Water activity

Chicago: City Minibus Tour with Optional Architecture Cruise

4.7 / 5

85 reviews

Activity provider: See it ALL Chicago Tours
Water activity

Chicago: City Minibus Tour with Optional Architecture Cruise

Activity provider: See it ALL Chicago Tours

From US$ 44.95 per person

Discover downtown Chicago, as well as into some fun neighborhoods on a minibus tour. Choose to add an architectural cruise of Chicago for the best way to see Chicago from both land and water.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 2 - 4.5 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English
Pickup included
Please call +1-773-525-6152 to confirm your reservation and hotel pickup details. Downtown Chicago hotel pickups are 30 minutes before the tour start time.
Small group
Limited to 10 participants

Experience

Highlights
  • Drive along the Chicago River, viewing some of Chicago's most iconic buildings
  • Create memories at 3 amazing photo stops including one of the Chicago skyline
  • Listen to expert commentary from your local guide in English
  • Upgrade to include the optional world-famous 75-minute Architectural Cruise
  • Stop at the spectacular Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park
Full description

Start with a pickup from your downtown Chicago hotel. Board your climate-controlled minibus and embark on your guided sightseeing tour.

Begin in the heart of downtown Chicago, at The Loop. Here you'll see incredible architecture, including the world's first skyscrapers. You'll even go inside one that features a beautiful lobby designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. 

The stop also includes views of The Chicago Board of Trade and the Willis (Sears) Tower. After The Loop, head through Grant Park, which is known as the city's front yard. The centerpiece of the park is the Buckingham Fountain.

Museum Campus is up next, with three museums, Soldier Field, and the most spectacular skyline views in the city. After a 10-minute photo stop, travel around Millennium Park, featuring The Bean, before heading up north along Wacker Drive, which parallels the Chicago River.

Arrive in the fancy Gold Coast nightlife area and residential neighborhood - one particularly interesting sight here is the original Playboy Mansion. 

Then, take a trip through part of Lincoln Park, and end the tour by zipping along Lake Shore Drive, past beaches, and old mansions, before being dropped off at your hotel.

For those wanting the ultimate Chicago experience, add on the option of the world-famous architecture cruise of Chicago. After your minibus tour and a short break, climb aboard a state-of-the-art cruise vessel for a 75-minute cruise of all three branches of the Chicago River.

Marvel at the architecture that has made the city so legendary. Gain insights into the buildings and engineering of a city that gave birth to the skyscraper and is the spiritual home of modern American architecture.

An expert guide will lead you down the Chicago River to uncover hidden gems, as well as the city’s most renowned landmarks, such as the John Hancock building and more.

Includes
  • Expert driver/guide
  • Minibus tour of Chicago
  • 3 photo stops
  • Hotel pickup at many Downtown Chicago hotels.
  • Architecture Cruise (if Cruise Option chosen)
  • Gratuities

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Important information

Not allowed

  • Pets
  • Luggage or large bags

Know before you go

  •  The combination tour is available from mid-April to October; the minibus tour alone is available all year
  • Tour operates in all weather conditions, so please dress appropriately
  • Hotel pick-ups commence approximately 30 - 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time
  • If the cruise option is chosen, please dress accordingly as this is an outdoor activity
  • You must wear a mask at all times when inside the vehicle
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 85 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.7/5
  • Transportation
    4.9/5
  • Service
    4.6/5
  • Organization
    4.6/5

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Star rating:

Rick was an amazing tour guide. He was funny and knew about Chicago history. He made sure the temperature in the van was comfortable considering it was really hot. He drove to all the main attractions stopping a few times so we could take pictures. I would totally recommend this tour!!!

March 30, 2023

Both the bus driver and boat tour commentator were very interesting, knowledgeable (historically and architecturally), and funny! It no doubt helps if the weather is good. Great overview of downtown Chicago. Would recommend this tour to anyone relatively new to Chicago.

March 30, 2023

The driver was on time and very pleasant! He explained some of the buildings but thought there were a few we would have liked to have heard more about some other buildings. I would have liked to have stopped at Millennium Park to see the Bean close up. We had stormy weather that day and couldn’t go on the architectural cruise.

March 30, 2023

Product ID: 151109