Top Chicago Cultural Tours

The Art Institute of Chicago houses one of the finest American and Impressionist painting collections in the world, but it can be overwhelming to explore on your own. Remove the guesswork and maximize your time inside the museum on a private tour that covers major highlights by Picasso, Chagall, Warhol, Hopper, and others. Plus, there's no waiting to get inside, as the tour includes a skip-the-line ticket.

Enjoy the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes at one of the Windy City's most storied venues on this insider tour of the Chicago Theater. Let your guide lead the way, as you hear about the theater's architecture, history, and famous performers throughout the years. Stand on the famed stage and take in the atmosphere, and see artist signatures from notable performers, including Frank Sinatra and Dolly Parton. A great activity for fans of music and live performance.

Explore Chicago by Segway with the benefit of a scenic 7- or 8-mile tour led by your guide. Start with an orientation to operating the Segway and a few minutes to practice. Then roll through the paths of Grant Park to Buckingham Fountain and glide along the Chicago lakefront to view attractions such as Museum Campus, Shedd Aquarium, The Field Museum, and Soldier Field, homefield for the Chicago Bears.

Immerse yourself in one of Chicago's most vibrant neighborhoods—and head off the tourist trail to discover sights and bites many visitors miss—on this small-group Chinatown food and walking tour. With your guide in the lead, learn about the cuisine of different regions of China, and discover the history of Chicago's Chinatown. Along the way, enjoy a generous array of tastings, from dim sum to Sichuan cuisine and beyond.

Experience Chicago in a new way on this small-group Segway tour. Visit Chicago’s "front yard," and see more of the sights in less time. Glide along the fragrant floral paths of Grant Park to the famous Buckingham Fountain. Then, travel along the banks of Lake Michigan to the Museum Campus for top-notch views of the city’s iconic skyline. Guided Segway training and helmets are included, making this a beginner-friendly tour.

Explore Chicago’s historic Loop through the prism of its architecture. This three-hour trek will cover defining moments from 350 years of Chicago’s history, including the first Europeans to come through here, the Great Chicago Fire, the origin of the skyscraper, the 1893 World’s Fair, Prohibition and the creation of Millennium Park. Along the way, you’ll discover some of the Loop’s most beautiful interiors, found in buildings that thousands of people walk past every day, completely unaware of what’s inside…And how things created inside those buildings shaped our current world for the better. You’ll hear the stories of the men and women--including Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, Daniel Burnham, Potter and Bertha Palmer, and Muddy Waters--who made Chicago what it is today, and those, like Jeanne Gang, who are defining Chicago’s architectural future.

We invite you to step inside the city’s most exclusive, jaw-dropping architectural treasures. Led by an expert local storyteller, you’ll discover breathtaking hidden spaces, from Frank Lloyd Wright’s sunlit masterpiece inside the Rookery to the world's largest Tiffany stained-glass domes at the Cultural Center and Marshall Field Building. Walk through the stunning Gilded Age luxury of the Palmer House and iconic movie backdrops along La Salle Street at a relaxed, conversational pace. We combine world-class history with photo vantage points, ending with personalized local recommendations. Don’t just see Chicago, experience it from the inside out.

Best Chinatown Food and Walking Tour in town! The Chicago’s Chinatown Food and Walking Tour is a 3-hour immersive culinary and cultural experience designed to highlight the unique tastes, rich history, and vibrant culture of Chicago’s Chinatown. This comprehensive tour combines a curated food-tasting journey with an exploration of iconic landmarks, making it the most enriching and flavorful Chinatown experience available in such a short duration. All of the restaurants and shops we pick for you are our member businesses of Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce with guaranteed food quality and hospitality! You get the most of your money and time! A minimum of 4 participants is required for this experience. If the minimum is not met, the tour may be canceled, and you will receive a full refund.

Discover Chicago's world-renowned architecture during this sightseeing cruise. Board a comfortable riverboat for a trip down the Chicago River, viewing landmarks like the Willis Tower and the Tribune Tower while listening to in-depth commentary from your guide. Then board a speedboat for an exciting ride up the shore of Lake Michigan for views of Grant Park, the Museum Campus, and other top sights.

Our tour will take you through Millennium Park, starting at the Millennium Park Welcome Center. We’ll wander past shining sculptures, playful fountains, and peaceful gardens, all while soaking in the city’s energy, ending at Queen’s Landing, where the city meets the lake, and the skyline stretches as far as you can see. You'll learn the history of the city, see the sites, learn about what you are seeing and be guided step by step by our walking tour app.

Immerse yourself in Chicago’s rich and dynamic African American heritage during this half-day tour. Highlights include interior visit to an African American museum, a stop at the birthplace of gospel music in Bronzeville, and a look at the Obama home in Hyde Park and Jennifer Hudson's childhood home.

This is not a bus tour, 90% of our tours are 11 people or less, as we specialize in small, personalized group tours. This gives us the space and time to take pictures and have great conversation! The personal, small tour approach allows travelers to have a personal tour experience of the city. With our small tour there are opportunities for questions and non-scripted conversations. A true experience. We have additional tours that accommodate large groups but this tour is geared towards sights and fluid conversations about the black starts of Chicago! The guide will take photos for you while educating you on the city and it's historical residents. On the Chicago Soul House tour, travelers tour the South Side of Chicago and can see the homes of the city's stars. The antidotes and stories are being told by someone who sang at the same lounges as Jennifer Hudson, played with Muhammad Ali as a child and traveled to Chicago during the Great Black Migration.

See the best of the Windy City, all in just half a day—and learn the stories behind its best-known sights—on this private tour. In the morning, meet your driver at your Downtown hotel, hop aboard your private vehicle, and set off with a tour guide in tow. You can look forward to seeing sights like Grant Park, Navy Pier, and Buckingham Fountain—and stopping for photo opportunities along the way.

Get an insider's introduction to Chicago's most celebrated buildings during this architecture-focused walking tour of Michigan Avenue, State Street, and the vibrant Loop area. Revisit the heyday of the skyscraper and visit stunning, art deco-era interiors, from the Palmer House Hotel to the Chicago Cultural Center. Admission to the Chicago Architecture Center is included, with an introduction by the docent.

Skip navigating around the city with a map and guidebook and explore Chicago's iconic landmarks in just a few hours on this sightseeing tour led by an expert guide. Board a comfortable, large-windowed minibus and explore Downtown and North Side neighborhoods, stopping to visit several locations and hear about the historical and cultural factors that make Chicago unique. Upgrade your tour with a popular open-top boat tour on the Chicago River that focuses on the city's renowned architecture.

Explore Chicago’s most iconic sites on a bike tour that explores Museum Campus, parks, and monuments. Follow your guide along the waterfront as you soak up the city skyline and enjoy the breeze along the easy-going route. Circle the Buckingham Fountain while you learn the history of the city’s public art, parks and museums, and capture unforgettable images of the Windy City.

Explore the highlights of Chicago’s Chinatown in just 90 minutes with our expert-guided History and Culture Tour. This tour takes you through iconic landmarks, historic streets, and cultural sites, sharing authentic stories and insights along the way. Perfect for first-time visitors or those short on time, it’s a quick yet meaningful introduction to one of Chicago’s most vibrant neighborhoods. A minimum of 2 participants is required for this experience. If the minimum is not met, the tour may be canceled, and you will receive a full refund.

A visit to the Field Museum unlocks a world of discovery with access to captivating exhibitions like the Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet and the iconic SUE the T. Rex. Explore the Grainger Hall of Gems and delve into Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories. Enhance your experience with a choice of one virtual reality adventure upon arrival, either 'Drop in the Ocean' or 'VR Transporter'. This ticket promises an enriching day filled with knowledge and wonder.

Discover one of Chicago’s most picturesque, historic neighborhoods—and learn all about the buildings that make it an architectural standout—on this small-group walking tour of Wicker Park. Meet your guide in the morning, and set off on foot: you’ll discover the 19th-century workers’ cottages that fill the neighborhood, will admire local landmarks like mansions and historic baths, and will learn all about the city’s architectural history.

On this small-group Windy City bike tour, you won't just pedal past the lakefront neighborhoods of Chicago's North Side—you'll see more of the city than you could if exploring on your own. Follow a local guide along quiet streets, city parks, and scenic beaches, starting at Lake Shore Drive and continuing along Rush Street and the Magnificent Mile. As you go, glimpse offbeat attractions like the Playboy Mansion, Oprah’s penthouse, and the Victorian houses of Old Town.

Enjoy an only-in-Chicago night out—and admire views of the city's skyline and evening fireworks shows that most visitors miss—on this Lake Michigan cruise. Make your own way to the departure point at Navy Pier, hop aboard your well-appointed vessel, and set sail. In between marveling at the views, you can purchase drinks and snacks from the on-board cash bar, if you wish.

Discover the heart of Chicago’s Chinatown with your authentic history and culture tours, exclusively offered by the official Chinatown Visitor Center. Led by experienced local guides, your tours dives deep into the neighborhood’s rich heritage, hidden landmarks, and cultural traditions. Unlike generic tours, we bring you behind the scenes with insider stories, community connections, and exclusive access to local favorites. Experience Chinatown through the eyes of those who know it best. A minimum of 2 participants is required for this experience. If the minimum is not met, the tour may be canceled, and you will receive a full refund.

Explore the surprising beauty and history of the Windy City with this combo tour of Chicago’s Millennium Park and Riverwalk! Snap a picture by the famous Cloud Gate sculpture and get away from the hustle and bustle in the city’s most iconic park. Then, stroll along the picturesque riverside, admire Chicago’s totally unique architecture, and learn the fascinating stories behind the city’s skyline. This combo is the easiest, best way to get to know this complex city! After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.