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Chicago Walking Tour: Legacy of the Prohibition Era
4.8
74 Ratings
Chicago
Discover the best of Chicago’s architecture, history, and local treats on this engaging small group walking tour. Join a knowledgeable local guide and explore the city’s iconic sights and hidden gems.
Duration:
2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- The Chicago Theatre - Our tour kicks off beneath the glittering marquee of the Chicago Theatre, a landmark featured in numerous films and TV shows, before we venture into the lively city.
- Chicago Pedway - If the weather is favorable, we’ll make our way to the Chicago Pedway. This distinctive aspect of Chicago consists of a network of underground tunnels used daily by locals and commuters, especially during the harsh Midwest winters.
- City of Chicago - City Hall - We’ll pass by the City Hall-County Building, commonly referred to as City Hall, which houses the government offices of the City of Chicago and Cook County.
- Picasso Statue - Our next stop is the Chicago Picasso sculpture by Pablo Picasso in Daley Plaza. Installed in 1967, The Picasso marked a significant shift in civic and urban planning, expanding the concept of public art beyond mere commemoration.
- Chicago River - Feel like a local as you zip past buildings and take in more stunning views. If your guide opts for a water taxi, you’ll experience the Chicago skyline from a unique vantage point, sharing the daily commute of Chicagoans.
- Chicago Riverwalk - This award-winning $108 million, 1.25-mile promenade runs along the south bank of the Chicago River downtown. Weather permitting, we’ll stroll along the Chicago Riverwalk, enjoying views of several towering buildings, including Marina Towers, the Britannica Building, and the Sears Tower (now Willis Tower).
- Wrigley Building - We’ll pass by the Wrigley Building at 400 N Michigan Ave.
- Tribune Tower - We’ll also pass by the Tribune Tower, a 463-foot-tall, 36-floor neo-Gothic skyscraper located at 435 North Michigan Avenue.
- The Magnificent Mile - We’ll stop at the Magnificent Mile, a premier commercial district in downtown Chicago. Part of the 1909 Burnham Plan of Chicago, this area was developed in the 1920s to replace an industrial and residential zone. It features numerous shops, restaurants, hotels, and attractions along North Michigan Avenue.
- Chicago Cultural Center - Step inside this Chicago Landmark building managed by the Department of Cultural Affairs. The Cultural Center serves as the city’s official reception venue, where the Mayor of Chicago has greeted presidents, royalty, diplomats, and community leaders.
- Millennium Park - Next, we’ll visit the scenic Millennium Park, home to the iconic Bean sculpture. Here, or nearby, your guide will conclude the tour and provide directions to more fantastic sights, great lunch spots, or a recommended drink venue in one of the city’s most remarkable spaces.
- Cloud Gate - Our tour concludes at Cloud Gate, a public sculpture by Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor, which serves as the centerpiece of AT&T Plaza in Millennium Park, located in the Loop community area of Chicago.
What's Included
- Stunning river views
- Friendly local English-speaking guide
- Stroll through beautiful parks
- Tips on what else to see, do, and eat
- Discover Chicago’s incredible architecture
- Taste Chicago-style popcorn
- Pass by Chicago Theatre
What's Not Included
- Additional Food & Drink
- Tips/gratuities for your guide
Additional Information
Walk Chicago to see the legacy left behind by the Prohibition Era. See the architecture, iconic sights (both old and new), and best spots and try a local sweet treat along the way.
See the gorgeous Chicago skyline and discover why this city’s architecture is among the best in the world; Enjoy some classic Chicago-style popcorn; Immerse yourself in the best of Chicago’s culture and discover the inspirations that the Prohibition Era had on the city in the 1920s; Feel the energy and life in one of Chicago’s most beautiful parks and get the iconic photo at the world-famous Bean sculpture
- This is a child-friendly tour. Children under the age of 6 are permitted to join this tour free of charge.
- Experiences happen rain, shine, or snow. Please dress accordingly.
- Suitable for all ages and fitness levels, but please note that this tour covers about 4.8 km (3 miles) of walking.
- We can accommodate vegetarian options but cannot accommodate other food allergies or dietary preferences. Please notify us in advance if you have any dietary requests.
Location
The Chicago Theatre
North State Street
The Chicago Theatre (underneath the marquee), 175 N. State Street, Chicago, IL 60601
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(74 Ratings)
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Laurasd1364wx
Jul 20, 2024
A great your! - It was a good tour! Dave is knowledge and has passion for his adopted city. I enjoyed this tour and would recommend to others!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jadey4646
Jul 13, 2024
Even better than playing knifey-spooney - Went on the architecture tour with Tall Dave. He was extremely knowledgeable and charismatic, and provided insight into the life of certain Chicago buildings. It was clear that he had conducted significant research into Chicago’s history. The visual aids were very helpful!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mwadehicks
Jun 17, 2024
Fun tour - It was a nice tour. We are from Illinois and learned a lot of great information about Chicago architecture and history. This is a great tour for locals as well as out-of-towners
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Adam_r
May 26, 2024
Have to do this trip first when you visit Chicago - Dash was an amazing host. So much information and history. He kept the group together even through the hectic parade. We had a wonderful tour. I only wish we had done Dash’s tour on our first day here
Review provided by Viator
Dominique_b
May 24, 2024
Really great tour and tour guide - We had a lot of fun in this tour and learnt a lot. Dave is very knowledgeable and engaging. We visited some of the iconic places in the Loop, talked about history and lots of anecdotes which really made a difference. We also sampled a few local food at his recommendation. Highly recommend it.
Review provided by Viator
Ligia_p
Mar 31, 2024
Wonderful Private Tour - Our guide, Kevin, was very nice, knowledgeable, and catered the tour to our interests since it was just me and my friend. We especially loved a return visit to the Art Institute (which we had visited the day before but had managed to miss seeing the Monets, Van Goghs, and other important works). We also enjoyed the walking tour in the downtown Loop area, including seeing the Chicago River and the Merchandise Mart Building. I have a bum knee at the moment and was worried about a walking tour, especially stairs, but Kevin was mindful of the situation and we went slowly. My friend and I asked many questions and learned a lot -- I went home afterward to read up on Richard Nickels and his tragic death giving rise to the architecture preservationist movement in Chicago. Thanks, Kevin, for a great tour!
Review provided by Viator
Eric_s
Mar 17, 2024
Great architecture tour of Chicago - It was a great and informative tour. Really learned a lot about the culture and architecture history of the city. The chocolate and popcorn tasting was an additional plus.
Review provided by Viator
Y102ubjim
Mar 17, 2024
Food, history & architecture - Great experience. We would definitely do it again should we come back to Chicago. Highly recommend the experience. It was an adventure doing the tour on St. Patrick’s Day which made it more fun.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yan_b
Jun 12, 2024
Somewhat disappointing - David was very engaging and clearly excited to show off the city. I was however disappointed with the itinerary. I was hoping to see more architecture (Wrigley building, Tribune tower, NBC building, Flamingo sculpture, etc. Instead, we spent way too much time in Marshal Fields and buying pop corn.
Review provided by Viator
David_s
May 2, 2024
Trivia Walk instead of Architecture Walk - Really nice guy but no real insights into architecture. Just a nice walk with some info about when buildings were built and what they were used for. I was hoping to really learn about their architects and architectural decisions. This was more of a “trivia” walk. If you’re going to do this, don’t do it after you’ve already been in the city for a few days as you will just touch in most highlights that you already naturally pass by.
Review provided by Viator
