Top Illinois Walking Tours

Eat your way through downtown Chicago on a walking food tour. Visit Millennium Park, the Palmer House Hotel, and other city landmarks and taste quintessential Chicago foods such as deep-dish pizza, hot dogs, and chocolate brownies. All food tastings are included, and the tour covers an easy 1.5 miles (2.4 km) suitable for most fitness levels. A bike or kayak rental is also included in the tour cost.

Experience Chicago like a true insider on this top-rated walking tour that blends the city’s most iconic food, awe-inspiring architecture, and rich history — all in one unforgettable day. From deep-dish pizza to legendary skyscrapers, you’ll taste, see, and learn what makes the Windy City a world-class destination. Led by expert local guides and limited to just 12 guests, this immersive, small-group tour is the perfect way to discover the real Chicago — not just the tourist spots.

Discover the hidden gems of Chicago’s Loop area on a walking tour that showcases the best of the neighborhood’s stunning interiors and architectural must-sees. Step behind the facades to explore beautifully designed interiors—from art deco spaces to stained glass mosaics—as you follow a carefully curated route led by a guide. Along the way, learn about the city’s architecture, art, and history, and experience a side of Chicago often missed by travelers, all from a local’s perspective.

Swap the standard Chicago itinerary for the chance to experience a whole different side to the city. Walk in the footsteps of Al Capone and John Dillinger while hearing tales of Chicago's haunted past. This walking tour takes you to prohibition-era speakeasies, sites of real life mob shootouts, and provides special access to places tied to historical events that have shaped Chicago.

There are lots of ways to take in Chicago’s architectural sights, but most tours don’t mix things up by teaching you about the city’s dark criminal past. On this combination architecture and true crime walking tour, explore with a local guide and listen to intriguing stories as you explore downtown landmarks such as Chase Tower, Palmer House, and much more.

Make the most of your visit to the Art Institute of Chicago with a local, Chicago-based company that knows the museum inside and out. Whether you’re an art aficionado or a beginner, this opportunity lets you learn about the museum and its pieces through the eyes of an art historian guide without the crowds. Enhance your visit by hearing the stories behind major works.

First-time visitors to Chicago seeking a quick overview of the city will enjoy this 90-minute small-group walking tour. Your guide will take you to some of Chicago’s most beautiful and interesting buildings, including the Tribune Tower, the Art Institute, the Willis Tower, and more. Learn about Chicago’s architecture, history, and culture while getting your bearings.

Explore the hidden side of Downtown Chicago—and see sights that even many locals miss—on a small-group walking tour of the Pedway (an underground network of tunnels that connects Chicago buildings) and the vibrant Loop. Ideal for architecture fans, this tour includes insider stories and landmarks you wouldn't spot on your own—plus a chance to see Windy City icons like the Picasso Statue and Millennium Park.

Lovers of history, true crime, and haunted mysteries rejoice—skip the generic sightseeing tours and learn about Chicago’s dark underbelly with this mob history tour. Follow your guide through historic streets and alleys from Grant Park to the “Alley of Death”—also known as West Couch Place—as you learn about the city’s gritty mobsters, doomed ghosts, crime, and vice.

This walking tour is a feast for the eyes, combining art, architecture, and history as you navigate through bustling downtown Chicago. In a small group, you’ll marvel at skyscrapers and mosaic murals as you discover stories and secrets about the city’s past. See the stunning interiors and exteriors of noteworthy buildings and leave with a comprehensive understanding of the city’s downtown.

Travel through architectural history on this express, small-group walking tour, which covers Chicago's most famous buildings in chronological order (and which is speedy enough to cater to the most time-pressed travelers). With a guide in the lead, there's no need to fuss over maps or worry about directions. Simply stroll along and listen to the in-depth commentary on Chicago's architectural history; you'll learn about each building, and will have plenty of chances to stop for photos.

This tour is ideal for first-time visitors or anyone eager to discover the city’s most iconic Top Attractions and Highlights on a guided Chicago Walking Tour. During this 2-hour Walking Tour of Chicago, stroll through downtown’s beautiful streets as expert local guides share rich history, colorful characters, and insider tips to enhance your list of Things to do in Chicago. Your experience includes a FREE 2-hour bike or kayak rental—bike the Lakefront Trail or kayak on Lake Michigan for unforgettable skyline views. Bobby’s Bike Hike tours are nationally recognized by National Geographic, USA Today, and Condé Nast Traveler for excellence in storytelling and urban exploration. You’ll see the landmarks that define Chicago: Millennium Park, the Chicago Riverwalk, the Wrigley Building, the Chicago Theatre, and the famed Magnificent Mile. Covering 1.5 miles (2.25 km) of easy, flat terrain, this tour offers a complete and memorable introduction to the city.

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.

Discover what makes Chicago's local pizza so famous on this small-group walking tour. Try a variety of different pizza styles—including deep-dish, Neapolitan, Roman, and artisanal—before deciding which one you like best. As you explore the city, learn more about Chicago's culinary history and culture, and spot key city landmarks en route.

With this AI app, you're no longer restricted to crowded group tours or rigid scripts. Explore iconic Chicago sites like Millennium Park and the Magnificent Mile—or dive deep into 1920s mobster hangouts and hidden Prairie Style masterpieces. Ask about literally anything that catches your eye—from a Gilded Age historic district to a secret jazz club or a towering steel-and-glass skyscraper. The Windy City's deepest secrets are entirely yours to uncover. Point & Discover: Snap a photo of any monument or museum masterpiece to instantly receive a captivating and accurate story. It’s like having a historian in your pocket! Ultimate Freedom: Navigate seamlessly with interactive map-based audio tours. Your schedule, your pace, your rules. Choose Your Vibe: Select a narrator persona that matches your style—from a deep-diving scholar to a fun companion for the kids. Get Started: 7 Days of Premium Access available instantly for iPhone and Android.

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.

Discover one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s enduring masterpieces—and learn all about the Prairie school of architecture—when you visit his Oak Park Home and Studio. Known as the birthplace for Wright’s vision of American architecture, the landmark is recognizable for its flowing rooms and rich, wooden textures. Book your ticket before you travel to guarantee your admission: you can join a tour offered by the venue.

Leave behind the stuffy, slow-moving tour groups and explore Chicago’s Millennium Park on your own with a private, self-guided app tour. Using just your smartphone, pausing as you like, you’ll learn all about “The Bean,” Lurie Garden, Crown Fountain, and more. With your GPS cuing your audio experience, this tour lets you go at your pace, style, and time, with lifetime access and no expiry.

Discover a side of the Windy City that many visitors overlook—and immerse yourself in its vibrant street art scene—on this urban walking tour. With your art-expert guide in the lead, you can focus on soaking up the city's ambiance, and spotting artworks and murals you may not have discovered on your own. As you go, listen to in-depth commentary about the artists and artworks, and explore some of the city's hippest neighborhoods.

Admire some of the Windy City's most iconic views—and enjoy a time-saving, relaxing way to sightsee—aboard this pet-friendly Chicago River architecture boat tour. With commentary from your onboard guide, watch the spectacular skyline glide by, including dozens of notable buildings, like the Wrigley Building and the John Hancock Building. In just one tour, you cover multiple branches of the Chicago River and learn insider facts and stories you'd otherwise miss.

Explore Chicago's buzzing food scene—and see some of its best-known landmarks on the way—on this two-in-one walking tour. The small group size offers are more intimate experience as you stroll around the vibrant Loop area, spotting highlights from the Willis Tower to the Rookery building. Indulge in a variety of famous Chicago foods, from deep-dish pizza to the world-famous dipped Italian beef sandwiches.

Get a front row perspective on the exquisite buildings that line the Chicago River during a 45-minute architecture cruise. Hear live commentary about the history and architectural heritage of Chicago on this family-friendly tour, which highlights landmarks such as the Chicago Riverwalk, Michigan Avenue Bridge, Wrigley Building, and Willis Tower. Sit on the open-air top deck or the sheltered bottom deck for the ultimate view of Chicago.

Discover Pilsen, one of Chicago’s most vibrant neighborhoods, known for its colorful street art, rich Mexican heritage, historic architecture, and thriving local culture. This locally led Pilsen walking tour offers an authentic, insider experience beyond typical Chicago sightseeing. - Pilsen-based experts with 40+ years of combined experience - Explore iconic sites like 16th Street murals, Thalia Hall, and local cultural landmarks - Official Pilsen tour partner of the Chicago History Museum - Bilingual tours available in English and Spanish - Multiple routes and flexible options, including walking, running, or biking tours