictly three-sided affair (looking at you, "The Night Chicago Died").
But fear not, intrepid explorers! The east side is real, and it's spectacular in its own industrial, off-the-beaten-path way. But before you pack your fanny pack and head out, there's one burning question: how many bridges do you need to cross to get there?
The Great Chicago Bridge Caper: Separating Fact from Fiction
Hold on there, Indiana Jones. There's no secret society guarding the east side with a booby-trapped bridge crossing. Here's the deal: the east side borders the Calumet River, not another landmass. So, while you might encounter some friendly (or grumpy, depending on the traffic) tollbooth operators, there's no need to dust off your spelunking gear.
Bridge and Seek: Unveiling the East Side's Gateway
Now, onto the nitty-gritty. The number of bridges you cross depends on where you're coming from. But the main contender for east side access is the infamous (or maybe just famous to east siders) 95th Street Bridge. This bad boy is a bascule bridge, which means it raises its center section to let those fancy lake boats cruise through. Fun fact: this bridge was immortalized in the movie "The Blues Brothers" with a gravity-defying stunt we do not recommend replicating (seriously, don't try that at home).
There's also the Skyway, a towering toll bridge that whisks you over the industrial landscape like you're on a futuristic rollercoaster (minus the nausea, hopefully).
East Side Access: It's Not Rocket Science (But Maybe a Bit of Bridge Engineering)
So, the answer? It depends on your route. Buckle up for the 95th Street Bridge if you're coming in from the south, or take the scenic (and slightly pricier) route on the Skyway.
But hey, the real treasure isn't the number of bridges you cross. It's the vibrant, unique east side itself, waiting to be explored. So, pack your bags, grab a deep dish for the road, and get ready to discover a hidden gem of Chicago!
