Chicago Greeter

Overview:

• Take a FREE guided visit of Chicago with an enthusiastic Chicago Greeter.

• Choose from more than 40 special interest areas, and over 25 Chicago neighborhoods, to visit with a Greeter.

• Over 180 Chicago Greeter volunteers represent dozens of languages

• Not sure exactly what you want to see? Sample some your Greeter guide’s favorite things about Chicago with “Greeter’s Choice,” and discover a few of the city’s hidden treasures!

• Chicago Greeters will familiarize you with Chicago's safe and efficient public transit system.

Important Information:

• Parties are limited to groups of six or less.

• Parties must register online, or by phone (312-744-8000), seven to ten business days in advance of their visit.

• Visitors looking for a last minute option should take advantage of the InstaGreeter program on weekends, offering excellent orientations of downtown Chicago or the historic Hyde Park neighborhood, with no reservation required.

• All Chicago Greeter guided visits depart from the Visitor Information Center at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 East Randolph Street.

Additional Information:

Chicago Greeter is a free service of the Chicago Office of Tourism that matches visitors with a friendly, enthusiastic, and city-savvy local for an informal, two- to four-hour insider's orientation to the city. Visitors are paired with volunteer Greeter guides through an online registration system based on visitors’ chosen interests, availability and language preferences. Explore one of over 25 Chicago neighborhoods with your Greeter, request a guided visit highlighting Chicago’s art, architecture, food, cultural heritage spots, or one of the other 40 available ‘special interest’ offerings.

A “Greeter’s Choice” option leaves it to your Greeter to touch on some of his or her favorite things to see and do in Chicago, giving visitors a chance to discover some of Chicago’s best kept secrets, from the perfect spot to people-watch in Millennium Park to the best place in town for a slice of Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza.

From its inception in April 2002, Chicago Greeter has been a great resource for visitors, and locals entertaining visiting family and friends as well. Currently, the Chicago Greeter program has over 180 volunteers representing dozens of languages, and has offered over 7,000 Greeter visits to date, servicing visitors from more than 75 different countries.

Please register online at www.chicagogreeter.com, or by phone (312-744-8000) seven to ten business days in advance, for a Chicago Greeter visit. Last-minute visitors seeking a Chicago Greeter experience may take advantage of the weekend InstaGreeter program, or the summer-only Millennium Park Greeter service, both of which are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please visit their respective links for additional information.