Best Tours in Chicago

This self-guided audio walking tour explores Rosehill Cemetery through the lives, memorials, and monuments that shaped Chicago and the United States. It is ideal for travelers interested in local history, Civil War memory, architecture, reform movements, business leaders, and the quieter side of the city. The route begins at the Rosehill Cemetery Entrance in Chicago and leads you along a winding path past graves and monuments tied to early settlers, soldiers, inventors, artists, politicians, and nationally known figures. Along the way, you will encounter memorials to Union troops, the Chicago Board of Trade Battery Monument, the Horatio N. May Chapel, and notable resting places including Frances E. Willard, Charles Gates Dawes, Oscar Mayer, Elisha Gray, Ignaz Schwinn, Myra Bradwell, and John Wentworth. The walk ends at the grave of John Wentworth, former mayor of Chicago. By the end, the most memorable experiences will likely be standing among Civil War monuments, discovering how many famous Chicago stories meet in one peaceful landscape, and noticing the striking contrast between solemn stone memorials, grand funerary art, and the calm beauty of this historic cemetery.

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.

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.

Experience Chicago from above and at street level with this self-guided audio tour of the Skydeck at the Willis Tower and a city walk. The tour will let you learn about what the Skydeck has to offer and glimpse its views from four sides. Please note that an entrance ticket to the Skydeck is not included and should be purchased independently! 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.

This self-guided audio walk introduces first-time visitors to downtown Chicago through public art, river views, grand architecture, and the city’s lively waterfront. It is a great fit for travelers who want an easy-to-follow route with famous sights and a clear sense of how Chicago looks and feels on the ground. Your route begins at Cloud Gate in Millennium Park, where the polished steel surface bends the skyline, the trees, and your own reflection into a shimmering curve. From there, you head toward the Chicago Riverwalk to follow the water between tall towers and bridges, then dip into the Chicago Pedway, a hidden network beneath the busy streets above. The walk continues to Tribune Tower, where carved stones from world landmarks are set into the walls, and then along the Magnificent Mile, lined with storefronts, flags, and high-rises. The tour ends at Navy Pier on Lake Michigan, where the open water, the long boardwalk, and the Ferris wheel create a festive finish. Along the way, the most memorable moments include standing beneath the mirror-bright arch of Cloud Gate, hearing the river move under steel bridges, spotting Gothic details high on Tribune Tower, and reaching the lakefront where the city opens into sky and water.

Unlock the lesser-known tales of Chicago with an in-app audio adventure through the opulent Gold Coast neighborhood. 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.

Delve into the enchanting streets of Chicago with this in-app audio tour, tailored for explorers keen to uncover the secrets of Streeterville, absorb the beauty of the Lakefront Trail, and indulge in the buzz of the Magnificent Mile. Perfect for anyone with a curious mind and a thirst for urban tales, this tour is your audio compass to the jewel of the Midwest. The journey begins at the bustling DuSable Bridge, gradually meandering through the historic Streeterville, alongside the sandy shores of Lake Michigan, and culminating amidst the grandeur of the Magnificent Mile, at the historic Green Door Tavern where mobsters used to hang out. Along the route, you'll be guided to iconic sites like the venerable Water Tower, the plush Oak Street Beach, and the towering John Hancock Building, all while unraveling the layers of Chicago's storied past. This walking expedition promises to paint pictures of disastrous shipwrecks, draw you into legendary battles, and place you in the footsteps of the city's most influential gangsters. By the end of this adventure, you will have not just traversed Chicago’s grand avenues but journeyed through the very history and heart that pulse beneath its surface.

Delve into the essence of Chicago on a riveting self-guided audio tour that will take you through 200 years of history along the iconic Chicago River. This tour is tailored for anyone with a curiosity about the city's vibrant past, architecture, and transformative milestones. It's an exploration of the river that has been the lifeblood of the city, attracting both settlers and tourists alike. Embarking from the historic McCormick Bridgehouse, you'll journey along a well-marked path, venturing through time from the early days of Chicago's first settler, to the hustle and bustle of its great 1800s harbor, and into the present day where the river is a centerpiece of urban delight. The endpoint of this revealing tour is at the prestigious Michigan Avenue, also known as the Magnificent Mile, renowned for its rich history and contemporary charm. As one traverses the route, visual treats along the way include impressive drawbridges, monumental buildings, and commemorative sites—each with its own story. You'll experience the unique wonder of watching the river glisten with emerald green on St. Patrick's Day and understand why Chicago holds such an esteemed place in America's narrative. By the tour's conclusion, not only will your footsteps have traced the ebbs and flows of time, but your mind will be awash with the sights and sounds of a city that has continued to reinvent itself while honoring its profound heritage.

Dive into Chicago's River North neighborhood with a self-directed audio walkthrough designed for urban adventurers eager to uncover the city's lesser-known treasures. This excursion offers a blend of Chicago's savory eats, vibrant street art, peculiar shopping venues, and sports legends, all crafted for those looking for an atypical journey beyond the usual sights. Starting at the Merchandise Mart, once the largest building in the world, the tour wraps up at the solemn Eastland Disaster Memorial. This audio guide leads you through a series of remarkable spots nestled in the urban landscape of River North. Travelers will engage with the haunting tales of the Old Chicago Historical Society, visit the birthplace of the deep-dish pizza, walk along the Chicago Riverwalk, and glimpse the Chicago sports legacy immortalized in handprints on La Salle Street. On this route, the pulsating heart and soul of the city are revealed in places like the Blues House, offering lively entertainment, and the vintage Reid Murdoch Building, showcasing Americana charm. This tour offers a chance to experience the city's dynamic spirit through your own eyes and curiosity, creating a memorable journey of Chicago's River North.

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.