Long before Chicago, Illinois became known for its glass towers, the city went through a glamorous Art Deco moment, and this walking tour goes looking for what's left of it. The route moves through the Loop and near the Chicago River, taking in both the exteriors and interiors of buildings from the 1920s, some of which are recognizable from riverboat architecture tours but rarely seen up close.

Covering about 1.5 miles on foot, the tour starts near the Chicago Board of Trade and finishes close to Millennium Park. It's a solid pick for architecture fans, design lovers, or anyone who wants a reason to look up while walking through downtown Chicago.

Any restrictions to participate?

• Age: All ages are welcome
• Physical limitations: Participants should be comfortable walking about 1.5 miles

Who can you accommodate for?

• Children: All participants must pay to participate, children included
• Individuals with disabilities: Accessibility varies by route; contact Inside Chicago Walking Tours at 312-799-0164 in advance to confirm accessibility for this specific tour
• Dietary restrictions: No food is provided on this tour, so dietary restrictions do not apply
• Languages: Public tours are conducted in English
• Pets: Only service animals are allowed on this tour

What to expect on the day of the experience?

• Duration: 2 hours
• What's included: Guided walking tour with entry to the interiors of select Art Deco buildings throughout the Loop
• Who will be present: A guide will be present throughout the tour, along with up to 20 total guests
• Photo/video: Photos are allowed and encouraged throughout the tour; a few buildings may restrict specific photo locations
• Specific rules to follow: Guests are asked to silence phone ringers and step aside to take calls; tipping the guide is appreciated but never required

How to prepare?

• Weather dependency: Tours run rain or shine; no refunds are issued for weather-related cancellations by guests, though the operator may cancel and offer a reschedule or refund in extreme conditions
• Arrival: Plan to arrive at least 5 minutes before departure; the tour begins near the Chicago Board of Trade, with exact meeting details provided upon ticket purchase
• Parking: No dedicated parking is provided; public garages and metered street parking are available throughout the Loop near the meeting point
• What to wear: Comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended
• What to bring:
  • A phone or camera for photos, with ringers silenced during the tour
  • Weather-appropriate layers or an umbrella if needed
  • Cash for tipping the guide, appreciated but not required
• Restrooms/lockers/changing rooms: The tour does not make a designated restroom stop; guests are encouraged to use restrooms before the tour begins

Unused Experience Vouchers can be returned within 14 days for a full refund to the original purchaser, no questions asked.

If you have any unused Experience Vouchers, you can exchange them for any other experience in our marketplace, free of charge, no matter when. If you choose an experience that's more expensive, you'll need to pay the difference.

No refunds are allowed once the experience is booked, but you can reschedule up to 72 hours before your experience, for a date within a year of the original booking. To reschedule, contact the experience provider directly. No-shows or rescheduling less than 72 hours in advance means losing the value of your experience.