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Chicago-Greeter

Chicago Greeter

The free Chicago Greeter visits are led by friendly locals who will guide you through authentic Chicago — its fascinating histories, diverse cultural traditions, iconic landmarks, and off-the-beaten-path gems.

Chicago Greeter offers a variety of ways to explore the city: register for a customized neighborhood visit with a friendly local, join a fast and flexible walk of downtown, or explore on your own with self-guided tours.

Chicago Greeter visits

Chicago Greeter visits

These personalized visits offer a deep dive into the Chicago neighborhood of your choice, led by a friendly local. A recipient of TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence, these immersive visits are conducted in over a dozen languages.

Chicago Greeter visits are:

  • Completely free of charge
  • Typically last two to four hours
  • Led by a friendly local Greeter
  • Can accommodate up to six guests

Make a reservation

InstaGreeter downtown walks

InstaGreeter downtown walks

Looking for a quick and easy way to see downtown Chicago’s top sights? Let InstaGreeter take you on a free hour-long guided walk, without the need to register in advance.

  • InstaGreeter walks of the Loop begin at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Chicago Cultural Center (77 E. Randolph St.).
  • InstaGreeter walks of the Chicago Riverwalk depart at 11:30 a.m every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (Memorial Day through Labor Day) at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Check out the InstaGreeter schedule for more details, including neighborhood pop-up.

Learn more

International Greeter Day

International Greeter Day

Sept. 7, 2024
International Greeter Day brings together locals and visitors from all over the world. Join us and discover a vibrant Chicago neighborhood during the ninth annual International Greeter Day celebration.

Check out the schedule of free neighborhood tours, all led by friendly and knowledgeable Chicagoans. All tours depart from the Chase Promenade North Tent in Millennium Park. Check out the tour schedule:

10:00 a.m.

  • Chinatown
  • Loop
  • Millennium Park
  • Pilsen

10:30 a.m.

  • Andersonville
  • Bronzeville
  • Hyde Park
  • Uptown

11:00 a.m.

  • Chinatown
  • Loop
  • Millennium Park
  • Pilsen
  • Chicago Riverwalk
Volunteer as a Chicago Greeter

Volunteer as a Chicago Greeter

Love Chicago? Want to show visitors from all around the world your favorite spots in your favorite neighborhoods? Volunteer as a Chicago Greeter. No additional experience is necessary; all you need is a passion for Chicago and knowledge of all it has to offer. You can even customize your visits to your specific interests.

Have questions about becoming a Chicago Greeter? View our Volunteer FAQs.

Sign up

Self-guided Greeter tours

Presented by Bank of America

Explore Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods at your own pace with these self-guided Chicago Greeter tours, presented by Bank of America. These walking tours have been curated by expert locals to showcase each neighborhood’s unique history, culture, and hidden gems.

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