Museums
2–3 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 99% of travellers
99% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$136
per adult
Literary, Art & Music Tours in Chicago
THE 10 BEST Chicago Literary, Art & Music Tours
Literary, Art & Music Tours in Chicago
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16 results sorted by featured
- Our Featured sort order ranks tours, activities, and experiences by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, your individual user browsing history and preferences while using Tripadvisor, the frequency of user clicks generally, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.
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Private Sightseeing Tours
2–3 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$242
$136
per adult
Photography Tours
2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 99% of travellers
99% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$73
per adult
Museums
2–3 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$242
$136
per adult
Architecture Tours
1 hour
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$50
per adult
Private Sightseeing Tours
2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$393
per adult
Likely To Sell Out
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$55
per adult
Cultural Tours
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$73
per adult
Photography Tours
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$123
per adult
Historical Tours
30–40 minutes
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$181
per adult
Street Art Tour
1 hour
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$83
per adult
Historical Tours
2–3 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$95
$91
per adult
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
13. Art of a City Downtown Chicago - Exclusive Guided Walking Tour
13. Art of a City Downtown Chicago - Exclusive Guided Walking Tour
Likely To Sell Out
2–3 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$95
$91
per adult
Beer & Brewery Tours
90–105 minutes
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$46
per adult
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
16. Chicago Architecture, Art and History Tour - Off The Beaten Path
16. Chicago Architecture, Art and History Tour - Off The Beaten Path
Likely To Sell Out
2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$174
per adult
Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area
Things to do ranked using proximity and other Tripadvisor data including bookings, reviews, ratings, and popularity
Historical Tours
1 hour
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 94% of travellers
94% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$50
per adult
SPECIAL OFFER
4-Hour Chicago Resurrection Mary Ghost Bus Tour
4-Hour Chicago Resurrection Mary Ghost Bus Tour
Ghost Tours
4 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$108
$81
per adult
Photography Tours
2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$55
per adult
Car Tours
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$28
per group
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travellers are saying
- Sarah G1 contributionI had a really good time on this tour. I learned many new things that I wouldn’t have discovered on my own and got to see places I had not read of anywhere else. The guide was incredibly friendly and gave the impression of being very knowledgeable and interested. It was an all-around great experience, and I can highly recommend it to anyone looking to explore and learn!Written 12 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Anne WAtherton, CA3 contributionsThe private tour with Heath was jaw dropping fantastic. My 18 year old son who is typically not interested in art museums was drawn right in and stayed focused for all the 2.5 hours. Heath was super knowledgeable and made it really fun for a teen. Highly recommend! We learned so much and laughed along the way. The collection at the Institute of Art is wonderful, masterpiece after masterpiece.Written 13 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kelsey D1 contributionAmazing tour, guide was very informative and passionate. The guide was ready to answer all questions and made sure at the end of the tour everyone was sorted with transportation.Written 28 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Pruitt102Madison, MS4 contributionsOur guide Amanda was first-class. She could be an art historian! Knowledgeable about not just art and artists but also about time periods, society, and customs in the times in which they lived. Mandy made the tour very, very interesting and chose our goals well. It’s a wonderful museum, and there are so many options! Our guide has an obvious love for the museum which is contagious.Written 11 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ElaineAndGregChesterland, OH3,090 contributionsWe have visited multiple Frank Lloyd Wright sites from Fallingwater to Usonian Homes to Taliesen West, and many others.
The Robie namesake of this house commissioned the building, but was only able to live here about a year after its completion in 1910. This is said to be one of the architect's favorites, with many of his signature elements. It is a World Heritage siteIt is well worth a visit.
Unfortunately, the building was used as a dormitory for the nearby theological school and suffered more than a few bumps and scrapes. Virtually all of the original furniture is gone. Some is now owned by the Smart Museum about 4 blocks away, but is not currently (May, 2024) on display even there. At one point, the house was nearly torn down to make a larger dorm, but was saved through Wright's own efforts.
They recently spent about $10 million renovating the site, so the building itself is in excellent shape. Most of the rooms are either empty or have modern chairs, presumably for some kind of functions. They have few photographs from when the Robies actually lived here. Thus, you are basically visiting the building rather (which is fine) but without Wright's signature furnishings. Still, the building is striking, with innovative design elements both in the building's configuration and in design elements in each of its rooms.
You will likely love the original windows and light fixtures as well as the long horizontal lines throughout.
We had a guided tour, which we would highly recommend as otherwise you might miss important elements. Our experience is that most of these guides, many of whom are likely volunteers, are enthusiastic and knowledge fans of Wright's work.
There are several FLW buildings in the Chicago area. Downtown, in The Rookery, the building has a lobby designed by the architect when he was younger. It's free to visit - just walk right in. Wright's own home in Oak Park is great, and the furniture is still preserved. If you want to travel a bit further, the Dana Thomas House in Springfield, Illinois is magnificent and beautifully renovated. Another FLW home similar to this one is in Springfield, Ohio, and seems to have the kind of furniture this home is missing (Wescott House).
This is a good site if you are interested in Wright's work, although we might recommend a tour of Wright's home and work in nearby Oak Park. If you are a serious Wright fan, this is a must-visit site.Written 29 May 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Fiona C1 contributionOur group booked a tour of the Art Institute while in town for business. Bernie and Colm from Chicago Museum Tours were so helpful and accommodating when assisting me with scheduling our tour. Our tour guide Brian was wonderful and extremely knowledgeable. It is obvious that he is passionate about what he does. He gave us so many insightful tidbits of information about the different art works in the museum. We will definitely be booking again!Written 4 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jessica COakland, CA8 contributionsI was so delighted to find out that the CAC offers a Tiffany walking tour because I've always admired Tiffany glass. The Tiffany walking tour shows you some of the magical work created by Tiffany studios over the years. Who knew we had so many Tiffany gems in Chicago?! Well, on this tour you get to tour my favorite building (Chicago Cultural Center) and see the illustrious Tiffany dome and more. You'll also get to check out the Tiffany mosaic ceiling inside Macy's on State Street AND check out a gorgeous mosaic art piece in the Marquette building. Take this light walking tour to see some magnificent glass and mosaic work across downtown Chicago!Written 6 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Leslie G4 contributionsAbsolutely fantastic tour. Kelli is one of the best tour guides I've ever had -- fun and easy-going but also incredibly knowledgeable. I learned so much about the Ferris Bueller film in particular but also about film-making in general, about the Art Institute and about Chicago. Highly recommend this tourWritten 6 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- tarpon22Paris6 contributionsWe've booked the 12 pm tour. We paid $25 to Uber from our hotel to go to the meeting point.
Nobody at the meeting point, 10 minutes after still nobody, we called the support line who informed us 10 minutes after that the tour was in fact cancelled ...
Completely wasted our morning. Obviously, the $25 Uber was not reimbursed.Written 14 August 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
