Top Illinois Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises - page 4

Taste food from around the world—and immerse yourself in some of the Windy City's most characterful, locally beloved neighborhoods—on this half-day biking and tasting tour of Chicago. With just a small group for company, you'll follow your guide through the city streets, stopping for views of Chicago’s famous architecture and seeing more than you could if traveling on foot. In between, stop for bites like Polish pierogis, locally made chocolates, and Mexican tacos.

Admire a side of Chicago that few other visitors get to experience—and enjoy a relaxing trip out on the water, tailored to your party—with this private sailboat charter and sailing tour. You and up to five other guests will have the exclusive use of a sailboat, complete with a captain for the duration of your tour. Sail on Lake Michigan and enjoy the sights of Chicago’s striking skyline. If you want, you can even take a turn at the helm.

See (and taste) the best of Chicago in just half a day on this bicycle tour of the Windy City’s most iconic sights and neighborhoods. Follow your guide along the Lakefront Trail, admire views of Millennium Park, and discover the Chicago Riverwalk. As you go, stop to sample culinary classics of Chicago, like deep-dish pizza, a true Chicago hot dog, and a tasty dessert for good measure.

Lovers of history, true crime, and haunted mysteries rejoice—skip the generic sightseeing tours and learn about Chicago’s dark underbelly with this mob history tour. Follow your guide through historic streets and alleys from Grant Park to the “Alley of Death”—also known as West Couch Place—as you learn about the city’s gritty mobsters, doomed ghosts, crime, and vice.

Book in advance to take this popular tour that details the mob history of Chicago during the Prohibition Era (1920s-1930s). Learn about the exploits of gangsters like Capone, Dillinger, Moran, and others as you travel by minibus to sites like the Biograph Theater, Holy Name Cathedral, and St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Your guide adopts gangster attire and characteristics that add dramatic flair to the historical commentary.

The Field Museum of Natural History is one of Chicago’s most-visited museums—and this package deal offers a way to beat the crowds and see its top exhibitions without stress. Secure your tickets before you travel, arrive an hour before the galleries open to the public, and explore in the company of a museum docent. You’ll see collection highlights like Sue the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet, and much more.

Discover the dark side of the Windy City on this nighttime crime history bus tour of Chicago. Through your expert guide's rich storytelling, immerse yourself in tales of notorious mobsters like Al Capone, Frank Nitti, and Bugs Moran as you explore infamous crime scenes including the site of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.

The Art Institute of Chicago is home to over 300,000 works of art by local and international artists. With so much to explore, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of the options during a visit. Sit back and let an expert guide handle the planning as they take you through the museum’s major pieces. Learn about the history and context behind each piece in this culturally enriching experience.

Enjoy a memorable Chicago experience on this haunted pub tour. Your costumed guide, dressed as a Flapper or 1920s Gangster, will lead you on a mile-long journey while telling spooky stories of forgotten cemeteries, lingering spirits, and more. Stop at three different bars for drinks (at own expense) as you learn the secret tales behind Chicago’s haunted past.

First-time visitors to Chicago seeking a quick overview of the city will enjoy this 90-minute small-group walking tour. Your guide will take you to some of Chicago’s most beautiful and interesting buildings, including the Tribune Tower, the Art Institute, the Willis Tower, and more. Learn about Chicago’s architecture, history, and culture while getting your bearings.

Calling all fans of the paranormal, this evening ghost bus tour of Chicago takes you into the city’s darkest recesses—and reveals a side of the city few others get to experience. Travel with ease between locations where hauntings are reported to have taken place and listen to chilling tales delivered by your guide. The City Cemetery, the site of the notorious St. Valentine’s Day massacre, and more are all included.

Get an insider’s introduction to one of Chicago’s most distinctive neighborhoods during this half-day private tour of the South Side. Learn about Hyde Park’s blue-collar history and rich African American heritage. See where the atomic bomb was developed on the University of Chicago’s campus. You’ll also pass through Mexican communities in Pilsen, as well as Little Italy and Greektown.

Travel through architectural history on this express, small-group walking tour, which covers Chicago's most famous buildings in chronological order (and which is speedy enough to cater to the most time-pressed travelers). With a guide in the lead, there's no need to fuss over maps or worry about directions. Simply stroll along and listen to the in-depth commentary on Chicago's architectural history; you'll learn about each building, and will have plenty of chances to stop for photos.

Get to know the foodie Chicago neighborhood made famous by "The Bear"—and taste your way through some of the Windy City's best bites—on this small-group walking tour of River North. Visit locals-loved hotspots that represent the best of the city's dining scene, and Be sure to come hungry: You'll try everything from tacos and Italian beef sandwiches to deep-dish pizza, all while learning about the neighborhood's history and food culture.

Delve into Chicago’s one-of-a-kind cuisine and learn something that you would never expect on this small-group Secret Food Tour. Eat your way through the most prominent neighborhoods of the city and immerse yourself in its tastes and flavors. Stroll through the Loop and Millenium Park, wander down the Riverwalk and discover iconic sights and hidden gems from another perspective. Get inside Chicago’s life through food and connect your heart and soul to the Windy City vibe while tasting classic deep-dish pizza, dipped Italian beef, and Chicago-style hot-dogs. • Benefit from small-group experience and undivided attention from your local guide • Savor the classic Chicago eats and get to know the history of their creation • Witness fascinating art objects, architecture landmarks, and beautiful cityscapes • Get useful recommendation of where to eat and drink from your guide

Considered Chicago’s original “Millionaire’s Row,” Prairie Avenue in the Near South Side is renowned for its Gilded Age mansions—and this tour makes exploring easy (and delightfully spooky). In the evening, meet your guide in front of the Glessner House, and set off with ghost-hunting gear to accompany you. In between spotting highlights including the Marshall Field Jr. Mansion and the Henry B. Clarke House, you’ll hunt for specters and hear ghost stories.

Immerse yourself in the pizza culture of Chicago on this hearty lunch tour. Enjoy deep dish—and then go beyond it, with commentary from your food-loving guide and tastes of four different pizza varieties. Learn all about Chicago's history and culinary heritage as you go, and receive an introduction to the city's pizza scene that's more in depth than what other tours offer, with lunch included.

Admire the ornamental facades and intricate interiors of the Windy City's art deco buildings during this in-depth walking tour of the vibrant Loop. This small-group tour will introduce you to some of the city's highlight architectural landmarks and its rich history, all in a single excursion. As you go, get an up-close look at landmarks that many other tours overlook—and learn insider stories from your architecture-expert guide.

Get to know the “must eats” in Chicago's buzzing Loop District on this small-group or private walking tour. As you explore, listen to in-depth commentary from your guide about the culinary history of Chicago, and get a taste of the city's most iconic foods, from hot dogs to deep-dish pizza. You'll enjoy personalized attention and the chance to chat about your favorite tastings, all while admiring Chicago landmarks along the way.

This walking tour is a feast for the eyes, combining art, architecture, and history as you navigate through bustling downtown Chicago. In a small group, you’ll marvel at skyscrapers and mosaic murals as you discover stories and secrets about the city’s past. See the stunning interiors and exteriors of noteworthy buildings and leave with a comprehensive understanding of the city’s downtown.

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.

Discover Chicago like never before with complete freedom to explore at your own rhythm, lingering at fascinating locations or moving swiftly through others as your interests guide you. Our expertly crafted audio experience unveils exclusive historical insights and hidden stories that even longtime residents don't know, transforming you from tourist to insider as you uncover the authentic soul of the Windy City. Unlike rigid group tours that rush you past remarkable details, you'll have the flexibility to choose which attractions captivate you most, creating a personalized journey that matches your curiosity and schedule perfectly. You'll experience the city as locals do – unhurried, authentic, and deeply connected to the stories that shaped this magnificent metropolis, all while enjoying a superior experience that combines the convenience of independence with the depth of expert knowledge.

Discover the vibrant essence of Chicago with a self-guided tour through the Loop, the city’s historic downtown. This journey unveils a blend of striking skyscrapers and hidden architectural gems, allowing you to explore at your own pace. Uncover the rich history from the Great Fire of 1871 to the architectural masterpieces that define the skyline. Stroll past renowned theaters, museums, and captivating public art pieces that contribute to the city’s creative spirit. The Loop offers a unique perspective on Chicago's past and present, whether it's your first visit or a familiar stroll. — Self-guided exploration of Chicago’s historic Loop area — Learn about the city’s architectural innovations and history — Visit iconic landmarks like the Art Institute and Millennium Park — Perfect for first-time visitors or seasoned Chicagoans alike

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.