inside chicago walking tours

Inside Chicago Walking Tours

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Chicago Architecture Walking Tour: Dazzling Interiors of the Loop

Chicago Architecture Tour: Underground Pedway and the Loop

Chicago Architecture Walking Tour: Incredible Art Deco Interiors

The Christmas Tree Crawl Experience Chicago at the Holidays

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Inside Chicago Walking Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Inside Chicago Walking Tours

• See all photos

Chicago Architecture Walking Tour: Dazzling Interiors of the Loop

Chicago Architecture Tour: Underground Pedway and the Loop

Chicago Architecture Walking Tour: Incredible Art Deco Interiors

The Christmas Tree Crawl Experience Chicago at the Holidays

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

INSIDE CHICAGO WALKING TOURS - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Inside Chicago Walking Tours

• See all photos

Chicago Architecture Walking Tour: Dazzling Interiors of the Loop

Chicago Architecture Tour: Underground Pedway and the Loop

Chicago Architecture Walking Tour: Incredible Art Deco Interiors

The Christmas Tree Crawl Experience Chicago at the Holidays

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Inside Chicago Walking Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

Inside Chicago Walking Tours

• See all photos

Chicago Architecture Walking Tour: Dazzling Interiors of the Loop

Chicago Architecture Tour: Underground Pedway and the Loop

Chicago Architecture Walking Tour: Incredible Art Deco Interiors

The Christmas Tree Crawl Experience Chicago at the Holidays

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Inside Chicago Walking Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Tours & Attractions , Architectural/Cultural Tours

Inside chicago walking tours.

Located in Loop

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-, Chicago IL 60611

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• www.insidechicagowalkingtours.com
• (312) 799-0164
• Women Owned

TripAdvisor’s TOP-RANKED walking tour company in Chicago (out of 400+), offering interior-focused architecture tours that delight visitors with the “second side of the Second City,” with gorgeous, fascinating, and often hidden details behind many doors.

Inside Chicago Walking Tours is a woman-owned small business founded by Hillary Marzec, an experienced tour guide and product development director for a major sightseeing company in Chicago. Given the freedom to research and construct her own tours, she used her years of experience as a teacher, writer, improv comedian, and tour guide to create tours that tell the story of Chicago in an engaging, educational, and always entertaining way.

What makes us different? It’s our ability to find the hidden and fascinating details of buildings and areas that people pass through or pass by every day. It’s our passion for showing visitors, whether they be out-of-towners or Chicagoans, a side of Chicago that they haven’t noticed before. We love to focus on the stunning interiors of buildings throughout downtown Chicago – including many of the buildings along the river – and we even provide you with an “insider’s scoop” on lots of the exterior architectural elements that most guides won’t show you.

General Information:

• Tours average 2 hours, and cover 1.5 miles at a leisurely pace; • Rotating list of tour routes each season, covering everything from architecture to history, science, folklore, and more; • Great for all ages, and very family-friendly; • 20% off your tickets with promo code “CHOOSE” (for Choose Chicago); • Public tours and private tours available year-round!

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Average Visit/Tour Length 2 hours (1.5 miles)

Group Capacity 100

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Virtual Tour https://www.insidechicagowalkingtours.com/virtual-tours

Miles from O'Hare Airport 16.0

Miles from Midway Airport 11.0

Miles from Navy Pier 2.0

Miles from McCormick Place 2.0

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Inside Chicago Walking Tours

Ranked as one of the best tours in the Chicago area, Inside Chicago Walking Tours offers not only exterior views but also some interior views of the most interesting pieces of architecture in the world. Enjoyable for visitors to the city as well as locals, guided walking tours are riddled with insider information and stories about unique areas of the city.

Secrets and hidden details are this tour company’s specialty, so that even avid historians can learn something new from their visit! Highly dynamic and engaging narration is contextual and allows for a uniquely memorable experience while fostering a deepening love for the city of Chicago.

Types of Inside Chicago Walking Tours

Depending on the tour chosen, participants of Inside Chicago’s Tours may experience:

Architecture Tours

Bring out the best highlights of America’s Second City with an interactive architectural tour. Personal tour guides provide insider access to buildings along with engaging narration that can be personalized for each group. Get an incredible look at the city from some of the tallest skyscrapers with a unique, not-so-cookie-cutter experience.

Combined Walking and Boat Tours

A little bit of the land and a little bit of the water can be sampled in this surf-and-turf type of tour. Start at the homestead of Jean-Baptiste Pointe du Sable and spend 30 minutes or so floating along the Chicago River. Then, move along to other fascinating neighborhoods, grab a ride on the “L” train back to The Loop for a look at the architecture, and then finish the tour at Millennium Park.

Nighttime Tours

Nothing compares to the beauty of seeing Chicago lit up for the evening. Enjoy secret places from which to listen to live music in Millennium Park and then enjoy the fireworks off of Navy Pier .

Private and Group Tours

Booking a private group tour allows for access to additional tours that are not available to the public, including ideas such as cathedral tours. Art deco focus, gangster tour, the creation of the Melting Pot of Chicago, and much more. Tours can be customized for family reunions, couples, corporate outings and other groups that are large or small.

What You’ll See on a Inside Chicago Walking Tour

Inside Chicago tours will differ based on the chosen booking, but some of the sights taken in on tours may include:

• Buildings within The Loop such as art deco lobbies and colorful stained-glass mosaics
• Early designs and inspirations by Frank Lloyd Wright
• A view from the “L” train or a boat ride down the Chicago River
• Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (“The Bean”)
• World-famous architecture and secret views from inside buildings 
• Riverwalk and the Magnificent Mile
• Evening views that include the Navy Pier fireworks
• River North and Cathedral District

Inside Chicago Walking Tours Services

Inside Chicago provides public walking tours (some options are combined with a boat tour) throughout the city, with narration from tour guides.

Inside Chicago Walking Tours Timing

Tours typically last from 2-3 hours and are scheduled seven days a week with several tours per day throughout the tourist season. Some tours are scheduled year-round while others are seasonal.

Inside Chicago Walking Tours Considerations

What you may need to know about Inside Chicago Walking Tours:

• Each tour typically lasts approximately two hours and covers about 1 ½ miles of walking distance at a leisurely pace with many stops along the way.
• Children under the age of 6 may join in for free.
• Children ages 6-10 may book at a discounted rate.
• Seniors (65 or older) may qualify for a special discounted rate.
• Tours run rain-or-shine—guests should dress appropriately for the weather.
• Tour starting points are provided after booking. They are all located within the historical center of they city (River North and the Loop), easily accessible from most hotels.
• Advance purchase of tickets is required.
• Bathroom stops may be accommodated throughout the tour as needed.
• Tours are generally limited to 20 people so that everyone can hear and enjoy the experience.
• Guests should arrive at the meeting place 10 minutes prior to the starting time.
• Tours do not end where they begin, but the ending is always a close distance from the starting point.
• Parking is recommended in lots or garages, as meters often have a 2-hour time limit. Discounted parking may be available by using Spot Hero.
• Cell phone use during the tour is not recommended.
• Cameras and photos are not only allowed but encouraged.
• Gratuities are not expected but are happily received, based on quality of service.
• Most tour routes are wheelchair accessible and do not present major obstacles. Check the website for specific details of routes that might not be able to accommodate wheelchairs.
• Guests are responsible to bring their own water bottles as needed.

Book a Inside Chicago Walking Tour

Tickets for Inside Chicago Walking Tours must be purchased in advance online. Tours often sell out. Booking is easy online. Online bookings show weekly availability including tour times as well as revealing tours that are already sold out. Pay for your tour in advance with a credit card and receive an email with all of the information you need about where and when tours meet as well as what to expect.

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The 6 Best Chicago Walking Tours

See the best Chi-Town has to offer on your own two feet.

Courtesy of Steven Sabourin | Inside Chicago

Discover the hidden details of the Windy City's famed architecture with a tour from Inside Chicago.

Note: Some tour providers on this list may have ceased operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book.

The Windy City is known for its interesting architecture and landmarks, its deep-dish pizza and specialty hot dogs and its many loyal sports fans. However, getting a real feel for Chicago can be difficult if you only hit the main attractions or you spend your entire trip in a single neighborhood. To gain a local's perspective, book a guided walking tour. Factoring in both traveler sentiment and expert opinion, U.S. News selected these seven tours as the best walking tours available in Chicago.

Inside Chicago – Open Your Eyes: Inside the Pedway & Other Secrets of the Loop

This two-hour tour takes you throughout the city's famous Pedway (an underground network of tunnels that connects more than 50 buildings) to see the details hidden in its architecture. During the 1 1/2-mile walk, you'll also see above-ground treasures, such as a Picasso statue and a 1920s-era church, and venture into a few buildings that connect to the Pedway. Throughout the tour, helpful guides share stories of the city. Reviewers call this tour informative and surprising. Walks are offered at 2 p.m. on Monday and Friday, and tickets start at $30 for adults and $25 for seniors and children ages 5 to 10. Other public tours from Inside Chicago include tours of individual neighborhoods and a seasonal Christmas outing.

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Chicago Food Planet – Gateway to the West Loop Food Tour

Chicago has long been considered one of America's best foodie destinations . To sample some of the city's best bites, consider this tour from Chicago Food Planet. Tastings rotate, but foods could include Mexican fare, doughnuts, pizza, meatballs, beer and hamburgers. As you eat your way through the West Loop, guides share stories about the neighborhood's history and culture. Travelers advise coming hungry as there are plenty of samples. Tour availability changes seasonally, but tours generally start at 1 p.m. several days a week and last three hours. Tickets start at $60, but you can upgrade your package to include three drink pairings for around $80 per person. Youths ages 12 and younger can also tag along for $35 each. Chicago Food Planet also offers tasty trips through Wrigleyville and Navy Pier , among other options.

Free Tours by Foot – Lincoln Park Blues and Gangster Tour

Ideal for visitors interested in an in-depth overview of Chicago's famous Lincoln Park neighborhood, this two-hour, mile-long walk earns high marks from reviewers. Guides teach patrons about the history of the neighborhood and the city's infamous gangsters while making stops at DePaul University, the Red Lion Pub and Oz Park, among other landmarks. Patrons say this trip is informative and that they loved seeing more of Lincoln Park. This tour is free to take, although you can decide to tip your guide however much you want at the end. Tour times and dates vary and reservations are required. Free Tours by Foot also operates tours of Millennium Park , a ghost tour and tours of the Riverwalk , among other options.

Chicago Gangsters and Ghosts Tour

Patrons say this guided walk is great fun and praise guides who expertly mix humor and gruesome stories. You will walk approximately 1 1/2 miles in two hours while exploring haunted locations and old crime scenes where some of the city's most famous misdeeds played out. Historians are your guide, so you will learn the real story behind shady deals and infamous Chicago gangsters like Al Capone. Tickets start at $27 for adults, $25 for seniors ages 65 and older and $17 for youth ages 7 to 17. Children ages 6 and younger can tour for free. Tours depart daily at 11 a.m. and at 1, 4 and 8 p.m.

Bobby's Bike Hike – Chinatown Food & Culture Walking Tour

Eat your way through Chinatown on this tour with Bobby's Bike Hike. In 2 1/2 hours, you'll sample delicacies that represent five different regions of China while guides share the history of Chinese immigration to Chicago. Tea, Szechuan chicken, hot pot, dim sum and baked goods are just some of the treats you could try during the trip. Patrons say the outing is full of incredible food and history. Prices vary depending on the day you tour, but you can expect to pay around $55 for adults and $50 for children. Tours depart at 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Bobby’s Bike Hike also offers a dessert walking tour and various bike tours, among other options.

Free Chicago Walking Tours – Riverwalk & North Loop Tour

This two-hour tour details Chicago's history from the late 1600s to the present day, discussing the Revolutionary War, 1915's Eastland disaster and everything in between. As you walk, you'll see the Chicago River, the Jewelers Building, Heald Square Monument, the Chicago Cultural Center, Daley Plaza and an array of other important landmarks. Reviewers appreciate the pace of this tour and its knowledgeable, thoughtful guides. Your only cost is what you decide to tip your guide at the end. Free Chicago Walking Tours also operates trips through Millennium Park and walks that guide you through less touristy parts of the city, among others.

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Inside Chicago Walking Tours

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Review Highlights

“ Five friends came with me today on a private 2-hr tour of a slice of Chicago with Hillary from Inside Chicago. ” in 40 reviews

“ It's always a joy to be around others like Adam that take pride and enjoy the history of Chicago. ” in 11 reviews

“ A friend and I joined the Secrets of the Loop tour , and we very much enjoyed our experience. ” in 3 reviews

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Top-rated architecture walking tours of downtown Chicago and neighborhoods. Woman-owned small business. Highly engaging, expert historians and local comedians on staff. …

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As the tour guide, Kylie was very knowledgeable and, most importantly, a great and pleasing personality that made the tour educational and pleasant despite the biting cold! (We're from California!) Also, we were running late because of the Chicago BOA Marathon, but Hillary from the tour office ensured we did not miss our tour. She and Kylie coordinated so we could still join the tour despite being 20 minutes behind.

Kylie, as a tour guide, is animated but loud and clear in her delivery.

RO -- for Ron Ordona?

Spent the two hours pedway walking tour with Adam. He was very knowledgeable and energetic and was a delight of a tour guide. We are native chicagoans and we learned many things we did not know. It's always a joy to be around others like Adam that take pride and enjoy the history of Chicago. Would recommend 10/10

I joined four others for a tour of the Chicago Pedway with Colleen. It was delightful - informative and fun. Colleen was great - friendly with a font of information about the city and architecture.

Colleen our tour guide did great and is an Improv comedian. Very knowledgeable and fun.

Spent the day on TWO tours with Hailey. Interiors and Pedgo and would 10/10 recommend this experience! We did the boat tour with Hillary earlier in the weekend and enjoyed that as well. Overall, a great experience and way to learn about Chicago!

We walked "The Underground Pedway and Secrets of the Loop" with Hillary. The tour was informative and interesting, and definitely found interesting places we never would have found on our own. She also pointed out a bunch of architectural details (and even an entire building!) that we would have missed seeing even if we had gone by them on our own.

An informative tour that is well worth the ticket price. Kylie was our tour guide and she was knowledgeable and very considerate of all the guests. About 12 guests on our tour which was a nice size. Wear comfortable shoes - you'll walk several miles.

This is the best tour I've ever been apart of and I have done quite a few! Hillary was incredibly knowledgeable and entertaining. I learned more on her tour than any other I've been on. We gained access to many buildings that were closed on the weekends to the public. I can't recommend Inside Chicago Walking Tours enough.

Adam did a very good job helping us to see the architecture in the financial district of Chicago. He kept it interesting and light hearted and as much as he could he helped us stay dry. Would definitely recommend this tour.

Great tour! Our group did "Dazzling interiors of the loop"- It was fantastic! We've been on a lot of walking tours and this one really stood out. Our guide Adam was extremely knowledge and his passion for history and architecture came through. I would highly recommend for both out of towners and native Chicagoans.

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