Sightseeing Tours in Chicago

This in-app audio tour will take you to the Graceland Cemetery, a treasury of Chicago history, art, architecture, and a resting place of many famous Chicagoans: industrialists, businessmen, and artists. The cemetery boasts monuments designed by the greatest sculptors and architects of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. You will see Martin L. Ryerson’s tomb, which combines two Egyptian styles: the pyramid and the mastaba, and other sculptures and tombs that can easily be considered architectural marvels. Also, you will learn about the achievements of the prominent people in the history of Chicago who are buried there: William LeBaron Jenney, who designed the world’s first true skyscraper in Chicago; Louis Sullivan, who is often called the “prophet of modern architecture”; Daniel Burnham, the most influential architect and urban planner in Chicago history; Philip Armour who earned Chicago’s reputation as “Hog Butcher of the World,” and many others. Despite being a cemetery, it not only serves a utilitarian purpose but represents beautiful and well-thought landscaping with a parklike atmosphere making it a haven in the city. Come and spend some time here while respectfully wandering among graves and listening to the stories about people who contributed to Chicago's grandeur.

Whether you are a first-timer in the city or a history buff, this in-app audio tour will plunge you deep into the Chicago atmosphere and make you experience it like never before! You will start from Grant Park and walk through the must-see landmarks securing incredible stories. Marvel at the famous Willis Tower; feel the vibes of the railroad capital at the historic Union Station; relax in the shades of Millenium Park or take a selfie near Cloud Gate; admire the stunning Chicago Theatre; take in the views of the scenic Chicago Riverwalk, enjoy jazz in a cozy music club, and complete the tour at the vibrant Navy Pier. Along your way, you will hear about Chicago's turbulent history, from the Great Fire to mafia wars, and find out how it managed to become even stronger. Not only that — you will examine the cutting-edge architecture by world-famous architects, find one public work by the world's greatest artist, and witness the rich heritage of the 1893 World's Fair, which will make you feel how creative and innovative Chicago is today. The tour will guide you through the hidden gems that are often overlooked and will tell you little-known facts that even locals might not know. With this self-guided tour, you have the freedom to explore the city on your own schedule. Take your time and soak in the sights and sounds of this fantastic city. And with a detailed map, historic photos, and informative audio narration, you'll never miss a beat.

Explore the great multicultural city with its outstanding architecture and picturesque riverfront at your own pace with this in-app audio tour. During this tour, you will discover different aspects of Chicago: its unique architecture with beautiful skyscrapers and bridges, rich history, and cultural characteristics. You'll start your tour at Michigan Avenue Bridge – the most well-known moveable bridge in Chicago, and one of the few double-deckers in the city. Then, while listening to incredible facts about groundbreaking events in Chicago, you'll walk to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with its waterfall and a beautiful sculpture. On our way to Chicago Cultural Center, you will see the most remarkable buildings in Chicago. Take a selfie in Marina City – a complex of two cylindrical towers, known locally as the "corn cobs" due to their unique shape. Merchandise Mart will amaze you with its Art Deco architecture that reflects the optimism of the 1920s. Then, stop by the impressive Reliance Building securing the city's rich history. Finally, marvel at the largest Tiffany-stained glass dome in the world at the Chicago Cultural Center. This tour is all about architectural details, fascinating stories, and the heritage of one of the finest cities of America.

Millennium Park in downtown Chicago is a collection of bold architecture, public art, and landscape design hosting numerous free events for locals and visitors. This self-guided audio tour will walk you around it, and the creators themselves will be your guides. You will start at the sleek Exelon Pavilions to catch up with the green LEED program and its intricacies and learn how these green buildings benefit the city. Don't miss seeing the Harris Theater, which is 30 feet below Lake Michigan's waterline, designed by the same local firm HBRA Inc. Back on the surface, you will get tongue-tied by the swooping shapes of the open-air Jay Pritzker Pavilion, a concert venue with a one-of-a-kind audio reverb system. Next, you will enjoy a panorama of Chicago's famous Michigan Avenue architecture from the snake-like BP Bridge, the starchitect Frank Gehry's other creation. From there, you will come to explore the tranquil Lurie Garden that replicates the ecosystem of a midwestern prairie amidst the urban noise of Chicago. At Wrigley Square, you will admire the Greek peristyle-shaped Millennium Monument in honor of the benefactors who made the construction of the park possible. Finally, you will learn what the Crown Fountain, a celebrated public artist Jaume Plensa's brainchild beloved by Chicago kids, has to do with stadium scoreboards. Join the tour to experience Millennium Park's visual amenities and get inspired by creative design ideas!

Spice up your visit to Chicago on this in-app audio tour through the creepiest places of the city of lights! Walk along the bubbling Chicago Loop to see the places of hangouts and crimes of cheeky bootleggers and stylish mobsters in the roaring 1920's. Hear the story of rise and fall of the most infamous gangsters of all times - Al Capone and John Dillinger. On your way, you will see such iconic sights of the city as Cloud Gate with its unusual perspective of Chicago's skyline reflected on its mirror surface. Take a selfie with the authentic Chicago Theater representing the era of swirling jazz parties and shiny speakeasies. Dark windows of ghost-haunted Congress Plaza Hotel, which inspired Stephen King's "1408" story, will surely give you goosebumps. Enjoy the skyline of Chicago Riverwalk and hear about the Eastland disaster concealed by its waters. Du Sable Bridge will give you an insight to such historical events as Great Chicago Fire and Fort Dearborn Battle, as well as to a cinematic gangster chase. Marvel at gothic architecture of the Holy Name Cathedral and find the traces of bullets in it. Then, take a short bus ride to Lincoln Park to learn the mysteries of the largest city's park. In this area, you will visit the site of spine-chilling St. Valentine Day Massacre. The tour ends at the Biograph Theater securing the story of the elusive John Dillinger. Choose to visit restaurants and attractions to enforce your Chicago gangsters and ghosts experience.

Chicago is known for its history, culture, architecture, and it's also full of many famous film locations. This tour is hinged on an idea to showcase the city's downtown via movies — an excellent experience for a movie buff! You'll start exploring the Chicagoan cinematic scenery from the Union Station, a railroad station used as a backdrop for a whole bunch of motion pictures. Continue with the Willis Tower, a set for the "Divergent" movie that invites you to see an aerial view of the city from Skydeck, an observation deck on the 103rd floor. Then, take a few selfies with Chicago's most notable public sculpture, the fabulous Cloud Gate, affectionately called "The Bean." From there, come over to spacious Daley Plaza and contemplate a whimsical "Untitled" sculpture by Pablo Picasso, another iconic emblem of Chicago. After that, you will pass by the Chicago Theater that сonceals a stunning ornate architecture inside, outshining its punchy neon sign. Another eye-catcher on the route is the Seventeenth Church of Christ Scientist, a distinctive building in the area with a supernatural exterior. Next, you will cross the bridge over the Chicago River to explore more buildings of concrete and glass that often get spotted in movies. Downtown Docks is the place to chill at the end of the tour. Lay back at the wooden benches watching Marina City and the river cruises passing under the bridges. Join the tour and imagine yourself being on a film set!

This in-app audio tour gives the highlights of one of the largest science museums in the world that brings pure delight to children and grown-ups. Opened as part of the 1933's Century of Progress Fair in a building from the 1893 Columbian Exposition, the museum has always been the place where generations came to see the future of science and industry. The tour brings you to the future straightaway, "taking you on a ride" on the super-futuristic Pioneer Zephyr Train and telling you about the future of energy. You will also be able to get enchanted by the unique Coleen Moore's Fairy Castle. On Level 2, you'll be taken to the swirling world of science by witnessing the real-size tornado and burning fire in motion (it's safe!) and learn about other natural phenomena such as tsunami and avalanche. Then, you will explore the impressive collection of trains, automobiles, and planes and "dive" into the history of the famous U-505 Submarine. After witnessing ground-breaking discoveries and record-breakers in history, delve back into yourself with the You! Experience where the human body is explored from the first cell. Choose to visit the Genetics Gallery to discover the secrets of genetics and see how real chicken babies hatch. NOTE! This tour DOES NOT include an entrance ticket! Buy it at www.msichicago.org This tour is not affiliated with the MSI but is provided by an independent creator.

Explore the world's most remarkable art pieces at the Art Institute of Chicago with your personal self-guided audio tour. NOTE! This tour DOES NOT include a ticket! Buy it at www.artic.edu The Art Institute of Chicago, opened in 1879 and housed in a magnificent Beaux-Arts building on Michigan Avenue, serves as a school and museum for the fine arts. It hosts masterpieces by famous artists like Vincent Van Gogh, Edward Hopper, Pablo Picasso, and many others. The tour will start on the 1st floor by exploring the art of different cultures — China, Japan, India, and Africa. Here, you will discover a few pieces dating back to the Neolithic period. You will also see the artworks of Ancient Rome and Greece, the cornerstone of Western civilization. Stop by and admire the statue of the Aphrodite of Knidos, the first monumental female nude in classical sculpture. On the 2nd floor, you will be introduced to Modern American Art and European Decorative Arts and invited to the greatest collection of Impressionist artwork in the world while being guided through must-see paintings. The tour ends on the 3rd floor with a significant exhibition of Modern Art and the most renowned objects to explore. Don't miss the outdoor Bluhm Family Terrace to enjoy the stunning Chicago skyline while appreciating and living through your new art experience. This tour is not affiliated with the AIC but is provided by an independent creator.

Unlock the lesser-known tales of Chicago with an in-app audio adventure through the opulent Gold Coast neighborhood. Guided by Amy Bizzarri, an expert in Chicago's intrigue, history buffs and urban explorers alike will find themselves transported back in time to the Gilded Age, uncovering the city's affluent past and hidden gems along the way. This audio guide is not only a journey through space but also through time, offering an immersive experience into Chicago's yesteryears. The tour launches outside the Chicago History Museum and takes a winding path through Lincoln Park, the Couch Mausoleum, and along the grand streets of the Gold Coast. The route introduces travelers to the Playboy Mansion's secrets, a wood-block paved alley, and concludes with a melodious finale at Zebra Lounge—Chicago's oldest piano bar. Along the way, stops at mansions, historic sites, and alleyways reveal the hidden fabric of this storied neighborhood. Highlights of the journey include exploring the original Playboy Mansion grounds, walking down a 19th-century alley, and enjoying live piano music in an iconic bar. Each step echoes with tales of the past, from the rise of tycoons to the legacy of architectural triumphs, leaving travelers with a rich sense of the city’s heritage and an unforgettable experience of Chicago's Gold Coast.

Immerse yourself in the tales of mischief and mayhem that once ruled the streets of 19th-century Chicago with this in-app audio tour. Designed for listeners with an interest in the shadier side of history, this journey transports you to an era before the fame of Al Capone—a time of the city's earliest rogue players. Break away from the typical historical narrative and delve into stories of the first crime lords and law-benders. The route begins by the historic DuSable Bridge and concludes at the renowned London House. Along the way, experience the scandalous Sands district, the hustle of North Rush Street, the remnants of the Kilgubbin Shanty Town, and more. With each stop, the audio guide offers vivid storytelling, injecting life into the locales where Chicago's original outlaws once roamed. Highlights include standing where Chicago's first police officer met his tragic fate, gazing upon the sites of the legendary gambling dens, and observing the places that incited the city's first major riots. This tour not only offers a glimpse into the underbelly of Chicago's past but also provides a unique perspective on how it has shaped the city today.