Skip to main content

Chicago Loop Walking Tour

Recommended by 96% of travelers
Chicago, USA
  • 2 hours (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Step into the heart of Chicago with this in-depth, small-group walking tour of the Loop neighborhood, the heart of the Windy City's downtown. Stop to check out the elevated “L” train, admire historic buildings, discover lesser-known corners of this vibrant area, and view its best-known public artworks, too. You’ll come away with a deeper sense of Chicago’s rich history and architecture.
  • Keep things personal on this small-group walking tour
  • Soak up the sights and see more when you explore the city on foot
  • This tour is perfect for first-time or time-pressed Chicago visitors
  • Your guide's stories will illuminate Chicago's architecture and history

What's Included

  • Local guide
  • 2-hour small-group walking tour (max 10 guests)
  • Insider stories and architecture/history commentary
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • Chicago Cultural Center
    78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA

    We will meet by the bronze cow, located at the intersection of Washington St and Michigan Ave.

End point

  • Marquette Building
    140 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60603, USA

Operating hours
.11:00 am

Itinerary

1

Chicago Cultural Center

20 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Please contact local supplier prior to the tour to schedule a departure time on the day you selected
  • Near public transportation
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • Not recommended for those with mobility issues
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.9
based on 55 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Disappointing

Alissa_V, Apr 2026
Tour guide did not show up, did not respond to text messages, and call went to voicemail. Luckily, cultural center has free tours, which we took instead of this tour that do not happen. Amazing local guide from Chicago Greeter!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Hi Alissa, So sorry about the no-show. I had a family emergency that, unfortunately, left me with no opportunity to respond. I am glad that the Chicago Greeter Guide was able to give you a great tour. Again, my sincere apologies. Kevin

Excellent Chicago tour, including with teenagers

David_R, Aug 2025
This was a great tour. Kevin, the guide, wove together architecture, local history and social history into an interesting two hours. Our teenager took a lot away from the tour as well. Kevin was engaging and interesting.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

David, it was so fun to tour with the three of you. I truly enjoyed our time together. I trust your daughter had a great birthday! Come back and explore so.e more.

Chicago Loop Tour

Ann_S, Jun 2025
Our guide, Kevin, was the best. Very knowledgeable about a city he loves. Wonderful and very educational experience.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Ann, It was wonderful to tour with you and Steve. I'm so glad you enjoyed your first visit to Chicago. I hope to work with you again, on your next visit!

Great Fun

Jerali_S, Oct 2024
Marlin was great. He went above and beyond to make our experience wonderful. We learned so much about Chicago on his tour.

Hidden Gem!

Ann_F, Jul 2024
Kevin was friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating. You could really see his love for the city and what he does. Great balance of landmarks and unique places off the beaten path. Would definitely recommend!

Just do It!!!

jeffrey_c, Jun 2024
Guide was outstanding. Knowledgeable, proud of his city, and very friendly. I would highly recommend this tour. He runs other tours that sound great!

Amazing tour of downtown Chicago.

Paul_M, Jun 2022
Kevin gave us an amazing tour of the El. We would never have found the sites on our own. Highly recommend this for culture, history or architecture buffs. Kevin covered it all. He is very dedicated to Chicago. Hope to be back for a tour with him in the future.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Paul, thank you so much for your review. I really had a great time with you and Elizabeth. My dedication comes from wanting to be the very best, for wonderful guest, such as you and your wife. I would be honored to show more of Chicago to you, on your next visit!

Perfect architecture tour

Becky_A, May 2022
Kevin was fantastic. So knowledgeable and fun. We learned so much about Chicago’s amazing architecture and history

Response from Host, May 2022

Becky, What a pleasure it was to tour with you and Richard. Guest such as yourselves are the reason I love what I do! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. That means a lot. Visit again soon (in warmer weather!). Kevin

Chicago Downtown Loop walking tour

NADER_T, Mar 2022
Absolutely a great tour! A hidden gem! Kevin is very knowledgeable, informative and very kind. He is filled with knowledge and great insight. If you like to know more about Chicago downtown loop, it’s past, architecture and history between 1670’s to 1970’s this is a great tour. He shows you places that you could not find by your self and explain its history in great detail.

Response from Host, Mar 2022

Nader, Thank you so much for your review! I really had a fantastic time showing you the Loop. Your great questions and fantastic personality are the reasons I love being a tour guide. Hope you come back and tour again! Kevin

Excellent walking tour!

Peter_S, Jan 2022
Kevin is a wonderful guide and provided a one-on-one tour for me between Christmas and New Years. If you're visiting Chicago or looking to learn more about the city's rich history, then I recommend taking a few hours out of your day for this experience. Kevin will walk you around the Loop and through historical buildings to explain the development of the city. Highly recommend this tour and would bring my friends and family next time.

Response from Host, Mar 2022

Peter, just seeing this review now and wanted to say that I'm so pleased that you enjoyed the tour. Your questions and comments are what makes each tour new and different for me. I hope you return to the Windy City and tour with me again. Thanks for your great review!

Fantastic tour of Chicago Loop

Kerrie_B, Sept 2021
I was the only person on the tour and Kevin was amazing! His knowledge and history of Chicago were excellent. He realized that I truly love the details and spent allot of time pointing them out. Super friendly, knowledgeable, highly recommend him for any city tour. You will not be disappointed!

Response from Host, Sept 2021

Kerrie, So glad that you enjoyed your "personal" tour! Your love of art and passion for history was infectious. Guests like you make what I do amazing. Hope to tour with you again! Kevin

Kevin was a great guide!...

Gabrielle_S, Sept 2021
Kevin was a great guide! Knowledgeable and enthusiastic! We had a great tour inside many magnificent buildings! Definitely recommend this one!

Response from Host, Sept 2021

Gabrielle, It was such fun to tour the Loop with you! I am thrilled that you had a great time. I hope that this trip will have whetted your appetite and that you return to Chicago in the future. Thank you for taking the time to leave your very kind review. I truly appreciate it!

Great tour and tour guide

MICHELE_F, Aug 2021
Kevin really knows his stuff. The former Chicago Public Library and the Marshall Fields Building were particularly interesting and memorable. The weather during our visit was unusually hot and humid. Kevin took care to adjust the pace of our walk to accommodate our needs.

Response from Host, Aug 2021

Michelle, I really appreciate your review! I'm also glad that, despite such hot weather, you had a great tour. I hope to be able to show more of Chicago to you, on your next visit!

Rich, informative, entertaining walk

Zohreh_S, Jul 2021
Our guide Kevin was excellent & gave a wide ranging series of insights into history, architecture, & art. We realized these were buildings & spaces we’d walked past but never really seen. I was stunned by the abundance of mosaics. And will return.

Response from Host, Jul 2021

Zoreh, Thank you for your review! I'm thrilled to have opened your eyes to what we all look at every day, yet never really see. That is the joy and the beauty of touring. I look forward to your next visit! Kevin

Excellent! Highly Recommend!

Linda_C, Jul 2021
Excellent!! We visited Chicago for two days with a group of good friends. We did the Loop tour with Kevin on our second day and absolutely loved it! Kevin was so welcoming and friendly, and his enthusiasm and love for Chicago make the tour interesting and enjoyable. Moreover, Kevin’s deep knowledge of Chicago history and of its architectural diversity and beauty kept everyone engaged and interested for the entire tour. We will definitely recommend Kevin and will be back for another tour with him!

Response from Host, Jul 2021

Linda, I'm so glad you enjoyed our exploration of the Loop. Part of my enthusiasm comes from the energy I get from my guests. Your group was very energetic! I look forward to the next tour. Kevin

Great Tour!

Laura_R, Jul 2021
Great tour from Kevin who has both a depth of knowledge and an infectious love of his city. I felt like I know more about the city after his tour and it gave me an appreciation that far exceeded what I could get from a guidebook.

Response from Host, Jul 2021

Laura, It was such a joy to tour with you! I truly appreciate your review and that you leave with a deeper appreciation for the Windy City. Enjoy the rest of your journey and come visit Chicago again, soon! Kevin

Highly recommended

Alexander_L, May 2021
Kevin was very knowledgeable, friendly, bespoken guide. Answered all the questions from the group. Told many stories as well as profound information. He was very easily to understand despite the noice of the city (and English is not our native language)

Response from Host, May 2021

Alexander, Vielen Dank! I'm so glad you both enjoyed the tour. I truly enjoyed our conversation after the tour. The interaction with my guests is the best part of our time together. As you are close by, I hope you will come back to Chicago for another visit!

Excellent tour

Maria_D, Apr 2021
so much interesting info, being from Chicago i was really surprised at how interesting he made the tour.

Response from Host, Apr 2021

Maria, when I get guests who know Chicago, I know I need to really step it up. Your review lets me know that I did just that! Thank you so much!!! I hope you will want to explore more, in the future.

Great Chicago Walking Tour

Jeanne_B, Dec 2020
THis was a great tour and I highly recommend it. I took it during Covid and felt that it was safe to do.

Response from Host, Apr 2021

Thank you, Jeanne, for your kind review! Seeing Chicago in December, even in a pandemic, is truly special. I hope we can tour again, in the future!

Great Chicago tour

Jeanne_B, Nov 2020
Our tour guide Kevin was very informative and did a great job. I will definitely take another one of his tours next time I am in Chicago

Response from Host, Nov 2020

Jeanne, thank you for this great review! One if the silver linings to the cloud of Covid has been intrepid travelers, such as you and Mark. Your fantastic questions and inquisitive natures made for a great tour. I look forward to touring with you again! Kevin

Highly recommend

Jun_Z, Oct 2020
Kevin is very kind and knowledgeable. He knows the city and the architecture very much. The spots he picked up is unique. It is a nice experience overall!

Response from Host, Oct 2020

Jun, Thank you for sharing about your tour! Despite the weather, it was fun to explore the Loop with you. Come back again and see some more, when's it's warm! Thanks again.

Safe and sanitary, excellent tour

Lisa_C, Sept 2020
Kevin was a great person to spend time learning about Chicago History with. A few times I asked about things that weren’t necessarily in our tour tract and he kindly took time to explain the additional sites. He wore a mask the entire time, kept us socially distanced from others and utilized hand sanitizer. I appreciate and recommend him.

Response from Host, Sept 2020

Lisa, Thank you for this great review. It really was a joy to share some new things with someone who obviously loved her time living here. I hope that your entire time in Chicago was enjoyable. Hope to tour with you, on your next visit!

Wonderful Walking Tour

edmund w, Jul 2019
Kevin was both enthusiastic and knowledgeable about Chicago in general and the sites along our tour in particular. This tour keyed upon architecture located inside The Loop, and I think that Kevin was also very solid with the social and personal histories behind these buildings. I recommend this tour to anybody wanting a wonderful walking tour experience.

Response from Host, Jul 2019

Edmund, Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It is always so humbling to hear others opinions of what you pour heart and soul into. It's why I do what I do. I truly had a wonderful time with you and your lovely wife. I hope that on your next visit, I would have the privilege of sharing more of the Second City with you! Kevin

Keith Doerksen of Wild Onion Walks...

cynthia f, Apr 2018
Keith Doerksen of Wild Onion Walks was excellent...It happened to be a cold day and I was the only one on the tour, so that was very special..... Keith is so knowledgeable about his city and tailored the walk towards my interests....Next time in Chicago I will plan another tour with him, he is the best!

Highly recommend that you ask for...

Sarah N, Nov 2017
Highly recommend that you ask for Kevin to be your guide. A true Chicagoan, he is passionate about his home towns and knows the history. Crammed full of beautiful sights and interesting information.

The tour guide is so professional...

yumi o, Oct 2017
The tour guide is so professional that he made my trip rich! I also recommend that an English learner should sign up for such kind of tour, because he guides you with easy English!!

From $60.00

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 54 days in advance.

Compare Similar Experiences

1 / 3
Current
Chicago Loop Walking Tour


2 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$60.00
History and Architecture of Chicago Loop Walking Tour


2 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$30.00