Start the tour by the DuSable Bridge, learning about its history and the iconic terracotta Wrigley Building. From there, head west, past Wabash Bridge, and arrive at the Chicago Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives during the Vietnam War.

Your next stop is the 600-foot tall Marina Towers, which function as a “city within a city”. Continue on to the Dearborn Street Bridge, where an angry mob once gathered with axes. As you walk, you’ll hear the tale of one of the strangest and deadliest shipwrecks in American history, which happened right on the Chicago River.

Continuing on toward the Merchandise Mart, an example of the art deco style popular in the 1920s and 30s, learn the history of the Chicago River, how it helped this city go from a small town to a bustling hub of culture and commerce. Next, you’ll arrive at Wolf Point, where Chicago’s very first hotel stood almost 200 years ago. Hear about the history of this place, then head back the way you came for the final section of the tour.

Stop at the Tribune Tower, the new home of the Chicago Tribune. This skyscraper contains pieces of historic buildings from across the world, including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Berlin Wall. The, see the NBC’s Chicago headquarters, modelled after the famous skyscraper at 30 Rockefeller Center. To conclude your tour, reach the last bridge separating the Chicago River from Lake Michigan, a perfect place to take in the scenery and capture memorable photos.

Become an overnight expert on Chicago’s skyscrapers as the tour identifies the most famous ones
Enjoy the breeze rolling off Lake Michigan and watch the sun glimmer off skyscrapers
Hear the story of the angry 19th-century mob that tore down a bridge with axes
Take the tour at your own pace, stopping to further explore the city whenever you’d like

Important to know

Know in advance:

This is a self-guided tour; no guide will accompany you. The tour operator's app functions as a guide, an audio tour, and a map all in one
Please arrange for a vehicle before you take the tour. You only need to book one tour per vehicle, not per person
After booking the tour, search your email for the phrase "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow these instructions immediately to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Please don't wait until you are on-site
Works perfectly without cellular or Wi-Fi with offline maps
The audio stories play on their own based on your location. You can start anytime and pause anywhere
Most stops along the tour have animated videos allowing you to visualize what you cannot see, such as snapshots from different centuries or interior rooms
Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months
This tour is an audio tour guide and not an attraction entrance ticket