Chicago Architecture and True Crime Tour
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Chicago, USA
- 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- A walking tour helps you uncover details you’d otherwise miss
- Explore the city without having to plan a route or handle logistics
- Learn a city of Chicago that most guidebooks don’t teach you
- Enjoy the chance to socialize with like-minded true crime-lovers
What's Included
- Local guide
- Gratuity
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 118 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60603, USA
We’ll meet under the Palmer House canopy on the Wabash side, right next to Poké Poké.
End point
- 1n N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA
5 minute walk from starting point
Itinerary
1
Palmer House Hilton Historic Lobby
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Downtown / The Loop
1 hour 10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Chase Tower
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 999 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 377 reviews
sailelan, May 2026
We booked it last minute and we actually like the 7 pm tour because we flew in late and we were happy to get a tour in. We truly enjoyed all the fun facts about Chicago. Absolutely love walking around as sun was sitting, it makes Chicago more magical. Joseph our guide was helpful answering all the questions and he was our very own photographer. Definitely will recommend to friends and family.
Kevin_F, May 2026
David was a delightful, informative and entertaining guide. If you like true crime and architecture, this is the tour for you!
Okeema_P, May 2026
Roan was our tour guide and he did a fantastic job. The meet up was easy to find, Uber was able to drop us off right in front of Palmer House and we saw a small group and assumed “this must be it”. I really enjoyed learning some of the “crime story” history of Chicago, it was truly fascinating. As visitors to Chicago, we had explored downtown prior to the tour however, the tour really provided a different experience that made “downtown” seem like a “different” downtown as we learned some of the architectural history.
The stories were told with such passion that you would have thought Roan was there; he knows his stuff! My daughter, a senior in college, who enjoys history had heard some of the history and shared with me after about a particular story, “I’ve heard that story before (I won’t spoil it…lol), but I’ve never heard it told like that; I really enjoyed it”.
Our tour was a small group of 4 and at times it was hard to hear due to the “city noise”, I imagine if we were larger the guide would have used a mic; it worked for just 4, we could gather closer when needed.
I would absolutely recommend!
Sue_S, May 2026
We have done many Chicago tours, walking, on the train, bus, river boat, and this one was BY FAR the best one we’ve ever done. Our guide, David, was knowledgeable and professional. Learned so much about Chicago that I never knew! And I’ve done a lot of reading about the city over the years. Totally worth the time!!
Tracy_H, Apr 2026
Great guide, he was very knowledgeable and his stores were entertaining! I would recommend this to anyone.
Jacquelin_F, Apr 2026
David was an amazing guide, very personable & extremely informative. We highly recommend this tour. We look forward to booking another tour soon.
Linda_P, Apr 2026
Tour guide David confirmed my tour the day of my tour--which I found comforting and professional. This young man is a walking encyclopedia! He shared extensive fascinating history and information about Chicago's architecture and crime background. I was absolutely amazed with his enthusiasm, energy, and expertise! David truly loves what he does! I learned so such in such a short time. Our 1 hours and 45 minutes walking tour flew. The next time I visit Chicago I will take David's tour again. He is an absolute delight--and such a gifted teacher!
Michelle_K, Apr 2026
Great tour and stories both on the true crime and the buildings and architects themselves. David did a great job as our guide.
Gianella_F, Apr 2026
Very interesting tour! Learned some new things about Chicago! Got to see inside some cool buildings that I would have never thought to visit. Roan did a great job!
Kimberly_C, Apr 2026
This was such a fun and delightful tour with David! He is a great storyteller. His insight and passion for Chicago architecture and crime lore stayed with us long after the tour was over.
The 90 minutes flew by though we were fortunate to have good weather. There were many stops along the way that brought us inside some remarkable spaces.
Overall, we highly recommend David and this tour experience! 10 out of 10!
Lydia_S, Apr 2026
It was a great experience. I got to visit places I’ve never been to and hear some very interesting stories.
Lorie_K, Apr 2026
My daughter & I enjoyed seeing some of Chicago’s historical landmarks! Tour guide was very knowledgeable. Highly recommend the tour!
Tyler_M, Apr 2026
Small size tour, pacing and amount of walking just perfect. Knowledgeable guide in David. Enjoyed our time learning.
Markie_B, Mar 2026
We needed something to do for a couple hours until we had to head to the airport. We looked into one of the boat architecture tours, but sadly, they were all booked. This ended up being an amazing thing, because we REALLY enjoyed our tour and time with David. David is clearly passionate about the information he presents and it was lovely spending time with him. The buildings we viewed were beautiful and it was great to place factual information into how things came to be. I would recommend to anyone and the true crime information was a really fun addition to the tour!
Leslie_W, Mar 2026
This tour is as the perfect mix of architecture, history, true crime, and pop culture for us—a little something for everyone. We loved that most of the stops were indoors so we could hear our guide well and dip out of the blustery cold for a bit each time.
Karen_P, Dec 2025
We had a great time! Joseph is passionate about his job! We went on a bitter cold day and enjoyed popping in and out of the different venues!
JessicaBredemus, Dec 2025
Super fun and interesting tour. We joined at the last minute as something to do while in Chicago for the day. Saw a lot of different buildings and learned about the history and architecture. Plus a perfect blend of creepy murder history as well.
Kaitlyn_K, Dec 2025
Great tour! Joseph was very informative and gave a great tour hitting all the highlights. Also stops inside a lot which is nice for the cold days. Would definitely recommend!
Lauren_S, Dec 2025
This tour was fascinating and Joseph was such an engaging tour guide! A majority of the tour was spent inside looking at interior architecture, with brief walks outside to get to the next destination (much appreciated on this 10 degree winter day!) Would definitely book again
Lucy_W, Dec 2025
I was a little worried to do this in the winter, but it was a wonderful balance of time spent indoors and outdoors. Kris was so knowledgeable and engaging and we both had a great time!
Margaret_S, Nov 2025
My husband and I had a great time on this tour. Our guide David was very knowledgeable and passionate. The buildings were spectacular and the true crime stories were wild.
Jen_S, Nov 2025
There is quite a bit of walking, partly indoors partly outdoors. Very enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide.
Stefanie_H, Nov 2025
Great tour with a perfect combination of architecture and crime. David was a great guide and answered all our questions and more!
Genevieve_G, Nov 2025
Joseph is obviously super passionate about this tour. Loved his extra timid bits in between the spiels. Will definitely be recommending this tour to people in the future.
Chloe_P, Nov 2025
Great tour guide was really knowledgeable! Had a lot of fun and learned a lot of cool things! Would definitely recommend!
Victor_M, Nov 2025
Get ready to have your mind blown on so many real facts on Chicago architecture! You will get your steps in while listening to some bone chilling events!
Donna_R, Nov 2025
Knowledgeable and friendly tour guide. Learned a lot about the city and despite being cold we thoroughly enjoyed it. Would highly recommend!
Madelyn_L, Nov 2025
We had such an awesome time! Roan was a great guide and was really knowledgeable. The tour covered the perfect amount of content. We got to go inside a few really interesting buildings, hear some good history/stories, and see a lot of the city. I felt like we saw and learned a ton in just an hour and a half! Definitely worth the money and would recommend to anyone visiting!
Taylor_L, Nov 2025
Johnathan was great! Very informative & had a great voice for storytelling & setting the scene. He was very personable & even had some good stories that weren’t related to Chicago’s architecture, haha. Would definitely recommend!
Victoria_T, Nov 2025
It was a casual walking tour of the beautiful architecture in Chicago, coupled with true crime stories.
From $35.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Chicago Architecture and True Crime Tour
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