Top Illinois Private Sightseeing Tours

The Art Institute of Chicago houses one of the finest American and Impressionist painting collections in the world, but it can be overwhelming to explore on your own. Remove the guesswork and maximize your time inside the museum on a private tour that covers major highlights by Picasso, Chagall, Warhol, Hopper, and others. Plus, there's no waiting to get inside, as the tour includes a skip-the-line ticket.

Let our expert local guides share their passion with you for The Art Institute of Chicago on this private 2 hour tour. As you traverse the hallowed halls, you’ll discover an extraordinary collection spanning centuries and cultures, from classical masterpieces to cutting-edge contemporary works. Our expert guides will illuminate the stories behind each brushstroke, sculpture, and masterpiece, providing a rich narrative that breathes life into the art.

Have only a short stay planned in Chicago? Make the most of your time in the Windy City, and see more of the city in less time, when you book a private driving tour of Chicago. Pick between several convenient tour times, and meet your guide and driver directly at your hotel. Over the course of your excursion, you’ll make stops at highlight attractions like the Lincoln Park Conservatory, Millennium Park, and Museum Campus. You’ll also learn about Chicago’s history and can spy other remarkable sights as you go.

See the best of the Windy City, all in just half a day—and learn the stories behind its best-known sights—on this private tour. In the morning, meet your driver at your Downtown hotel, hop aboard your private vehicle, and set off with a tour guide in tow. You can look forward to seeing sights like Grant Park, Navy Pier, and Buckingham Fountain—and stopping for photo opportunities along the way.

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).

Discover the architectural gems of the Windy City from an ideal vantage point on a cruise down the Chicago River. Offered several times throughout the day, it’s easy to fit the leisurely excursion into your itinerary. Covering more than 130 years of architectural history, the tour is the perfect opportunity to see a huge area of the city without the hassle of taxis and public transit.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Delve into the world of natural history with tickets to the Field Museum in Chicago. Choose general admission, or upgrade to visit one or several special exhibitions. 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. You can also take advantage of free daily tours led by Field Museum docents.

Tour the historic Chicago Theater, a must-see city landmark, with a guide providing in-depth commentary. You'll get the most out of your visit by traveling with a guide and get access to some areas of the theater that the public never sees. Learn about its architecture, history, and famous performers throughout the years.

Chicago dogs, deep-dish pizza, brownies, and craft beer are all sampled on this half-day bike tour through the Windy City. Cover about 13 miles (21 km), following your guide at a moderate pace through Chicago neighborhoods. On the day tour, ride through Wrigleyville, Old Town, Lincoln Park, and Gold Coast. On the night tour, visit Chicago’s Riverwalk, Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain and the Lakefront Trail. As you go, stop for generous food and beer tasters.

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.

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.)

Leave the hustle and bustle behind! Explore Chicago's shores with a leisurely trip around Lake Michigan. Take in the world-famous skyline, enjoy spectacular views, and discover the Windy City from the water. Windy is the Official Ship for the City of Chicago. At 148 feet long, she is one of only a few 4 masted Schooners built in the United States. You will enjoy a relaxing sail around aboard a truly historic vessel. Select from Pirates and Maritime Stories Sail at 1pm, Skyline/Architectural Theme at 3pm and 5pm, and Skyline Sunset Sail at 7pm. This sail is approximately 75 minutes. The ship leaves promptly at the scheduled time, please allow for time to park, off the pier if necessary.

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.

Get the most out of your trip to Chicago as you enjoy discount access to five of the city’s top attractions with the CityPASS. This easy-to-use mobile ticket grants you free entry into top-tier sights including the Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago, plus your choice of admission to three of the following attractions: Field Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Science and Industry, 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck, Adler Planetarium, or Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour.

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.

Perfect for families, groups, and corporate outings, the Spirit of Chicago lunch cruise lets you kick back and enjoy a great meal while taking in the sights of Chicago's most famed landmarks. See and photograph the dramatic city skyline, Navy Pier, Soldier Field, and Shedd Aquarium. The cruise includes a delicious buffet lunch with salads, entrees, desserts, and unlimited nonalcoholic beverages. There's also a DJ, games, and a dance floor to keep your group entertained.

Ensure a hassle-free arrival at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Midway Airport (MDW) with this private transfer service to your downtown Chicago hotel. Take the stress out of finding a taxi at Chicago's busy airports and book a private vehicle in advance. You'll travel in style by luxury sedan or SUV that can accommodate up to five passengers.

Soak up unbeatable views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline with this private, sunset sailing tour. This charter is completely customizable, giving you the chance to choose your music, route, and up to 5 additional guests. Sail into the sunset with your own drinks and snacks (refrigerator and ice on board) and your family or friends by your side, all led by US Coast Guard–certified captain.

Discover many of Chicago's best-known landmarks—and explore without breaking a sweat—on this private electric bike tour. Meet your guide right at the Buckingham Fountain, grab your e-bike and helmet, and get ready to explore. You'll view Lakefront landmarks like the Field Museum and Adler Planetarium, will zip right along the waters of Lake Michigan, and will stop to soak up picture-perfect views of the Chicago skyline.