tour by foot chicago

Free Tours by Foot

Services Offered

Verified by Business

Virtual Consultations

Review Highlights

“ Aram gave an OUTSTANDING architectural walking tour of Chicago on July 24 which exceeded my expectations. ” in 51 reviews

“ We took two tours -- The Loop and Millennium Park Tour with Bruce and Riverwalk and History Tour with Michael. ” in 17 reviews

“ We had Bruce as our guide - he was extremely friendly and did a good job at keeping the entire group engaged. ” in 34 reviews

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

Serving Chicago Area

You Might Also Consider

Shoreline Sightseeing

1.5 miles away from Free Tours by Foot

A great Chicago experience begins with Shoreline Sightseeing! For over 80 seasons, we've been your guide to Chicago's iconic architecture. Our fleet of 11 touring vessels and 6 water taxis is Chicago's largest. Choose from our… read more

in Historical Tours, Architectural Tours, Boat Tours

0.4 miles away from Free Tours by Foot

Desiree N. said "Unreal customer service. I'd give more than 5 stars if I could. My husband and I got into Away before they were popular. We've purchased several bags from them. Prior to Away, we used to be Tumi people. I've never received the…" read more

in Travel Services, Luggage, Airlines

Yam Global Travel

Ready for your next adventure? Whether you are dreaming of a sun-soaked beach, a thrilling safari, or a cultural city escape, we have got you covered! Call today! read more

in Tours, Travel Agents

Amenities and More

Ask the community.

Ask a question

Yelp users haven’t asked any questions yet about Free Tours by Foot .

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Overall rating

275 reviews

We took our 8th FTBY last weekend in Chicago with Mike. The Birth of the Skyscraper tour was once again a top quality FTBF with all of the great features of a walking tour. Well researched content told in an engaging, informative and approachable way. Right amount of content for the right amount of time. Friendly guide who was well versed about a wide range of topics not just the tour topic. I highly recommend FTBF as their guides, especially Mike, are highly knowledgeable, passionate and engaging.

While the tour started out good led by Bruce and we were excited to hear about the Gangsters it quickly turned into a very boring commercial for things within Chicago - pizza, hot dogs, theatre .... Bruce had a list that he kept referring to and items that he had to plug. It was a very disappointing tour -- and Even more so because I've been on FTOF all over the world and have never experienced this before, anywhere. Oh well. Weather was beautiful and enjoyed my time with my friends.

We had the best time with Michael who lead our group through the history, culture and architecture. It was the winter riverwalk (even though it's Spring) and it was delightful. I highly recommend this activity for any age. We had a 9 and 15 year old who had a blast!

See all photos from Zeb K. for Free Tours by Foot

Great tour through Lincoln Park with James! He was very knowledgeable about the history of the area and helpful with suggestions of additional places to see in Chicago. Highly recommend!

Excellent two hour with an excellent guide. Amazing way to learn about the beautiful, contradictory complex city that is chicago.

I took the Chicago Gold Coast tour on 5/21/24 with Brian Smith and absolutely loved it. It went from The Drake Hotel to close to North Avenue. The residential architecture in that area (mostly from the late 1800s and early 1900s) is wonderful to view and Brian provided a rich history of the area through his commentary that brought it all to life. It was a great tour filled with fascinating information and a fun glimpse into the past. Brian was an excellent tour guide and I would like to take more tours that he leads.

Exploring the Lincoln Park neighborhood with James and learning about the local gangster history was a fascinating way to spend an afternoon. James clearly loves what he does and loves Chicago. I learned a lot about John Dillinger, Dean O'Banion, and other mob figures, but I also got an immersion into one of the most beautiful and livable parts of Chicago. James has a great sense of humor (and I don't mean corny jokes) and knows the city. His tour made it come alive .

Andy's Riverwalk tour was outstanding. Andy conveyed a remarkable amount of Chicago history in the most engaging way. He is smart, funny, and unfailingly courteous. I grew up in Chicago (live far away today), so I was familiar with many of the subjects Andy touched upon, but never did I encounter them in such depth. He also has a great appreciation for architecture, essential for a guide through one of the country's great architectural centers. Andy's Riverwalk tour is essential for anyone who wants to know how Chicago got to be Chicago, and why it looks the way it does.

I had the pleasure of being shown and told about Chicago by Mike. He is very knowledgeable and loves the city he is showing you. The cold didn't stop him and it was very enjoyable. Recommend to anyone that wants to learn about Chicago. Tip: go on the tour at the beginning of your trip and not the end like me. You will want to go back to some of the spots.

The Gangster Tour was very interesting. Even lifelong Chicago residents will learn a lot. Great Tour Group!!

China was an amazing tour guide! Knowledgeable and FUN. Great morning and great city Thank you.

Had a great tour with Bruce in Chicago. He had lots of great stories about the history of the city. It was a fairly large group of about 18, however, everyone felt comfortable asking questions. His voice carries so we could all hear him during the tour. He also had great recommendations for restaurants, plays and other Chicago events. I would highly recommend this tour for an overview of the loop and Millennium Park. Bruce was great!!

124 other reviews that are not currently recommended

Wendella Tours & Cruises

1.3 miles away from Free Tours by Foot

Brian H. said "So let me just start off by saying if you can only do one thing while in Chicago let this be it. I was a little hesitant about spending $35.50 for an adult for a 90 minute excursion but in the end I would've sieve $50. Not only was…" read more

in Architectural Tours, Boat Charters

Hawaii Geo Tours

Meredith G. said "If I could give more than five starts I would. I went on this tour two days ago, it was amazing. Our guide David was so much fun. He had a lot of knowledge to share about the island. His historic stories were great. Also so much…" read more

in Walking Tours

Collections Including Free Tours by Foot

Things to do in Chicago

Long Weekend Vibes (4th of July in Chicago) ☀️🌻🌊

Places to see in Windy City

By Phung V.

Things To Do

By Deidra S.

By Xiaoling T.

By Brina C.

By Heather N.

By Shelly K.

People Also Viewed

Chicago Gangsters and Ghosts Tours

Chicago Crime Tours and Experiences

Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise - First Lady

Chicago River Boat Architecture Tours

Bobby’s Bike Hike - Chicago

Chicago’s First Lady

Tours With Mike

Chicago Prohibition Tours

Best of Chicago

People found free tours by foot by searching for….

Architecture Tour Chicago

Duck Tour Chicago

Free Walking Tours Chicago

Haunted Tours Chicago

Tourist Attractions Chicago

Walking Tour Chicago

Browse Nearby

Restaurants

Travel Services

Other Places Nearby

Find more Architectural Tours near Free Tours by Foot

Find more Walking Tours near Free Tours by Foot

Service Offerings in Chicago

Related cost guides.

Town Car Service

• Book Online
• Walking Tours
• Private Tours
• Become a Guide

Free Guided Tours of Chicago's best neighborhoods led by local guides.

• Tour Schedule
• Free Chicago Walking Tour Experience
• Friends & Partners

Tours & Attractions , Architectural/Cultural Tours

Free tours by foot.

Located in Online only

• Share this post:

C/O Canden Arciniega, Silver Spring MD 20910

Get directions

• www.freetoursbyfoot.com
• (312) 612-0826

Free Tours by Foot offers walking, food and bike tours that come with no upfront costs. Our tours operate on a pay-what-you-like basis, meaning you can decide what your tour was worth, if anything, after the tour is over, ensuring that your tour guide must work extra hard for a memorable experience. Our tours cover Millennium Park, the Loop and much more. A pay-what-you-like tour is a tour for any budget.

Trip Advisor Reviews

Explore all things to do

Featured in

Holidays , Tours & attractions

Chicago ghost tours for halloween.

Articles , Bucket list

Things to do in chicago in the fall.

Architecture & history , Itineraries

Your guide to chicago’s iconic architecture.

Tours & attractions

Unique chicago tours.

Entertainment

Famous movies filmed in chicago.

Walking tours in Chicago

Explore hotels, flights, deals, and more

Plan your trip.

Chicago Newsletter

Stay in the know.

Visitors Guide

Start planning today.

Get the guide

Your Favorites

Quick access links.

• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Chicago Tour in French and English - Free Tours by Foot

• United States    
• Illinois (IL)    
• Chicago    
• Chicago - Things to Do    
• Free Tours by Foot

Bruce was amazing, gave us lots of information about Chicago and Lincoln Park in addition to the... read more

the tour was aamzing!! Mike was very good, patient, funny and informative. Loved the tour ad... read more

Chicago Tour in French and English

We just completed our private tour of Chicago and were very impressed! We hosted guests from France and were in need of a French speaking guide. Free Tours by Foot did not disappoint. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and made connections with each person in the group. He was able to lead the tour in both English for us and in French for our guests. We saw things we had never seen before and learned even more about this amazing city. Our guests were pleased to be able to ask questions in French, be understood and learned about Chicago. Highly recommend this Tour group. If you need a French guide ask for Mike. He was wonderful!

I did two Tours by Foot tours in one day and both were great. Mike led Magnificent Mile tour and Ryan led the River Walk tour. Learned so much from both - both interesting and fun facts. They both sent out information before and after the walks so we knew exactly where to meet, what to expect and they sent tips after as well. Highly recommend these and I'll look for them in other cities too! Thanks!

It was amazing!!! We are entertaining relatives from Spain who will be here for a few weeks and looking for things to do that wouldn't cost too much. Our tour guide, Andy was bright, charming and incredibly knowledgeable about the city and its buildings. However, it was the entertaining stories about Chicago history and politics that he shared that made the trip enjoyable to all, even Chicago natives. My husband and I have lived in Chicago all of lives and learned more in 2 hours than we expected! Would not miss this one!

I did two tours with this group and both were fantastic! I did the architecture tour with Aram first and learnt so much about the different periods of Chicago architecture and how to recognise them. I'm by no means an architecture expert, but feel like I could hold my own now. He also made us laugh a lot, which is always a bonus. I did the North Loop and Millennium Park Tour with Mike. He was great with history and anecdotes to give you a flavour for what makes Chicago unique. He also had a booklet with photos of how things used to look, which was great for understanding how much Chicago has changed. Both were an entertaining way to spend half a day!

Our guide Bruce, provided us with loads of information and memorable facts. He ran the tour and just the right pace for the group and cast a watchful eye to make sure no one got lost. We saw all sorts of places that without his guidance we would have walked past and not given a second glance. We did the Northern Loop and Millenium Park tour, my self and 2 teenagers who said " hasn't the time passes quickly", praise indeed. Despite the rain a great tour!

Great tour! Super interesting. We discovered things we didnt know about this city. Mike was a great tour guy. Thanks!!

Protect Your Trip »

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.

[ View & Book Tickets .]

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.

Tags: Chicago , Travel , Tours , Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

The best places to celebrate juneteenth.

Suzanne Mason June 6, 2024

The Best Salem Tours

Lyn Mettler June 6, 2024

The Best Key Largo Snorkeling Tours

Gwen Pratesi June 6, 2024

The Best London Tours

Kim Foley MacKinnon June 5, 2024

Celebrity Ascent Review

Megan duBois June 5, 2024

The Best Graceland Tours

Gwen Pratesi June 5, 2024

Top Things to Do in Orange County, CA

Brittany Chrusciel and Sharael Kolberg June 4, 2024

Fun Things to Do in Arkansas

Ben Luthi and Justine Harrington June 3, 2024

Top Things to Do in Florida

Gwen Pratesi May 31, 2024

The Best Travel Neck Pillows

Timothy J. Forster and Amanda Norcross May 30, 2024

Free Tours by Foot

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

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.

Free Tours by Foot - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Free Tours in Your Language

Free Walking Tour › Chicago

Free Walking Tour Chicago

See the best Free Tours of Chicago offered by local tour guides

Things to Do in Chicago

Free tours in more cities.

Best Free Walking Tours in Chicago

Things To Do

• Outdoor Activities
• Route 66 in Illinois
• Arts & Culture
• Attractions
• Food & Drink
• Lincoln Historic Sites
• Illinois Scenic Byways
• Festivals & Events

Places To Go in Illinois

• Chicago & Beyond
• Great Rivers Country
• Land of Lincoln
• Trails to Adventure

Plan Your Trip

• Travel Inspiration
• Road Trip Itineraries
• Illinois Made
• Places to Stay
• Seasonal Adventures
• Exploring Illinois with Electric Vehicles
• Getting Here & Getting Around
• Maps & Visitor Guides

Accessibility in Illinois

• Tourism Industry
• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on Instagram
• Check our Pinterest
• Follow us on TikTok
• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to our channel on YouTube

Tours By Foot

2231 N. Kimball Ave., Chicago, IL 60647

• Walking Tours

How to find us?

What's happening nearby....

!Taíno Vive! Caribbean Indigenous Resistance at The National Puerto Rican Museum Chicago

The National Puerto Rican Museum Chicago •  Jan 06 – Jun 16

The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture will host “Caribbean Indigenous Resistance / Resistencia indígena del Caribe ¡Taíno Vive!” January 6 – June 16,…

Chicago's Annual Pride Parade

Celebrate Chicago's LGBT community at the annual Pride Parade! The parade will feature floats, decorated vehicles and marching groups and more1

Chinatown Summer Fair

Jul 28 @ 10AM

This iconic event is one of the most ethnically unique outdoor events in Chicago and the Midwest. Attracting more than 40,000 people from throughout the region.

You might also be interested...

Eli's Cheesecake World

Chicago Dine-Around

Chicago Distilling Co.

To make their craft spirits, Chicago Distilling Co. start with organic grains sourced right here in Illinois.

Share your Moments

#enjoyillinois, subscribe to our newsletter.

Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois.

• CBSSports.com
• Fanatics Sportsbook
• CBS Sports Home
• Summer Racing 
• Champions League
• Motor Sports
• High School

Football Pick'em

College Pick'em

Fantasy baseball, fantasy football, fantasy basketball, fantasy hockey, franchise games, 24/7 sports news network.

• CBS Sports Golazo Network
• PGA Tour on CBS
• UEFA Champions League
• UEFA Europa League
• Italian Serie A
• Watch CBS Sports Network
• TV Shows & Listings

The Early Edge

A Daily SportsLine Betting Podcast

Beyond the Arc

It's NBA Playoff Time!

• Podcasts Home
• The First Cut Golf
• We Need to Talk Now
• Eye On College Basketball
• NFL Pick Six
• Cover 3 College Football
• Fantasy Football Today
• My Teams Organize / See All Teams Help Account Settings Log Out

2024 Memorial Tournament live stream, TV schedule, channel, where to watch, tee times, golf coverage, radio

The pga tour returns to jack's place for the final event before the u.s. open.

A busy three-week stretch on the PGA Tour kicks off this week with the 2024 Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village. Serving as the appetizer for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, the Memorial welcomed the best players on the PGA Tour as it dons the signature status once again.

Cutting the field at the 36-hole mark like the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Genesis Invitational, the Memorial represents the final chance for players to fine-tune their games. A game which needs little sharpening is that of Scottie Scheffler. The world No. 1 arrived in Ohio as the clear-cut favorite after his top-10 performance at the PGA Championship and runner-up finish at the Charles Schwab Challenge.

Follow along with LIVE updates from the final round of the 2024 Memorial Tournament

Finishing one stroke outside the playoff at this event a season ago, Scheffler looks to break through at Jack's place with a cooperative putter in tow as the clear 54-hole leader with a four-stroke lead on the field entering Sunday's final around. While there are other big-name golfers near the top of the leaderboard, the Memorial has become Scheffler's tournament to lose.

Should he pick up the victory, Scheffler would become the first golfer since Justin Thomas in 2017 to win five events in a season, and he would do so with two majors and the FedEx Cup Playoffs remaining on the table.

All times Eastern; streaming start times approximated

Round 4 - Sunday

Round starts:  8:30 a.m.

PGA Tour Live:  8:30 a.m. -  6 p.m. --  PGA Tour Live

Live TV coverage:  12:30 - 2:30 p.m. on Golf Channel,  fubo  (Try for free) Live streaming:  12:30 - 2:30 p.m. on Peacock

Live TV coverage:  2:30 - 6 p.m. on CBS Live simulcast:  2:30 - 6 p.m. on  CBSSports.com  and the  CBS Sports App

Radio:  1-6 p.m. --  PGA Tour Radio  

Our Latest Golf Stories

2024 U.S. Open odds, picks, best bets, field

Cbs sports staff • 5 min read, 2024 u.s. open odds, scottie scheffler picks, 2024 u.s. open picks, odds, best bets, field.

2024 Memorial prize money: Scheffler sets money record

Patrick mcdonald • 1 min read.

Rahm WDs from LIV Houston with apparent foot injury

Kyle porter • 1 min read.

Father's Day golf gift guide for 2024 season

Kyle porter • 5 min read, share video.

How to watch 2024 Memorial Tournament

Scheffler wins $4M at Memorial, sets new record

Rahm WDs from LIV event with apparent foot injury

Furyk names assistant captains for Presidents Cup

Scheffler, Schauffele, a cut above in Power 18 rankings

All charges dropped against Scheffler in Louisville

U.S. Open odds: Scheffler stands as heavy favorite

Davis Love III enthused about golf's young stars

Johnny Damon: How I started loving golf

Jim Furyk offers key advice to Ryder Cup captains

This website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and analyze the use of the website. Learn More

Explore The World

Walking tours & travel guides, popular destinations.

New Orleans

North america.

Washington DC

New York City

United Kingdom & Ireland

Middle East & India

All destinations, asia & oceania.

Free Tours by Foot is the original free walking tour company, in operation since 2007. We offer dozens of daily tours year-round in 30+ cities and we’re proud that over 3 million guests (and counting!) have taken one of our local tours.

We also offer specialty tours as Tours by Foot at an affordable ticketed price, bringing our highly rated guides to unique experiences in various cities.

We’ve been featured in travel guides like Lonely Planet, top press like the New York Times, and travel bloggers from all over the world. We have given tours to Hollywood stars, foreign ambassadors and local elementary schools.

what we believe

From our free self-guided tours to the original pay-what-you-like tours to small-group specialty tours join us for the best touring experience in cities around the world.

Featured Posts

Self-Guided Golden Gate Bridge Walking Tour

Memorial Day Weekend in DC (2024)

Top of the Rock | Tips from Locals and Recent Visitors

Trusted organizations & press.