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Chicago Riverwalk Self-Guided Walking Tour

TourTruth score 6.6 out of 10

Average

9 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score

  • Chicago
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Explore Chicago’s Riverwalk at your own pace with GPS-triggered audio stories, scenic stops, and offline route guidance.

About this tour

Follow the Chicago River through a lively stretch of waterfront, where city views meet riverside paths and stories of local history. This Chicago Riverwalk Self-Guided Walking Tour lets you explore at your own pace, with audio that starts automatically as you follow the route.

Begin at the suggested starting point near the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, or join the route wherever it suits you. Along the way, discover scenic stops, hidden gems, and local stories. The Riverwalk offers places to sit and relax, seasonal restaurants, boat rentals, and theater-style seating for performances. You may also pass the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza and the bridge museum, where a bridge lift can sometimes be seen. Pause for photos or a break, then pick up the audio when you’re ready.

Download the tour in advance for offline GPS guidance and audio, and keep lifetime access for future visits. There’s no in-person guide or fixed schedule, so Chicago Riverwalk Self-Guided Walking Tour fits your day on your terms. Bring your phone and headphones, and set out to explore Chicago’s riverside at your own pace.

Highlights

  • Admire the Chicago Riverwalk’s waterfront scenery and city architecture
  • Hear local stories and discover hidden gems along the route
  • Pause for photos, scenic stops, or a break whenever you like
  • Explore at your own pace with GPS-triggered audio

What's included

Included

  • Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews
  • GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories, available offline after download
  • Lifetime access to the tour
  • Private walking tour experience for your family or group
  • Access to the separate audio tour app after booking
  • Support via chat, email, or phone

Not included

  • Live guide
  • Entrance fees
  • Parking
  • Food
  • Car rental

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

Important information

  • Download the Tour Guide app by Action and the tour in advance while connected to Wi-Fi or strong cellular service
  • Audio plays automatically along the route using GPS; no Wi-Fi or cellular service is needed after download
  • Start at the suggested point at 99 Chicago Riverwalk, by the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, or join anywhere along the route
  • This is a self-guided tour with no in-person guide; check opening hours before visiting attractions
  • Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad or tablet with cellular capability
  • Use the same password on one device for each traveler included in your booking; couples may share a tour using separate earbuds

Frequently asked questions

Is this a guided tour?

No. The tour is self-guided, with GPS-triggered audio stories and route guidance in the app.

Where does the tour start?

The suggested starting point is 99 Chicago Riverwalk, on the plaza by the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum. You can also join anywhere along the route.

Does the tour work offline?

Yes. Download the app and tour in advance; afterward, GPS guidance and audio work without Wi-Fi or cellular service.

Can I take the tour at my own pace?

Yes. Start anytime and pause whenever you like for photos, scenic stops, or a break.

How long can I access the tour?

Access is for life, with no expiry. You can use the tour on future trips and revisit its stories and details.

How this score is calculated

This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 4.11 from 9 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.

How the score works and rating distribution in Chicago
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 6.6.

Provider rating distribution in Chicago

How many tours in Chicago have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • GetYourGuide
  • Viator

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