Welcome to the Chicago Millennium Park Walking Tour
Learn how architects, artists, and engineers collaborated with Chicago’s movers and shakers to transform a railroad yard and parking lot into a magnificent park that has thrilled millions and become the envy of cities around the world.
Understand the inspiration behind Anish Kapoor’s huge, reflective Cloud Gate sculpture (nicknamed “The Bean”); Jaume Plensa’s ever-changing, high-tech Crown Fountain; and Frank Gehry’s exuberant, sculptural Jay Pritzker Music Pavilion and BP Bridge on this Chicago Walking tour.
About the Tour
Your tour through Millennium Park begins at the park’s north end, by the Harris Theatre for Music and Dance. From there, you’ll head south toward the Pritzker Pavilion while hearing some background on how the park came into existence.
Once at the impressive pavilion, you’ll learn about the vast array of performances held here and the high-tech design which makes it all possible, as well as the man behind it: Jay Pritzker. Get the full story on this precocious kid who went from building model cities out of his grandfather’s scrap wood to designing some of the most famous structures in the country.
As you continue, you’ll come to the park’s so-called “Secret Garden.” Take a stroll along a peaceful boardwalk surrounded by plant life and listen to a little-known symbolism behind the garden’s design. Then pause for a fantastic look at Chicago’s skyline.
Next, you’ll head past the Art Institute of Chicago and end up at the astonishing Crown Fountain. Get familiar with the intricately detailed “face towers” of the fountain, then head north toward Chicago’s most famous sculpture.
At last, you’ll arrive at Cloud Gate, known by the locals as “The Bean” (although the artist positively hates this name). Learn about the wacky artist behind it, as well as the technique he used to create such a huge, smooth surface. And don’t forget to snap some surreal pictures of your reflection! The Chicago walking tour concludes here.
Starting Point Address: 201 E, Millennium Park Welcome Center, 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
Tour Map

What You'll See
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Jay Pritzker Pavilion
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Lurie Gardens: Dark Plate and Light Plate
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Look Around (Skyline)
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Nichols Bridgeway
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Contemporary Art (Boeing Gallery South)
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Crown Fountain
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Under the Bean (Cloud Gate)
Additional Information
What do we do?
Simply put, Action Tour Guide is an audio guide, map, and tour book – all in one app! We are a GPS-enabled app-based tour that narrates information based on your location right on your phone. You can experience our driving and walking tours at your own pace and literally at any time of the day!
Lifetime Validity
Changing travel date? No worries! All individual tours come with lifetime validity.
No Network Needed
The tour works offline which means you do not need your phone network to enjoy the tour. However, we do suggest you download the tour at your home, hotel, visitor center, etc before you head out for a completely immersive experience.