Top Chicago Self-guided Tours

Dive into Chicago’s Magnificent Mile on an interactive scavenger hunt, perfect for families, friends, or team building! Guided by clues on your phone, you’ll solve puzzles, unlock local legends, and discover iconic sites like the Old Water Tower, Tribune Tower, and bustling Riverwalk—plus hidden gems along the way. Go at your own pace, compete for fun, and see the best of Chicago’s lively downtown in a whole new way. Teams of up to six welcome; no local knowledge required—just curiosity and comfy shoes.

Take your shot at completing this Chicago Scavenger Hunt around the Loop and River North neighborhoods including the Riverwalk. Complete this solo or build a ScavSquad of up to 5 people and discover the city like never before! Use clues and hints within the app to complete the objectives (if you get stuck, you can skip and go back later). Some objectives have prizes so do your best to complete as many objectives correctly. Once complete, you can view the Leaderboard to see how you did against others.

Do you love 80's movies? Explore Chicago’s cinematic history with an engaging scavenger hunt that takes you through the iconic Loop and River North. This activity invites participants to connect with the city’s rich film legacy, discovering locations where classic 80's movies were filmed. Teams will tackle fun tasks like answering movie trivia, snapping photos, and solving clues, all while immersing themselves in the vibrant architecture of the Windy City. Don’t forget to channel the spirit of the 80s by dressing up and competing against friends for a memorable experience.

Explore Chicago's cinematic history through a thrilling scavenger hunt that takes you to 12 iconic movie locations across the Loop and River North. Participants will engage with the city’s vibrant architecture and learn about its role in popular films, from classic comedies to dramatic stories. The hunt encourages teamwork as you answer questions, upload photos, and guess locations to earn points. Helpful hints in the form of movie clips and photographs will guide you along the way. Unleash your inner film buff and discover the magic of Chicago’s film scene while enjoying a fun-filled adventure with friends or family.

Become an official Chicago Explorer with the Kids Loop Treasure Hunt. This engaging scavenger hunt invites young adventurers to navigate through the iconic landmarks of Chicago, solving clever clues and completing fun challenges. Discover hidden gems from impressive silver sculptures to historic theaters while capturing memories along the way. There's no rush, just plenty of time to work as a team, think like detectives, and uncover the secrets of the city. Each clue solved brings you closer to becoming Chicago Loop Champions. The adventure awaits your first clue is ready.

This self-guided Adventure is perfect for last-minute travelers who love animals and games, and for families traveling with kids! Travelers will use the eATLAS app for directions on where to go, and what to do--map included. You can start and pause the Adventure whenever it is convenient for you. The Lincoln Park Zoo is a 35-acre complex with 200 different species from around the world, and features more than 1,100 animals, as well as programs devoted to conservation, environmental protection and education. Every December, ZooLights brings thousands of visitors to see the zoo at night festively decorated for the holiday season. And it’s all just a few miles north of downtown Chicago! There are eight objectives in our scavenger hunt, encompassing the entire grounds of the zoo, which includes the Nature Boardwalk and Farm-in-the-Zoo. The zoo is open 365 days a year, from 8 AM to 5 PM on the weekdays and 8 AM to 7 PM on holidays. There is no charge for admission.

Discover Chicago's vibrant history through an engaging scavenger hunt in Millennium Park. This interactive experience melds fun and learning as you uncover stories from the city’s founding in 1837 to its iconic landmarks. Explore notable sites like Cloud Gate and the Art Institute, while tackling quizzes that challenge your knowledge. The app-led format allows you to navigate at your own pace, making it perfect for families, friends, or dates. Capture memorable moments as you embark on this unique journey through the Windy City.

An immersive clue-solving adventure around the trendy arts neighborhood Fulton Market. Search for real-world clues, solve puzzles, and discover the neighborhood with an experience you'll never forget! Reschedule anytime with no fees. It's a scavenger hunt, escape room, and urban crawl all-in-one. Follow the storyline around town as you find clues and use them to crack codes. Then enter solutions on the app to find out where to go next. Clues can be anywhere - murals, statues, landmarks, and more! Plan on about two hours of playtime, depending on your experience level and how much time you spend exploring along the way. Difficulty level is adjustable - take as many or as few hints as you’d like! PLEASE NOTE: Bookings made less than 7 days before your play date will be scheduled for local pickup. For bookings made 7+ days in advance, our team will contact you to arrange shipping.

An immersive clue-solving adventure around Old Town. Search for real-world clues, solve puzzles, and discover the neighborhood with an experience you'll never forget! Reschedule anytime with no fees. It's a scavenger hunt, escape room, and urban crawl all-in-one. Follow the storyline around town as you find clues and use them to crack codes. Then enter solutions on the app to find out where to go next. Clues can be anywhere - murals, statues, landmarks, and more! Plan on about two hours of playtime, depending on your experience level and how much time you spend exploring along the way. Difficulty level is adjustable - take as many or as few hints as you’d like! PLEASE NOTE: Bookings made less than 7 days before your play date will be scheduled for local pickup. For bookings made 7+ days in advance, our team will contact you to arrange shipping.

A puzzle adventure from the Bean to the Chicago River. Solve six objectives, walk about a mile, and see downtown Chicago like nobody else does. Six stops. Clues hidden in sculpture, fountains, columns, bridge towers and stone. Each one you crack unlocks the next. Part scavenger hunt, part brain teaser, all through Millennium Park and up the Magnificent Mile. Chicago flies four red stars on its flag, each a moment the city could have ended and didn’t. You’ll spot details everyone else walks right past and piece together the words the city left behind. The kind of stuff that makes someone say “wait, seriously?” Between stops, a short audio transmission from Operations Center tells you what you found and where to go next. Snap the hidden small door and our AI analyst confirms it for a bonus badge. No tour guide. No schedule. Your field guide is delivered straight to your phone, with no app or login needed. Hints are built in so you’re never stuck.

A puzzle adventure made for kids, all inside Millennium Park. Solve four objectives, walk about a third of a mile, and see the park like nobody else does. Four stops, no streets to cross. Clues hidden near a giant mirrored sculpture, a fountain of a thousand faces, the space under the Bean and a curved row of white columns. Each one your young agents crack unlocks the next. Part scavenger hunt, part brain teaser, sized for small detectives. Someone left a secret message in the park, one word at a time, in steel and stone. Kids count, spot names and hunt for words most grown-ups walk right past. Between stops, a short audio transmission from Operations Center tells your agents what they found and where to go next. Find a door too small for most grown-ups, snap a photo, and our AI analyst confirms it for a bonus badge. No tour guide. No schedule. Your field guide is delivered straight to your phone, with no app or login needed. Hints are built in so no one gets stuck.

Escape the bustle of the city during this one or two-hour kayak rental along Lake Michigan in downtown Chicago. Experience the serene waters of the iconic lake as you paddle at your own pace in a single or tandem kayak, enjoying views of Chicago’s famous skyline. Take breaks along nearby urban beachfronts, with the option to extend your rental time. Stand-up paddleboards are also available for rental.

S. Silvera Charters offers a unique luxury yacht rental for those looking to create unforgettable memories on the water. Perfect for special events or leisurely cruising, this charter allows you to set your own schedule and enjoy a personalized experience. With a minimum rental of three hours, you can relax on board while exploring beautiful coastal views. Captain's fees are separate, ensuring a tailored experience for your group. - Exclusive yacht rental for luxury experiences - Flexible scheduling with afternoon and evening options - Minimum three-hour rental for ample exploration - Personalized service with optional captain at an additional fee

Rent a premium Yamaha VX jet ski and ride the waves on Lake Michigan with Rev & Ride Adventures. Offering flexible 1 hour ride times, this is a great opportunity to explore the stunning Chicago lakefront. Enjoy a hassle-free experience with online bookings, safety briefings, and included life jackets. Perfect for locals and tourists looking for fun on the water, our jet skis are well-maintained to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride. - Conveniently located at 63rd Street Beach in Jackson Park - Hassle-free online booking with premium safety gear included - Ideal for both first-time riders and experienced adventurers