The ‘Chicago Rat Hole’ Is the Hottest Tourist Destination of 2024

Chicago natives and tourists alike are flocking to a humble stretch of sidewalk dubbed the "Chicago Rat Hole" — where a rodent apparently fell from above to create a permanent indentation in the wet concrete more than a decade ago.

The rat seems to have splatted onto the concrete while it was still wet, forever leaving its mark outside 1918 West Roscoe Street in North Side, Chicago's Roscoe Village neighborhood.

Local comedian Winslow Dumaine posted a photo of the beloved hole on X over the weekend, ushering in a new generation of devotees.

The post was viewed more than 4.7 million times and prompted several commenters to leave selfies of their own recent visits.

At least one pilgrim even left a small bouquet of flowers in remembrance of the long-deceased rodent.

"Drink of its water and be healed," another user declared.

The imprint has existed for at least a decade, judging by an 11-year-old Reddit debate about its origins.

"Fell, or was pushed?" one user asked in that exchange.

Others questioned whether the hole even came from a rat at all, citing a squirrel as the most likely culprit based on the mold's body shape.

It's not clear if the rodent ever escaped, especially because there's no trail leading away from its imprint — although some users pointed out there appear to be small paw indentations nearby.

Rats are highly resilient and capable of safely falling from heights of around 50 feet, according to AAA Wildlife Control.

They can tread water for three days straight and can hold their breath underwater for up to three minutes.

A recent investigation by local outlet Block Club Chicago revealed that the city is having trouble controlling its rat population, which exploded during the pandemic.

Chicagoans made about 50,000 rat complaints in 2022 alone. Pest control company Orkin has named Chicago the nation's "rattiest" city nine years in a row.