Chicago · CHICAGO CITY TOURS

15 Chicago City Tours to Plan a Day Around

33 tours  ·  from $5 a head

The 15 best chicago city tours, each with what it costs, how long it takes and who it suits. Start with number one; it sits there for a reason.

Big Bus Chicago: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour, 24/48/72hr Pass - Museum Campus, the river, and Navy Pier
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Big Bus Chicago: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour, 24/48/72hr Pass

1.Big Bus Chicago: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour, 24/48/72hr Pass

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 2,191 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $45Our pick

Ride a 24-, 48-, or 72-hour Big Bus pass past the Riverwalk, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and more. Use the app to track buses and find stops, then hop off to explore at your own pace. Digital commentary covers the city, while drivers such as Candace and Felicia have added local tips and personality.

“We loved it. Only thing was that it canceled for Dec 13th we planned on riding it another day for are 24 hrs pass. Candice was bad driver she was a 10 put of a 10”

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Chicago: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus - Museum Campus and the lakefront
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Chicago: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

2.Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,349 reviews · 1 - 3 days · from $45

Ride Big Bus Chicago’s open-top double-decker past Willis Tower, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Museum Campus and the Magnificent Mile. Hop off to explore, then track buses in the app. Digital commentary is available in English and Spanish; selected tickets add self-guided walks or a river architecture cruise. Drivers such as Candace have also been praised for lively live commentary.

“Candice our driver made our journey around Chicago with her fun facts, ideas of things to do, safe driving and was just so motivating enjoyable route.”

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Chicago CityPASS®: Save up to 49% at 5 Top Attractions - Make the nine-day window work for you
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Chicago CityPASS®: Save up to 49% at 5 Top Attractions

3.Chicago CityPASS®: Save up to 49% at 5 Top Attractions

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 874 reviews · 9 days · from $142

Chicago CityPASS gives you admission to five attractions over nine consecutive days: Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago, plus three picks from museums, 360 CHICAGO, and an architecture river tour. Mobile tickets make entry simple, while some attractions require reservations. Choose sights that fit your interests and check each one’s current details before you go.

“Not a right time in Chicago, but the citypass is perfect. Will buy it again when I visit Chicago in Summer”

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Chicago City Tour with Architecture River Cruise Option - Buckingham Fountain and the skyline from Museum Campus
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Chicago City Tour with Architecture River Cruise Option

4.Chicago City Tour with Architecture River Cruise Option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 705 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $49Top rated

Start near the Palmer House and explore downtown, Museum Campus, and North Side neighborhoods by climate-controlled minibus. Guides such as Avery, Rick, Reenie, and Logan have led lively tours with history and humor. Add a 75-minute open-top Chicago River cruise for close-up architecture commentary.

“Avery was our guide and he was great. Very good knowledge of the city and the communication was excellent.”

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Chicago Sightseeing River and Lake Cruise - A changing route, not a hop-on tour
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Chicago Sightseeing River and Lake Cruise

5.Chicago Sightseeing River and Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 509 reviews · from $45

Spend about 90 minutes with First Lady on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. A local guide connects skyline views with stories about the city’s architecture and landmarks, from the Wrigley Building to Soldier Field. The $45 trip begins and ends at 112 E. Wacker Drive, with live commentary and a maximum of 115 people aboard.

“This was the best tour that I’ve ever been on. The weather was fabulous and everyone on the boat was great.”

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Chicago Explorer Pass: 2 to 7 Attractions including SkyDeck - Skydeck, 360 CHICAGO and the city from above
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Chicago Explorer Pass: 2 to 7 Attractions including SkyDeck

6.Chicago Explorer Pass: 2 to 7 Attractions including SkyDeck

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 417 reviews · 1 month · from $79

Choose 2 to 7 Chicago attractions and tours with the Go City Explorer Pass, then use them over 30 days from your first visit. Options include Skydeck Chicago, 360 CHICAGO, the Field Museum, an architecture river cruise and a hop-on hop-off bus. Check the app before you go: popular attractions need reservations, and seasonal opening hours can affect your plans.

“The Griffin Museum and 360 Chicago were great! We ended up having to kind of waste our third event though because it wasn't indicated that a lot of the events/attractions are closed in March. We had intended on going to Navy Pier, but the Ferris wheel was literally the only thing open and we didn't want to ride it 4 times... I don't really feel like we got the value of $200+ for what amounted to one museum, an hour long experience, and two slices of pizza.”

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Chicago: Narrated Sightseeing River and Lake Cruise - Watch the river become an architectural canyon
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Chicago: Narrated Sightseeing River and Lake Cruise

7.Narrated Sightseeing River and Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 268 reviews · from $45

Cruise Chicago’s river and Lake Michigan with a live English-speaking guide, passing landmarks such as Marina City, Willis Tower and Navy Pier. The route includes the Chicago Harbor Lock, where you can feel the boat rise toward the lake and lower again on the return. Bring a camera and a light layer, and allow extra time if the lock is slow.

“Boat was equipped with both outside and air-conditioned inside seating, including a small bar. It was a 90 minute ride with about 20 minutes spent waiting in a lock. Guide was knowledgeable and provided photo tips and interesting information of the river and city. Overall it was a decent way to get on the lake for awhile on a very hot day. Was a bit more $ than I would have liked.”

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Chicago Private Custom City Tour with Hotel Pick Up - Lincoln Park and the North Side
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Chicago Private Custom City Tour with Hotel Pick Up

8.Chicago Private Custom City Tour with Hotel Pick Up

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 201 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.)

In three to four hours, a private guide and driver take your group of up to five from your downtown hotel to Millennium Park, the Loop, Lincoln Park, the University of Chicago and Wrigley Field. Guides such as Todd, Mike and Scott have led tours with city stories and flexible stops. Expect a broad overview, not a long visit at every landmark.

“I have seen much of downtown Chicago before. We had a foreign exchange student and decided to do the private tour in hopes that we might see a few different things and also give her an idea of the city. It was one of the best tours I have ever been on! I can't remember the names of our guide and driver, but they were fun, friendly, knowledgeable, and willing to do what was needed...even let my husband ride up front after he was feeling a bit car sick. Anyway, I would highly recommend spending the extra money for the private tour. We saw so many things that we wouldn't…”

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Chicago Attractions Pass: Save up to 50% - Includes 360 CHICAGO - Museums for science, fossils, and art
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Chicago Attractions Pass: Save up to 50% – Includes 360 CHICAGO

9.Chicago Attractions Pass: Save up to 50% – Includes 360 CHICAGO

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 111 reviews · 1 to 5 days (approx.) · from $139

Use a mobile Go City pass for entry to 30-plus Chicago attractions and tours, from 360 CHICAGO and Skydeck to museums, river cruises, bike rentals, and Navy Pier rides. Choose a 1-, 2-, 3-, or 5-day option, then plan your own route. Some popular stops require advance reservations, and a few listed attractions may be unavailable.

“So glad we purchased the Go Chicago pass. We saved so much money and ended up doing many more activities than we had originally planned! We too 3 boat tours (the seadog was not included but more than worth the extra money), a bus tour, navy pier, Adler planetarium, Shedd aquarium, Field museum. We also managed to get a walk to buckingham fountain and the parks in. Our son loved his mini trip to Chicago!”

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Chicago Family Food and Bike Tour with Top Attractions - Lake Michigan’s trail and sandy beaches
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Chicago Family Food and Bike Tour with Top Attractions

10.Chicago Family Food and Bike Tour with Top Attractions

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 98 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $79

Ride about nine miles with Bobby’s Bike, Hike & Food Tours, stopping for Chicago-style pizza and other local bites while passing lakefront beaches, Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain and more. A guide leads a group of up to 16, with bikes and helmets included. Expect a relaxed sightseeing pace, clear riding instructions and enough food to make a hearty lunch.

“Omar was fun, engaging and full of fun, historical facts about the Windy city. I would do this tour again in a minute!”

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Small-Group Sightseeing Boat Tour in Chicago - The Adler Planetarium and the Museum Campus
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Small-Group Sightseeing Boat Tour in Chicago

11.Small-Group Sightseeing Boat Tour in Chicago

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 95 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89

Captain Ken takes a group of up to six along Chicago’s lakefront and, weather and route permitting, into the Chicago River beneath the skyscrapers. You’ll pass Navy Pier, Soldier Field, the Adler Planetarium, and the skyline aboard a small RIB, with life jackets supplied. Bring a jacket and sunscreen; bottled water is not included.

“Ken was an amazing tour guide! We like to find unique experiences and this was definitely one- we recommend it!”

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Best of Chicago: Architecture & Highlights City Private Tour - Follow the city beneath the streets
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Best of Chicago: Architecture & Highlights City Private Tour

12.Best of Chicago: Architecture & Highlights City Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews

Meet your English-speaking guide outside the Chicago Theatre for a private walk through downtown. You’ll see the Picasso, the Chicago Pedway, landmark towers and Millennium Park, with a train pass and popcorn and chocolate tastings included. Guides have included Dash, Rich, Dave and David, though your guide may vary. The Riverwalk stop is weather-dependent and omitted in winter.

“We learned so much about the architectural history of Chicago on this tour. Rich was a great guide! Also enjoyed the Garrett popcorn and the Franco chocolate samplings!”

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Chicago City Tour: Elevated Architecture Tour with Train Ticket Included - From Trump Tower to the Marshall Field Building
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Chicago City Tour: Elevated Architecture Tour with Train Ticket Included

13.Chicago City Tour: Elevated Architecture Tour with Train Ticket Included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · from $41Best value

Ride Chicago’s L for a short stretch, then explore Loop stations and landmark buildings with a certified guide in a group capped at 10. The two-hour morning tour includes train fare and Chicago Architecture Center gallery admission. Guides have included Steve, Howard, Dan, and Doug; the route may change, and most of the tour is spent outdoors.

“Steve our tour guide was great, very professional and knowledgeable and great stories about the history and characters involved in building the elevated system. I would highly recommend this tour.”

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Chicago: Ultimate City Attractions Bike Tour - Setting off along the lake
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Chicago: Ultimate City Attractions Bike Tour

14.Ultimate City Attractions Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 48 reviews · 3 hours · from $59

This three-hour ride follows Chicago’s lakefront cycle paths past Buckingham Fountain, Millennium and Grant Parks, Burnham Harbor, Northerly Island and the Museum Campus. Your English-speaking guide shares city history and museum context. A bike and helmet are included; guides vary, with Gabriel among those known for resourceful commentary.

“Amazing guide and tour. Bikes were excellent and gave us chance to see so much of the city you wouldn’t access on any other tour. Loved it!!”

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Chicago City Tours See It All No Time Wasted - Wrigley Field, Lincoln Park, and the fountain
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Chicago City Tours See It All No Time Wasted

15.Chicago City Tours See It All No Time Wasted

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 17 reviews · 4 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $150

This Chicago city tour packs landmarks from Millennium Park and the Loop to Wrigley Field, the University of Chicago, and Jackson Park into a 4 to 8 hour ride. Expect an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, snacks, and an English-speaking guide. Guides named in tour correspondence include Ilyas and Cavani, but a specific guide is not guaranteed. Confirm vehicle size and observation-deck tickets before booking.

“Excellent way to see as much of Chicago on a short stay. Guide/driver was very knowledgeable and flexible, not to mention a fabulous photographer and always willing to take a picture. I always felt comfortable in the spotless vehicle and I’m I nervous passenger so that was excellent. Honestly never thought I would see 1/2 as much of Chicago. Oh and the water & snacks were great. 11 out of 10”

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New in Chicago City Tours

★ 5.0Private Holiday City Tour3 reviews
★ 5.0Luxury Minibus Chicago City TourFrom $654 reviews
★ 5.0Chicago Seasonal Stroll Walking Tour of Holiday AttractionsFrom $445 reviews
★ 5.0Chicago Walking Tour of Highlights with Free Bike or Kayak RentalFrom $445 reviews
★ 4.0Chicago Black History Highlights Walking TourFrom $55 reviews
★ 4.5Chicago 4-Hour Sightseeing Transfer by Luxury Private Sedan5 reviews
★ 4.5Chicago 4-Hour Sightseeing Transfer by Luxury SUV3 reviews
★ 3.5Boston To New York City: City Highlights TourFrom $1755 reviews
★ 5.0Best of Attractions Walking Tour +Bike/Kayak RentalFrom $445 reviews
★ 3.9Chicago Highlights Private Walking Tour With A GuideFrom $1293 reviews
★ 4.9Downtown Family Food Tour by Bike with SightseeingFrom $797 reviews
★ 4.0Chicago, Cloud Gate, Grant Park Full-Day City TourFrom $1874 reviews

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