Chicago's Gold Coast Hidden History: A Self-Guided Audio Walk

Chicago, USA

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

50 minutes (approx.)
Offered in: English

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Overview

Delve into the rich history and notable architecture of one of Chicago’s most luxurious neighborhoods—and learn insider stories as you go—with this self-led smartphone audio walking tour. Upon booking, download the app and set off at a time and pace that work best for you. You’ll discover Gold Coast landmarks from historic piano bars to the original Playboy Mansion, and can stop and start the tour whenever you like.

Hear Chicago Gold Coast stories narrated by a local historian
This smartphone walking tour offers a budget-friendly way to see the city
GPS maps work offline, and will ensure that you never get lost
This tour comes with lifetime access; use as often as you’d like

What's Included

Lifetime access to Hidden History in Chicago's Gold Coast tour
VoiceMap Application
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Smartphone
Transportation
Food/Drink
Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Chicago History Museum
1601 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Before arrival, please install the VoiceMap mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

End point

Zebra Lounge
Canterbury Court Apartments, 1220 N State Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60610, USA

Arranged start time

Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.

05/20/2019 - 05/15/2027
Monday - Sunday : 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

Itinerary

Chicago History Museum (Pass By)

International Museum of Surgical Science (Pass By)

Zebra Lounge (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

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

4.3

based on 7 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Discovered some gems for a future visit

D_C, Jun 2023

I discovered some new places to visit, like the Museum of Medical Science, and the Three Arts Building. I also coupled this tour with the Chicago History Museum, which is really cool. Overall, it is a very enjoyable walk, and you can do the tour at your own pace. Beautiful historical homes in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood.

App/experience needs some work.

Mark_F, Nov 2021

Tour was informative. The use of visitor was klunky. Had to order the tour twice to use. Viator has committed refund one of the unneeded purchases. Walk and auto play needs some work. Price was right.

REally fun!

John_H, Jun 2020

I generally don't like group tours, so having this option is wonderful. It felt like having your own private tour guide. In this time of Covid-19, this gae us a nice way to get out of the house. The Zebra Lounge wasn't open, but just around the corner there was a street closed off to allow for outdoor dining/social distancing. The museum of surgery was open, and we spent time there as well as Restoration Hardware.

DYI Tour of Chicago's Gold Coast

Daniel_O, Jul 2019

I really enjoyed learning the history of the Gold Coast and finding hidden treasures on this tour. The information selected was excellent, from the city's public graveyard and the Couch Mausoleum, which survived the great Chicago fire, to the wood plank street experiment on Astor. Lots of good history of the monarchs that built Chicago during the 19th and 20th Century. I liked how the old and new were integrated with suggestions to stop in the 3 Arts Cafe in the Restoration Hardware store (more like a museum than a store) and a drink in the Zebra Lounge. The GPS tracking lost track of me a couple of times and I had to zoom in on the map and figure out which way to go to continue the tour. This happened twice but I was easily able to turn around and find where I was supposed to be and then the track picked up where it left off. I would allow more than 50 minutes for this tour (the suggested time in the directions). If you want to stop and take a look around a few places I would allow 1.5 hours for this tour. I recommend this tour and know you'll enjoy it as much as I did.