Top 10 Historical Tours in Chicago

Destination: Chicago.
Over the course of 90 minutes, explore some of the newest buildings around the Chicago Architecture Center, focusing on construction elements and their impact on the city’s built environment. What's New looks at some of the most recent additions to the built environment surrounding the Chicago Architecture Center. This walking tour focuses on each building's height, structure, materials, ornament and its impact on the environment, the neighborhood and the city's economy. The tour showcases several recently completed buildings, including 462 N. Park and the St. Regis, and compares them to each other in order to observe emerging patterns. These new additions are also contrasted with some of the older buildings downtown as a way to highlight developments. As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.
Known For: Chicago Virtual Experiences, Chicago Private and Luxury, Chicago Historical Tours, Chicago Architecture Tours, Chicago Walking Tours, Chicago City Tours.
Duration: Around 1 hour and a half.

Destination: Chicago.
Mobsters and Movies takes you through the real haunts of Capone, Dillinger, and The Outfit—then shows you how the very same streets turned into movie magic. Walk the same corners seen in 'The Untouchables' and 'Public Enemies,' and hear how Chicago wrote the script for American gangster history. This isn’t just another sightseeing tour—it’s a front-row seat to crime, cinema, and the city that made them both. Your guides aren’t just storytellers—they’re trained true crime historians, film buffs, and Chicago insiders who bring every scene to life. Step inside exclusive interiors where real mobsters plotted and Hollywood crews once brought the Windy City to the Silver Screen. We take you deeper into the story than any other tour can. Expect vivid tales, insider trivia, and behind-the-scenes stories that make Chicago’s gangster past feel as real as the movies it inspired.
Known For: Chicago Private and Luxury, Chicago Historical Tours, Chicago Walking Tours, Chicago New Product, Chicago Crime Tours, Chicago Cultural Tours, Chicago Excellent Quality.
Duration: Around 1 hour and a half.

Destination: Chicago.
This lively overview of Chicago architecture explores iconic buildings from the 1890s to present. We'll compare and contrast a wide range of buildings with varying architectural styles and see how older structures connect to new skyline additions. On this tour, we'll make seven stops in downtown Chicago where we can compare the histories and styles of buildings located within sight of each other. The tour features 19th-Century Commercial, Beaux-Arts, Mid-Century Modern and Postmodern buildings, as well as the latest in architecture from Frank Gehry, Renzo Piano and Adrian Smith. At each stop, we’ll look at the connections between the past and present and discover what inspires design today. The tour culminates with a visit to Millennium Park, where world-class art and architecture combine, creating a unique urban fabric. As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.
Known For: Chicago Private and Luxury, Chicago Excellent Quality, Chicago Architecture Tours, Chicago Historical Tours, Chicago City Tours, Chicago Walking Tours.
Duration: Around 2 hours.

Destination: Chicago.
This tour is the perfect way to experience the shoreline of Chicago in a new and exciting way! Our tour vessel is a former military Williard Marine, which provides a unique and interesting touch to the normal tour experience. Being both sturdy in the water, and fast! Reaching up to speeds of 35 Knots! We work hard to provide historical context for our great city, as well as provide an exhilarating experience through the use of high speed runs and spins!
Known For: Chicago Speed Boat Rentals, Chicago Zombie Slice, Chicago Zombie, Chicago Adventure Tours, Chicago Small Group, Chicago Historical Tours, Chicago Jet Boat Rentals, Chicago Excellent Quality, Chicago Water Tours, Chicago Extreme Sports, Chicago Private and Luxury.
Duration: Around 1 hour and a half.

Destination: Chicago.
Nightly Spirits’ Haunts and Hooligans Tour will illustrate Chicago’s haunted history of secret parlors, underground tunnels, murderous movie theaters and supernatural speakeasies. Whether you’re a recent transplant to Chicago or have lived among the Windy City’s ‘others’ for years, you’re about to get a haunted history that may leave you with more memories than you dare to retain.   Tours begin at the haunted Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse in downtown Chicago. A costumed guide will lead tour goers on a walking journey exploring the creepy past of one of Chicago’s most famous bootleggers, offering glimpses into the past and revealing the stories of long-dead phantoms and specters who still call Chicago home.
Known For: Chicago Small Group, Chicago Walking Tours, Chicago Likely To Sell Out, Chicago Historical Tours, Chicago Ghost Tours, Chicago Excellent Quality, Chicago Likely to Sell Out, Chicago Food & Drink, Chicago Private and Luxury.
Duration: Around 1 hour and a half.

Destination: Chicago.
Take a tour of Chicago's Pedway system (a network of underground tunnels that allows pedestrians to pass from one end of the Loop to the other) and enjoy seasonal holiday decorations and sights along the way. Our tour begins in the lobby of the Swissotel where we descend into the Pedway. After a tour of the Chicago Cultural Center and its famous Tiffany Dome, we return to the Pedway for a short walk to Macy's department store. There, we'll view the famous Tiffany ceiling, the "Great Tree" in the Walnut Room and the store’s decorated holiday windows. We return to the Pedway and follow it to Civic Center Plaza for a visit to the Christkindlmarket, an authentic European holiday market. We return to the Pedway for a visit to City Hall followed by a short walk to a nearby L station. A quick train ride takes us to the origin/terminus of Route 66, the Art Institute’s lion statues, and Millennium Park to view the famous Cloud Gate sculpture, aka, The Bean and the city's holiday tree .
Known For: Chicago Private and Luxury, Chicago Historical Tours, Chicago Small Group, Chicago Christmas, Chicago Half-day Tours, Chicago Seasonal, Chicago Cultural Tours, Chicago Likely to Sell Out, Chicago Likely To Sell Out, Chicago Walking Tours.
Duration: Around 3 hours.

Destination: Chicago.
Discover the rich history and architecture of downtown Chicago with local expert Dave Lineal. Walking underneath the soaring buildings, we will learn how Chicago grew to become a global force in culture, commerce, and architecture. How did this roaring city come to be? We will hear the tales of Chicago history immersed in the places where it happened -- exploring historic building interiors like the world's oldest skyscrapers, City Hall, and the old library. This deep dive in city history and architecture aims to deepen our appreciation of what Chicago is today.
Known For: Chicago Historical Tours, Chicago Cultural Tours, Chicago Excellent Quality, Chicago Small Group, Chicago Walking Tours, Chicago Private and Luxury.
Duration: Around 2 hours.

Destination: Chicago.
Our private walking tour of the Chicago History Museum offers a personalized, in-depth experience led by expert guides who bring Chicago’s vibrant past to life through captivating stories, insider insights, and exclusive information tailored to your interests.
Known For: Chicago Historical Tours, Chicago Walking Tours, Chicago Private Sightseeing Tours, Chicago New Product, Chicago Cultural Tours.
Duration: Around 2 hours.

Destination: Chicago.
Chicago's original Millionaire's Row, meet the ghosts of the Gilded Age. Marshall Field, George Pullman, Philip Armour, and many more used to live in this amazing area, the most desirable address in the city before the fire. Many of the incredible homes are still standing and the spirits linger, waiting to divulge their secrets in a haunted history tour and ghost investigation in one of Chicago's most prestigious places.
Known For: Chicago Private and Luxury, Chicago Walking Tours, Chicago Ghost Tours, Chicago Historical Tours.
Duration: Around 2 hours and a half.
Normal Price: 40 USD.
Current Price: 32 USD.

Destination: Chicago.
Taste four different styles of pizza in about three hours. Learn about Chicago's 10 pizza styles, and discover why there's more to The Windy City than just deep-dish. Go back in some of the kitchens to see how pizzas are made, and taste the differences. Expert doughcents will share the history of Chicago pizza as well other interesting tidbits about the neighborhood you're exploring. We need to know if there are any vegetarians in your group the day before please.
Known For: Chicago Walking Tours, Chicago Food & Drink, Chicago Historical Tours, Chicago Half-day Tours, Chicago Culinary Tours.
Duration: Around 3 hours.