Chicago: Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour

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ID: GYG434280-782458
Category:
Country: United States


Description

Discover the beautiful city of Chicago on a self-guided tour. See the prettiest spots like Cloud Gate, Millennium Park, Riverwalk, and more while learning the history of the city.
Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map all in one.

Once downloaded, your tour through Millennium Park will begin at the park’s north end. From there, you’ll walk toward the famous Pritzker Pavilion, the park’s centerpiece. Once at the pavilion, you’ll learn about the biggest performances held here, the high-tech design, and the man behind it all: Jay Pritzker.

Next you’ll see the park’s “Secret Garden,” a beautiful green space featuring a peaceful boardwalk and fantastic skyline views.

After that, you’ll spot the Art Institute of Chicago and continue on to the incredible Crown Fountain, known for its intricately detailed “face towers.”

At last, you’ll arrive at Cloud Gate, known by the locals as “The Bean” (but don’t tell the artist)! Get to know the wacky artist behind it, find out how he created such a huge, smooth surface, and don’t forget to snap some pictures of your reflection! The Millennium Park tour concludes here.

Your Riverwalk tour begins by the historic DuSable Bridge. Here, you’ll learn not only about this picture-perfect bridge, but also about the iconic Wrigley Building.

From there, you’ll stroll west along the riverside, past what was once voted America’s Most Beautiful Bridge. After that, you’ll stop at the Chicago Vietnam Veterans Memorial for a moment of somber reflection.

The next stop is hard to miss: It’s the Marina Towers, looming 600 feet over the river. Find out why people say these towers are a “city within a city,” then keep walking to the Dearborn Street Bridge. Hear the full story of why an angry mob once descended on this bridge with axes, then continue your stroll.

As you walk, your audio guide will also recount the tale of one of the deadliest shipwrecks in American history… which took place right on the Chicago River!

Up next is the humbly-named (but not so humbly designed) Merchandise Mart. This gorgeous example of the art deco style is sure to pique the interest of any budding architects!

Next, you’ll reach Wolf Point, where, nearly 200 years ago, Chicago’s very first hotel once stood. Then you’ll get a good look at the Tribune Tower, home to the famous Chicago Tribune. This skyscraper also contains pieces of historic buildings from across the world, including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Berlin Wall!

After that, you’ll come face to face with NBC’s Chicago headquarters, which look suspiciously like the iconic 30 Rockefeller Center in the Big Apple… because it was modeled after that iconic skyscraper!

Finally, you’ll stop by the last bridge separating the Chicago River from the great lake beyond. It’s a great place to admire the scenery, and an even better one to snap some photos for your Insta. The Riverwalk tour concludes here.

This bundle is the easiest, most flexible way to see the Windy City. So what are you waiting for?

Highlights

  • See the famous Cloud Gate sculpture (also known as The Bean)
  • Stroll alongside the city’s picture-perfect riverside
  • Get to know the history of the city and Millennium Park
  • Learn to identify the most iconic structures in the skyline
  • Tour with total flexibility, stopping whenever and wherever you want

Guiding languages

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• This is a self-guided tour; no guide will accompany you. The Action Tour Guide app functions as a guide, an audio tour, and a map all in one.
• Please arrange for a vehicle before you take the tour. You only need to book one tour per vehicle, not per person.
• After the booking, you will receive an email with a link to the Action Tour Guide app and a unique password to access the tour within the app.
• This tour has been developed by local guides, curated by creative writers, and narrated by professional voice artists.
• Many stops along the tour have animated videos allowing you to visualize what you cannot see, such as snapshots from different centuries or interior rooms.
• This tour is valid forever - from the moment of booking. You will not need to edit or cancel the booking if your travel plans change.
You must bring your own headphones
You are required to bring and wear a mask
This is a self-guided experience and not an entrance ticket. It begins at the GPS-marked starting point in Chicago. Be sure to check your email before you begin to download the Action Tour Guide app, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good data/wifi. From there, simply follow the audio instructions and the route. Have questions? Visit Action Tour Guide’s Help page: https://actiontourguide.com/faq/.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED

When should I book?

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.


Cancellations

Cancellation is not possible. If you cancel it anyway or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity and the money you paid will not be refunded.