Chicago History and Architecture Tour

Meet your guide at 1pm at the Wrigley Building Plaza in downtown Chicago — this 3-hour tour is held every Friday — and get ready to see the Windy City’s most beautiful and iconic sights. With a drink from Peet’s Coffee & Tea in hand, you’ll embark on a walking tour designed to introduce you to Chicago’s architectural gems and wealth of history.

Begin your tour along the recently expanded Chicago Riverwalk, a pedestrian path that follows the Chicago River through the city’s downtown Loop district. As you go, your guide will tell you stories about Chicago’s past, from its swampy origins to the Great Chicago Fire and everything in between.

Along the route, you’ll also be rewarded with views of Chicago’s one-of-a-kind skyline, including the Wrigley Building, Tribune Building, the Marina City towers, and other soaring skyscrapers. You’ll also see City Hall, famous for its beautiful lobby and home to the Mayor’s office.

After a brief snack break, continue deeper into the Loop, and discover three of Chicago’s early skyscrapers — some of the first in the world, in fact. You’ll also get to explore the Pedway, an incredible network of tunnels and bridges that connects more than 40 blocks of the Loop.

The walking tour ends at the fabulous Rookery Building, which dates to the late 19th century and which is a Chicago architectural icon.