Share this tour
Offered languages
- English
- English
Chicago is inseparable from its Black history, where local pioneers helped shape the city’s story. On this self-guided audio tour through downtown Chicago, you’ll hear untold stories of Black excellence, resilience, and activism that transformed both the city and the nation. From Underground Railroad stations to civil rights battlegrounds, you’ll discover how Chicago became a beacon for those seeking freedom and opportunity. Starting at the site of Jean Baptiste Point DuSable’s mansion near the Chicago River, you’ll follow the footsteps of the city’s founder: a Black man who established Chicago’s first trading post in the 1770s. You’ll walk through the heart of the Loop, exploring sites where pioneering entrepreneurs like John Jones built businesses that became platforms for activism. The tour ends at Grant Park, where Barack Obama delivered his historic presidential acceptance speech in 2008 – a moment that represented the culmination of generations of struggle.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
This tour starts at Pioneer Court Plaza. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
Grant Park
Itinerary
-
(Pass by)
Stand before the statue honouring Chicago's founder, a Black trader who established the city's first settlement in the 1770s. Discover how DuSable built a thriving trading post at the mouth of the Chicago River that laid the foundation for America's third-largest city.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Walk through the site where Chicago's earliest Black residents lived and worked alongside the historic fort. Learn how this area became crucial to the city's development as both a commercial hub and a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Pass this landmark memorial that commemorates the city's founding era when DuSable first arrived. Explore the connection between Chicago's earliest pioneers and the Black entrepreneurs who would later transform downtown.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Visit the former location of John Jones's tailor shop, where he arrived with $3.50 and built a fortune worth over $100,000. Hear how Jones used his success to fund abolitionist activities and fight Illinois's discriminatory Black Laws.
Admission ticket free -
Chase Tower (Pass by)
Marvel at this modern skyscraper that stands near where pioneering Black businesses once operated. Learn about the entrepreneurs who established Chicago's first Black commercial district in the Loop during the 1800s.
Admission ticket free -
Monadnock Building (Pass by)
Stroll past this historic structure that witnessed Chicago's transformation during the Great Migration. Discover how the surrounding area became a battleground for civil rights as Black residents fought housing discrimination and segregation.
Admission ticket free -
Harold Washington Library Center (Pass by)
Explore the exterior of this grand building named for Chicago's first Black mayor, elected in 1983. Learn how Washington's victory represented decades of political organising by the city's Black community.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Walk by this historic train depot that welcomed thousands of Black migrants arriving from the South during the Great Migration. Hear stories of families who stepped off trains here seeking freedom and economic opportunity in Chicago.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Pass this legendary venue that honours Chicago's rich Black musical heritage from the Jazz Age to today. Discover how Black musicians transformed American culture and made Chicago a creative capital.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Stand before the former headquarters of Johnson Publishing, the first high-rise in downtown Chicago designed and owned by African Americans. Learn how John H. Johnson built an empire with Ebony and Jet magazines that shaped Black culture nationwide.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Stroll down this street named for the fearless journalist and civil rights activist who exposed lynching in America. Hear how Wells used Chicago as her base to launch an international anti-lynching campaign after being exiled from Memphis.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Enjoy the sweeping views of this lakefront park where Barack Obama delivered his historic presidential acceptance speech in 2008. Experience the site that witnessed both the 1968 Democratic Convention protests and a moment representing generations of struggle for equality.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Show 1 more
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Show more
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Your guide to the flawless travel experience
Popular Countries
Company
Get our app
