Top Chicago Pop Culture

Explore a new side of Chicago and the city's gangster past on this mafia tour in a coach vehicle. Drive around the Windy City to see where Al Capone, The Untouchables, Hymie Weiss, John Dillinger, and more famous figures hung out. There are ample chances to get out of the bus and pose for pictures in front of a historic courthouse, among other infamous sites.

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.

Discover the architectural gems of the Windy City from an ideal vantage point—and learn insider facts and stories about the city's top attractions—on this Chicago River cruise. Travel in comfort aboard a boat equipped with both indoor and outdoor seating areas. Covering more than 130 years of architectural history, this tour is the perfect opportunity to see a huge area of the city without the hassle of taxis and public transit.

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.

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.

See Chicago from a different perspective on this evening cruise that explores the city’s darker side. As twilight settles over the skyline, glide along the Chicago River while hearing chilling tales of disasters, infamous criminals, and eerie legends tied to the city’s past. This relaxed river cruise blends atmospheric storytelling with some of the best nighttime views of Chicago’s renowned skyline and landmarks. Grab a drink from the onboard bar, settle in, and let the city’s shadowy history unfold as you cruise through the heart of downtown. By the end of the journey, you’ll have experienced Chicago’s skyline in a whole new way—while uncovering the chilling events, legends, and mysteries that shaped the city. Please arrive 30 minutes in advance!

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.

Book in advance to take this popular tour that details the mob history of Chicago during the Prohibition Era (1920s-1930s). Learn about the exploits of gangsters like Capone, Dillinger, Moran, and others as you travel by minibus to sites like the Biograph Theater, Holy Name Cathedral, and St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Your guide adopts gangster attire and characteristics that add dramatic flair to the historical commentary.

Uncover the notorious history of Chicago's gangster era on this immersive bus tour that takes you through the city's most infamous landmarks. Visit the Palmer House, where Al Capone once mingled, and pass the Congress Hotel, rumored to be haunted by ghostly figures. Drive through Grant Park to learn about H.H. Holmes and the chilling Iroquois Theatre Fire. At each stop, delve into gripping tales of rivalries, secret doors, and tragic events that shaped Chicago's past. This tour is perfect for history buffs and those intrigued by the darker side of the city. - Explore key sites linked to Al Capone and Chicago's gangland history - Discover chilling tales of hauntings, Death Alley, and the tragic Iroquois Theatre Fire - Enjoy stops at iconic locations like the Holy Name Cathedral and Grant Park - Engage in a unique paranormal photo opportunity by the Chicago River

More than 100 years later, stories of Prohibition-era Chicago still capture the public’s imagination. But the portrayal of that era in popular culture isn't always accurate. On this tour, you’ll hear how the culture in turn-of-the-century Chicago helped bring about the 18th Amendment through stories of notorious vice districts along the Chicago River and the South Loop. We'll talk about the rise of Al Capone during the infamous “Beer Wars,” culminating in the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Along the way, we’ll talk about how the city played a role in the popular and artistic growth of jazz, and how Chicago during the Roaring Twenties has been depicted on screen, in blockbusters such as "The Untouchables" and "Chicago." Please be advised that this tour contains stories of murder and sex work. Although children are welcome on this tour, parents should use their discretion in determining whether it is suitable for those under 15.

See Chicago your way with flexible hop-on hop-off tickets designed to suit every sightseeing style. Explore the Windy City at your own pace, hopping off to visit top attractions such as Millennium Park, Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile, and the Chicago Riverwalk while enjoying onboard commentary that adds context to what you see. Perfect for first-time visitors or those short on time, this tour offers flexibility and ensures you don’t miss any of Chicago’s highlights. You can also upgrade your experience to enjoy extra sightseeing time and a panoramic sunset tour for unforgettable skyline views.

Step aboard a boat for a comprehensive cruise that details the history of Chicago's architecture. Enjoy views of the Chicago skyline accompanied by architecture-focused commentary that points out each of the landmark buildings. As you cruise through Lake Michigan, snap photos of you and your party against the stretch of Chicago's 26-mile shoreline.

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 -BOOKING: Please note the tour guide will contact you to schedule an exact time for your tour after you have completed the booking. There is no option to pick a start time.

Discover the dark side of the Windy City on this nighttime crime history bus tour of Chicago. Through your expert guide's rich storytelling, immerse yourself in tales of notorious mobsters like Al Capone, Frank Nitti, and Bugs Moran as you explore infamous crime scenes including the site of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.

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.

Take the best ghost tour in Chicago! Go inside 6/8 old buildings, learn about what makes them haunted and what also makes them cool! Learn from expert guides what makes Chicago one of the spookiest places in the world! Note, tour does not finish where it starts

From the Gotham chaos in The Dark Knight to the explosive battles of Transformers, Chicago’s skyline has played a starring role in countless blockbusters. On today’s Chicago Film and Television Tour, you'll explore the city through the lens of movie magic. Begin at one of Chicago’s most iconic theaters, seen in The Blues Brothers and Transformers. Stroll through downtown streets flanked by skyscrapers featured in the Joker’s money truck chase scene in The Dark Knight. At Union Station, relive the dramatic staircase sequence from The Untouchables, where Kevin Costner’s character battles criminals as a baby carriage tumbles down. Visit the University of Chicago, whose Gothic architecture and academic prestige have made it a popular filming location. Along the way, admire Chicago’s rare mechanical lift bridges and architectural wonders that make the city a perfect backdrop for filmmakers. In Chicago, every corner holds a scene, and every street tells a story—waiting for you to explore.

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.

Step into the shadows of Chicago’s past on this adults-only haunted pub crawl, where ghost stories, historic landmarks, and legendary nightlife collide. Beginning near the iconic Palmolive Building, this guided experience takes you through the city’s Gold Coast and beyond, uncovering the eerie aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire and the restless spirits it may have left behind. Along the way, you’ll visit a curated mix of historic sites and local bars, blending chilling storytelling with time to grab a drink and soak in the atmosphere. Adults 21+ only, must have valid I.D.

For sightseers looking to put a spooky spin on their night and avoid the overpacked city tours that tell history most of us already know, this Chicago Family-Friendly Ghost Tour is just the thing. Stop at popular Chicago attractions, including the Flying Dragon sculpture, the Chicago Stock Exchange Arch, the Abraham Lincoln statue, and Buckingham Fountain, while a guide tells you ghost stories along the way.

Hook up with a paranormal investigator to tour Chicago's Lincoln Park and look for paranormal activity. Stroll through the neighborhood and learn about the Great Fire of 1871, Suicide Bridge, the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, and visit Lincoln Park, and the old City Cemetery. You'll get the chance to try out some of the ghost-detecting equipment.

Lots of tours help you explore Chicago’s historic streets, but most avoid the grittier details that have helped shape the city over the decades. But this small-group walking tour doesn’t shy away from the gruesome details. Listen to tales of gangsters, restless spirits, and local disasters as you navigate some of Chicago’s most popular landmarks.

Our Original Bus Tour is a deep dive into Chicago's most notorious era. Taking you to neighborhood gems you may not find on your own, grab a drink and enjoy the history of the men, women and locations (famous and infamous) that helped shape Chicago as we know it today.