Top Illinois City Tours

Cruise down the Chicago River to see the city's famous architecture on this boat tour. With commentary from your onboard guide, watch the spectacular skyline glide by, including more than 40 notable buildings like the Wrigley Building and the John Hancock Building. Cover all three branches of the Chicago River, passing the East Bank Club, the old Post Office Building and the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower).

Experience a colorful side of Chicago history with this gangsters and ghosts tour. With a historian as your guide, you’ll step back to the Roaring Twenties, when the Chicago Loop was a hub for bootleggers, speakeasies, and gangsters like the infamous Al Capone. Visit onetime gangster hangouts and haunted sites like the Palmer House, Congress Hotel, and Death Alley.

Get a front row perspective on the exquisite buildings that line the Chicago River during a 45-minute architecture cruise. Hear live commentary about the history and architectural heritage of Chicago on this family-friendly tour, which highlights landmarks such as the Chicago Riverwalk, Michigan Avenue Bridge, Wrigley Building, and Willis Tower. Sit on the open-air top deck or the sheltered bottom deck for the ultimate view of Chicago.

Step aboard a boat for a comprehensive cruise that details the history of Chicago's architecture. Enjoy views of the Chicago skyline accompanied by architecture-focused commentary that points out each of the landmark buildings. As you cruise through Lake Michigan, snap photos of you and your party against the stretch of Chicago's 26-mile shoreline.

Explore Chicago's gangster past on this mafia tour in a coach vehicle. Drive around the Windy City to see where Al Capone, The Untouchables, Hymie Weiss, and John Dillinger, among other thugs hung out. A history-savvy guide introduces you to some of the most storied locations of Chicago’s criminal past, including Holy Name Cathedral, Biography Theatre, and the site of the bloody St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. You'll be able to get out and pose for pictures in front of a historic courthouse, among other infamous sites.

Don’t spend time figuring out what to see in Chicago and how to get there—this hop-on hop-off tour provides a mapped-out itinerary of the city's top sights. With several strategically located stops, the tour allows you to explore the Windy City at your own pace. See the world-class Art Institute and landmark skyscrapers, while audio commentary onboard gives you insight into the city's colorful history.

Enjoy a quintessential Chicago experience when you go on an architecture-themed river tour. Pick from multiple convenient start times, and board your vessel—the Lady Liberty—directly from the Chicago Riverwalk. Your trained docent guides will give you a rich introduction to the Windy City’s history, key landmarks, and architectural highlights—and you can spy landmarks like the Marina City towers and Navy Pier from the water’s edge.

Take in views of the Chicago skyline and its many landmarks during this Lake Michigan sightseeing boat cruise. Climb aboard your vessel for a laidback ride, enjoying panoramic views from a unique perspective. Along the way, you'll listen to informative audio commentary and take in views of the Navy Pier and the Willis Tower, along with many other landmarks. Plus, feel free to bring your own lunch or grab a drink at the onboard bar (own expense, cash only).

The easiest and most affordable way to explore some of Chicago's top attractions, the Chicago Explorer Pass by Go City saves you up to 50 percent off compared to buying individual attraction tickets. Create your own sightseeing itinerary by choosing 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 attractions, tours, and activities from among more than 25 top sites, including the Skydeck Chicago, a sightseeing cruise, a hop-on hop-off Big Bus tour, Navy Pier, and more.

Discover the ‘dark side’ of the Windy City thanks to this 2.5-hour, bus-based, nighttime crime history tour of Chicago. Explore the lives of notorious mobsters like Al Capone, Frank Nitti, Bugs Moran, and more as you explore infamous crime scenes like the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, learn about ‘The Enforcer’s Safe,’ and stop by local watering holes.

Stroll through downtown Chicago on this walking food tour. Visit Millennium Park, the Palmer House Hotel and other city landmarks. Taste quintessential Chicago foods such as deep-dish pizza, hot dogs, plus chocolates and pastry. All food tastings are included, and the tour covers an easy 1.5 miles (2.4 km) suitable for most fitness levels. A bike or kayak rental is also included in the tour cost.

See the overlooked highlights of Chicago’s Loop district with a walking tour that takes in the best of the bustling, vibrant neighborhood’s inside spaces. Get behind the façades to explore stunningly designed interiors as you follow a specially designed route with an experienced guide. Learn about the city’s architecture, art and history while visiting a side of Chicago that’s beyond the tourist trail, and experience the Windy City with a local perspective.

An excellent choice for first-time visitors, this tour provides a comprehensive overview of the city and hits on both classic attractions and little-known sites. Beginning at the Chicago Theatre, work your way to the Chicago Pedway, an elaborate network of underground tunnels used by locals and commuters. Stroll the Chicago Riverwalk and see Millennium Park; then, embark on a food tour to taste some of the city’s famous foods.

Get to know the Windy City the easy and comfortable way on a small-group minibus tour. Instead of long walks and navigating public transit, see major landmarks like Museum Campus, Buckingham Fountain, the Magnificent Mile, and Millennium Park from an uncrowded minibus with large picture windows. Your driver and guide knows where to find all the best views, and there are plenty of photo stops along the way.

Enjoy an active and entertaining way to explore Chicago’s highlights with this small-group Segway tour. Meet your guide at a convenient location in downtown Chicago, get acquainted with your Segway before setting off, and then hit the road. You’ll discover top Windy City highlights, including Millennium Park, the Buckingham Fountain, the Museum Campus, and more, all while learning about the city’s history and insider facts from your guide.

Take a gourmet dinner cruise on a high-end luxury yacht with the stunning skyline of Chicago serving as your backdrop. Climb aboard your recently renovated vessel, featuring a sumptuously-appointed rooftop lounge and stylish interior design, for your cruise along Lake Michigan. Then sit down for a 3-course dinner, informed by some of the world’s top celebrity chefs and composed of fresh ingredients cooked right on-board. After dinner, enjoy coffee and tea, captivating views of Chicago landmarks like the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower and Navy Pier, plus musical entertainment provided by the onboard DJ.

Sample some of the Windy City’s tastiest donuts on this Underground Donut Tour, celebrating the magic of Chicago’s tastiest sugar-filled concoctions. Donut-lovers are sure to enjoy this visit to some of Chicago’s tastiest donut purveyors, offering a chance to savor all of your favorite varieties, on the city's only donut-themed excursion. All tastings are included, and vegan, gluten-, and nut-free options are also available.

Explore Chicago's buzzing food scene in a small group (or upgrade for a private experience) on this walking tour. Stroll around Downtown, learning how how important the immigrants that built this city are to its food scene. Taste classic Chicago foods, from deep-dish pizza to the world-famous dipped Italian beef sandwiches. At the end, you'll enjoy a delicious secret dish that will be revealed only on the day of the tour.

Explore Chicago’s most iconic sites on a 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.

Learn about Chicago’s brewpub scene and taste different types of craft beer on this guided brewery tour. Visit unique breweries for craft beer samples plus an additional brewing production facility for an in-depth tour. Discover the science behind the brewing process, complete with step-by-step procedures, and enjoy plenty of beer samples throughout the tour. Round-trip transportation in a Prohibition-era-styled barrel bus is included.

Explore Chicago's iconic landmarks on this sightseeing tour led by an expert guide. Board a comfortable, large-windowed minibus and explore Downtown and North Side neighborhoods. You have a chance to get out and visit several locations and hear about the historical and cultural factors that make Chicago unique. Upgrade your tour with a popular open-top boat tour on the Chicago River that focuses on the city's renowned architecture.

Explore the hidden side of Chicago on a 2-hour walking tour of The Loop, a bustling neighborhood that’s full of wild history, architectural landmarks and some of the city’s most fascinating characters. Follow your local guide along the sidewalk, and stop to notice the overlooked details and untold stories that even life-long locals sometimes miss. Experience the city one small piece at a time on a route that traces a path between Chicago’s littlest treasures, and get an inside look at life in the Second City.

Explore Chicago's Chinese food scene on this 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. Enjoy included tastings from restaurants and other food venues in Chinatown—a great way to start a night out in the city.