Gangsters, deep-dish pizza, jazz music; Chicago is a city with a vibrant culture and rich history waiting to be explored on your next couples’ getaway, city break, or US road trip. Sightseeing tours come in all shapes and sizes and are hands-down the best way to discover a new city, but with so many to choose from, how do you separate the wheat from the chaff? Believe it or not, there are loads of free tours of Chicago available covering a range of topics, from architecture to street art to historic landmarks and everything in between. Here we’ve collected our favorites so you can find a fun Chicago tour without spending a dime!

Free Chicago Architecture Biennial Guided Tour 

Celebrate all things architecture with a visit to the Chicago Architecture Biennial, an international exhibition of innovative projects, beautiful sculptures, interactive displays, and presentations on the impacts of modern building work, hosted by top global architects. A thought-provoking and awe-inspiring experience for Illinois residents and tourists alike, the Chicago Architecture Biennial is a one-of-a-kind event you won’t want to miss. Guided tours are free to the public and last one hour, but you’ll have to be quick – the exhibition opens for four months every two years only!

Free Chicago Riverwalk and History Tour 

Take a stroll along the iconic Chicago River with a knowledgeable local guide, hearing stories of Chicago history, famous residents, architectural masterpieces, and little-known facts that will surprise even born and bred Illinoisans! The Riverwalk is the best spot to view the city skyline, with unparalleled views of the Wrigley Building, the Jeweler’s Building, the Marina City Towers and lots more, so you can learn about these legendary structures whilst admiring them in all their glory. Free walking tours of the Chicago River operate on weekday and weekend dates throughout the year, and if you think your guide did a great job, feel free to leave a tip!

Clarke House Museum Free Guided Tour 

Take a free guided tour of Chicago’s oldest house, Clarke House, a Greek Revival style building located on S. Indiana Avenue. Built in 1836 for Henry B. Clarke, a hardware businessman who helped build the city, the house has a fascinating history that involves surviving fires and being moved twice. An officially designated Chicago Landmark and holding a proud place on the National Register of Historic Places, the Clarke House Museum gives a charming insight into the life of 19th century residents, and makes a fun addition to a Chicago trip. One-hour free guided tours operate regularly throughout the week, available first-come first-served.

National Museum of Mexican Art Public & Virtual Tour 

Delve into the history of Mexican Culture with a trip to the National Museum of Mexican Art in the Pilsen neighborhood, south-west of downtown Chicago. Once a month the museum offers a free Saturday tour to the public, allowing guests to join a qualified docent for a colorful journey round the various exhibits and displays, including works by Frida Kahlo, Carmen Chami, and many more. If you just can’t wait for the next scheduled tour, it’s also possible to walk around the museum on a virtual Google tour – an exciting cultural experience from the comfort of your own home!

Free Off the Grid Walking Tour of Chicago 

Discover some of Chicago’s most photo-worthy spots on this two-hour Off The Grid free walking tour, visiting the most iconic buildings, vibrant street art and historic alleyways in Chicago’s Loop area. Watch the L train whizz past, pose in front of the Pink Flamingo Wall, feel the cold chill of Death Alley and admire amazing public sculptures, all while being regaled with fascinating Chicago tales from your local guide. Free Chicago Loop tours operate every Saturday at 10am, so you have the rest of the day to explore more of what you see!

Free Tour of Charnley-Persky House 

See how Chicago architecture changed over the years with a free tour of the Charnley-Persky House, a great accompaniment to the free Clarke House Museum tour! Famous for being Chicago’s first example of modern architecture, the CPH’s designers, Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright, pioneered abstract techniques and changed the way Illinois houses were built forever. Free guided tours are offered to the public every Wednesday, where a museum expert will take guests on a journey round the 11-room house, the current headquarters of the Society of Architectural Historians.

Crime & Gangster Tour

Join an enthusiastic local guide for a two-hour walking tour around Chicago, hearing sordid tales of the city’s mob and mafia history. From the Historic Old Water Tower to Chicago’s Federal Plaza, you’ll learn about “Machine Gun” Jack McGurn, the trial and conviction of Al Capone, the shooting of Boss Dean, and the history of Chicago gangs. A truly unique Chicago sightseeing experience, the free Crime and Gangster Tour departs at 2pm every Saturday on Michigan Avenue.

Thanks for reading!

… That concludes our guide to the best free tours of Chicago. Explore the windy city without spending a dime!