All Illinois Tours & Excursions in 2026

Reconnect with nature on a rejuvenating day trip through Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks. This guided adventure blends relaxation with light hiking, perfect for entrepreneurs and anyone seeking a mental reset. Discover scenic canyons and stunning waterfalls as you explore the great outdoors, and wind down with a group dinner at Starved Rock Lodge Lounge, where stories and reflections are shared. Conclude your day with a stop for souvenir shopping and ice cream, leaving you refreshed and inspired. - Enjoy guided exploration of Starved Rock’s trails and Matthiessen’s waterfalls - Group dinner at Starved Rock Lodge Lounge (meals not included) - Suitable for ages 16+, with a total hiking duration of 4 hours - Includes bottled water and light snacks, with optional photo sessions

Gather with friends at the Charm Bar to unleash your creativity. This interactive party invites you to mix, match, and layer your own unique "Jumble" style stack featuring an array of customizable charms and hand-stamped details. Personalize your pieces to reflect your style and memories, all while enjoying a fun, social atmosphere that celebrates your individuality. Perfect for a girls' night out or a special celebration, this hands-on experience ensures you'll leave with jewelry that tells your story. Price includes necklace or bracelet (only one item).

Looking for an unforgettable adventure that combines the thrill of paddling with the stunning natural beauty of Illinois? Our Guided Kayak Rentals near Chicago are the perfect way to experience Starved Rock State Park from a whole new perspective.

"Dive into adventure with Let’s Roam, your go-to for the ultimate app-led adventure hunts! Step into a world where every landmark and hidden gem is waiting to be discovered. Challenge yourself with trivia, tackle brain-teasing puzzles, and embark on an epic journey of exploration! Whether you’re collaborating with your crew or turning up the competition, Let’s Roam Adventure Hunts guarantee a blast for all. Perfect for any occasion—whether it’s a spontaneous outing, a wild bachelorette bash, a festive birthday celebration, or a team-building extravaganza. Each player gets to dive into an interactive role, ensuring every challenge is as thrilling and unique as the next. So, gather your squad, choose your adventure, and let the good times roll! With Let’s Roam, every outing becomes a treasure trove of memories and excitement. Are you ready to conquer the city and create unforgettable experiences? Let’s Roam and make every day an adventure!"

Zombie Scavengers takes you on an adventure in Rockford to survive the zombie apocalypse! Use our app and some strategy to find a list of items needed to survive, in any order you'd prefer, around the city. Find the survival items to get points and do fun zombie themed challenges for points as well. Contrive a plan to get your survival team the most points in order to survive the apocalypse! Your remote host will follow along virtually and provide support if you need it. Can you survive the apocalypse in Rockford?

Discover Springfield like never before on this interactive scavenger hunt walking activity. Navigate through the city, unraveling puzzles and uncovering fascinating trivia about Abraham Lincoln and the rich history dating back to 1818. Explore the city’s oldest homes, learn quirky facts about Lincoln's life, and snap memorable selfies along the way. With an app guiding your adventure, enjoy the freedom to explore at your own pace while savoring local bites at the Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop. This unique blend of fun and education makes for an unforgettable outing for families, friends, or couples.

Enjoy a day on the water with your Daily Tandem Kayak Rentals, perfect for families, couples, and dog lovers. These versatile kayaks feature two adjustable seats that can be converted for solo paddling. With a total capacity of 550 pounds, they easily accommodate fishing gear and personal items. Bring your furry friend along—dogs under 40 pounds can sit comfortably between paddlers, while larger dogs can ride in the second seat. Tandems can hold up to three people if the third passenger is 70 pounds or less. Dogs under 40 pounds can ride comfortably on a pad between the two paddlers, while larger dogs can sit as the second passenger.

What makes Zombie Scavengers unique is its sophisticated use of technology to create a flexible, competitive experience. It's an entirely self-guided, app-driven mission where your goal is to survive a virtual apocalypse by strategically finding survival items in your city. The hunt is dynamic, offering a variety of tasks, from photo-taking evidence of supplies to answering zombie trivia, all while earning points. Your team benefits from on-demand virtual support from a remote host, and the national score-tracking adds an exhilarating, competitive layer, pushing you to outwit other "colonies" across the country.

Zombie Scavengers in Peoria will help prove you can survive a zombie apocalypse! Use an app to find a list of items needed to survive. Find them in any order you'd like and get points for each found survival item. Get points also by doing crazy zombie themed tasks. Survey the area and figure out how to get the most points in order to survive the apocalypse. Should you have any questions along the way, a remote host will chat with you throughout the game. Prove to the world you can survive an apocalypse in Peoria today!

This self-guided bike tour traces Chicago's reinvention from the ashes of the Great Fire to the skyline that rose in its place, pedaling the Lakefront Trail with Lake Michigan on one side and the city's icons on the other. The route begins near Navy Pier and rolls through Museum Campus, past the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, and Field Museum. Buckingham Fountain and the towering Willis Tower come next, followed by Millennium Park's Cloud Gate — Chicago's beloved "Bean." A quick pass through the Loop takes in the Chicago Theatre, State Street, and Union Station before crossing the Chicago River. Stories of the Great Fire and the innovators who rebuilt the city play through your headphones the whole way. Perfect for first-time visitors, casual cyclists, and anyone craving a fresh angle on the city. Download the VoiceMap app and enter the ticket code from your confirmation email to start riding.

Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of how a muddy Midwestern outpost transformed into the global capital of architecture. Experience everything from early, classically inspired European styles to bold American Art Deco and Modernist innovations to today’s Contemporary designs that continue to set the pace for world-leading architecture. As you journey through Chicago’s spectacular skyscraper canyons and stunning interiors, you’ll see how economics, technology, creativity, and gritty determination shaped Chicago’s ever-evolving skyline. Whether you’re a visitor or you’re a Chicagoan who has never explored the architectural masterpieces you see every day, join us today on this enlightening adventure.

Step into the vibrant, resilient heart of Chicago's South Side. On this immersive journey through Bronzeville, you will uncover the epic story of the Great Migration—a time when millions of African Americans fled the Jim Crow South to build a self-sustaining 'Black Metropolis'. From the birthplace of gospel music to the headquarters of a newspaper that changed the nation, discover the triumphs of entrepreneurship, the brilliance of cultural innovation, and the unyielding spirit of a community that shaped modern America. A 3.9 km self-guided tour with 7 stops over 121 min Ideal for travelers interested in Identity, Migration & Globalization and History & Memory Immersively told in a podcast style by experts and locals Matching audio content, AI guide and navigation through the app

This tour offers a personalized and stress-free way to experience Chicago, combining comfortable transportation with local insights and flexible stops. Guests enjoy a private ride through iconic neighborhoods and landmarks while learning about the city’s history, culture, and architecture at their own pace. Ideal for airport transfers, short stays, and first-time visitors seeking a relaxed yet memorable city experience

Discover the unique journey of Pope Leo XIV through Chicago on this interactive bus tour. Visit his childhood home and childhood church in the suburb of Dolton on this one of a kind experience. This tour not only showcases the Pope's life but also intertwines the vibrant culture of Chicago, making it a must for both visitors and locals. Enjoy exclusive insights from knowledgeable guides while engaging with the city's rich history and faith. - Guided bus tour through Chicago’s historical sites related to Pope Leo XIV - Pickup at Holy Name Cathedral in the heart of the city

This is a private walking tour with your group and expert tour guide Dave Lineal. Different tour start times available upon request. I am happy to customize the tour itinerary and content for your group. Discover the amazing history and architecture of Chicago with expert tour guide Dave Lineal. Walk among gigantic towers of downtown and learn how Chicago became a global force in culture, commerce, and architecture. Our tour will explore building interiors like the world's oldest skyscrapers, City Hall, the underground Pedway, and the old library. We will observe public art like the Picasso and the Bean. While immersed in the places where it happened, Chicago's colorful stories will vividly spring to life. This walking tour aims to enhance your understanding of modern-day Chicago by a deep dive exploration of its history.

Uncover the chilling history of Chicago's gangsters and ghosts on this thrilling late-night Halloween walking tour. Delve into the dark secrets of the South Loop, once a vice district, as your historian guide shares captivating tales of Al Capone and the city’s infamous past. Explore haunted locations like the Palmer House and the Chicago Theatre, and hear eerie stories of spirits that linger in Death Alley and along the Chicago Riverwalk. This tour culminates at the Congress Hotel, renowned for its ghostly sightings, making it the perfect way to experience Chicago's haunted history at midnight. - Late-night Halloween walking tour through Chicago's South Loop, ending at midnight. - Hear true stories about notorious gangsters like Al Capone - Visit haunted spots including the Chicago Theatre and Palmer House - End your tour at the Congress Hotel, one of Illinois' most haunted locations

Explore the Art Institute, Chicago’s world-class art museum and the second-largest in the United States, with this priority admission ticket. Situated in Grant Park, the museum’s incredible range of impressionist, post-impressionist, modern and contemporary works is near the top of the list of Chicago’s must-see sights. Among the artists on display are works by Pollack, van Gogh, Renoir, Monet and Picasso plus, plus a striking new Modern Wing and cutting edge graphic and industrial design.

Bucktown has a knack for keeping secrets - and most of them are deeply unsettling. On this self-guided walking tour, you'll hear the true stories behind the neighborhood's murders, hauntings, and disappearances, encountering a real-life fugitive, the ghost of a pub owner who still tends bar, and a winged creature with red eyes spotted across Chicago. Starting at the former Lincoln Tavern, where a 1980 robbery ended in multiple murders, you'll pass the spot where a 12-year-old boy was killed by a train in 1902. You will see where residents still report signs of his presence, and walk by the only Opus Dei-operated church in the country. The tour ends at Club Lucky, where three bullet holes still visible in the bar mark the spot where a Polish immigrant named Walter met his unfortunate end in January 1967. Sweet dreams.

The Bloomingdale Trail was built on a former railway line that once served as the industrial backbone of Chicago's north side. On this self-guided audio tour through Bucktown and Wicker Park, you'll hear how the factories, immigrants, and artists who lined these tracks transformed two scrappy neighbourhoods into some of the city's most sought-after real estate. The tour starts at Walsh Park, the eastern terminus of The 606, named with a nod to Chicago's universal zip code prefix. Further along, you'll stop at the Damen Avenue Arts Plaza, where the Flat Iron Arts Building stands as a reminder of how artists were deliberately recruited to revive a struggling neighbourhood. The tour ends at Western Avenue, the longest continuous city street in the world at 24.5 miles, where the trail continues west into Logan Square and Humboldt Park.

One of the two remaining founding members of the NFL, dating back to 1920, the Chicago Bears are the epitomise NFL history. For an experience filled with tradition and history, look no further than attending a Bears game at the iconic Soldier Field. The Bears are entering a new era, led by former Heisman-Trophy winning quarterback, Caleb Williams. The excitement and electricity in the air Solider Field is noticeable and expectations amongst the Bears passionate fanbase have been raised. Soldier Field, the oldest stadium in the NFL, is a historic venue, located on the shores of Lake Michigan, with a unique architectural blend of the original structure and modern upgrades. The tailgating scene at Soldier Field is vibrant. Fans gather hours before the game to socialize and celebrate, forming a big part of the game day experience. Attending a game is also an opportunity to explore the city, known for its famous deep-dish pizza, you’ll have to get a taste of the real Chicago culture!

Become an official Chicago Explorer with the Kids Loop Treasure Hunt. This engaging scavenger hunt invites young adventurers to navigate through the iconic landmarks of Chicago, solving clever clues and completing fun challenges. Discover hidden gems from impressive silver sculptures to historic theaters while capturing memories along the way. There's no rush, just plenty of time to work as a team, think like detectives, and uncover the secrets of the city. Each clue solved brings you closer to becoming Chicago Loop Champions. The adventure awaits your first clue is ready.

Discover the very best of New York City in one unforgettable experience! From the majestic Statue of Liberty and the historic Brooklyn Bridge to famous neighborhoods, hidden gems, and picture-perfect skyline views — this tour captures it all. Enjoy guided stops at iconic landmarks, learn fascinating stories from your local guide, and experience the true energy of the city that never sleeps. Perfect for first-time visitors or anyone wanting to see it all, this experience blends history, culture, and unbeatable photo ops at every turn. Come ready to explore, snap amazing pictures, and make lasting memories on the ultimate NYC adventure!

With over 10 years of birding, Wayne can not only identify birds out in the wild through sight, but also through their many calls! Interested in starting out with birding? Maybe you're visiting for a day and looking for a specific target? Wayne offers birding tours for birders, both new and advanced, across the Chicago region! Happy Birding!

Discover the natural beauty of Lake Geneva and the tranquil Anderson Japanese Gardens on this private 10‑hour getaway from Chicago. Begin your day with convenient pickup and enjoy a scenic drive as your expert guide shares insights about the region. Once at Lake Geneva, you’ll have free time to explore its picturesque lakeside paths, historic estates, and even take an optional cruise. Afterward, immerse yourself in the serene pathways of Anderson Japanese Gardens, where elegant bridges, koi ponds, and peaceful landscapes await. This personalized tour offers a relaxing and enriching experience, perfect for couples, families, and small groups seeking a nature‑filled escape.