Chicago Architecture and True Crime Tour: Fourth of July Edition
Recommended by 100% of travelers
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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 450 reviews
Carol_H, Jun 2026
We had a fantastic time on the Chicago Architecture and True Crime Walking Tour! Our guide, Gus, was an outstanding storyteller—knowledgeable, engaging, and genuinely entertaining from start to finish. He blended fascinating architectural history with gripping true crime stories, making the tour both informative and fun. His enthusiasm and sense of humor kept everyone interested, and we came away with a much deeper appreciation for Chicago's history. I highly recommend this tour, especially if you're lucky enough to have Gus as your guide!
Carol_T, Jun 2026
Fun tour! Loved learning lesser known facts about the architecture and the true crime in the area. Joseph is a great guide!
danny_p, Jun 2026
Joseph is amazing! If you’ve never been to Chicago, you must do the walking tour. The crime history is incredible. And, the architecture is second to none on this continent.
Sandy_S, Jun 2026
This was a good tour of some beautiful architecture, the guide was fairly knowledgeable about the subject, and a likeable guy. There was a little true crime spread through here and there. The only downside is, he left us not where we began the tour, we had to figure out how to get back to the parking garage not knowing the city at all. It would be helpful to return to the starting point. Overall we enjoyed it.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Darn, l shoulda done a better job directing you after the tour. While we don’t finish where we start, it is only a 7 minute walk back to the Palmer House from the end point. Will make sure to emphasize giving people directions after more.
Emily_H, Jun 2026
The tour was so fun and interactive. Really appreciated the level of detail the guide put into the stories as he spoke to the history of the buildings and some of the true crime details of the area. A lot was packed in but the walk was easy to navigate. Highly recommend this tour to anyone who loves history with a true crime twist!
Jordan_E, Jun 2026
Joseph was detailed and knowledgeable about the tour! Loved the experience! Would recommend this to someone looking for a fun experience around the city
Raquel_T, Jun 2026
Lots of walking and stairs be prepared for chicago weather to change while it didn't rain during the tour after we stayed in the city for lunch and it poured
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Sorry about the too much walking, when it comes to the stairs though we do have elevators and or a ramp option for the whole tour. Will make sure the guides emphasize it more.
Dan_N, Jun 2026
A nice walking tour in the loop. Gus was a personable and extremely knowledgeable guide who ensured everyone was engaged in the tour. Great insights were provided and we saw some amazing architecture.
Barbara_M, Jun 2026
Great explanation of Chicago architecture. Joseph was a great guide. He pointed out so many buildings as well as going into some.
Highly recommended
Emily_T, Jun 2026
Joseph was very knowledgeable, personable, and his tour was well planned. Would recommend, love the crime history!
Karin_R, Jun 2026
It is a fun walk fun and you will see a great selection of beautiful interior spaces.
The guide is friendly and engaging.
Chava_W, Jun 2026
Really engaging tour. Enjoyed all of it. I’ve lived in Chicago 20+ years and I learned new stories. Highly recommend
Michael_C, Jun 2026
Our guide David was just simply the BEST. So knowledgeable, and great at going off the script to share things depending on the questions asked. We really got the best of him as the group was small, only 3. I went for the true crime and left learning so much about the architectural history of this great city! Simply a must do!
Lisa_N, Jun 2026
Joseph was very informative and had lots of interesting stories to tell. He was familiar with the different architects and their specific style as it related to the buildings that we visited. He offered to take pictures along the way. We asked for recommendations for food and he answered all of our questions. He was able to go off script to make the tour engaging. Would definitely recommend this tour.
Vanessa_V, Jun 2026
David was a wonderful tour guide, he was very knowledgeable and made the experience super fun! Highly recommend going on this tour :)
Elizabeth_J, Jun 2026
Fun and informative! Love the chance to see so many hidden gems and hear the stories behind them from a local.
JANET_S, Jun 2026
Joseph was very knowledgeable about the history and architecture of Chicago. He answer questions and provided humor and the right amount of gore. I would recommend this to everyone.
Olga_J, May 2026
David is a gem. I had a wonderful time and saw lots of buildings I absolutely would have otherwise overlooked.
Kylee_H, May 2026
I had an amazing tour!! Joseph was super knowledgeable and fun. I learned a lot from this tour. 100% recommend
Chloe_B, May 2026
definitely recommend! was able to actually go inside and interact with majority of the buildings discussed. our guide david was so cool! very knowledgeable and friendly 😸
Jason_W, May 2026
Great tour. David brought Chicago to life through his stories and education on the architecture. Great story teller!!
Jacob_S, May 2026
Very entertaining tour. Joseph did an excellent job engaging with the group and making it enjoyable!!
Hannah_D, May 2026
Amazing tour was the perfect way to learn and see Chicago architecture and true crime history. The guide was engaging, knowledgeable, and made the experience unforgettable!
Bennie_R, May 2026
Roan was fantastic and we had a great time wandering around the city and getting to learn more about the history of some of the buildings
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.
From $35.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Chicago Architecture and True Crime Tour: Fourth of July Edition
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