Gangsters And Ghosts Walk, Palmer House Inside

Empire Tours & Productions (Chicago Gangsters and Ghosts Tours) runs this 2-hour walk, which steps inside the Palmer House. It rates 4.7 from 1,878 reviews and costs from $31.

Overview

This two-hour walk through the South Loop pairs Chicago's gangster era with its ghost stories, and visits inside the Palmer House are included rather than only passing by. A historian guide leads the route, which covers about 1.5 miles in total and includes a 20-minute rest stop at a famous former gangster hangout.

From there the route moves past the Chicago Theatre and into the Palmer House, one of the haunted stops on the route, before continuing past Cloud Gate and the Art Institute of Chicago.

It ends outside the Congress Plaza Hotel, described by the operator as one of the most haunted places in Illinois, with stories about its 12th floor. Reviewers consistently praise the guides as enthusiastic and knowledgeable, several noting the pace feels comfortable and the history goes well beyond surface-level Capone trivia. Children aged 6 and under can join for free, though the operator does not recommend the tour for people with infants.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet your guideMeet outside Hoyt's Tavern, adjacent to the Royal Sonesta hotel. The starting address listed is 71 E Wacker Dr.
2. Chicago RiverwalkThe walk begins along the Riverwalk, with ghost legends and stories of the old vice district.
3. Death Alley and TheatreThe guide covers Death Alley and stops at the Chicago Theatre, another haunted landmark on the route.
4. Inside Palmer HouseThe tour goes inside the Palmer House, which is listed among the included parts of the experience.
5. Rest stopA 20-minute break at a famous former gangster hangout, as noted in the listing's know-before-you-go details.
6. Cloud Gate and Art InstituteThe route passes Cloud Gate and the Art Institute of Chicago as the guide continues the story.
7. Congress Plaza HotelThe tour finishes outside the Congress Plaza Hotel, where the guide recounts its hauntings, including incidents on the 12th floor.

What To Expect From The Tour

Here is what to know before booking, based on the listing and what travellers report back.

• Walking distance. 5 miles over roughly two hours, which reviewers describe as a good pace rather than a march. Comfortable shoes are the main requirement.
• The rest stop. There is a 20-minute break at a former gangster hangout, and one reviewer highlighted the chance to use the restroom, grab a drink, or buy a homemade brownie. Water is on the operator's bring list regardless.
• Guides rotate. The tour is led by a historian guide, and reviews repeatedly describe them as enthusiastic, funny, and able to answer questions about Chicago generally, not just the tour script.
• Kids and infants. Children aged 6 and under join for free, and the operator describes the tour as family friendly. However, it is not recommended for people travelling with infants, so families with babies may want a different option.
• Bags and weather. Luggage and large bags are not allowed. The walk runs outdoors between stops, so dress for the weather in comfortable clothes. One reviewer specifically enjoyed it on a fall night.
• No hotel pickup. This is a walking tour with a fixed meeting point outside Hoyt's Tavern, next to the Royal Sonesta. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own way to the start.

Common issues. The main recurring complaint in the review summary is that meeting time communication could be clearer, so double-check the start time and meeting details on the booking page before you go. There is no hotel pickup. Gratuity for the guide is optional and not included in the price. One reviewer noted the walking felt long going in but enjoyed it by the end, so anyone with limited mobility should weigh the 1.5-mile distance carefully.

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