Chicago Food and Culture Walking Tour
Overview
Start your immersive walking tour at a Chicago icon: the Centennial Fountain at River Esplanade Park. From here, your guide will take you on a culinary and cultural adventure.
Our first stop is the famous Billy Goat Tavern, where we recommend trying their signature "cheezborger." Next, we'll visit Pizzeria Uno, birthplace of Chicago’s legendary deep-dish pies. Then see where locals go for their hot beef fix: Al’s Beef, a favorite since 1938.
Along the way, you’ll hear about the friendly rivalry with New York's pizza scene, Chicago's meatpacking roots, 1920s speakeasies, gangsters, and more. We recommend you bring around $30 for optional food purchases throughout the tour. Your guide will have tips on what to try at each stop.
Our tour ends with a sweet finish at Firecakes, serving up doughnuts made from a secret recipe dating to the 1930s. It’s a sweet finish to our fabulous Chicago food tour!
What's Included
- Visits to historic restaurants like Billy Goat Tavern, Pizzeria Uno, and Firecakes
- 2-hour walking tour
- Professional local Chicago guide
- Cost of food (choice to purchase food at recommended stops or not - total spend approximately 30USD)
- Gratuities
Meeting Location
East River Drive
Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
West Hubbard Street
Chicago, IL 60654, USA
This tour ends at Firecakes Donuts.
What To Expect
River Esplanade Park
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Billy Goat Tavern (The Original)
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Pizzeria Uno
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Al's #1 Italian Beef
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Firecakes Donuts
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Your ticket covers the walking tour portion of this experience. We recommend bringing about $30 for food, but it's up to you if you want to purchase what your guide suggests at each stop.
- This tour is great for families. Pizzeria Uno and The Green Door Tavern also offer kids menus.
- This tour isn’t accessible for wheelchairs. However, guests can bring collapsible strollers that can be carried when we take stairs.
- This tour covers about a mile and a half at a leisurely pace.
- Note that some venues may change their opening hours, and may not be open on all tour departure dates - in these scenarios, our expert guides will ensure a great alternative is provided
- Some venues may have queues during busy seasons, so please expect a wait for food at some venues.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions
(6)Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Chicago Food and Culture Walking Tour?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-5250P62
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.45 out of 5 stars based on 11 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (6)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CDT).
- Visits to historic restaurants like Billy Goat Tavern, Pizzeria Uno, and Firecakes.
- 2-hour walking tour.
- Professional local Chicago guide.
- Cost of food (choice to purchase food at recommended stops or not - total spend approximately 30USD).
- Gratuities.
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Chicago Food and Culture Walking Tour is as follows:
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Chicago Food and Culture Walking Tour will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- Visits to historic restaurants like Billy Goat Tavern, Pizzeria Uno, and Firecakes
- 2-hour walking tour
- Professional local Chicago guide
- Cost of food (choice to purchase food at recommended stops or not - total spend approximately 30USD)
- Gratuities
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Your ticket covers the walking tour portion of this experience. We recommend bringing about $30 for food, but it's up to you if you want to purchase what your guide suggests at each stop.
- This tour is great for families. Pizzeria Uno and The Green Door Tavern also offer kids menus.
- This tour isn’t accessible for wheelchairs. However, guests can bring collapsible strollers that can be carried when we take stairs.
- This tour covers about a mile and a half at a leisurely pace.
- Note that some venues may change their opening hours, and may not be open on all tour departure dates - in these scenarios, our expert guides will ensure a great alternative is provided
- Some venues may have queues during busy seasons, so please expect a wait for food at some venues.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
