The Chicago Theatre Tour Experience
Chicago, USA
- 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Enjoy access to areas of the theater that the public don't often see
- Learn about the intricate details found in the lobby and auditorium
- Discover history that you might miss if not accompanied by a guide
- Please note that the itinerary may change on concert days
What's Included
- Fully Guided Tour of The Chicago Theatre
- Free Wi-Fi inside the building
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- The Chicago Theatre175 N State St, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
175 N. State Steet, Chicago - located under the marquee on State Street between Lake Street and Benton Place. Also accessible by public transportation.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
The Chicago Theatre
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Please note tour content is subject to change based on events in the building and that some tours can take up to 75 minutes. There is no stage or dressing room access on event days
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.0
based on 55 reviews
Michael_B, May 2026
The tour will likely not include the backstage portion or allow you to go on stage as expected and advertised. I feel that we should be given a refund. C'mon Viator people, please be honest.
paul_w, Mar 2026
Very friendly staff. Learned a lot more than I thought I would. Answered any questions that was given.
Ervin_B, Feb 2026
Great experience. We were going to a show that night so we wanted to to check out the venue prior. Jackie our tour guide was amazing. If you are stateside, be sure to download the pass prior.
Tara_G, Jan 2026
What a fun time! The theatre is beautiful. Loved that we were able to go on stage and see the dressing rooms. If you're a theatre lover, this is a must.
Steve_K, May 2025
it’s educational and enjoyable. The theater is very ornate and beautiful. Truly full of historical events and fascinating facts
Chad_M, May 2025
This tour was awesome and the tour guides were extremely knowledgeable. I highly recommend this tour if you are in to history or the arts.
ahardcastle, Apr 2025
This was a fun tour. The ushers were young, energetic, and gave a lot of random facts. The theater was absolutely beautiful and my favorite part was the organ!
Earl_T, Mar 2025
The tour guides are very nice and helpful. There is so much wonderful history in Chicago. Thanks for sharing.
Jason_S, Mar 2025
The building is gorgeous full of history, great tour guides and a fun look at the theatre from backstage and all the signatures were awesome!!
Christopher_C, Sept 2024
Interesting to hear about the history of this iconic building.
Always good to see behind the scenes.
To hear the organ played and visit the dressing room was great.
Jeffrey_Z, Sept 2024
Rebeclyn and John were wonderful guides as we learned about the history of this historic theater. The tour lasted a little longer than expected which was fine as we were enjoying our stay. This is a must tour if you are visiting Chicago.
ROSE_A, Jun 2024
John our guide, was great. Beautiful theatre, enjoyed hearing the organ! Learning the history was not what we expected.
Rocio_L, Jun 2024
The tour guides were so upbeat and had good energy. Very knowledgeable and funny. It is a beautiful landmark.
denisec262, Jun 2024
Excellent tour! Knowledge of the three doing tour was incredible! Would highly recommend! Their enthusiasm was spectacular with humor added in!❤️
Patricia_M, May 2024
The knowledge and passion displayed by the tour guides on the history of the theatre and their engaging personalities and professionalism in answering all of the tour attendees' questions made the tour an awesome experience. We loved how we were able to experience the playing of the organ, especially the sound effects which we never realized the potential of an organ and its great significance to the events/performances of many shows performed at the theatre. The information and historical facts presented on the construction and renovation in bringing the theatre back to its original glory was such a refreshing story to hear especially in today's world where some of our historical structures/halls, etc. don't get a second chance. Great job and best wishes to your tour guides in reminding us of a very special place that should continue on for years to come in making memories and smiles.
Brandy_M, Jan 2024
To be honest we were not able to do this tour. But my review is for the way the theater handled it. There was several others who showed for the tour as well. We all bought tickets thru Viator. When we arrived the gentleman at the theater was really rude about it and did not even try to resolve the issue, which was, the theater only does tours on Monday and Tuesday. But it is still open for bookings on days the theater does not do tours. The theater is 100% responsible to remove the booking from the Viator site on days they are closed. Handled poorly by theater.
Sheryl_S, Nov 2023
The tour was only 1 hour. Hearing about the historical aspects of the theatre was interesting. Would have liked to see more backstage and dressing rooms.
shawnelle_c, Sept 2023
Wow! What a beautiful building. Loved the whole tour. Lots of time to absorb all the beauty. Or tour guide even played the original organ for us. Loved being on the stage and seeing the dressing rooms and wall where the performed sign their names. Would definitely recommend this tour.☺️
Michael_P, Oct 2022
We arrived as instructed for what was clearly labeled as a behind-the-scenes tour of the historic Chicago theater.
There is no such tour. It does not exist.
We were told by theater security (who was kind enough to step outside and talk to us), that there has not been a tour of the theater in over three years.
Shame on you variator for advertising something that clearly does not exist.
I am awaiting my refund.
Louise_M, Oct 2022
There are no tours of the theatre. Was present with other customers, all of whom were unhappy with buying useless tickets. I emailed company for refund. Hope tour comes around my next trip here.
Ryan_C, Feb 2020
Tour guide was excellent and the Theatre is just amazing. From the history to the breathtaking details of its structure, it is a must see on your trip to Chicago!
Maki_K, Nov 2019
It was a fun tour. My friend and I enjoyed learning the history of the Chicago theatre and seeing beautiful theatre interior decoration. It was a lot more fun than we expected!
Lily N, Oct 2019
I was so disappointed that when i arrived the venue, it had a sign showing that ‘The tour was cancelled due to private event’ No information from viator before. However, when I searched the official website, such information was shown on their web already. Finally, had spend some time dealing with Viator to get my refund.
selinabalerina, Sept 2019
I gave the tour 4 stars because the building is an icon that you must see. Our tour guide was fun and up tempo. The only downside was the security measures. It kind of set of the tone wrong. It was either a bit much, or if required a worry as too what could happen on the tour...
Thomas J, Sept 2019
I've lived in Chicago all my life but never took this tour before. Our guide was excellent, knowledgable, funny and tried to get to know each of us on the tour. He knows the theater well. He's a little hazy on Chicago history dates: when the Lake Street el and State Street subway were built. But overall a good job.
TallieO_Y, Aug 2019
The theatre is absolutely beautiful! Outlet tour guide, Hillary was very knowledgeable and friendly. We had a wonderful time.
Christiane_M, Aug 2024
Great Tour! Lebendige Führung mit beeindruckenden facts! Sehr zu empfehlen- wer auf alte Pracht steht…. Bitte nicht enttäuscht sein, wenn man europäische Barockbauten und Gemälde kennt. 😉
DiegoFernando_L, Jul 2024
Visita muy completa al interior del teatro una muy linda experiencia con guías profesionales y simpáticas
KarenLissette_S, Apr 2024
Excelente! El mejor tour pagado. Las guías explicaron todo y recorrimos todo el teatro. Fue verdaderamente hermoso conocer el lugar.
LUZA, Oct 2022
No hubo recorrido… desde hace tres años no hacen recorridos pero si me hicieron el cobro….reclamo mi reembolso
From $30.00
per person-You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
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The Chicago Theatre Tour Experience
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Free Cancellation
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