The World Within (Part Two): Secret Interiors of the Riverfront

Walking Tour

Chicago, Illinois

The World Within (Part Two): Secret Interiors of the Riverfront

Enjoy Secret Interiors Along the Chicago River • 2 Hours • 1.5 Miles • All Ages

Select participants and date

Date

Mon, Oct 13

Travelers

2

Adventure Photos

The World Within (Part Two): Secret Interiors of the Riverfront photo 1

About This Adventure

Get INSIDE buildings that are normally seen only from a boat!

As a recent guest wrote, “You haven't seen Chicago if you don't go on this tour.” This 2-hour walking tour shows you some of the best buildings along the Chicago River up close — taking you closer than any boat could ever take you! — but then you’ll also get to venture INSIDE, experiencing some of the best interior architecture of buildings you’d recognize from Chicago architecture boat tours. But whereas most boat tour guides’ knowledge of river tour buildings will stop at the exterior, our guides are ready and eager to show you what they know about the interiors — including which ones are worth visiting!

This special riverfront tour is the perfect yin to any Chicago architecture boat tour's yang. From Art Deco interiors that stun with their glamorous interior details, to vaulted lobbies that impart a sense of importance and grandeur to everyone who enters them, to thoughtful extras like reflecting pools, digital art walls, and more, these interior spaces will absolutely delight you, architecture buff or not. Do you like beautiful spaces? Then you’ll like this tour, period.

The Chicago River, flowing silently through the heart of the city, provides amazing and world-famous views of over a hundred years' worth of architecture, but if you only experience Chicago from a boat, you're missing more than half of its beauty. Let Inside Chicago Walking Tours show you the fascinating “second side” of an architectural boat tour by showing you the interiors of some of the best buildings on the Chicago River!

Duration

2 Hours 1.75 miles on foot

Highlights of the Tour

Visits to stunning train stations, both old and new;
The glitz of Great-Gatsby-esque Art Deco interiors;
Dramatically sloped ceilings (and dramatically vaulted ones!);
Much, much more!

Tour Details

Runs rain or shine! We will be in touch in case of severe weather.
Meeting Location: In front of the Old Post Office, 433 W Van Buren St.

Adventure Tips

Wear comfortable walking shoes

The tour covers multiple indoor and outdoor stops, so sturdy footwear is recommended.

Arrive early for check-in

Tours depart promptly to respect schedules and maximize your visit to each interior.

Bring a camera

Photography is often allowed inside the interiors; capture the unique architectural details you’ll see.

Check weather conditions

Some walking occurs outdoors along the riverfront; dress appropriately for Chicago's variable weather.

Local Insights

Wildlife

City birds like peregrine falcons nesting on skyscrapers
Riverfront fish including common carp visible near docks

History

The Chicago River has been central to the city’s development since the 1800s, with the riverfront transforming from industrial use to recreation over the past century.

Conservation

Preservation efforts focus on maintaining historic buildings while integrating sustainable practices to protect the riverfront ecosystem.

Discover Chicago’s Hidden Riverfront Interiors: A Walking Tour Like No Other

Difficulty

Duration

Fitness Level

Overview