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Chicago Riverwalk Self-Guided Walking Tour
About This Tour
Welcome to Chicago’s scenic Riverwalk. Spanning from Lake Michigan west to Franklin Street. Called the city second Lakefront', the Riverwalk contains restaurants during the summer months, seating areas to relax, boat rentals, and theater-style seating for various performances. Other attractions along the Riverwalk include the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza, and the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum and if you are lucky enough, see a bridge lift from inside the bridge house.
After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point.
New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point.
New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
What's Included
✓ Included
- Text transcripts of audio narration & Self-paced format (start/pause/resume anytime)
- Pre-recorded audio commentary (downloadable or streamable)
- This is a GPS-powered, self-guided audio tour that works through an app
- Lifetime access (no expiration) with Customer support (chat/email)
- This tour is NOT a ticket to any attraction or site
- Suggested walking/driving itinerary with stop-by-stop directions
- Offline GPS-enabled route map
- NO in-person guide or physical equipment (bring your own device & headphones)
✗ Not Included
- Entrance fees, in-person guide, headphones, transport, parking, food,Wi-Fi or cellular data, rentals
Itinerary
1
The Wrigley Building is an iconic terra cotta building boasting a huge clock tower and tons of character. It's named for William Wrigley, Jr., who made his fortune off of chewing gum! Beyond it is the lavish Hotel Intercontinental, which hides an incredible observatory within.
New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
2
The Michigan Avenue Bridge, also known as the DuSable Bridge, is architecturally beautiful, but that's not the only reason it's a stop on this tour. The bridge also sports some flags with a fascinating history, which you'll hear all about.
3
It's impossible to miss this enormous glass tower. At 1,399 feet tall and totaling 98 stories, it's one of the tallest skyscrapers in the entire country. The tower employs the same building technique as the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, currently the tallest building in the world.
4
Consisting of a sunken, rectangular pool and fountain, this memorial honors the Illinois residents who died in the Vietnam War. It's a somber yet strangely beautiful tribute to those who gave all.
5
These twin towers may look a bit like giant corn cobs, but they're nevertheless an iconic part of the Second City's skyline. The towers function as a “city in a city,” boasting an in-house theatre, gym, pool, ice-rink, bowling alley, 360 degree roof deck, and of course a marina.
6
The Dearborn Street Bridge, built in 1962, is one of Chicago's newer bridges. It was constructed to replace a badly-planned bridge that residents hated with a passion. You'll hear why and what they did about it as you admire this landmark.
7
Constructed in 1914, the building today is home to the Encyclopedia Britannica headquarters. It may appear short and unimpressive beside its much newer peers, but it's also a fascinating glimpse into Chicago's past.
8
This building is so big it has its own zip code! Designed in the art-deco style, the Mart encompasses a staggering four million square feet.
9
This museum doesn't just feature exhibits on the city's river and its significance to the city. It also offers birds-eye views of the river from the top floor!
10
This breathtaking neo-Gothic skyscraper is actually the result of a competition held by the Chicago Tribune for their 75th anniversary! They wanted to make sure their new HQ was “the most beautiful and distinctive office building in the world,” and it absolutely shows in the final product.
11
As Chicago's newest river-spanning bridge, the Columbus Drive Bridge offers not a glimpse into the past but a look at how the city's construction technology and philosophy changed over the decades.
12
This famous tower was modelled after 30 Rockefeller Center in New York City, and serves as another picture-perfect example of the art deco style. It was also the former recording spot of the Jerry Springer Show and the Steve Harvey Show.
Good to Know
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
- How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
- Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
- Savings tips: Walking tours: couples can share one tour by splitting headphones
- New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
- For the best experience, bring headphones/earbuds for your walking tour.
- The tour requires a supported mobile device for navigation. Please use an iPhone with iOS 15 or later, an Android device with Android 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular service.
- Your password can be used on the same number of devices as travelers booked. Enter the same password on each device.