Chicago Murder Mystery Tour: Solve a Crime Walking

Play detective through Chicago's wealthiest neighborhoods and lakefront, unraveling real crimes as you walk

The Chicago Murder Mystery Tour is a 2-hour guided walking tour where you solve a murder mystery while learning the city's true crime history. You meet your lead detective at Water Tower Place, interrogate suspects through Chicago's richest neighborhoods, and eliminate leads along the lakefront trail. The tour covers 1.2 miles and includes souvenir mugshot photos.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Water Tower Place5m
2. National Portrait Gallery20m

Solve murder mystery in Chicago

• Meet lead detective at Water Tower Place
• Explore busy commercial district and learn history
• Interrogate suspects in wealthy neighborhood
• Eliminate suspects along lakefront trail

The experience

You start in front of Water Tower Place, where your lead detective briefs you on the case. From there, the tour moves through one of the world's busiest commercial districts, the National Portrait Gallery area, where you'll discover how Chicago's most interesting characters shaped the city. This is not a passive walk. You're actively solving the mystery as the guide reveals the real history behind each stop.

The route takes you into Chicago's wealthiest neighborhoods, where mansions and secrets line the streets. You interrogate suspects and gather clues as you move through these areas. The final stretch follows the lakefront trail, one of Chicago's gems, where you eliminate remaining suspects and close out your investigation. The whole experience spans 1.2 miles over 2 hours at a pace that lets you absorb both the mystery and the history without rushing.

A live guide in English leads the tour and handles the detective work. You're solving the case, not navigating it alone. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and all surfaces and areas work for visitors of varying fitness levels. You'll leave with souvenir mugshot photos as a keepsake of your time as a detective.

What’s included

• Live English-speaking guide leading you through the mystery.
• souvenir mugshot photos as a keepsake.

Information

Lasts 2h, runs every day except Wednesday at 11:00, from US$ 35 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day except WednesdayDeparts at 11:00Last departure this season: 4 Jan 2027Another day? ›

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Book up toStart time

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Magnifico Tours

Is this one for you?Two hours is short enough to fit into a morning or afternoon without derailing the rest of your day, but long enough to move through multiple Chicago neighborhoods and actually solve the case instead of just hearing about it. If you want history and play together rather than one or the other, this tour stacks both.

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Top questions

What real Chicago history does this murder mystery tour cover?

The tour weaves together Chicago's true crime legends and Prohibition secrets as you move through the city. The guide reveals how the neighborhoods you walk through (from the commercial district near the National Portrait Gallery to the wealthiest residential areas) were shaped by some of Chicago's most interesting historical characters.

Where does the Chicago Murder Mystery Tour start and what's the route?

You meet your lead detective at Water Tower Place, then move through the National Portrait Gallery area, into Chicago's wealthiest neighborhoods, and finish along the lakefront trail. The full route covers 1.2 miles.

How long is the tour and what's included?

The tour runs 2 hours and includes a live English-speaking guide who leads you through the mystery, plus souvenir mugshot photos to take home.

Is this tour accessible for people with mobility needs?

Yes, the Chicago Murder Mystery Tour is wheelchair accessible with all areas and surfaces accommodating visitors of varying fitness levels. The tour does not provide wheelchairs or mobility devices, but public transportation options are available nearby if needed.

Can children or infants join this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller throughout the 2-hour walking tour. Service animals are also allowed.