Chicago Riverwalk & History Self-Guided Walking Tour

Things to do on the Tour Include:

• Welcome

  Your tour of Chicago's Riverwalk begins at the foot of DuSable Bridge. From here, you'll explore the Windy City's gorgeous riverfront, learn about its history, and get to know what makes this city so special.

• Wrigley Building and Hotel Intercontinental

  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.

• Michigan Avenue Bridge

  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.

• Trump Building

  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.

• Wabash Street Bridge

  This picturesque bridge was awarded the American Institute of Steel Construction’s Most Beautiful Bridge award – and it’s easy to see why! The eye-catching construction isn't just functional, it also fits perfectly with Chicago's extravagant skyline.

• Vietnam Veterans Memorial

  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.

• State Street Bridge

  Completed in 1949, this bridge was one of Chicago's most difficult construction projects simply due to steel shortages as a result of World War II. It took over five years to build.

• Marina City Towers

  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.

• Dearborn Street Bridge

  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.

• Reid Murdoch Building

  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.

• Merchandise Mart

  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.

• Wolfpoint

  Wolf Point is what some locals call the spot where the Chicago River branches in two directions. There's actually quite a bit of debate over where it gets this name, all of which you'll hear about as you stroll past this controversial spot.

• McCormick Bridgehouse and Museum

  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!

• Tribune Tower

  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.

• Columbus Drive Bridge

  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.

• NBC Tower

  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.

• Lake Michigan and Lock

  The Chicago Harbor Lock is a device used to raise and lower boats between stretches of water on different levels. It's a complicated and fascinating bit of technology, and the perfect place to conclude your riverwalk tour.