Chicago Walking Tour: Must-See Chicago

Overview

Must-See Chicago is a fast-paced, 90-minute introductory tour to Chicago featuring some of its most famous buildings, including the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, the Art Institute of Chicago, Willis (Sears) Tower and more!

Get a brief overview of more than a dozen buildings—as well as Chicago landmarks like Millennium Park, the Loop and the Chicago River—on this whirlwind tour. There are lots of photo opportunities along the way, so be sure to bring your camera!

As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.

City: Chicago

Sat 31 Jan

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $35.00

Make a reservation

Sat 31 Jan

Starting at $35.00

Make a reservation

New York City Tours

Unique Activities (21) Transfers & Transportation (175) Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises (252) Entry Tickets (96) Sporting Events (4) Good for Small Groups (27) Seasonal & Holiday Tours (113) Walking Tours (705) Outdoor Activities (48) Limitied Availability Tours (29) LGBT Friendly Tours (9) Family-friendly Activities (8) Wildlife Activities (6) Solo Travelers' Tours (147) Food & Drinks (96) Travelers recommend (174) Good for Groups (32) Top Activities (75) Guided Audio Tours (10) Art, Culture & History (406) Attractions to explore (43) Sustainable Tours (1) Limousine Transfers (5) Donut Walking Tour (2) Virtual Experiences (1) Additional fees (7) DSA non-compliant (17)

What's Included

Admission to the Galleries of the Chicago Architecture Center

Walking tour featuring some of Chicago's most famous buildings

Narration by a professional and certified guide

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Pet are not allowed.
The itinerary of this tour is subject to change without notice.

What To Expect

Wrigley Building

Known for its Spanish Colonial Revival style, the Wrigley Building features a distinctive white terra cotta facade.

Chicago Riverwalk

View the Chicago Riverwalk.

Aqua Tower

It’s fair to say Aqua is a star-maker, with its 2009 completion putting the city’s newest neighborhood, Lakeshore East, on the tip of everyone’s tongue. And though Aqua certainly wasn’t architect Jeanne Gang’s first project, it is the one that put her on Chicagoans' architectural radar.

Tribune Tower

Designed by Howells & Hood, the Tribune Tower was the result of an international design competition to create "the most beautiful building in the world."

The Art Institute of Chicago

View the exterior of the Art Institute of Chicago's Modern Wing.

John Hancock Center

View the Hancock Center, now 875 N Michigan Avenue.

Millennium Park

Millennium Park is home to the famous Cloud Gate sculpture, known as "The Bean."

Show 4 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (87)

V8958JCmarim

Jan 2025

Michelle did a great job! It was a cold and rainy day and she kept the group moving. We had two people with us that had never been to Chicago and The had lots of questions. She did a great job answering the questions and trying to keep us warm.

Response from Host

Jan 2025

Thank you for the great review! We're so happy you enjoyed the tour with Michelle and hope to see you again!

sarahkB7097CP

Dec 2024

Amazing walking tour of Chicagos famous architecture was a great introduction to the city on our first day of our visit. Wayne, our tour guide, shared his passion for the city in an engaging way, adding lots of local history to bring the sites to life. Would highly recommend.

Response from Host

Dec 2024

Thank you for the great review! We're so happy you enjoyed the tour with Wayne and hope to see you again!

NorthStar44437259581

Dec 2024

We would highly recommend this tour (as well as Wayne, our guide) to architectural enthusiasts as well as first timers to downtown Chicago, alike. We took this c 1h45 min tour on our first day in Chicago and it was fantastic. Wayne was knowledgeable, interesting, enthusiastic and kept us as gripped as the many magnificent buildings we saw throughout the tour (which covered everything from the Wrigley building to ‘ cloud gate’ (the bean) in Millennium Park). We took in some prime real estate and learnt plenty - e.g. differing influences/styles over the decades as well as changes to ordinances and even a few remaining real estate opportunities! Thank you to Wayne for such an entertaining and informative afternoon.

Response from Host

Dec 2024

Thank you for the wonderful review! We're so happy you enjoyed the Must See Chicago tour and hope to see you again!