Riverwalk self-guided audio walking tour in Chicago

Free cancellation

Place: Chicago

Duration: from 1 hour to 2 hours

Language: English

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Do this because

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

What to expect

The tour begins by the historic DuSable Bridge. There, you’ll learn not only about this picturesque bridge but also about the iconic terra cotta Wrigley Building. From there, you’ll head west, past Wabash Bridge, once voted America’s Most Beautiful Bridge. You’ll definitely want to snap a photo or two here. After that, you’ll arrive at the Chicago Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a moving tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives during the Vietnam War.

It’ll be hard to miss the next stop -the 600- foot tall Marina Towers. Learn how these towers function as a “city within a city,” then continue on to the Dearborn Street Bridge, where an angry mob once gathered with axes! Hear the full story of why, exactly, they were so unhappy with the bridge’s predecessor, then continue your stroll.

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. How does a devastating shipwreck happen on a river only 20 feet deep? Well, apparently a lot more easily than you’d think.

Continuing on toward the Merchandise Mart, a gorgeous example of the art deco style popular in the 1920s and ‘30s, you’ll learn the surprising history of the Chicago River, as well as how it helped this city go from a small settlement 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. Dig into the era when this place was little more than a wild frontier, then head back the way you came for the final section of the tour.

Your next stop will be the Tribune Tower, the new home of the Chicago Tribune. But this skyscraper isn’t just about reporting the news--it also contains pieces of historic buildings from across the world, including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Berlin Wall.

Up next, you might just think you’ve taken a wrong turn and ended up in New York City because you’ll come face to face with NBC’s Chicago headquarters, which were modeled after the famous skyscraper at 30 Rockefeller Center.

Finally, you’ll arrive at the last bridge separating the Chicago River from Lake Michigan. It’s a perfect place to take in the soothing scenery and an even better place to snap a few photos for your Instagram. The tour concludes here.

Important to know

Know in advance:

This is a self-guided tour; no guide will accompany you. The Action Tour Guide 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. Do not wait until you are onsite
Works perfectly without cellular or Wi-Fi with offline maps
This tour has been developed by local guides, curated by creative writers, and narrated by professional voice artists
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
This tour is valid for an entire year - from the moment of booking. You can use it multiple times over multiple trips
This tour is an audio tour guide and not an attraction entrance ticket