THE TOP 10 Illinois Sightseeing Tours (UPDATED 2026)

Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

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!

...More

Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

2 hoursFree Cancellation

3.9

(2,243)

from $49

Likely to Sell Out

Join us in the daytime or evening for City lights and breathtaking views

Get a front row perspective on the exquisite buildings that line the Chicago River during a 45-minute architecture cruise. Hear live commentary about the history and architectural heritage of Chicago on this family-friendly tour, which highlights landmarks such as the Chicago Riverwalk, Michigan Avenue Bridge, Wrigley Building, and Willis Tower. Sit on the open-air top deck or the sheltered bottom deck for the ultimate view of Chicago.

...More

Chicago River 45-Minute Architecture Tour from Magnificent Mile

45 minutesFree Cancellation

4.7

(3,195)

from $28

Original Chicago Architecture Interiors Tour: Dazzling Interiors

Discover the hidden gems of Chicago’s Loop area on a walking tour that showcases the best of the neighborhood’s stunning interiors and architectural must-sees. Step behind the facades to explore beautifully designed interiors—from art deco spaces to stained glass mosaics—as you follow a carefully curated route led by a guide. Along the way, learn about the city’s architecture, art, and history, and experience a side of Chicago often missed by travelers, all from a local’s perspective.

...More

Original Chicago Architecture Interiors Tour: Dazzling Interiors

2 hoursFree Cancellation

5.0

(1,619)

from $35

Chicago City Private Tours

2 to 8 hoursFree Cancellation

4.7

(28)

from $199

Per group

Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour

Discover the architectural gems of the Windy City from an ideal vantage point—and learn insider facts and stories about the city's top attractions—on this Chicago River cruise. Travel in comfort aboard a boat equipped with both indoor and outdoor seating areas. Covering more than 130 years of architectural history, this tour is the perfect opportunity to see a huge area of the city without the hassle of taxis and public transit.

...More

Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.7

(10,004)

from $45

Admire some of the Windy City's most iconic views—and enjoy a time-saving, relaxing way to sightsee—aboard this pet-friendly Chicago River architecture boat tour. With commentary from your onboard guide, watch the spectacular skyline glide by, including dozens of notable buildings, like the Wrigley Building and the John Hancock Building. In just one tour, you cover multiple branches of the Chicago River and learn insider facts and stories you'd otherwise miss.

...More

Chicago Architecture River Cruise

1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.8

(16,085)

from $39

Tower above the Windy City’s world-famous skyline with pre-booked admission to 360 Chicago—a great way to avoid long ticket lines. Ascend one of the tallest buildings in North America aboard its lightning-fast elevator, and be rewarded with bird’s-eye views of Chicago and Lake Michigan. You can also upgrade to the Sip and View ticket, which includes one drink at the newly renovated CloudBar. Once onsite, you can purchase tickets to TILT, 360 Chicago's top attraction.

...More

360 CHICAGO Observation Deck Admission

1 to 4 hoursFree Cancellation

3.9

(1,239)

from $30

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Admission

Housed in the only remaining building from the 1893 World's Fair, Griffin MSI is a Chicago must-see. When visiting the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere, you'll experience a 40-foot tornado, climb aboard a World War II German submarine, take a run in a human-sized hamster wheel, descend into an Illinois coal mine, board a 727 hanging from the ceiling and much more! Griffin MSI is not a place where you walk around quietly and observe. You get involved in the fun — and learn — by doing. Just a few miles from downtown with convenient underground parking.

...More

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Admission

2 to 4 hoursFree Cancellation

4.5

(17)

from $26

A picture of Chicago Chinatown’s landscape shows vibrant streets, iconic arches, and rich culture—everything guests explore on our Chinatown Food Tours. Food Tours in Chinatown bring it all to life.

Immerse yourself in one of Chicago's most vibrant neighborhoods—and head off the tourist trail to discover sights and bites many visitors miss—on this small-group Chinatown food and walking tour. With your guide in the lead, learn about the cuisine of different regions of China, and discover the history of Chicago's Chinatown. Along the way, enjoy a generous array of tastings, from dim sum to Sichuan cuisine and beyond.

...More

Chicago's Chinatown Food and Walking Tour

3 hoursFree Cancellation

4.9

(672)

from $80

Get the most out of your trip to Chicago as you enjoy discount access to five of the city’s top attractions with the CityPASS®. This easy-to-use mobile ticket grants you free entry into top-tier sights including the Chicago's most famous aquarium and Skydeck Chicago, plus your choice of admission to three of the following attractions: Field Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Science and Industry, 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck, Adler Planetarium, or Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour.

from $144

The Art Institute of Chicago houses one of the finest American and Impressionist painting collections in the world, but it can be overwhelming to explore on your own. Remove the guesswork and maximize your time inside the museum on a private tour that covers major highlights by Picasso, Chagall, Warhol, Hopper, and others. Plus, there's no waiting to get inside, as the tour includes a skip-the-line ticket.

...More

Private Art Institute of Chicago Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

5.0

(295)

from $90

Price varies by group size

Chicago Architecture Tour: Underground Pedway and the Loop

Explore the hidden side of Downtown Chicago—and see sights that even many locals miss—on a small-group walking tour of the Pedway (an underground network of tunnels that connects Chicago buildings) and the vibrant Loop. Ideal for architecture fans, this tour includes insider stories and landmarks you wouldn't spot on your own—plus a chance to see Windy City icons like the Picasso Statue and Millennium Park.

...More

Chicago Architecture Tour: Underground Pedway and the Loop

2 hoursFree Cancellation

4.9

(471)

from $35

Likely to Sell Out

Get to know the Windy City the easy and comfortable way on a small-group minibus tour. Instead of long walks and navigating public transit, see major landmarks like Museum Campus, Buckingham Fountain, the Magnificent Mile, and Millennium Park from an uncrowded minibus with large picture windows. Your driver and guide knows where to find all the best views, and there are plenty of photo stops along the way.

...More

Chicago City Minibus Tour

2 hoursFree Cancellation

4.9

(572)

from $50

Likely to Sell Out

Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.8

(1,652)

from $37

Take in views of the Chicago skyline and its landmarks during this Lake Michigan sightseeing boat cruise. Enjoy a laidback ride, soaking up panoramic views from this unique perspective. Listen to audio commentary to give you fresh insight into the landmarks you see, like Navy Pier and the Willis Tower, and feel free to bring your own lunch or grab a drink at the onboard bar (own expense).

...More

Lake Michigan Skyline Cruise in Chicago

30 to 45 minutesFree Cancellation

4.4

(910)

from $33

Chicago Architecture River Tour & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

2 hoursFree Cancellation

4.2

(39)

from $99

Likely to Sell Out

Chicago City Tour with Architecture River Cruise Option

Skip navigating around the city with a map and guidebook and explore Chicago's iconic landmarks in just a few hours on this sightseeing tour led by an expert guide. Board a comfortable, large-windowed minibus and explore Downtown and North Side neighborhoods, stopping to visit several locations and hear about the historical and cultural factors that make Chicago unique. Upgrade your tour with a popular open-top boat tour on the Chicago River that focuses on the city's renowned architecture.

...More

Chicago City Tour with Architecture River Cruise Option

2 to 4 hoursFree Cancellation

4.8

(719)

from $50

Chicago Sunset Tour by Open-Top Bus with Live Guide

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.1

(169)

from $48

Total Chicago: From Architecture to Food

Experience Chicago like a true insider on this top-rated walking tour that blends the city’s most iconic food, awe-inspiring architecture, and rich history — all in one unforgettable day. From deep-dish pizza to legendary skyscrapers, you’ll taste, see, and learn what makes the Windy City a world-class destination. Led by expert local guides and limited to just 12 guests, this immersive, small-group tour is the perfect way to discover the real Chicago — not just the tourist spots.

...More

Chicago in a Day Walking Tour: Food, History & Architecture

4 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.9

(1,233)

from $101

Price varies by group size

Skyline Queen showcasing the Chicago Skyline!

See the Second City from the water with a sightseeing cruise along the Chicago River and the Lake Michigan shoreline, offering a unique perspective of towering skyscrapers and historic architecture. This tour offers stories about the city’s history and culture as you pass by Chicago's landmarks, museums, and buildings. Capture unforgettable images of the city skyline from Lake Michigan, ensuring a unique look at Chicago, perfect for all ages.

...More

Chicago Sightseeing River and Lake Cruise

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.7

(571)

from $46

Taste deep-dish pizza, a Chicago-style hot dog, Italian beef, Garrett’s popcorn & the original 1893 brownie on our top-rated Chicago Food Tours—the ultimate Chicago Culinary Tour experience!

Eat your way through downtown Chicago on a walking food tour. Visit Millennium Park, the Palmer House Hotel, and other city landmarks and taste quintessential Chicago foods such as deep-dish pizza, hot dogs, and chocolate brownies. All food tastings are included, and the tour covers an easy 1.5 miles (2.4 km) suitable for most fitness levels. A bike or kayak rental is also included in the tour cost.

...More

Chicago Favorites Ultimate Food and Walking Tour

3 hoursFree Cancellation

4.9

(2,081)

from $85

Likely to Sell Out

Small-Group Sightseeing Boat Tour in Chicago

Get a chance to experience the Windy City from multiple vantage points during this two-hour, small-group boat tour in Chicago. Hop aboard a secure and reliable US Navy-built Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) for a unique sightseeing experience. Pass by iconic sights such as Navy Pier, Soldier Field, Fort Dearborn, Vietnam Memorial, Wolf Point, Shedd Aquarium, and more, all while comfortably seated in a group capped at only six people.

...More

Small-Group Sightseeing Boat Tour in Chicago

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

5.0

(95)

from $89

Amazing skyline and lakefront views await on our Chicago Bike Tour. Experience the city’s beauty up close on a Bicycle Tour in Chicago that blends culture, history, and unforgettable scenery.

Chicago's Ultimate City Bike Tour of Top Downtown Attractions

3 hoursFree Cancellation

4.9

(245)

from $59

Visit the Skydeck, located on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), with ease thanks to this prebooked ticket option. Avoid long lines at the ticket office and enter directly to access the highest point in Chicago. Peruse interactive displays and exhibits showcasing Chicago's history. Then walk out on to the Ledge, a glass balcony that offers unimpeded views of Navy Pier and Wrigley Field.

...More

Skydeck - Willis Tower Admission

30 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.3

(1,829)

from $44

Top Illinois Sightseeing Tours

200+ results

Top Attractions in Illinois

The Magnificent Mile

Chicago Theatre

Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower (Sears Tower)

Chicago River

Chicago Riverwalk

Art Institute of Chicago

The Magnificent Mile

Chicago Theatre

Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower (Sears Tower)

Chicago River

Chicago Riverwalk

Art Institute of Chicago

The Magnificent Mile

Chicago Theatre

Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower (Sears Tower)

Chicago River