Top 8 Magnificent Mile Tours in Chicago

1.Chicago River 45-Minute Architecture Tour from Magnificent Mile

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,924 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $28Our pick

Cruise the Chicago River from the Wrigley Building for 45 minutes of live architecture commentary. You’ll pass the Riverwalk, Michigan Avenue Bridge, Merchandise Mart, Lyric Opera House, and Marina City’s corn-cob towers. Choose an open-air seat or a climate-controlled lounge; guides have included Tess, Zach, Alyssa, and Chris, though the guide varies.

“Great experience. The skyline was beautiful and the tour guide was awesome. This was the highlight of my trip.”

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2.Magnificent Mile Tour With Optional 360 Chicago Upgrade

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $39Top rated

Walk from the Federal Building Columns past Millennium Park, the Chicago River and Magnificent Mile, with a local guide explaining the city’s architecture and stories. The two-hour tour costs $39 per person; an optional 360 Chicago ticket adds a self-guided visit to the observation deck. Guides named Ben and Chris have led tours.

“Ben our tour guide, was very knowledgeable and I loved his presentation. He kept the tour interesting, with a bit of humor.”

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3.Chicago Perfume Making Classes on Magnificent Mile

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $85

In a small class of up to six, you’ll test natural and synthetic fragrance notes, blend a custom scent with an instructor’s help, and fill a personalized 1-ounce bottle. Guides have included Alana, Makayla, and Nia, though your instructor may differ. The 75-minute class meets inside 900 North Michigan Shops.

“This was so much fun. A great way to do something special with your gal pals. And you go home with your own chosen bottle of fragrance.”

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4.Chicago Walking Tour: The Magnificent Mile

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $35

A certified guide leads a 90-minute walk from the Chicago Architecture Center past the DuSable Bridge, Wrigley Building, 875 N Michigan Avenue, and more. The group is capped at 10, and admission to the Center’s galleries is included. Guides vary; Tim is one guide named by a past participant.

“The docent was very knowledgeable and friendly. I really enjoyed the walk. Lots of history at the Magnificent Mile.”

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5.Chicago Candle Making Class On Magnificent Mile

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $75

At Reggie Hathorn on the sixth floor of 900 North Michigan Shops, you’ll make an 8-ounce soy candle and blend a personal fragrance with step-by-step help. The class lasts about 75 minutes, includes supplies and journaling time, and is BYOB. It works well for friends, couples, families, or a solo creative break.

“Fun! My friend and her 14 year old daughter went…lots of fun picking scents, then pouring our candles. Were at a table with three old high school friends who were friendly. We were definitely ready to get into less-scented air by the time it was over, so if someone is sensitive to smells they should be aware, but overall a really fun time!”

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6.Magnificent Mile Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · 1h 30m

Walk North Michigan Avenue with a certified guide and follow its change from a dirt road into Chicago’s grand shopping district. See the Tribune Tower, Wrigley Building and 875 N. Michigan Avenue, with a look inside the Medinah Athletic Club and an Art Deco office building. Your 90-minute tour also includes admission to the Chicago Architecture Center.

“J’aurais aimé que l’on couvre un peu plus de territoire, qu’on voit plus de rues”

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7.Chicago Food Tour with The Magnificent Mile and Millennium Park

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 4 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Walk from Lou Malnati’s on Michigan Avenue to Palmer House, stopping for Chicago food favorites and city landmarks. An English-speaking local guide leads a group of up to 16 past the Wrigley Building, the Chicago Theatre and Millennium Park. Tastings include deep-dish pizza, hot dogs, chocolates and pastry; a three-sample adult beverage upgrade costs extra.

“I booked this tour 4 weeks in advanced, paid in full early, received confirmation with tickets that confirmed date, time and location for meet up. My work team that flew in from various states, including my executive waited 40 mins and the tour person was a no show. I tried calling several times and only received a voice mail. Then I tried emailing, no response was received. I was so embarrassed and was left without a plan for a large group of leaders. The next day I received a response via email stating, sorry we thought this was booked for the following week. What a joke. Never again will I…”

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8.Magnificent Mile Tour With Optional 360 Chicago

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $39

Join an English-speaking guide for a leisurely, two-mile walk from the Federal Building Columns past Millennium Park, the Chicago Riverwalk, and Magnificent Mile landmarks such as the Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower. Guide Ben has led visitors through the area’s architecture and backstories. Add 360 Chicago for a self-guided visit 1,030 feet above the city.

“Our Mag Mile Tour was great. We learned about the architecture of buildings, design details and history of the area. Our guide Ben was knowledgeable, friendly, full of facts and anecdotes. It was a perfect distance - enough to see the major sites without being too long. We followed with the 360 Chicago at the Hancock. Great tour would highly recommend.”

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