Chicago Old Town Walking Tour (Self Guided), Chicago

Settled in 1850 by German immigrants, Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood is a popular destination for locals and visitors who cater to the entertainment venues, restaurants, pubs, coffee shops and boutiques – all of which have turned an area once referred to as the “Cabbage Patch” into an attraction that rivals Navy Pier, Wrigley Field and the Magnificent Mile.

Start your Old Town walking tour with a stroll down Wells Street for dining and entertainment, then make a turn towards the architecturally and culturally significant West Burton Place to see how artists and craftspeople of the Depression Era transformed what were then deteriorating 19th-century rooming houses into a series of unique and cohesive artist studio environments.

Next up is the excellent Chicago History Museum’s coverage of all aspects of the city’s history, starting with a model of a fort and expanding into modern territory (including insights into Chicago’s leading role in innovations and design), while right opposite stands the Second City Theatre – a place that launched the career of many great comics, and that remains rooted in improvisational games you can experience today.

Further along the way, don’t miss a visit to St. Michael’s Church and the close-by Midwest Buddhist Temple (a fixture in Old Town since 1944), both located in beautiful green and quiet surroundings.

Take a self-guided walk through this clean and safe neighborhood to fully understand Chicago as a city!