Best Tours in Chicago
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in Chicago
All self-guided activities
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 is not affiliated with the MSI but is provided by an independent creator. WeGoTrip is not re-selling tickets but is giving its customers assistance in ticket purchasing at no charge.
Explore one of Chicago's most popular museums guided by your own in-app audio tour! Established in 1894, the Field Museum of Natural History holds over 35 world-renowned natural exhibitions. It's a great place to visit for all ages! This self-guided tour will take you through the museum's highlights and must-sees at your own pace. To redeem your ticket, please proceed to Will Call (at the Main/South entrance). Start your journey by saying "hi" to Máximo the Titanosaur, the largest dinosaur ever discovered, and to the magnificent African elephants. Learn about giants like polar bears and dangerous man-eaters like Tsavo lions through finely elaborated dioramas, as you stroll along the Nature Walk. Then, you will get inside the Ancient Egyptian tomb and see 4,000-year-old mummies and sarcophagi that secure incredible history! On the Upper Level, you will marvel at sparkling gemstones and mysterious meteorites. Follow the steps of evolution, from bacteria to humans, at Evolving Planet exhibit. Another iconic giant will give you a "smile" here – SUE the T.rex, one of the world’s most perilous predators. Note! This tour is not affiliated with the FMNH but is provided by an independent creator. WeGoTrip is not re-selling tickets but is giving its customers assistance in ticket purchasing at no charge.
Explore the masterpieces of the Art Institute of Chicago with a self-guided audio tour. Housed in a magnificent Beaux-Arts building on Michigan Avenue, the museum features works by Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, and many other celebrated artists. Begin on the 1st floor with the art of Asia, discovering Buddhist and Hindu sculptures and traditions spanning thousands of years. Continue to the art of Ancient Greece, Rome, and the Mediterranean before moving into European painting. On the 2nd floor, admire iconic Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works by Monet, Renoir, Seurat, Van Gogh, and Toulouse-Lautrec. Discover how these artists transformed the way light, colour, and everyday life were represented. Continue to the Modern Wing for works by O’Keeffe, Warhol, Matisse, Kandinsky, Picasso, and Dalí. Finally, explore American Modernism with Edward Hopper and Grant Wood, then enjoy panoramic views of Chicago from the Bluhm Family Terrace. The tour takes approximately 2–3 hours and includes maps and text hints to help you navigate the museum. Note: General admission is 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; 10–11 a.m. is reserved for members. This tour is created by an independent creator and is not affiliated with the Art Institute of Chicago. WeGoTrip does not resell museum tickets but assists customers with ticket purchasing at no additional charge.
Unearth Chicago's architectural and historical wonders on a self-guided audio tour that begins at The Field Museum of Natural History, where your ticket awaits. Perfect for enthusiasts of urban exploration and cultural landmarks, this tour appeals to anyone eager to learn about the storied past and ingenious urban design that characterizes Chicago. The journey starts at the iconic Field Museum, presenting an impressive neoclassical structure holding secrets of the natural world. From there, the route guides you through Chicago's visual narrative, traveling from the splashing waters of Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park to the formidable Chicago Board of Trade Building. You'll witness the grandeur of the Wrigley Building and conclude the tour at 875 North Michigan Avenue, gazing upon this skyscraper's modernist stature. Along the way, marvel at the Chicago Cultural Center's stained-glass domes, the historical resilience displayed by Old St. Patrick’s Church, and the timeless charm of Wrigley Field. Participants can anticipate a medley of experiences navigating through the city's heart—each step revealing a different facet of Chicago's spirit. While the exploration incorporates entry to The Field Museum of Natural History, an audio guide within the museum is not provided. This self-paced adventure invites you to savor each moment, ensuring a memorable glimpse into the Windy City's soul.
This large-scale interactive torture museum highlights the terrible history of punishments, tortures and executions from humanity’s dark history. The exhibition covers 6,000 square feet and contains hundreds of examples of torture, interrogation, restraint and execution devices, plus wax sculptures depicting executioners and victims in their bloody action. An audioguide comes included, so nothing is left to the imagination. Visitors will get to fill the chilling Ghost Hunting Experience using the Ghost Hunting app.
Explore one of Chicago's most popular museums offering an insight into the world of scientific discovery! Established in 1894, the Field Museum of Natural History holds over 35 world-renowned natural exhibitions. It's a great place to visit for all ages! Start your journey by saying "hi" to Máximo the Titanosaur, the largest dinosaur ever discovered, and to the magnificent African elephants. See giants like polar bears and dangerous man-eaters Tsavo lions through finely elaborated dioramas, as you stroll along the Nature Walk. Then, you will get inside the Ancient Egyptian tomb and see 4,000-year-old mummies and sarcophagi that secure incredible history! On the Upper Level, you will marvel at sparkling gemstones and mysterious meteorites. Follow the steps of evolution, from bacteria to humans, at Evolving Planet exhibit. Another iconic giant will give you a "smile" here – SUE the T.rex, one of the world’s most perilous predators. Note! Last admission: 1 hour before closing
Enter an exciting world of contemporary art and design at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. With painting, sculpture, graphic design, and photography, this is your one stop shop for all things arty in Illinois. The museum's founders originally conceived of it as a Kunsthalle, a noncollecting “art hall” that organized and hosted temporary exhibitions of new and experimental artists. Today, the galleries host multiple exhibitions a year, some featuring works from a collection that has grown to over 2,500 artworks.
Explore the history of Chicago and United States through permanent and temporary exhibitions drawn from more than 20 million items in the Chicago History Museum. Showcasing photography, documents, artifacts, and interviews, the permanent and temporary galleries are full of Chicago stories!
Color Factory celebrates the joy of color in the city of Chicago, voted the #1 Immersive Art Experience by USA Today readers in 2024. Fun for all ages, guests go on a bright and colorful expedition that inspires joy and human connection, encourages play, and engages the senses in unexpected ways. Each experience is designed in partnership with an exceptional roster of local and international artists and collaborators.
From typewriters to touchscreens (and everything in between), the American Writers Museum in Chicago celebrates the power of the written word. As the first museum in the country to showcase only American authors and their impact on American culture, the American Writiers Museum showcases the literary fabric of the US with immersive and interactive displays. From every state and every genre, visitors can trace the evolution of American writing – from Frederick Douglass and Mark Twain to Ray Bradbury and Hisaye Yamamoto – in both in-person and viritual exhibits.
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About Chicago
The best tours to do in Chicago with kids are:
The best walking tours to do in Chicago are:
The must-see attractions in Chicago for a first visit are:
Insider tips for visiting Chicago
Alexandra Sam is a local guide who has been publishing tours since 2020 for your discovery of hidden gems and local specialities of Chicago on their personal guide page (view profile). Explore their expert tips planning trip to Chicago.
When I visit Chicago for shopping, I usually head to Wicker Park first for indie boutiques along Milwaukee Avenue—great vintage, local designers, and the kind of spots locals actually browse on weekends. In Chicago, I also love Andersonville for Scandinavian home goods, bookstores, and small shops with real neighborhood character. If you want polished fashion, Gold Coast has Oak Street’s designer storefronts, but I’d pair it with nearby Rush Street side blocks for smaller finds. For anyone planning to visit Chicago, these areas belong in any travel guide Chicago locals would trust, especially if you want things to do in Chicago beyond the obvious downtown retail stretch.
When I’m in Chicago on my own, I recommend spending a few hours walking the Riverwalk, then hopping on the water taxi to Chinatown or Ping Tom Park. It’s one of my favorite things to do in Chicago because you get skyline views, people-watching, and a real feel for how Chicago moves. If you like museums, I’d pair that with a solo wander through the Art Institute’s modern wing, where it’s easy to linger at your own pace. Among the best attractions in Chicago, this combo feels social without needing company. For anyone comparing tours in Chicago and wondering what to see in Chicago, this is the most relaxed, local-feeling option I know.
When I want quieter attractions in Chicago, I usually send people to the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool in Lincoln Park—it feels tucked away, especially early in the morning. In Chicago, I also love the Garfield Park Conservatory’s fern room and the mosaic-lined passages inside the Pedway near the Cultural Center, which most visitors miss completely. Locals know Promontory Point is one of the best answers to what to see in Chicago if you want skyline views without the usual crowds. If you’re comparing tours in Chicago, I’d skip the obvious stops and spend time in these places instead; they show a more intimate side of Chicago.
In my travel guide Chicago advice, I usually tell friends to give Chicago at least three full days, and four if they want the city to feel less rushed. When I visit Chicago, one day usually goes to the lakefront and downtown architecture, another to neighborhoods like Pilsen or Andersonville, and a third to a museum plus a good long meal. Chicago rewards slow wandering more than box-checking. If you only stay two days, you’ll still cover major things to do in Chicago, but you’ll miss the part locals love most: lingering in neighborhood cafés, bookstores, and parks instead of racing between landmarks.
When I visit Chicago for food, I usually send people beyond downtown. In Chicago, I love Pilsen for taquerias, pan dulce, and casual spots where you can eat well between murals and galleries. I also recommend Devon Avenue for South Asian restaurants and groceries—go hungry and wander a few blocks. For Italian, locals know Heart of Chicago on Oakley has old-school red-sauce places that feel unchanged in the best way. If you want a broader mix, Logan Square is one of my favorite things to do in Chicago at dinner time, especially for inventive bistros and late-night cocktails. Any solid travel guide Chicago should point you to neighborhoods like these.
When I want a break from central Chicago, I usually head to Oak Park for Frank Lloyd Wright homes and quiet, tree-lined streets that feel completely different from downtown Chicago. I also recommend the Chicago Botanic Garden up in Glencoe if you want a slower day; locals love it in late spring and early fall. For lake views, I like taking the South Shore Line over toward Indiana Dunes for a half-day escape. These aren’t the first attractions in Chicago people usually name, but they add depth to what to see in Chicago. If you’re browsing tours in Chicago, I’d mix in one of these nearby outings for a better feel of the region.
In my travel guide Chicago advice, I usually say late May through June and again in September are the sweet spots. When I visit Chicago then, the lakefront is lively, patios are full, and you can actually enjoy long walks without summer’s heavy humidity or winter’s biting wind. Chicago in early fall is especially good if you want neighborhood festivals, baseball, and easier reservations. If you plan to visit Chicago in July or August, just expect hotter, stickier afternoons. For the best balance of weather and things to do in Chicago, I’d choose June if you want beach energy, or September if you prefer a more local, relaxed rhythm.