chicago history walking tours

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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

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Summertime doesn’t have to mean taking a break from learning. Here are some of the best walking tours for taking in Chicago history, including a jaunt from the Chicago Workers Cottage Initiative.

Courtesy of Tom Vlodek/Chicago Workers Cottage Initiative

These five Chicago history tours will show you a different slice of the city

This summer, brush up on your local history with tours that highlight everything from architectural styles to underground critters..

In a city with a history as rich as Chicago’s, summertime doesn’t always have to mean taking a break from learning.

Whether you want to explore outside your neighborhood, fire up your kids’ summer brains or simply try something different, this list presents you with options.

• The wilds of Chicago: 10 places to bask in nature without leaving home

Head underground … and watch for rats

Why go on a walking tour that openly plugs rats? Because those critters own this city just as much as we do. For proof — and to earn a new appreciation for our fellow citydwellers — sign up for local tour guide Mike McMains’s “ Underground Chicago (Plus Rats!) Tour ”: a 90-minute exploration of the city under the city. Departing from the Mag Mile and quickly descending into the lower regions and underbelly of the city, it’s an educational way to learn something new about Chicago, entertain guests hankering for a tour or simply avoid the hot summer sun. $30, 90 minutes. Next tour is July 6.

The Jaffee History Trail features eight informative stops with facts about the city’s history.

Courtesy of the Chicago History Museum

Stroll the Jaffee History Trail

If you haven’t taken the time to explore the Jaffee History Trail , which opened in 2021 just east of the Chicago History Museum, put it on your list this summer. Encompassing 4.5 acres of landscaped grounds planted with native pollinators, the little trail features eight informative stops with representations of the city’s history — from the giant hunk of metal discovered in the museum’s back yard to the infamous Couch Tomb. Free; explore at your own pace. Daily.

Chicago historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas speaks to local high schoolers playing in the Double Duty Classic baseball game during a bus tour in 2023 in Chicago.

Owen Ziliak/Chicago Sun-Times

Take a bus tour with Dilla

Most locals know Auburn Gresham–based historian Sherman “Dilla” Thomas from his viral TikTok videos proving “everything dope about America comes from Chicago.” But have you ever taken one of his neighborhood tours ? Book tickets and board the bus for one of Dilla’s Mahogany Tours through neighborhoods on the South and West sides such as North Lawndale, Englewood or Bronzeville. $45, durations vary. Weekends.

The Chicago Workers Cottage Initiative leads informative tours of cottage-heavy neighborhoods such as McKinley Park and Logan Square.

Learn about a seminal architectural style

If you pay any attention to residential buildings in older parts of town, you may be familiar with the typical workers cottage: small, 1 1/2-story homes built for working-class families between the 1880s and 1919. Across the city, there are nearly 60,000 of these homes, but they’re rapidly being demolished. Enter the Chicago Workers Cottage Initiative : a small group of people who organized themselves in 2021 to celebrate these little houses in attempts to preserve them from demolition. During the warmer months, the group occasionally leads informative, intimate tours of workers cottage-heavy neighborhoods such as McKinley Park and Logan Square. Donation, 90 minutes. Weekends.

This photo shows an aerial view after the first atomic explosion at the Trinity Test Site near Alamogordo, N.M., on July 16, 1945. Trinity Site, a designated National Historic Landmark, only opens to the public twice a year. But the UChicago campus also played a vital role, and visitors can walk a historical route there nearly any day of the year.

AP Photo, File

Dig into the city’s love affair with film

Yes, we know about the Art Institute’s Ferris Bueller’s Day Off tour — but this one’s better. “ From Fairgrounds to Film Set: Chicago’s Midway, Movies, and the 1893 World’s Fair ” starts from the Midway Plaisance, whose ties go back to the World’s Fair, then winds along the tree-lined streets of Hyde Park to showcase five stops tied to the movies. It’s worth your time just to stroll through the leafy University of Chicago campus, and you’ll walk away with a new appreciation for our city’s role in the film industry. $29.99, 75 minutes. Next tour is June 30.

Want to take your own film-related tour? Stream the Oscar-winning movie Oppenheimer, then take this self-led, WBEZ created tour of the relevant atomic sites on the campus of the University of Chicago.

Lauren Viera has covered Chicago’s arts and cultural scenes for more than 20 years. She is the author of The 500 Hidden Secrets of Chicago (Luster) and lives in Logan Square.

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WALK CHICAGO TOURS

Private and Personalized Walking Tours of the City of Big Shoulders

ON EVERY CORNER...

The mission of every Walk Chicago Tour is linked to the commitment of our owner, Terry Sullivan, a born and bred Chicagoan who wants every visitor to love Chicago as much as he does. The intention of every walk is to enable visitors to not only see Chicago in all its grandness but to feel its energy and to know its heart. This is the sincerity of effort that separates us from the others.  

Every tour is led by a knowledgeable and experienced guide who is skilled at unraveling the many layers of Chicago's culture and history. Guides are chosen for their engaging styles and their ability to share their passion for Chicago.

All our tours are intended for curious, inquisitive, budget-minded visitors. No visit to our city should be a blur on a bus nor an uncomfortable mix in a large group. And, no visitor to Chicago should be excluded. We openly solicit the disabled and physically impaired and work to meet their individual needs. Let Walk Chicago Tours wrap America's most American city into a story package for you to take home. Give us a chance to help you build your memories at your own pace. Come walk with us and leave our home convinced that you have come to know the real Chicago.

All tours are completely private. We do not combine groups nor add individuals to reserved tour times. Your Guide, Your Group Only!

Reservations are necessary. A minimum of two people is necessary. Call or email for available tour times.

See our F.A.Q. page for pricing and additional tour information.

We’ve been awarded the Certificate of Excellence by Trip Advisor. See what our customers have to say about our tours.

If you have been on one of our tours, we’d love your feedback.

Printable Brochure

ANNOUNCEMENT

It has been a very difficult time. We have all been affected, and our lives have changed. And we must all do what is required of us until normalcy returns. But we want you to know that we are standing ready to serve you whenever you feel secure and comfortable enough to return to the beauty, friendliness and excitement that is the real Chicago. We will be ready and waiting to take a walk with you. Keep in mind that we have always been a completely private walking tour service. It will again be just your personal group and your private guide. There is no combining of tour groups. We will be properly distanced, masked and ever diligent about your safety and the avoidance of risk along the way. We hope to see you soon...we have so many stories to tell. Call or email us soon......

The Walk Chicago Tours Guide Staff

We consider ourselves Chicago's premiere educational field trip tour service (see tripadvisor.com for reviews by teachers). We have served scores of grade schools, high schools and colleges. Most of our guides are former educators (see guides page on our website) who know how to engage students and how to work with teachers to meet the intended goals for their student groups. We are open to planning with instructors to customize any of our tours to meet the objectives of their classrooms. All school groups receive special discounts. We do not charge for certified faculty members, paraprofessionals or designated school personnel serving as chaperones.

The Museum will be open on 7/4 for Independence Day; Free admission for IL residents. Learn more

• Join & Give

Adult Group Visits

Experience history, together

Stories are always better when shared! Bring your group to the Chicago History Museum and walk in the footsteps of the city’s past on a private tour. Groups of ten or more adults receive a discount when reserving at least four weeks in advance.

Whether you are a professional tour operator, group planner, or you simply have a lot of friends and family, we have an experience for you. Customized itineraries, Museum tours, city tours, and a variety of lunch options are just some of the ways we can specialize your group’s visit. We also have virtual options.

Special Summer Offer!

Bring your group to the Chicago History Museum during August 2024 and enjoy $2 off per person for group admission and guided gallery tours! Email [email protected] to book today.

Discount only applies to bookings for August 2024. Minimum of 10 people required; maximum varies for guided tours.

• Looking to book a field trip for a K-12 group? Visit our field trips page .
• Are you one of our university partners? Sign up for your group visit here .

Current Offerings

Our expert group sales team has carefully crafted private tours that tell Chicago’s story both inside the Museum and out in the city. You can also take a self-guided tour or enjoy a virtual experience with one of our experts.

Behind-the-Scenes Tours

General guidelines.

• Subject to availability.
• For pricing, email: [email protected] .
• Please review specific guidelines for each tour; note that group size varies and must be adhered to for visitor, staff, and collection safety (no exceptions).
• No more than one tour per day.
• No children; students must be university level and up; when university student groups attend, teachers/professors must be present and engaged in managing the group.
• Because storage spaces are enclosed and can be congested, we request that those going on behind-the-scenes tours wear masks (just as we do for Abakanowicz Research Center visitors ); if you don’t have a mask, one will be provided.

Behind-the-Scenes Tour

Specific Guidelines

• Tour duration: 60 minutes
• Group size: minimum of 10; maximum of 15
• Two weeks advance notice required
• Tours only offered the 4th Friday of the month at 11:00 a.m.

Costume Collection Storage Tour

• Group size: maximum of 10
• Four weeks advance notice required

Museum Tours

Explore Chicago history your way. Whether your group prefers a guided or self-guided gallery or walking tour—or even a scavenger hunt—you’ll find a unique way to experience the Chicago History Museum and the city’s fascinating stories.

Richard M. and Shirley H. Jaffee History Trail

Book your walking tour of the new must-see destination at Lincoln Park’s southwest corner—the  Richard M. and Shirley H. Jaffee History Trail ! Examine a historic fire relic from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, visit the  Couch Tomb  (a reminder that the area was once a cemetery), and take in a collection of community-inspired kinetic sculptures by local artist  Bernard Williams . Then, visit additional tour stops that amplify Chicago’s personality, highlighting the city’s resilience, connectivity, natural beauty, and complexities.

Tours happen rain or shine. Attendees should dress appropriately for the weather.

Tour options:

• Jaffee History Trail only
• Jaffee History Trail + guided tour of permanent exhibition  Chicago: Crossroads of America
• Jaffee History Trail + guided tour of a feature exhibition, such as  City on Fire: Chicago 1871  or any other temporary exhibition
• Jaffee History Trail + self-guided exploration of CHM (the discounted group rate)

Group size:  Minimum 10, maximum 25 people

Duration:  30 minutes.  For group rate, please inquire through the online form below.

Guided Tours of Permanent Exhibitions

Learn the backstory and see Chicago’s past and present from a historian’s perspective with guided or self-guided tours.

HIGHLIGHTS OF CHICAGO

Discover the city’s vast history in  Chicago: Crossroads of America . Whether you want to explore the grandeur of the world fairs of 1893 and 1933, or Chicago innovations that changed the world like skyscrapers and modern retail, or the diverse neighborhoods and lively cultural scene, this exhibition is a must see!

Duration:  50–60 minutes

Group size: Minimum 10, maximum varies with each exhibition. Please inquire.

Cost: $21 for adults; $19 for seniors (65+) and college students

Guided Tours of Special Exhibitions

Designing for Change: Chicago Protest Art of the 1960s–70s

Available starting the week of June 11, 2024.

Opening Sunday, May 19, 2024, Designing for Change: Chicago Protest Art of the 1960s–70s , features Chicago artists and activists in the 1960s and ’70s who used design to create powerful symbols and imagery to amplify their visions for social change. See more than 100 artifacts and images from the Chicago Freedom, Black Power, anti-Vietnam War, women’s liberation, and early LGBTQIA+ movements that often challenged the status quo, plus works from contemporary artivists responding to issues that parallel those of the past.

• City on Fire: Chicago 1871

A rapidly growing city built of wood. A summer-long heat wave. An exhausted and misdirected team of firefighters. Racial, social, and economic tensions bubbling just below the surface. All Chicago needed was a spark.  Learn more about our exhibition , which opened on October 8, 2021, the 150th anniversary of when the Great Chicago Fire began.

• Back Home: Polish Chicago

Through the lens of Chicago’s Polish communities, experience the journeys immigrants have taken to get to the city, the ways they have established themselves in its neighborhoods, and the duality of feeling a deep connection to two places at once.

Cost: $23 for adults; $21 for seniors (65+) and college students

Self-Guided Tours

Learn all about Chicago history as you stroll through the galleries at your own pace.

• Chicago: Crossroads of America

Group size:  Minimum 10, maximum 100 people

Duration:  2–4 hours.  The group rate of $17 for adults and $15 for seniors/college students applies. 

History Scavenger Hunt

How much do you know about Chicago? Test your knowledge with a scavenger hunt in the Museum. This tour is ideal for team-building or for a fun way to experience history.

Cost:  $2 per person in addition to the self-guided tour fee.

City Walking Tours

Chicago is a city of neighborhoods—lace up your shoes and explore them on foot! Tours run 1.5 to 2 hours. For pricing, email:   [email protected] .

Tours subject to availability. Please schedule 4 weeks in advance. The following tours are offered spring through fall.

Lincoln Park’s Lost History

Crime of the Century: Leopold, Loeb, and the Murder of Bobby Franks

Working the World’s Columbian Exposition

Century of Progress: Chicago’s Forgotten World’s Fair

Prohibition: Thirteen Years of Scofflaws

Historic Old Town

Glitterati on the Gold Coast

Pilsen Murals

Bronzeville

Graceland Cemetery

Step On Tours

Explore the city by motorcoach with a CHM Step On Tour guide!

Group must supply motorcoach transportation. Tours run approximately 90 minutes—if meeting at CHM please add 45-60 minutes of travel time. Minimum group size of 20 people. For pricing, email: [email protected]

Enjoy one of the following new Step On Tours with Paul Durica , CHM director of exhibitions.

History Pub Crawl

Feelin’ groovy: the historic bars of old town.

Available starting April 20, 2024

As one of Chicago’s oldest areas of the city, it’s no surprise that Old Town is home to many tales of the city’s past. This engaging walking tour explores the history of the neighborhood via some of its wonderfully historic bars.

Local beer and tavern historian, Liz Garibay , guides you on a thirst-free stroll that discusses the area’s bygone days and focuses on the history of each of the saloons you visit.  We’ll also dig into the city’s beginnings, the Great Chicago Fire, and beer and Prohibition history. Comedy, music, and film history make cameos too.  The tour includes stops at a former speakeasy and bars that were favorite haunts of cultural icons Frank Sinatra and Anthony Bourdain. In the end, you’ll have a better appreciation for the history, culture, and identity of the Windy City.

• NOTE: Please schedule a minimum of 3 weeks in advance.
• Most tours last approximately three hours, and you will visit 3 taverns/bars with 30 minutes spent at each bar.
• Tours can be scheduled Monday through Thursday, beginning any time between 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; or Saturday or Sunday afternoons, beginning any time between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tour length will depend on size of the tour and will last approximately 2.5 hours. Beverages are not included in the price of the tour.
• Please eat prior to the tour, as we do not have time to eat at any bar.  We will end at a location that is near many great restaurants.
• Please remember that we will be visiting drinking establishments that require all those entering to be at least 21 years of age . Infants, toddlers, and children are not allowed on this tour. Please remember to bring proper identification.

For more information, pricing, and availability, email: [email protected]

Virtual Experiences

Delve into Chicago history from wherever you are! Our new exclusive lectures with Chicago History Museum curatorial staff can be enjoyed from the comfort of your home, your virtual office, or incorporated into your next virtual event.

Ready to Get Started?

Request your private group tour or experience here.

Groups of ten or more—social organizations, hobbyists, even huge families—can enjoy savings by booking at least four weeks in advance.

Your group will have access to a dedicated entrance, including access for motor coaches and buses. A CHM representative will meet your group, answer any questions you may have, and get your visit off to a great start.

More to Explore

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Reserve Your Spot with Confidence! Full Refunds with 24 Hrs Notice. Reschedule at any point, even after tour, if space allows!

Chicago Riverwalk and History Tour

Tour Information

Riverwalk and history tour, riverwalk and history tour highlights.

The Chicago River, still a hub of trade and commerce as it has been since the late 1700’s, has evolved into a bustling and beautiful destination of celebration. Learn the history that makes the Chicago River and its recently updated Riverwalk historically unique.  Chicago is home to one of the world’s most recognizable and celebrated skylines and the Riverwalk’s intimate vantage provides an ideal perspective from which to learn and appreciate its incredible buildings.

You will learn about Chicago's greatest triumphs as well as her most devastating tragedies.  You will see the birthplace of the city where the original army settlements were.  Since this tour is on foot, you will get to pause and really appreciate each architectural gem.

Other Pay-What-You-Wish Chicago Tours:

• Magnificent Mile
• Chicago Loop and Millennium Park
• Ghost Tours

Join Free Tours by Foot as we stroll leisurely along the Chicago River taking in beautiful architectural masterpieces, such as the Wrigley Building while learning stories about the architects who built them. The tour ends near the Centennial Fountain which commemorates one of Chicago’s greatest civic engineering feats! 

Sights we will cover on the Chicago Riverwalk Tour:

• The Chicago River
• Original settlement of Fort Dearborn
• The Jeweler’s Building
• The Aqua Building
• The Wrigley Building
• The Marina City Towers
• History of the Chicago Flag
• and much more!

Reservations:  REQUIRED.  Click here to reserve . Groups of 10 or more must  contact us  before booking.

También ofrecemos este tour en español

Where:   1 W Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601 . Directly outside of the Renaissance Hotel at the corner of State St. and Wacker Dr.

Duration:  Tour lasts approx. 2 hours. Total walking is just over one mile (1.6 km).

View our  full tour calendar  .  Tours are on Central Standard Time!

Cost:  This tour is free to take, and you get to decide what, if anything, the tour was worth when it’s done. A  name-your-own-price tour  is a tour for anyone’s budget.

Save more money and combine our tours with a  tourist pass  and/or a  hop-on, hop-off bus  ticket.

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Travels & Treasures

8 Best Walking Tours in Chicago (from a Local)

If you’re looking for the best walking tours in Chicago, this local girl has you covered!

Chicago is a beautiful city with so much to see and do. From historic architecture to world-famous museums, we’re here to help you create a memorable itinerary. And what better way to take it all in than by exploring on foot?

Read on for our top picks for the best walking tours in Chicago.

Table of Contents

Why Take Walking Tours in Chicago

Walking tours are the perfect way to slow down and experience a city.

You’ll learn so much about Chicago that you never would have known otherwise, and you’ll get to see some of the Windy City’s most iconic landmarks up close and personal. 

Best of all, walking tours are relatively inexpensive—much cheaper than  taking a bus  or driving around on your own.  

The Best Walking Tours in Chicago

Are you ready to explore the vibrant city of Chicago on foot? Look no further than the best walking tours in the Windy City. With its iconic skyline, rich history, and diverse neighborhoods.

There are several great walking tours to choose from in Chicago. Below are just a few of my favorites.

The Chicago Architecture Tour

This tour covers some of Chicago’s most famous buildings while sampling the best foods in the city.

You’ll learn all about the city’s rich architectural history while getting some great views along the way. If you want to explore more options to see the architecture of Chicago, check out this article on the best Chicago architecture tours .

The Gangster Tour

Chicago has a long history of organized crime, and this tour covers some of the most famous gangsters who called the city home, including Al Capone, Bugs Moran, and Hymie Weiss.

You’ll hear all about their crimes (and even visit some of the sites where they occurred), as well as how they impacted Chicago’s development over the years.

Chicago Favorites Ultimate Food & Walking Tour

This tour takes you to some of Chicago’s best stops for legendary eats. You’ll get a taste of classic Chicago dishes like pizza, Italian beef sandwiches, and more.

Make sure you arrive hungry because Chicago is a foodie town and serves some of the best bites in the US!

Underground Donut Tour

This has to be the sweetest of all walking tours in Chicago. Nothing can satisfy it like a donut. This tour will take you into the temples of tasty confectionaries. There are some terrific places in Chicago for a donut and they offer vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free varieties.

Chinatown Food and Walking Tour

If you are short on time and want to visit one of Chicago’s neighborhoods, this tour is for you. Alternatively, you can take your time and visit Chinatown for several family-friendly activities.

On this tour, you’ll feast on foods like dumplings and duck. The area has many shops that you can visit for souvenirs too.

Chicago Architecture Tour of the Underground Pedway

Chicago may be one of the few cities in American with underground streets. They were built in response to the city’s harsh weather. Believe me, winters in Chicago can be brutal with the lake effect! It’s now a hub for retail shops, restaurants, and services and you’ll explore the pedway that connects various buildings and spaces in downtown Chicago.

Downtown Pizza Tour

If you are a fan of pizza, then you are really in for a treat. Chicago loves deep dish, but we’ll eat thin crust too. With names like Giordano’s, Lou Malnati’s, Pizano’s, your taste buds will be in pizza heaven on this tour. It’s a good thing you will be walking, because the city is not shy when it comes to serving up delicious slices.

Architecture Walking Tour: Dazzling Interiors™ of the Loop

If you love architecture, gilded trimmings and fancy chandeliers, this is the tour for you. Chicago has incredibly beautiful facades and interiors there were built after the Great Fire. You’ll be amazed at the beauty that still looks stunning after so many years.

Final Thoughts on the Best Walking Tours in Chicago

Whether you’re a resident of Chicago or just visiting for a short time, taking a walking tour is a great way to see the city in a whole new light.

So put on your comfortable shoes, grab a map (or better yet, book a tour!), and enjoy exploring everything that Windy City has to offer! And if you’re not up for the walking, there’s always the Chicago Big Bus Tour .

Tanya, a travel writer and content creator who has lived in Chicago for over 30 years, is your go-to local expert for Chicago's hidden treasures. Tanya's deep knowledge of various cities and attractions is acquired through personal exploration, making her articles a treasure trove for travelers and families. She has visited 43 of the 50 United States, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Japan, and the UK.

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Gold Coast: Astor Street

Discover the architectural treasures of the Astor Street Historic District, one of Chicago's most affluent neighborhoods, during a four-block stroll. The tour covers residential architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and looks at the preservation movement of the 1970s that saved the homes from demolition.

Premier tour*

Learn about the celebrated people who have lived on the Gold Coast, the esteemed architects who built their homes and the remarkable events that have occurred there. We’ll discuss how the land once owned by the Catholic Church became a haven for some of the city's wealthiest residents while walking past more than 40 elegant homes in the Romanesque, Queen Anne, Tudor, Art Deco and Modern styles.

• Many tours sell out. To guarantee your space advance reservations are strongly recommended.
• Your safety is our priority. The itinerary of this tour may be altered in accordance with health and safety policies and considerations.
• Tour meets in the park at the Dr. Greene Vardiman Black statue across from the Cardinal’s Mansion.
• Ticket price includes entrance to the Chicago Architecture Center within 7 days of your tour. View the CAC's hours .

*Premier tours are free for Deco members and above. Learn about our membership levels .

Photos From This Tour

Upcoming Gold Coast: Astor Street Tours

Saturday jul 13.

• 10:00am Buy Tickets

Sunday Jul 21

• 2:00pm Buy Tickets

Tuesday Aug 6

• 11:00am Buy Tickets

Sunday Aug 25

Sunday sep 8, tuesday sep 17, highlights of this tour.

Charnley-Persky House

1365 n. astor st..

Bold in its simplicity, the Charnley-Persky House stands out from its neighbors in Chicago’s Gold Coast…

the arrangement of forms of a building

Frank Lloyd Wright

Architect/firm.

With a prolific career of more than 70 years, Frank Lloyd Wright’s work spans the late 19th and mid-20th…

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Discover Chicago's Secrets with Magnifico Tours

At Magnifico Tours, we’ve reimagined Chicago exploration, intertwining the city’s mysteries and tales into our adventures. While our specialty lies in crafting detective intrigue within our Chicago Walking Tours, we embrace the rich tapestry that is Chicago’s history, from its notorious gangsters to its spectral legends, and from its architectural marvels to its vibrant cultural districts like Old Town.

The Chicago Murder Mystery Tour invites you to step into a detective’s shoes, solving mysteries as you navigate the city’s landmarks. And alongside the sleuthing adventure, our Private Chicago Magnifico Tour offers a unique Spanish-language journey through Chicago’s cultural wonders.

With Magnifico, every tour is a story, every moment a clue in the grand narrative of Chicago.

Our Chicago Walking Tours

The Chicago Murder Mystery Tour

Embark on a thrilling journey through Chicago’s Gold Coast with our Chicago Walking Tours. Not only will you delve into the city’s mysteries and legends from Al Capone to the Playboy Mansion. A must-experience for every true-crime aficionado.

Schedule: Daily

Start Time: 2 PM, 4:30 PM, 7 PM

Language: English

Duration: 2 Hours

View Highlights

The Private Chicago Magnifico Tour

Embark on a 2-hour journey through Chicago’s vibrant history with our expert guides. Dive into tales of Al Capone, architectural wonders, and our city’s rich Latin culture. Spoiler Alert: You’ll also get to know where NOT get Deep Dish Pizza!

Start Time: Customizable

Language: Spanish

Duration: Customizable

Testimonials

Our guests often find themselves immersed in the rich and varied tales of Chicago, exploring narratives that span from the spectral to the criminal, from the architectural to the historical. Whether it’s the allure of Chicago Gangster Tours, the spine-chilling tales reminiscent of Chicago Ghost Tours, or the architectural marvels that might be explored in a Chicago Architecture Tour, our adventures touch upon diverse threads of stories that make up the fabric of the city.

Mi parte favorita fueron las historias.

Muchas Gracias!

It’s the highlight of our trip to Chicago.

This tour was amazing.

Excellent fun!

Why You Should Go For Magnifico Tours

Our tours, while specializing in mystery and detective-themed experiences, also provide glimpses into other fascinating aspects of Chicago. Whether it’s the notorious past explored in Chicago Gangster Tours, the spectral stories you might find in Chicago Haunted Tours, or the architectural wonders celebrated in Chicago Architecture Tours, Magnifico ensures a rich and varied exploration of the city

Expert Guides

Our guides are Chicago enthusiasts and history buffs, blending historical knowledge with local insight.

Immersive Tours

Immerse yourself in an intriguing experience blending historical facts with captivating storytelling.

Exclusive Access

Our tours enter places not accessible to the general public so you can experience gems of Chicago.

Customizable

Personalize your journey! Tailor the tour to fit your unique interests and comfort level.

Inclusive Fun

Everyone – families, couples, friends, and solo travelers – is welcome for a memorable experience.

All-Weather

Regardless of rain or shine, our tours proceed. Plus, we offer easy rescheduling options.

Whether you’re exploring the city on foot with our Chicago Walking Tours, delving into the city’s notorious criminal past akin to Chicago Gangster Tours, or exploring the spectral stories similar to those in Chicago Ghost Tours, we ensure your adventures with Magnifico Tours are seamless and memorable. Find answers to common queries below, and prepare to step into the multifaceted stories of Chicago with us.

The closest parking garage to the Murder Mystery tour is located at 110 E Pearson St. And for the Magnifico Chicago Private Tour, the closest parking can be found at 505 N Michigan Ave.

Yes, it is a walking experience! The Chicago Murder Mystery is an interactive game that takes you through the city, revealing thrilling stories and showing you sites as you also solve a crime. The crime-solving bit is an interactive experience; if you don’t feel like taking part, you can opt out!

No worries, you are not obligated to perform. We often have families come where some wish to participate and others play as encouraging audience members. In the event where everyone is shy and less interested in playing, your tour can take on a more typical walking tour experience.

Our team is 100% responsive within a 24 hour period, and can be best reached by email [email protected] and Phone/Text/Whatsapp at 872-310-7645. Tickets are 100% refundable until 24 hours before a tour. If you need to cancel within 24 hours of the tour, you may reschedule onto any future tour. Again, please reach out by email or phone/text/Whatsapp.

• The St. Valentine's Day Massacre Site
• The famous alleyway from a legendary crime
• The haunted Chicago theatre

And a whole lot more!

Explore the ideas, artifacts, people, and places that have shaped our history for nearly 400 years.

Harvard Yard is no longer restricted access to HUID holders only. Enhanced security measures will remain in place for the foreseeable future. The safety and security of the Harvard community is a top priority, and we will continue to evaluate the overall situation and adjust our measures accordingly.

Harvard Visitor Center tours

All tours are 45 to 60 minutes long. Registration is required in advance for both in-person and virtual tours. Weekly tour registration will be available every Friday. You can download the Visit Harvard mobile app on iOS and Android devices. During business hours you may purchase a Self-Guided Tour Map for $3 available in multiple languages.

For information about Harvard College Admissions tours for prospective students, visit their website .

Official Historical Tour of Harvard

The free, student-led public walking tour through Harvard Yard provides a history of the University, general information, and a unique view on the students’ individual experience. 

Register for the in-person tour

Visit Harvard mobile app

Explore Harvard with our free mobile app, featuring a collection of self-guided walking tours. Whichever tour you decide to embark on, you’ll be sure to learn something new.

Download the app on  iOS  and  Android devices.

Historical Tour of Harvard

Learn the history behind well-known spots across Harvard’s campus! Each stop highlights iconic buildings, traditions, alumni, and much more.

Harvard Public Art & Culture Tour: Allston

Explore vibrant public art in Allston! You’ll encounter can’t-miss installations along Western Avenue and learn the stories behind them and their artists.

Harvard Public Art & Culture Tour: Cambridge

Discover a new side to our campus through an art-filled adventure! Explore outdoor art, famous architecture, renowned cultural institutions, and more.

Discover more Harvard tours

From nature walks to art galleries, these tour offerings include virtual options, in-person experiences, student and staff-led excursions, and more.

Tour spotlight

Harvard and the Legacy of Slavery

The Harvard and the Legacy of Slavery Walking Tour Experience explores Harvard University’s entanglements with the institution of slavery through a 10-stop tour around Harvard’s campus.

Learn more about the tour

Prospective students

Harvard College In-Person Campus Visit Options: in-person, student-led

Harvard College Virtual Tour Options: virtual

SEAS Tours Options: in-person, student-led

Harvard Business School Options: in-person, virtual, student-led, mobile

Harvard Law School Virtual Tour Video Options: virtual

Arts and culture

Harvard and the Legacy of Slavery Options: mobile

Harvard Art Museums: Student Guided Tours Options: in-person, student-led

Harvard Art Museums: Gallery Tours Options: in-person, self-guided, staff-led

Harvard Forest Field Trips & Tours Options: virtual, in-person, staff-led, self-guided

Arnold Arboretum: All Tours Options: in-person, virtual, staff-led, self-guided

Museums and libraries

Peabody Museum: All Tours Options: in-person, virtual, self-guided, staff-led

Houghton & Widener In-Person Tours Options: in-person, staff-led

Widener 360-Degree Virtual Tour Options: virtual, self-guided

Houghton Library Virtual Tour Options: virtual

Harvard Museums of Science & Culture: Virtual Tours Options: virtual, self-guided

Frequently asked questions

General tour information.

The Harvard University Visitor Center offers several different types of tours. For our in person tour offerings on campus, we provide the Official Historical Tour of Harvard. All tours are provided to the public for free and to private groups for a fee. Our tours typically run 45-60 minutes.

To view the schedule and register for our free public tours (virtual and in person), please visit our Eventbrite page . To request a virtual or in person private tour, visit this link .

We also offer a free self-guided historical tour through the Visit Harvard mobile app, which you can download on iOS and Android devices. You can take this self-guided tour on campus or from the comfort of your own home.

Information about free in-person tours

The in person Historical Tour of Harvard explores Harvard Yard. Tours depart from the Visitor Center which is located at the front desk in the Smith Campus Center. Our address is 1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138.

Registration for our in person tours must be made in advance. Registration is made available starting the Friday before your tour week. Parties of up to 14 persons can register for a free in person tour. Parties of 15-60 are encouraged to submit a request for a private tour .

Registered tour goers should arrive at the Visitor Center at least 15 minutes before your tour to check-in. Tours depart from the Smith Campus Center and end in Harvard Yard.

Information about the Visit Harvard mobile app

Visit Harvard is a free mobile app by the Harvard Visitor Center that features a collection of self-guided tours centered around the Harvard University experience. The Visit Harvard mobile app can be downloaded by anyone with a smartphone, tablet, or desktop, to be enjoyed from wherever you might be visiting, whether it’s in-person at Harvard or from the comfort of your own home.

What tours are being offered in the mobile app? Currently on the app, visitors can take a mobile version of our popular in-person and virtual tour, the Historical Tour of Harvard.

How long is the mobile tour? This self-guided tour takes place across 14 mapped stops through Harvard’s campus. At a standard walking pace, it will take between 45-60 minutes to complete the 1 mile long tour.

Can I take the mobile tour in-person or virtually? The mobile tour is designed to be accessed in-person on Harvard University’s campus, starting at the Harvard Visitor Center, located at the Smith Campus Center in Harvard Square (1350 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA). It can also be viewed from the comfort of your own home. Simply download Visit Harvard in the app store, select the Historical Tour of Harvard, and begin your journey!

Where can I download the Visit Harvard mobile app? You can download the Visit Harvard mobile app on the Apple App Store and Google Play . There is also a desktop version of the app you can access here .

Learn more about the Harvard College admissions process

For more information about Harvard College Admissions, please visit their official website . Their contact information can be found here .

History | Today in Sports History: Tour de France pile up…

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History | Today in Sports History: Tour de France pile up caused by spectator

In 2021, Tour de France: The largest pile up in Tour history is caused by a spectator with a sign during Stage 1. The spectator is apprehended and arrested.

On this date:

1910 — For the second consecutive year, Hazel Hotchkiss wins the singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles at the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championships. Hotchkiss beats Louise Hammond 6-4, 6-2 for the singles title.

1925 — Jim Barnes wins the British Open with a one-stroke win over Ted Ray and Archie Compston at Prestwick Golf Club in South Ayrshire, Scotland.

1959 — Ingemar Johansson knocks out Floyd Patterson in the third round at Yankee Stadium to win the world heavyweight title.

1976 — Japanese professional wrestler Antonio Inoki fights American boxer Muhammad Ali, at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan.

1990 — Jennifer Capriati, 14, defeats Helen Kelesi 6-3, 6-1 in the first round to become the youngest winner of a match in Wimbledon history.

1991 — NBA Draft: UNLV power forward Larry Johnson first pick by Charlotte Hornets.

1992 — UEFA European Championship Final, Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden: In a huge upset Denmark beats Germany, 2-0.

1993 — NHL Draft: Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL) center Alexandre Daigle first pick by Ottawa Senators.

1995 — The U.S. Supreme Court upholds a random drug-testing program in Vernonia, Ore. The 6-to-3 decision allows public high school officials to require student-athletes to submit to random urinalysis as a condition of being allowed to play interscholastic sports.

1996 — NBA Draft: Georgetown guard Allen Iverson first pick by Philadelphia 76ers.

1999 — NHL Draft: Long Beach Ice Dogs (IHL) center Patrik Stefan first pick by Atlanta Thrashers.

1998 — Jamaica becomes the first Caribbean nation to win a World Cup soccer match since Cuba beat Romania in 1938. Theodore Whitmore scores in the 40th and 54th minutes as the Jamaicans beat Japan 2-1.

2002 — In one of the most extraordinary days at the All England Club, seven-time champion Pete Sampras, 1992 winner Andre Agassi and No. 2-seeded Marat Safin all lose — throwing the Wimbledon tournament wide open. For the first time in the Open era, five of the top-eight seeded men’s players are eliminated before the third round.

2002 — NBA Draft: Shanghai Sharks (China) center Yao Ming first pick by Houston Rockets.

2003 — NBA Draft: St. Vincent–St. Mary HS (Akron, Ohio) small forward LeBron James first pick by Cleveland Cavaliers.

2005 — Justin Gatlin cements his status as America’s fastest human by winning the 200 meters, becoming the first man in 20 years to sweep the sprints at the U.S. track and field championships. A day after winning the 100, Gatlin wins the 200 in 20.04 seconds. The last man to win both races at the U.S. meet was Kirk Baptiste in 1985.

2008 — Two stunning second-round upsets happen at Wimbledon as former champion Maria Sharapova and two-time runner-up Andy Roddick are ousted.

2008 — NBA Draft: Memphis point guard Derrick Rose first pick by Chicago Bulls.

2011 — Top-ranked Yani Tseng wins the LPGA Championship by 10 strokes and, at 22, becomes the youngest player to win four LPGA Tour majors.

2012 — Major college football finally gets a playoff. A committee of university presidents approve the BCS commissioners’ plan for a four-team playoff to start in the 2014 season.

2013 — Seven-time champion Roger Federer is stunned by 116th-ranked Sergiy Stakhovsky in the second round of Wimbledon, his earliest loss in a Grand Slam tournament in 10 years.

2014 — The United States reaches the knockout stage of consecutive World Cups for the first time. Germany beat the U.S. 1-0 to win Group G, but the Americans held onto second place when Portugal defeats Ghana 2-1 in a game played simultaneously.

2014 — NBA Draft: Kansas small forward Andrew Wiggins first pick by Cleveland Cavaliers.

2015 — NHL Draft: Erie Otters (OHL) center Connor McDavid #1 pick by the Edmonton Oilers.

2017 — Helmsman Peter Burling and Emirates Team New Zealand wins the America’s Cup with a resounding romp against software tycoon Larry Ellison’s two-time defending champion Oracle Team USA. They win Race 9 to clinch the 35th America’s Cup match at 7-1. Burling, at 26, is the youngest helmsman to win sailing’s greatest prize in a competition that dates to 1851.

2012 — Stanley Cup Final, Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL: Colorado Avalanche beats two-time defending champions Tampa Bay Lightning, 2-1 for a 4-2 series win; Avs 3rd championship in franchise history.

More in History

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History | Today in Sports History: Jock Hutchinson becomes first American to win the British Open

History | Today in History: Anne Frank’s ‘The Diary of a Young Girl’ published

Daily Southtown | World War II veteran from Burbank celebrates 100th birthday

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The history of Olympic rings, explained: What to know for Paris

Let's look back at the history, origins and meaning behind the iconic olympic design, by max molski • published 2 hours ago • updated 2 hours ago.

Between the torch , fanfare and games themselves, the Olympics are filled with timeless traditions. Yet, there is no greater symbol for the event than the Olympic rings.

Featured on flags, fields of play and even the athletes themselves , the colorful, interlocked circles are a universal sign of the world’s biggest sporting event. But how did they come to be?

Watch NBC Chicago local news and weather without login

Before the 2024 Olympics in Paris commence, here is a crash course on the origins, meaning and history of the Olympic rings:

Who created the Olympic rings?

Pierre de Coubertin , a French historian and founder of the International Olympic Committee , created the rings in 1913. The iconic design and flag were adopted in 1914, but they did not make their official Olympic debut until the 1920 Antwerp Games since the 1916 event scheduled to take place in Berlin, Germany, was canceled due to World War I.

What is the meaning behind the five Olympic rings?

The Olympic rings, which stand as the symbol for the Olympics as a whole, represent the activity of the Olympic Movement and the union of five continents and athletes from across the world at the global event. Those five continents are America (combining North and South), Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania.

In Coubertin’s words, the five rings represented the five parts of the world “now won over to the cause of Olympism.”

2024 Paris Olympics: See dates, sports, how to watch and more

Here are the rules for the 2024 Olympics in Paris

Get to know Team USA Olympians ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics

What are the five olympic ring colors.

Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter here.

Going from left to right, the five colors for the Olympic rings are blue, yellow, black, green and red.

Contrary to popular belief, the five colors of the Olympic rings do not directly correspond to given continents. Instead, the five colors (along with white, which is the background color of the Olympic flag) were chosen because at least one of those colors appeared on the national flag of each participating country at the time Coubertin came up with the design.

Have there ever been changes to the Olympic rings?

One tweak the design has undergone over time is the overlapping and connecting nature of the rings.

The rings were connected in Coubertin’s initial design, but in 1986, the IOC Graphics Standards included a definition stating that an official version with spaces between rings be produced. The IOC Executive Board returned to Coubertin’s original, interlaced design in 2010.

What is the Rings Across America tour?

NBCUniversal re-launched its “Rings Across America” tour leading up to the start of the Paris Games, showing off life-sized Olympic rings across the country.

The 2024 tour kicked off at the Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, in March. 

“Rings Across America” was also held before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics . That tour started in Los Angeles, finished in New York and made scheduled stops in Chicago, Miami, Orlando and Washington, D.C.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article was published in  July 2021 .

This article tagged under:

Binghamton walking history tours: What to know about July events

Editor's note: A previous version of this article contained incorrect information. Walking tours will take place on Sunday, July 14 and Sunday, July 28.

You say you don’t know what to do with yourself. You say you are bored. You wish there was something to do that could be fun and educational. 

You want a lot, don’t you! 

Well, I may have an answer to your problem. Take one of my summer walking tours in July.

You say it’s too hot, or that it is going to rain (you say a lot of things). I say that weather is not a deterrent. 

No, in another in my series of self-promotions, I am again working with SUNY Broome Continuing Education to offer two walking tours in the month of July. So, sit back and see if one of these might just fit the bill (enough of the adages and trite phrases, let’s get to it).

On Sunday, July 14 from 2-4 p.m., I will be offering a walking tour called “Bingham’s Town: A Walking Tour of Downtown Binghamton.” 

I have done this tour many times through the years, and it is always fun to try and get the person taking the tour to remember that they are walking on the same ground that William Bingham’s land agent Joshua Whitney walked when he envisioned the first street plan or got them to move into the town by telling a lie about a bridge being built. 

I try to educate them that as we pass State Street that they are walking atop the Chenango Canal where packet boats brought new arrivals to the community. I watch as I tell several, sometime sordid stories about the Press Building (I know it is now called the Printing House) and Willis Sharpe Kilmer, founder of the Binghamton Press newspaper.

We stroll past the bus station used in one of Rod Serling’s "Twilight Zone" episodes, and view the Marconi Tower, the last of his experimental wireless (radio) receivers left standing in the United States. 

If you take the tour, you will go past the small area where Bundy Time Recording Company (IBM), Endicott-Johnson (Lester Brothers Boot and Shoe), and Edwin A. Link all started a few feet apart. All three are also near Binghamton’s worst disaster in terms of human loss.

If downtown Binghamton is not to your liking, how about a leisurely stroll on Sunday, July 28 from 2-4 p.m. on the west side of the city through some amazing architecture and history. 

“The Parlor City: A Walking Tour of Binghamton’s Side” begins in front of Roberson Museum and Science Center and works its way around an off-shaped rectangle of the West Side of Binghamton.

As we take our walk through our history, we go past the oldest house in Binghamton – that of Daniel LeRoy which dates back to the first decade of the 1800s. We will saunter up Riverside Drive, where the many styles of architecture put on a show for us. Occasionally, we even go into one of those homes for a personal, albeit brief, tour.

I always enjoy telling the history of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church and the history of the Irish settlement of our area. The stories of Rev. Hourigan, long the religious head of that local church, are many and exciting to relate. 

To get the people taking the tour to remember that this was farmland and open to the “suburban” development that occurred there is one of the main points of the tour. Walking along Front Street, built atop a former Native American pathway leads us close to the end of the tour.

Binghamton’s West Side was truly a parlor city of styles (although the original nickname was a slur on our area). 

More: This Binghamton lawyer and U.S. magistrate rode her horse to work on Hawley Street

Taking the tour gives you a sense of being with the first immigrants, the elite building their protected development, and the many changes though the decades.

If either of these tours sound interesting, they cost $39 each, and are given rain or shine. 

You can contact SUNY Broome Continuing Education at (607) 778-5012 to enroll or go to sunybroome.edu/conted/ and click on the "View Our Catalog" button on the upper right of the screen. Open the Personal Enrichment section and both tours are listed near the top of the list of program offerings.

Gerald Smith is executive director of the Tioga County Historical Society and a former Broome County historian. Email him at  [email protected] .

Watch CBS News

Mayor Brandon Johnson marks Juneteenth by joining youth-led West Side walking tour

By Marissa Perlman

Updated on: June 20, 2024 / 11:30 AM CDT / CBS Chicago

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Youth on the West Side are celebrating Juneteenth – the holiday also known as Freedom Day or Black Fourth of July, recognizing the full emancipation of slaves in the United States – by kicking off a summer series of walking tours with My Block, My Hood, My City.

Mayor Brandon Johnson joined Wednesday's walking tour in North Lawndale, led by youth guides from the West Side.

"Today is a reminder of why it's important for us to fully express our liberation, because there are forces who – just like in the 1800s – did not want to realize our full liberation. Those forces did not die out with the Civil War," Johnson said.

Organizers said the tours bring the young guides so much joy to show where they eat and they play.

The first time they did these tours, there were only six tours that summer. The next summer there were 31 tours. Now they're doing multiple public tours every Saturday from mid-June through August, and also offer private tours. The goal is to host 100 tours this summer.

It a summer job for the youth guides. They're paid $15 an hour, and get paid to show off their own community.

Organizers said, with these tours, visitors will see the West Side from the eyes of the young people who live there.

"You always hear the negative about the West Side of Chicago; they're selling drugs, they're shooting, they're in gangs, they're doing this. You get to see the artful intersections, you get to see the community roots, you get to see the hidden gem restaurants," said Jahmal Cole, founder and CEO of My Block, My Hood, My City. "You get to see the joy in the eyes of the youth, and this is Chicago, so youth are just showing off their neighborhood."

The free North Lawndale youth-led walking tours are held every Saturday at 9 a.m. through August. Tickets are available online.

• North Lawndale
• Brandon Johnson

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