The Chicago Theatre Tour

The Chicago Theatre at 175 N State Street is the Loop's most recognisable entertainment landmark, and its red-lettered vertical marquee is one of the city's defining images. The guided tour takes you inside the building that sign advertises. The operator describes a fully guided visit of about an hour, meeting under the marquee on State Street between Lake Street and Benton Place. This is a good choice for travellers who like historic interiors, performance venues and behind-the-scenes stories. It is not a show: it is a tour of a working theatre, and what you see depends on the day's schedule. On event days the itinerary can change and there is no stage or dressing-room access, so treat the tour as a visit to the building itself rather than a promise of backstage areas.

The Chicago Theatre is a working concert and event venue, which shapes how the tour operates. The operator notes that the tour runs on a guided basis, takes roughly an hour to an hour and a quarter, and may be adjusted on concert days. A reviewer in 2026 also mentioned renovation work affecting some areas, so expect the experience to vary slightly with what is happening in the building.

The reason to go is the setting. The theatre's lobby and auditorium are decorated in the grand style of the great picture palaces, and a guide gives the background on how the building was used over the decades and what it takes to run a major venue. If you have already seen the marquee from the street, the tour is the natural next step: you get the architecture, the history and a sense of the stage that touring artists play.

Plan ahead, because tours are booked in advance and the operator suggests most travellers reserve about two weeks out. You choose a date and start time at checkout. The meeting point is under the marquee, so arrive a few minutes early and look for the guide. The venue is in the Loop, close to the L, the Palmer House and the theatre district, so it combines easily with Millennium Park or a dinner before a show at one of the nearby houses.

If the theatre appeals to you as a performance venue, consider seeing a show there as an alternative or addition to the tour, since the auditorium looks different with a live audience and the lighting of a concert. The tour has the advantage of a quieter, more detailed look at the architecture and fittings, while an evening performance gives atmosphere. Either way, the marquee is worth photographing from across State Street at dusk when the lights are most striking.

Because tour details can change with the building's schedule, read your confirmation email for the start time and meeting point, and arrive a few minutes early so the guide can check in the group before heading inside. Wear comfortable shoes, since you will be on your feet for most of the hour, and keep valuables light because bag policies can vary on event days.