Chicago in a Day: Food, History and Architecture Walking Tour
Overview
Ready to discover some of the best Chicago has to offer with a local by your side? Join us on an epic tour of some of the city’s greatest hits: incredible architecture both old and new, delicious local treats and iconic Chicago dishes, a uniquely Chicago transit ride, stunning river views and much more!
Inclusions
- Join professional English-speaking local guide
- Discover Chicago on 5 Food Stops with 5 Food Samples
- Try Deep dish pizza at a pizza place that’s an icon to Chicago
- Taste a classic Chicago sandwich: Italian beef
- Get a taste for Chicago’s most famous food like Chicago-style hot dog
- Enjoy a couple of classic made-in-Chicago snacks like Chicago-style popcorn and homemade chocolate
- Transportation between tour halves
- Discover Chicagos’ incredible architecture both old and new
- Get tips on what else to see, do and eat during your stay
- Entry/Admission - Chicago River
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: The Chicago Theatre, 175 N State St, Chicago, IL 60601-3623
We start our tour under the dazzling marquee of the Chicago Theater (where you might recognize the neon sign from the movie musical Chicago) before heading off into the bustling city.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Chicago Pedway, Chicago, IL
We’ll then head towards the Chicago Pedway. This unique feature of Chicago is used by locals and commuters daily to move about the city in a network of underground tunnels — especially necessary during the Midwest winters. We’ll head back above-ground near City Hall, and on most weekdays, be able to head inside to see the classic interior design and architecture.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601
Weather permitting, we’ll take a stroll along the Chicago Riverwalk while taking in views of several soaring buildings, including Marina Towers, the Britannica Building, and the Sears Tower (now known as the Willis Tower).
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Chicago River, Chicago, IL
From there, we’ll either hop on the ‘L’ train. The ‘L’ train is recognized as a Chicago landmark having been featured in movies and TV shows for decades. You’ll enjoy feeling like a local as you zip past buildings and catch even more awesome views.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Cloud Gate, 201 E. Randolph St. Millenium Park, Chicago, IL 60601-6530
We’ll end up in the picturesque Millennium Park, home to the iconic Bean sculpture. Here (or nearby), your guide will conclude your tour and point you in the right direction toward more amazing sights, great lunch spots, or a drink recommendation inside one of the most amazing spaces in the city.
Note that the Bean sculpture is under construction until Spring 2024 and views will be limited.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Corporate Suites Network, 845 N State St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Your food tour starts with a very well-known Chicago fare: the Chicago-style hot dog. Every Chicagoan has his or her own preference as to how the dog should be made, and you’ll get a chance to try your guides’ favorite version.
Next up is the world-famous Chicago deep-dish pizza! An entire meal unto itself, this staple of the Chicago food scene originated in River North in the 1940s, when workers and families needed filling dishes at low prices. Your guide will take you to a pizza place that’s an icon to Chicago natives to try the real deal for yourself.
After you’ve filled up on pizza and hot dogs, you’ll take a stroll through two more establishments, each one essential to Chicago’s food culture. We’ll then continue our tasting journey with a classic Chicago sandwich: Italian beef. You’ll sample this sandwich in a real Chicago institution — no-frills decor included!
Duration: 2 hours
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: The Chicago Theatre, 175 N State St, Chicago, IL 60601-3623
We start our tour under the dazzling marquee of the Chicago Theater (where you might recognize the neon sign from the movie musical Chicago) before heading off into the bustling city.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Chicago Pedway, Chicago, IL
We’ll then head towards the Chicago Pedway. This unique feature of Chicago is used by locals and commuters daily to move about the city in a network of underground tunnels — especially necessary during the Midwest winters. We’ll head back above-ground near City Hall, and on most weekdays, be able to head inside to see the classic interior design and architecture.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601
Weather permitting, we’ll take a stroll along the Chicago Riverwalk while taking in views of several soaring buildings, including Marina Towers, the Britannica Building, and the Sears Tower (now known as the Willis Tower).
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Chicago River, Chicago, IL
From there, we’ll either hop on the ‘L’ train. The ‘L’ train is recognized as a Chicago landmark having been featured in movies and TV shows for decades. You’ll enjoy feeling like a local as you zip past buildings and catch even more awesome views.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Cloud Gate, 201 E. Randolph St. Millenium Park, Chicago, IL 60601-6530
We’ll end up in the picturesque Millennium Park, home to the iconic Bean sculpture. Here (or nearby), your guide will conclude your tour and point you in the right direction toward more amazing sights, great lunch spots, or a drink recommendation inside one of the most amazing spaces in the city.
Note that the Bean sculpture is under construction until Spring 2024 and views will be limited.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Corporate Suites Network, 845 N State St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Your food tour starts with a very well-known Chicago fare: the Chicago-style hot dog. Every Chicagoan has his or her own preference as to how the dog should be made, and you’ll get a chance to try your guides’ favorite version.
Next up is the world-famous Chicago deep-dish pizza! An entire meal unto itself, this staple of the Chicago food scene originated in River North in the 1940s, when workers and families needed filling dishes at low prices. Your guide will take you to a pizza place that’s an icon to Chicago natives to try the real deal for yourself.
After you’ve filled up on pizza and hot dogs, you’ll take a stroll through two more establishments, each one essential to Chicago’s food culture. We’ll then continue our tasting journey with a classic Chicago sandwich: Italian beef. You’ll sample this sandwich in a real Chicago institution — no-frills decor included!
Duration: 2 hours
Additional information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- In the event of road or attraction closures, your guide will do their best to work around the obstacles or take your tour to alternate locations.
- Small group of a maximum of 12 people.
- This is a child-friendly walking tour. Children under the age of 6 are permitted to join this tour free of charge.
- Please note: food options and portion sizes will vary depending on the season and where we stop that day but the total amount of food included will be equal to a full meal.
- Note that the Bean sculpture is under construction until Spring 2024 and views will be limited.
- All tours follow the latest local health authority advice. Urban Adventures has received the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Safe Travels stamp, which recognises companies that have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Stephanie_C
March 2022
Awesome time with Chicago Dave!! Highly recommend this tour and experience! We learned so much, saw so much, ate so much!
Awesome time with Chicago Dave!! Highly recommend this tour and experience! We learned so much, saw so much, ate so much!Paige T
May 2022
It was an interesting experience. It was very cold and windy, even in late April. Wish we would have known to dress for winter. Tour seemed a bit haphazard with a lot of back and forth. We tried caramel corn, brownies and chocolate before lunch. And then we had back to back hotdogs, beef sandwich...
It was an interesting experience. It was very cold and windy, even in late April. Wish we would have known to dress for winter. Tour seemed a bit haphazard with a lot of back and forth. We tried caramel corn, brownies and chocolate before lunch. And then we had back to back hotdogs, beef sandwiches and then pizza. We were rushed through our stops, so we're unable to purchase items on our own from the vendors. Guide was friendly enough, but needed to practice more covid protocols like not passing around his phone to show pics, videos, etc. We learned some things about Chicago history and archetecture. But we had hoped for more insight.Abby_H
May 2022
Rich was great and had a lot of knowledge for our group! The food was good and we saw a lot of neat sights.
Rich was great and had a lot of knowledge for our group! The food was good and we saw a lot of neat sights.Hans_K
May 2022
Richard the tour guide was great! He showed us really interesting Chicago sights and made the history come alive. I would recommend it to everyone!
Richard the tour guide was great! He showed us really interesting Chicago sights and made the history come alive. I would recommend it to everyone!Frances_F
April 2022
Knowledgeable and personable Tour guide. Lots of the city was covered. We learned a lot, and the food was delicious. Would highly recommend.
Knowledgeable and personable Tour guide. Lots of the city was covered. We learned a lot, and the food was delicious. Would highly recommend.roxanay620
April 2022
Chicago Dave was wonderful. I learned much about Chicago history, tasted good food, and enjoyed the sights at all the locations on the tour.
Chicago Dave was wonderful. I learned much about Chicago history, tasted good food, and enjoyed the sights at all the locations on the tour.