Chicago Riverwalk Self-Guided Walking Tour
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About This Tour in Chicago
Why Visit Chicago?
Chicago is a world-class city known for its stunning architecture, deep-dish pizza, and vibrant arts scene. Explore Millennium Park, visit world-renowned museums, and experience the famous Magnificent Mile. Chicago offers incredible lakefront views and a rich cultural heritage.
Getting to Chicago
The easiest way to reach Chicago is by flying into O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Midway International Airport (MDW). From the airport, you can take a taxi, rideshare service (Uber, Lyft), or public transportation to reach the city center. Many hotels also offer shuttle services, and rental cars are widely available for exploring the area.
What's Included
- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
- Learn more: dive deeper into any story you enjoyed with extra stories.
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
What's Not Included
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Cancellation Policy
Additional Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
- How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
- Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
- Savings tips: Walking tours: couples can share one tour by splitting headphones
- New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
- For the best experience, bring headphones/earbuds for your walking tour.
- For the best experience, please use an iPhone running iOS 15 or later, an Android device running version 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular connectivity, as these are recommended for navigation.
- Your password can be used on the same number of devices as travelers booked. Enter the same password on each device.
Photo Gallery
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting Point
The Wrigley BuildingStart at 99 Chicago Riverwalk, on the plaza by the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum. Walk toward the Riverwalk entrance and down the stairs to begin. This is a suggested starting point. We’re not affiliated; staff won’t have tour info. Audio starts automatically—check email/text.
End Point
This famous towerPickup Information
Pickup Option: All travelers must meet at start point
Itinerary
Tour Itinerary
The Wrigley Building is an iconic terra cotta... 5 minutes
The Wrigley Building is an iconic terra cotta building boasting a huge clock tower and tons of character. It's named for William Wrigley, Jr., who made his fortune off of chewing gum! Beyond it is the lavish Hotel Intercontinental, which hides an incredible observatory within. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
The Michigan Avenue Bridge, also known as the... 5 minutes
The Michigan Avenue Bridge, also known as the DuSable Bridge, is architecturally beautiful, but that's not the only reason it's a stop on this tour. The bridge also sports some flags with a fascinating history, which you'll hear all about.
It's impossible to miss this enormous glass tower 5 minutes
It's impossible to miss this enormous glass tower. At 1,399 feet tall and totaling 98 stories, it's one of the tallest skyscrapers in the entire country. The tower employs the same building technique as the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, currently the tallest building in the world.
Consisting of a sunken, rectangular pool and fountain,... 5 minutes
Consisting of a sunken, rectangular pool and fountain, this memorial honors the Illinois residents who died in the Vietnam War. It's a somber yet strangely beautiful tribute to those who gave all.
These twin towers may look a bit like... 5 minutes
These twin towers may look a bit like giant corn cobs, but they're nevertheless an iconic part of the Second City's skyline. The towers function as a “city in a city,” boasting an in-house theatre, gym, pool, ice-rink, bowling alley, 360 degree roof deck, and of course a marina.
The Dearborn Street Bridge, built in 1962, is one of Chicago's newer bridges 5 minutes
The Dearborn Street Bridge, built in 1962, is one of Chicago's newer bridges. It was constructed to replace a badly-planned bridge that residents hated with a passion. You'll hear why and what they did about it as you admire this landmark.
Constructed in 1914, the building today is home... 5 minutes
Constructed in 1914, the building today is home to the Encyclopedia Britannica headquarters. It may appear short and unimpressive beside its much newer peers, but it's also a fascinating glimpse into Chicago's past.
This building is so big it has its own zip code 5 minutes
This building is so big it has its own zip code! Designed in the art-deco style, the Mart encompasses a staggering four million square feet.
This museum doesn't just feature exhibits on the... 5 minutes
This museum doesn't just feature exhibits on the city's river and its significance to the city. It also offers birds-eye views of the river from the top floor!
This breathtaking neo-Gothic skyscraper is actually the result... 5 minutes
This breathtaking neo-Gothic skyscraper is actually the result of a competition held by the Chicago Tribune for their 75th anniversary! They wanted to make sure their new HQ was “the most beautiful and distinctive office building in the world,” and it absolutely shows in the final product.
As Chicago's newest river-spanning bridge, the Columbus Drive... 5 minutes
As Chicago's newest river-spanning bridge, the Columbus Drive Bridge offers not a glimpse into the past but a look at how the city's construction technology and philosophy changed over the decades.
This famous tower was modelled after 30 Rockefeller... 5 minutes
This famous tower was modelled after 30 Rockefeller Center in New York City, and serves as another picture-perfect example of the art deco style. It was also the former recording spot of the Jerry Springer Show and the Steve Harvey Show.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cancellation policy?
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
How do I book this tour?
Click the "Book Now" button on this page to complete your reservation through Viator's secure booking platform. You'll receive instant confirmation via email.
Is this tour suitable for all ages?
Please check the age requirements and physical fitness level requirements listed in the tour details above. Some tours may have age restrictions or require a certain level of physical fitness.
