Best Tours in Chicago
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in Chicago
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Experience Chicago from above and at street level with this combined ticket to the Skydeck at the Willis Tower and a self-guided audio tour. Ascend to the 103rd floor for sweeping, four-sided views of the city, then continue your journey on foot, uncovering the stories behind what you see. The tour will let you learn about what the Skydeck has to offer and glimpse its views from four sides. After the Skydeck, your walk leads you along the southern stretch of the Chicago River, where architectural icons define the skyline. Among them is the historic Rookery Building, a masterpiece by the pioneers of the Chicago School, blending innovation with timeless design. As you move through the canyon of skyscrapers, keep an eye out for striking public art installations that turn the city into an open-air gallery. One highlight is Cloud Gate in Millennium Park—an iconic spot where reflections distort the skyline and invite playful interaction, beloved by locals and visitors alike. Cross the Chicago River and continue along the Magnificent Mile, one of the city’s most vibrant avenues. Here, landmarks like the Chicago Water Tower and the elegant Wrigley Building stand as reminders of Chicago’s rich past and dynamic present. Get ready to feel the pulse of Chicago and discover a city that captivates at every step.
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.
They’re BACK! #MOIChicago is bigger and better than ever, unveiling a completely NEW experience with an addition of +20 never-before-seen illusions and almost double the space! The perfect adventure into the science of visual trickery for friends, kids, and even date night! You’ll feel like you’ve just witnessed the impossible, challenging your perception and igniting your imagination. With 80+ immersive rooms and mind-bending exhibits, MOI is an adventure like never before.
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.
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.
Sloomoo Institute in Chicago immerses you in a transformative world of touch, sound, scent, and sight – a sensory delight complete with your own custom container of slime (an $18 value)! A mix of science and magic, the space is full of compounds from slime to kinetic sand to new innovations that entertain, soothe and surprise. Check out otherworldly CGI videos, kaleidoscopic glow-in-the-dark moments, a 150-foot DIY bar to design your own slime in up to 4,320,000 unique combinations. Every element of the experience was created to awaken your creative spirit.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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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.