Top Illinois Outdoor Activities - page 4

Leave behind the stuffy, slow-moving tour groups and explore Chicago’s Millennium Park on your own with a private, self-guided app tour. Using just your smartphone, pausing as you like, you’ll learn all about “The Bean,” Lurie Garden, Crown Fountain, and more. With your GPS cuing your audio experience, this tour lets you go at your pace, style, and time, with lifetime access and no expiry.

Set sail for a memorable experience on Lake Michigan with a Signature Chicago Brunch Cruise that is as scenic as it is delicious! You'll savor a chef-prepared buffet and bottomless mimosas while in our comfortable indoor areas. Marvel at unparalleled views of Chicago’s iconic landmarks, such as Willis Tower and Navy Pier from inside or enjoy fresh breezes on the open-air decks. This fun-filled brunch cruise experience for all ages is complete with lively DJ entertainment, dancing, games, and a fully stocked cash bar. Elevate your weekend plans with a one-of-a-kind brunch cruise on the water!

Discover the hidden gems of Lincoln Park on a private, open-air pedicab ride guided by a local storyteller. Relax as you explore lush gardens, the iconic lily pond, lakefront views, and landmark architecture— all without the effort of walking or the crowds of bus tours. Your route and pace are fully customizable, with plenty of photo stops and personal stories that bring Chicago’s past to life. Perfect for families, visitors with mobility needs, photography lovers, or anyone seeking a breezy, memorable Chicago adventure.

On A Boat Sailing offers an all-inclusive, private VIP sailing experience departing from the brand-new Navy Pier Marina in Downtown Chicago. If you appreciate attention to detail, hospitality, and sophisticated service, this is the boat rental for you! Amenities on board include: Pricing for private groups up to 7 guests. Custom pricing available for larger groups up to 12. Anchoring in the Chicago Playpen for swim and float parties. Swim platform with rinse shower-lily pad, noodles, life-jackets and floaties. Large open cockpit seating area. Complimentary beverages and snacks or BYO (alcohol allowed). Stereo surround sound speakers with Bluetooth connection. Fridge with ice, fully stocked kitchenware. Skyline views of Downtown Chicago, Navy Pier and the Chicago Lighthouse. Anchoring for concerts at Northerly Island. Kitchen, bathroom and changing room on board.

Take the scenic route. Book a four-mile pedicab tour along the Illinois River bluffs of Grandview Drive. Faster than walking, slower than driving; Peoria Pedicab presents: the Goldilocks pace. Peoria Pedicab offers a unique one hour route along the scenic landscape views and historic homes of Grandview Drive. Tours begin on the north side of the Heights Tower (1222 E Kingman Ave) and follow Grandview Dr. for two miles, turning around at Grandview Dr. Park (before the steep curves). Tours return along the same route, back to the Heights Tower. The price is per group, and the pedicab typically seats two adults per group. Children younger than six may sit on a lap.

Skip the hassle of planning your Chicago itinerary with this convenient hop-on hop-off tour, covering the city's must-see sights. With multiple strategically located stops, explore the Windy City at your own pace, hopping off to visit top attractions like the iconic Art Institute and famous skyscrapers. Enjoy insightful audio commentary as you cruise through the city, learning about its rich history and vibrant culture. Perfect for first-time visitors or those short on time, this tour offers flexibility and ease, ensuring you don’t miss any of Chicago’s highlights. Book your ticket today and experience the best of Chicago hassle-free!

Step into the heart of Chicago with this in-depth, small-group walking tour of the Loop neighborhood, the heart of the Windy City's downtown. Stop to check out the elevated “L” train, admire historic buildings, discover lesser-known corners of this vibrant area, and view its best-known public artworks, too. You’ll come away with a deeper sense of Chicago’s rich history and architecture.

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to explore Chicago's top attractions is through a Chicago Explorer Pass by Go City. Save money compared to buying individual attraction tickets, and create your own sightseeing itinerary by choosing from among more than 35 top sites, including the Skydeck Chicago, a sightseeing cruise, a hop-on hop-off Big Bus tour, Navy Pier, and more.

Discover some of the Windy City’s spookiest ghost stories—and step back in time to the era of gangsters, bootleggers, jazz performers, and more—on this small-group walking tour. Meet your guide in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, and set off after dark. You’ll visit supposedly haunted former burial grounds, pubs, theaters, and more—and will hear about macabre legends and unexplained happenings as you go.

If you want culture, history, food, cinema and film and a heavy dose of all things Chicago this is your tour! Get ready to EAT. We are true fans of Chicago, The Bear and good food which is why we start our tour at the world famous Pequod's pizza where a hot pie will be ready waiting for us to pickup and try. Enjoy this in the pedicab as we begin our leisurely ride through the city getting an open air view of some of Chicago's cutest neighborhoods. Next up we go to Margies Candies for a Banana Split before embarking on a ride all the way from the west side to River North, crossing the Chicago River and getting some photos at the iconic LaSalle Flowers. End your epic Chicago adventure at Mr. Beef or Kasama! Your tour vehicle will be a decorated 6 seat pedicab driven by one of our knowledgeable tour guides. Comfortable for up to 4-5 adults, 6 if kids/teenagers are in the mix. Look at the photos of the cab and feel free to reach out with any questions.

Dive into Chicago’s Magnificent Mile on an interactive scavenger hunt, perfect for families, friends, or team building! Guided by clues on your phone, you’ll solve puzzles, unlock local legends, and discover iconic sites like the Old Water Tower, Tribune Tower, and bustling Riverwalk—plus hidden gems along the way. Go at your own pace, compete for fun, and see the best of Chicago’s lively downtown in a whole new way. Teams of up to six welcome; no local knowledge required—just curiosity and comfy shoes.

Operation City Quest of Springfield is a great way to see the city! Use an app to submit photos of items you find around the city and challenges you complete for points. The items and challenges can be completed in any order you prefer! See your score on the app leaderboard to see how you compare. The scavenger hunt includes a remote host to help via chat along the way. Come discover Springfield.

Join us for the most memorable experience you will have while visiting Chicago! For runners from around the world, this is definitely a “bucket list” activity. This casual paced, guided running tour will take you through and around the most iconic sights that Chicago has to offer. We will take you along the Lake Michigan shoreline where you will take in the most spectacular views of the beautiful city skyline, through Downtown and “the Loop” to cross the Chicago River where we will share some of the incredible history that has made Chicago so famous, from gangsters to marine disasters, and finally up Michigan Avenue to enjoy the cultural and architectural highlights of the Chicago Art Institute, famous historical building and so much more! You will not break any personal best running times, though, as we make stops along the way to talk about the sights and take pictures for you to share with friends and loved ones!

This self-guided walking tour is perfect for last-minute travelers who love chocolate! Travelers will use the eATLAS app for directions on where to go, and what to do--map included. You can start and pause the Adventure whenever it is convenient for you. Chicago was once the “Candy Capital of the World,” and chocolate has been a rich, decadent part of the city’s culinary history longer than deep-dish pizza and Italian beef. Milton Hershey even learned how to make chocolate in Chicago at the 1893 World’s Fair. Some of the world’s most beloved chocolate treats, including Tootsie Rolls, Baby Ruth, Butterfinger, Snickers, 3 Musketeers and Milky Way, were invented or are manufactured here. There are 8 delicious Loop and River North stops on our tour/scavenger hunt. Simply read the clues and follow the directions to guess the answers. Hints are provided if you need help. You won’t be required to buy anything, but if you need a quick pick-me-up, what’s better than chocolate?

Enjoy a budget-friendly way to explore Chicago—and see the sights that interest you most, all without following a large tour group around—with this cost-savings Chicago Attractions Pass. Enjoy discounts of up to 50% on an array of top Chicago attractions, including the 360 Chicago and SkyDeck observation decks, the Field Museum, Chicago River cruises, and more. Four different pass durations are available when booking.

Capture the highlights of your Windy City visit—and walk away with professionally taken portraits—on this private photo shoot experience. Meet your guide at a time and place that work best for you; you can also select your preferred duration and number of photos. Then, get ready to strike a pose: your guide will take a number of photos, and chronicle your special moments. See Windy City highlights as you go

Enjoy a uniquely adventurous way to explore Chicago with this zombie apocalypse-themed smartphone scavenger hunt game. Upon booking, download the app and set off at a time that works best for you, with help from your remote interactive guide. You’ll be given a list of challenges to solve and objects to find to beat the zombies, all while exploring some of Chicago’s most popular corners.

Chase away your Monday blues with Chicago’s coolest concert at sea! Hop aboard the historic Tall Ship Windy for a 2-hour live blues music cruise on Lake Michigan, featuring city skyline views and a rotating roster of top local and international artists. With a full-service bar and plenty of space to move, relax, and dance, this floating music event blends unbeatable atmosphere with legendary sounds—perfect for date nights, group outings, or music lovers looking for a summer highlight. VIP boarding upgrades and kid discounts available. Book early; these shows sell out fast!

One of a kind experience you can only find in Chicago. Motorized paddle boards take the stress out of paddling. LED-lights make the boards illuminate the water providing a personal light show.

An immersive clue-solving adventure around the trendy arts neighborhood Fulton Market. Search for real-world clues, solve puzzles, and discover the neighborhood with an experience you'll never forget! Reschedule anytime with no fees. It's a scavenger hunt, escape room, and urban crawl all-in-one. Follow the storyline around town as you find clues and use them to crack codes. Then enter solutions on the app to find out where to go next. Clues can be anywhere - murals, statues, landmarks, and more! Plan on about two hours of playtime, depending on your experience level and how much time you spend exploring along the way. Difficulty level is adjustable - take as many or as few hints as you’d like! PLEASE NOTE: Bookings made less than 7 days before your play date will be scheduled for local pickup. For bookings made 7+ days in advance, our team will contact you to arrange shipping.

Experience Chicago like never before—and see more of the sights in less time—on this immersive bicycle tour. Ride the walking- and cycling-only Chicago Lakefront Trail to and through the city’s beautiful beaches, parks and lagoons. See the coast of Lake Michigan and the one-of-a-kind Chicago skyline, plus bustling Navy Pier, popular North Avenue Beach, the 35-acre Lincoln Park Zoo and Conservatory, and much more. The use of a bike and helmet is included.

Secure your tickets in advance for a seamless visit to Chicago's Verse Immersive, the only holographic theater of its kind. Use cutting-edge augmented reality glasses to cast spells, explore galaxies, and interact with holographic animals—all while staying connected to your friends and surroundings. No motion sickness, no disorientation, just pure wonder.

Get ready for the most complete adventure the city has to offer—an immersive Full Day Chicago Food Tour and Walking Tour that blends Chicago’s legendary flavors with its most iconic landmarks. Savor Chicago Pizza, Hot Dogs, Italian Beef, Garrett’s Chicago Mix Popcorn, and the original Palmer House Brownie, or elevate your day with our VIP craft beer upgrade. This unforgettable Chicago in a Day Tour explores Millennium Park, the Chicago Riverwalk, Michigan Avenue, Cloud Gate, Chicago Theater, and more, guided by true local experts. Enjoy a 5-hour journey through culture and cuisine, plus a FREE 2-hour bike or kayak rental to continue the adventure along Lake Michigan. Recently honored among the “Top 10 Food Tours in America” (USA Today) and “Top 20 Food Tours in the World” (TripAdvisor), this award-winning Culinary Tour is one of the top Things to do in Chicago. Don’t miss the most delicious, scenic Full Day Food Tour in Chicago—all in one extraordinary day.

Take your shot at completing this Chicago Scavenger Hunt around the Loop and River North neighborhoods including the Riverwalk. Complete this solo or build a ScavSquad of up to 5 people and discover the city like never before! Use clues and hints within the app to complete the objectives (if you get stuck, you can skip and go back later). Some objectives have prizes so do your best to complete as many objectives correctly. Once complete, you can view the Leaderboard to see how you did against others.