Best of Chicago Small-Group Tour with Skydeck and River Cruise

Badge of ExcellenceChicago, USA

4 hours
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Have only a short stay planned in the Windy City? See the best of Chicago in just half a day on this small-group tour. Following hotel pickup, travel in an air-conditioned vehicle to Skydeck Chicago at the Willis Tower for spectacular city panoramas. Next, head to Millennium Park, go on an architecture river cruise, discover Buckingham Fountain, and more.

See more of the city in less time on a driving tour
This small-group tour is capped at just six people for a personal experience
See the Skydeck Chicago, 'The Bean,' Buckingham Fountain, and more
An architectural river boat tour is included in the tour cost

What's Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
Hotel pickup and drop-off (Downtown Chicago, IL)
Professional driver/guide
Small-group tour (6 maximum)
All attraction admission fees

Food and Drinks
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

55 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
You will find us near the one and only Cloud Gate, Our Tour guide drives a minivan Honda Odyssey. Tour guide uniform is white T-shirt with our Logo on top the right.

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

Can pick up only Downtown Chicago, IL

What To Expect

Start your Chicago sightseeing tour with pickup from your downtown hotel and then embark on a whirlwind half-day tour of Chicago, perfect for those with limited time.

Start your day by ascending to the Skydeck Chicago at the Willis Tower for breathtaking city views. Marvel at the iconic Cloud Gate and explore Millennium Park before embarking on an architectural river cruise showcasing over 40 Chicago landmarks.

Discover the grandeur of Buckingham Fountain and capture the stunning Chicago skyline from the Adler Planetarium viewpoint.

Hotel drop-off completes this comprehensive journey through the Windy City's highlights.

Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Cloud Gate

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Shoreline Sightseeing

1 hour 15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Buckingham Fountain

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Adler Planetarium

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Infants must sit on laps
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

149 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 149 reviews

Skydeck, architural tour

Ginny_B, Apr 2024

This was one of the best exoeriences we had while visiting chicago. The skydeck was just breathtaking and iur tour guide, Sadie was do animated and fun when discussing the architecture of chicage and the history. Both those excursions were well woth it. Unfortunately the bean was being repaired, the buckingham fountain was running yet. Our driver sensed our disappointment and took us to navy pier, where we got to ride the ferris wheel, visit the shops and catch a bite to eat. It was a very satisfying experience Visit

Too Costly for what you get and Confusing Way of doing business

Suzanne_M, Apr 2024

Very confusing set up here. Booked through Viator who sub-contracts? to TripSheperd, a group in Canada. Got an email the day before from 'Jared' who said her was our tour guide and to meet at a nearby hotel between 1:15 and 1:30. We got there at 1:05 to make sure, we could find the meeting place. We're looking for van-type of vehicle because I thought it showed that on Viator website and thought the tour guide would have some identifying clothing. By 1:30 no one showed up. I called and emailed Viator meanwhile who explained they weren't the group doing the tour, it was TripSheperd and they couldn't get in touch with them. I googled the number for TripSheperd, Called twice, left messages. No one picked up nor has anyone called me back as of now, 2 days later. Someone did show up around 1:45 (I was panicking by now as this was our only tour of Chicago booked and my friend was only in town for 1 more day). The tour guide was actually Robert, who was very nice and friendly and had a nice vehicle but not a van type car as i had expected. TripSheperd just basically drove us from one place to another where we got out and took our tour of the Willlis Tower and then drove us to take the architecture boat tour. So the tour was to begin at 1:30. We got a late start and by the time we were done Willis Tower and the boat tour, it was rush hour in the city of Chicago and Lakeshore Dr was bumper to bumper. It had started begun raining by the time we got to the Adler planeterium to see the view. So we just said forget the rest of the tour because we're sitting in traffic and it's getting later and later. Unrealistic timeframe and agenda for an afternoon tour. This is way to costly! We could have just booked the boat tour and Willis tower ourselves and paid $87.50 each instead of $254 each (and taken Uber to drive us to and from).

Enjoyed it!

Mya_W, Apr 2024

If you are staying in Chicago for one day- I recommend booking this trip. Robert is an excellent tour guide that not only explained Chicago’s architecture lore but Robert would make sure that I am safe no matter which destination we stopped at. Will definitely book again in the future!

Refound of the skydeck

Mnica_V, Apr 2024

Hello, When will I be able to see mu refound of the Skydeck?, my tour was incomplete and need my a answer

Perfect for half day excursion

Debbie_L, Mar 2024

This was a great way to see Chicago in a short amount of time. By doing this tour, we didn't have to worry about waiting in line at Sears Tower or the River Cruise. Our driver, Robert, was very friendly and took us to 3 landmarks that were perfect for photo ops. The reason I gave it 4 stars is because the meet up spot was confusing. The app gave one address and then I received a text with another address. My communication went unanswered so I called and was told to go to the address listed on the text. We were there at 8:45. Our driver went to the other address. It was 9:20 before it was all sorted out and we were picked up.

Must Do

Rahima_B, Dec 2023

Robert was amazing and very sweet. The tour was super fun and I got picked up at my hotel. I then got to see so many beautiful places of Chicago like the bean, sky deck, etc

Very Informative and Fun Tour!

JODY_J, Dec 2023

Joe was very kind and informative. We were the only two people on our tour which definitely made for a relaxed tour. We had asked many people from the time we arrived where the best places to eat and drink were. Nobody had been very helpful until Joe. He gave us so many great tips and even showed us some spots himself. We got to see all of the tourist attractions without the hassle of booking tickets and driving ourselves. The Willis Tower and Architecture Cruise were by far our favorites. Cloud Gate (the bean) was not accessible due to renovations. That was the only real disappointment. But we got to see it and now we can say we did. 😂 Overall great tour! Thanks, Joe!

Great way to see the city

Lauri_M, Nov 2023

Great way to see a lot of the city in a short period of time. Loved the experience of our guide, Danny. He skillfully navigated the city while sharing lots of interesting facts.

Great

Jessica_R, Nov 2023

1) driving around learning the history of the buildings that survived the fire. 2) visiting the sky deck on the sears tower being able to see the whole city from above. 3) visiting the places that that the river cruise can not cover. Note: I as an architect, I feel the sears tower should end the tour, visiting and seeing all the different historical places is meaningful and seeing the city from the river cruise is great, summing up the whole experience from the top of the sears tower would in my opinion, be a great way for everyone to see the context of the whole city they have spent the day learning about and seeing how the built environment today relates back to the fire, the rail roads, and the reintroduction of the river as a space for the community not just the industry that made the city the way it is today.

Great Way to See and Learn

Trent_G, Oct 2023

Joe was an outstanding guide and host. Took great care of us and was extremely knowledgeable about the city’s food, history, architecture, film scenes, etc. Architecture tour on the river was very entertaining and informative.

10 out of 10!

Antonio_H, Sep 2023

The tour was great. Joe was super knowledgeable and got us to all of our appointments on time and made some nice detours to get us some awesome pics of the Chicago skyline. Appreciated the hotel pickup and drop off and food recommendations. Ten out of ten!

Our tour guide Danny was...

James_C, Sep 2023

Our tour guide Danny was prompt, knowledgeable and fun to be around. We had an exclusive tour since the other couple rescheduled.

Well worth the money

Rocco_C, Sep 2023

Danny was very knowledgeable about Chicago. Gave us plenty of time to look around at each stop. Well worth the money. Thanks Danny.

I love Chicago

Ames, Aug 2023

Danny was great.! Local tour guide who drove safely, timely and kept us entertained with Chicago facts. Most of the tour is within the excursions where you will learn the bulk of your tourism information. Danny had great recs for recreation around the city.

Great tour

Chance_S, Aug 2023

Tour guide was very courteous. Also very knowledgeable about Chicago's history. Carefully guided us around the city. Problem arose out of his control and he handled it perfect.

Great small group...

Kemba_M, Jul 2023

Great small group experience! Jake was a great tour guide. We enjoyed the different locations! Great if you want to avoid large group setting.

Great Tour and Guide

Steve_S, Jul 2023

Great tour and fantastic tour guide, Jake. I would recommend this to anyone new to Chicago or someone like myself who thought they knew the city. Learned a lot.

Awesome tour of Chicago

Jennifer, Jul 2023

I highly recommend this tour if you are in Chicago! Our tour guide Jessik was so great explaining the history of Chicago and showing us around. We were only here for a short stay so this tour made it so easy to see some great sights of the city.

Enjoyable afternoon in Chicago

Stephen_L, Jul 2023

Learned about Millenium park and enjoyed the architectural boat tour though it could have been shorter

Nice tour with a...

Silvia_S, Jul 2023

Nice tour with a knowledgeable tour guide we touched in the important sites within a reasonable allotted time

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