Tours and Trips in Chicago

Paddle through Chicago's wild past on a 2.5-hour small group kayak tour on a river that curls through the heart of the Windy City. Learn to navigate your boat and try out paddling techniques, then get ready to navigate the illuminated downtown section of the river. Hear stories of gangsters and their ghosts as you explore the city's underbelly alongside your guide, and get a glimpse of the city's gritty past as you travel along riverbanks lined with iconic skyscrapers and historic sites.

Embark on a walking tour of Chicago's more-recent architecture heritage with a 2-hour stroll highlighting the city's modern, postmodern, and international structures. Especially known for its architectural originality, Chi-town boasts everything from the elegant metal and glass tower of One South Dearborn to the Harold Washington Library, with its Beaux-Arts inspired exterior. Your guide will highlight these and other unique buildings, relaying background on their individual histories and construction en route.

A river runs through it: the Chicago River passes right through the heart of downtown and is a major part of city identity. You'll begin this walking tour at Navy Pier and follow your local guide along the scenic river walk. You'll learn the role of the river in Chicago's history, and stop to admire iconic architecture and bridges celebrated as feats of engineering.

Spend an evening in Chicago on a Segway tour along the lakefront and through the city's popular parks. You'll enjoy views of the Chicago skyline as you glide from Millennium Park past landmarks such as Shedd Aquarium, the Buckingham Fountain, and Museum Campus.

Discover one of the Windy City's most beautiful institutions during a visit to the Richard H. Driehaus Museum. Housed in the elegant and restored Nickerson Mansion - a key Chicago landmark in its own right - the museum focuses on Gilded Age art and architecture. Book your tickets before you travel to make logistics as seamless as possible. Admission entitles you to visit both the museum's permanent collection as well as its temporary exhibitions.

Cruise through Chicago on this 2-hour Segway Tour. First-time visitors will see major attractions and get a great overview of the city. Those familiar with Chicago will deepen their knowledge with little-known facts and anecdotes. This tour includes tickets to the Skydeck at Willis Tower for incredible views of the lake and skyline. 

Discover a lesser-known side of the Windy City on this Chicago Pedway tour, a 1.5-hour walking excursion through the many heated passageways, tunnels, and corridors that link some of the town's most iconic buildings. Follow your humorous guide on an insider's exploration of these relatively unknown walkways, learning about the area's architecture and history as you go. It's a great way to explore a different side of Chicago unknown to most visitors.

Discover the sights and sounds of Chicago's various cultural scenes on a 2-hour walking tour. The 1.5-mile route covers music, literature, art, and architecture within the Windy City. Hear insider stories about Chicago's cultural movements and visit little-known locations linked to iconic artists.  Be sure to have your camera ready for the pièce de r esistance, the Tiffany stained glass dome at the Chicago Cultural Center.

Explore Chicago's Chinese food scene on this 3-hour walking tour in the Chinatown district. With a guide, learn about the cuisine of different regions of China and how Chinese culture has influenced Chicago and other areas. You'll enjoy included tastings from restaurants and other food venues in Chinatown - a great way to start a night out in the city.

Visit four historic bars in operation since Prohibition in Chicago, and learn from a knowledgeable guide about the surreptitious world of the speakeasy. This adults-only tour takes you by coach to once-illicit establishments in Old Town, Wicker Park and the Chicago Loop where liquor, jazz and mobsters ruled. You'll hear about Chicago gangsters like Al Capone and learn the historical context for the decade-long ban of alcohol. If you'd like, you can purchase recommended craft cocktails and signature drinks of the 1920s.

See the landmarks of Chicago's South Side on a 2-hour coach tour through this historic, diverse and culturally-rich neighborhood. Take in views of Jackson Park and the University of Chicago, pause at the foot of the stunning Lake Point Towers then watch the bustling crowd at Navy Pier. Get a glimpse of American history as you explore President Obama's former neighborhood and see the President and First Lady's home; with an optional upgrade, you can finish your trip with a scenic cruise along the Chicago River.

Explore the art and architectural highlights of Chicago on a Segway during this 2-hour guided tour. This family-friendly tour takes visitors by the outdoor sculptures, landmark buildings and iconic skyline of the city. Accompanied by educational and informative commentary, this city tour saves you from hours of walking and lets you see all of Chicago's top art and architectural attractions in one tour.

Venture inside renowned Chicago landmarks, elegant lobbies, and underground corridors on this 2-hour walking tour. Your expert guide will share insights about interior architectural features of this design-rich city - from mosaic domes to the sprawling Chicago Pedway System - bringing the details of the Windy City into vivid focus. Stop to admire Chase Tower, the Marshall Field and Company Building, the Chicago Cultural Center, and more.

Board a luxurious yacht at Navy Pier for a 2-hour lunch cruise along Chicago's scenic shoreline. Enjoy a three-course gourmet meal as you take in views of the Windy City from a climate-controlled observation deck, then sip coffee or tea while the yacht's onboard DJ spins a leisurely afternoon playlist.

Enjoy waterfront views of downtown Chicago on a 2-hour brunch cruise through the heart of the city. Board a luxurious yacht at Navy Pier then relax on deck with a complementary mimosa. Find a comfortable spot on the three climate-controlled observation decks, and enjoy a sumptuous buffet while the onboard DJ spins a leisurely afternoon playlist. Capture unforgettable images of downtown skyscrapers and architectural landmarks as you navigate along the historic shoreline, then loop back and finish your outing at the bustling Navy Pier.

See Chicago light up at night with a 3-hour bicycle tour of the Windy City's most iconic sights and neighborhoods. Follow your guide along a leisurely route, watch the Buckingham Fountain light show and take in evening views of Millennium Park and the Museum Campus. Pedal through downtown streets, capture unforgettable images of Chicago's magnificent skyline then finish your tour in the heart of the city.

One of Chicago's most popular and recognizable landmarks, the Field Museum of Natural History offers a wide array of treasures, from its Hall of Gems to Sue - one of the best-preserved Tyrannosaurus Rex fossils ever found. Guarantee your admission to this in-demand museum, and prevent any stress, by booking your tickets before you travel. Upon arrival, you can explore the museum at your own pace, and even embark on a complimentary, docent-led tour.

Delve deep into the world of natural history with this Field Museum admission ticket in Chicago. Spend as long as you like exploring the museum's collection of more than 26 million artifacts. Get to know SUE, the world's largest T. Rex, or stroll through the sparkling Hall of Gems. Time travel through 13,000 years of history in the Americas, from the Ice Age to Inca and Aztec temples. Take advantage of the free daily tours, led by Field Museum docents.

Buy your Field Museum Discovery Pass in advance to streamline your sightseeing experience in Chicago. With pass in hand, you'll save time waiting in line and get access to all general admission exhibits, as well as one ticketed special exhibition or a 3D movie. Your pass gives you the ability to explore on your own time, spending as long as you like in the Hall of Gems or checking out the titanosaur. Free tours are available throughout the day.

Explore Chicago's most iconic sites with a 2.5-hour bike tour that explores Museum Campus, parks and monuments. Follow your guide along the waterfront as you soak up the city skyline and enjoy the breeze along the easy going route. Circle the Buckingham Fountain while you learn the history of the city's public art, parks and museums, and capture unforgettable images of the Windy City.