Chicago Walking Tour: Must-See Chicago
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
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.
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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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.
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
Coat check
Food and drink
Storage for luggage and strollers
Options
Must-See Chicago
Reviews
139 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A great experience with a greater guide
sarahsohyunjang,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was great. You can understand Chicago better. Paul was the guide and his explanations were highly insightful.
Amazing tour
smokym2026,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing tour. Michelle, our guide, was very knowledgeable and it was very interesting to listen to her. I would definitely recommend you book this tour with Michelle. It takes about 1.5hrs, it's a walking tour but not a lot of walking. Aqua skyscraper is my favorite!
We had a great tour with Michelle. Very knowledge and friendly.
503marcelv,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great tour with Michelle. Very knowledge and friendly.
Tour canceled with no notification after a 1.5-hour drive
daliis2023,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00I booked an architecture tour, but when I arrived I was told that it had been canceled. The staff said they had sent email notifications, and even mentioned that my email had not been delivered — but I never received any message. Since I had already driven about 1.5 hours to the city specifically for this tour, I asked if it would be possible to join another tour that day. Unfortunately, I was told that all other tours were already at full capacity and no alternatives were available. It was frustrating to make the trip only to find out the tour was canceled with no effective notification.
Great Way to See Chicago
LAD1554,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a great way to see Chicago. This is my second trip to the area, but I really enjoyed the walk with Hannah. She provided a great tour - talked about things as we walked along (it was chilly outside) and relayed wonderful stories about the architecture. I LOVED that she took us to a different view of the Wrigley, Carbide and Carbon, and Chicago Tribune buildings - it was a great way to see them.
Definitely a must-see!
KaroKaro9,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Even though I have been living in Chicago for about a year now, I feel like I’ve only just begun to see all of its beauty and the history that made it. This was my first walking tour with the CAC, and my tour guide, Mary Ann, made it an outstanding experience. She was well-informed, engaging, and clearly passionate about the city — her enthusiasm made the tour even more memorable. I would absolutely recommend both this tour and Mary Ann to anyone interested in learning more about Chicago. I’m excited to sign up for another tour soon.
Wonderful overview!
heidigI7321YJ,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Paul did an excellent job as our docent and made the tour so interesting and enjoyable. We have done many of the CAC walking tours and always have such a great experience -and learn so much about our beautiful city! It is our favorite activity to do with friends and family who are visiting Chicago.
Amazing Chicago Tour
gemcats2020,Dec 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wayne was our tour guide and gave an excellent tour! We really got to see a lot of the historic sights and learnt a lot along the way. Highly recommend to anyone in the area to learn a bit more about the city!
Knowledgeable and fun
annbB4138LS,Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mary Ann did a terrific job. She is so knowledgeable and friendly. It was a very cold day but she covered everything and made the time go quickly. Loved her stories about the buildings we saw!
A Must-See Chicago Tour - especially with Jon!
angelikas930,Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I did the must-see Chicago tour with Jon today, and it was truly excellent. Jon was absolutely fantastic — incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely passionate about the city. Even in the freezing cold, he kept the tour engaging and took extra time to explain every detail in a way that was easy to understand and really enjoyable. You can tell he loves what he does, and it makes the whole experience unforgettable. I walked away with a whole new appreciation for Chicago. Highly recommend this tour — and especially Jon!
From US$35.00
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Related Experiences
Operated by Chicago Architecture Center