Chicago City Minibus Tour with Optional Architecture River Cruise

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Chicago, United States

Chicago City Minibus Tour with Optional Architecture River Cruise

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Chicago City Minibus Tour with Optional Architecture River Cruise

Tulips along Michigan Ave.
Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower up the road

Cloudgate, aka The Bean at Millennium Park!!

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From $39.95

Lowest Price Guarantee

Free cancellation

Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more

Safety measures

2 to 4 hours (Approx.)

Pickup from select hotels

Mobile ticket

Offered in: English

Overview

Explore Chicago's iconic landmarks on this sightseeing tour led by an expert guide. Board a comfortable, large-windowed minibus and explore downtown and Northside neighborhoods. You have a chance to get out and 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.

Tour is given in English, but handouts are available in Spanish, French, Italian and Japanese
Upgrade to include a boat tour on the Chicago River
Small-group tour limited to 12 passengers ensures a more personalized experience
Hotel pick-up and drop-off from most downtown Chicago Hotels

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From $39.95

Lowest Price Guarantee

What's Included

Local guide

Three photo stops

Transport by 12-passenger, air-conditioned minibus

Chicago River Architecture Boat Tour (if option selected)

Complimentary pickup at most DOWNTOWN CHICAGO hotels

Masks must be worn at all times in tour vehicle

Gratuities

Food and drinks

Departure & Return

Departure Point

Traveler pickup is offered
Tour picks up from most downtown Chicago hotels.

What To Expect

After pickup from most downtown Chicago hotels, board your climate-controlled minibus with a small group of 12 people or fewer. Embark on a sightseeing tour which has won Chicago's Concierge Preferred award several years running.

Listen to historical and informational commentary from your guide as you admire the world's first skyscrapers in downtown Chicago, known as ‘the Loop’. Take in panoramic views of Lake Michigan and other sights through the oversized windows on the minibus.

Drive through several Chicago neighborhoods like Gold Coast and Lincoln Park to get a feel for daily life in the city. Make photo stops at Museum Campus, which boasts the best view of the Chicago skyline, and other locations like the Willis Tower and Millennium Park. Please see the Itinerary section for a full list of attractions visited.

Optional Upgrade: For more sightseeing by water upgrade your tour to include a boat ride down the Chicago River. This open-top boat tour provides an in-depth look at the architecture of Chicago. Additionally, learn about the role the river has played in the city’s history.

Itinerary

Pass By:

The Magnificent Mile

Chicago's main shopping street

Pass By:

Navy Pier

Popular tourist attraction

Pass By:

Millennium Park

The extremely popular home of The Bean, Pritzker Pavillion, Crown Fountain and more. We slowly pass by it on the tour and can drop you off there at the end if you wish.

Stop At:

Chicago River

See the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, Marina City, the Chicago River and much more at this stop!

Duration: 5 minutes

Admission Ticket Free

Stop At:

Buckingham Fountain

One of the most beautiful fountains in the world. It's the fountain seen in the opening credits of Married W/Children!!

Duration: 10 minutes

Admission Ticket Free

Stop At:

Museum Campus

The VERY BEST skyline view!

Duration: 10 minutes

Admission Ticket Free

Stop At:

Lincoln Park

1,600 acre park. Home of the Lincoln Park Zoo, beautiful gardens, fountains, sculptures and much more.

Duration: 5 minutes

Admission Ticket Free

Pass By:

Gold Coast

Popular nightlife district and upscale residential area. Cool restaurants, The Original Playboy Mansion, brownstones and more!

Pass By:

Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower

Once the tallest building in the world, still the tallest in North America. See the outside of it at our Rookery stop.

Stop At:

The Rookery Building

One of the world's very first skyscrapers. Frank Lloyd Wright designed the beautiful lobby. It was also used as Elliott Ness' office in the movie The Untouchables!

Duration: 10 minutes

Admission Ticket Free

Stop At:

Chicago Skyline

One of the most beautiful skylines in the world, from the BEST perspective in the city.

Duration: 10 minutes

Admission Ticket Free

Pass By:

The Art Institute of Chicago

Home of the second most French impressionist paintings. Also American Gothic, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Nighthawks, and much much more!

Stop At:

Shoreline Sightseeing

The most popular tour in the USA, according to Tripadvisor. If option selected, enjoy a 75 minute cruise on the stunning Chicago River.

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

Admission Ticket Included

Show 11 More Stops

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
You MUST contact the local supplier to reconfirm your reservation
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
Masks must be worn while inside tour vehicle
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
OPERATED BY See it ALL Chicago Tours

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Q:

What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Chicago City Minibus Tour with Optional Architecture River Cruise?

A:The policies on face masks and attendee health are:

Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival

See all safety measures taken by Chicago City Minibus Tour with Optional Architecture River Cruise.

Q:

What is the policy on sanitization during Chicago City Minibus Tour with Optional Architecture River Cruise?

A:The policies on sanitization are:

Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized

See all safety measures taken by Chicago City Minibus Tour with Optional Architecture River Cruise.

Q:

What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Chicago City Minibus Tour with Optional Architecture River Cruise?

A:The policies on staff health & safety are:

Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff

See all safety measures taken by Chicago City Minibus Tour with Optional Architecture River Cruise.

Q:

What is the maximum group size during Chicago City Minibus Tour with Optional Architecture River Cruise?

A:This activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers.

See all safety measures taken by Chicago City Minibus Tour with Optional Architecture River Cruise.

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Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

"This tour is especially recommend for first time visitors as an introduction to the city." See review
"We are so glad we took bus tour in addition to River tour- very worthwhile!" See review
"I highly recommend if you need a tour of Chicago!" See review

Reviews

5.0

426 Reviews

5 stars

359

4 stars

45

3 stars

13

2 stars

5

1 star

4

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 426 reviews

Excellent

Amy_V

, Sep 2021

Very nice experience and tour guide was very nice. My husband and I were very impressed with the stops and views. Thank you!

Response from Host , Sep 2021

And Thank You too, Amy!

Helpful

Best Chicago Tour

Dr_J

, Sep 2021

The tour was excellent! Rick was funny, witty. Knowledgeable about the city. He knew both historical and Pop culture. The short stops were perfect! I have been traveling for the last 3 weeks to various city for my bday and I did not want to go on another tour. But I am glad I did! PS.. I am a Philly girl so not easily impressed!

Response from Host , Sep 2021

Thank you very much for such a nice review. It is much appreciated.

Helpful

Excellent city tour. Just didn’t appreciate the remarks on Trump Tower

Beth

, Sep 2021

My husband and I did the city mini bus tour with Rick. Rick was extremely knowledgeable about the city. Overall it was an excellent experience. Several stops along the way to get out and look at points of interest. However Rick needs to not imply his political views when pointing out such things as Trump Tower.

Response from Host , Sep 2021

Thank you for mentioning how much you enjoyed our Chicago mini bus tour. On the tour we do see The Trump Tower. However, I do not say or "imply" anything about Donald Trump, either positive or negative.

Helpful

Magical city

Carole_M

, Sep 2021

Rick was great Great insight about the city of Chicago. Wonderful experience. GO GIANTS Todd and Carole Marcaletti

Response from Host , Sep 2021

Thanks Carole. And how about that Giant sweep of the Cubs.

Helpful

Awesome bus and boat tours

Roy_S

, Sep 2021

Chicago is like New York City in Venice, a little more condense and beautiful. The bus narrator and the boat narrator did an excellent job besides being jovial and funny. We thought it was two hour tours, but the bus tour took two hours and the boat a ten minutes less. We would have loved to continue on the boat forever.

Response from Host , Sep 2021

Thanks for the nice review, Roy.

Helpful

Great overall tour

April_G

, Sep 2021

Rick did a great job narrating the tour. Was able to stop at some great sights. Time of tour was perfect.

Response from Host , Sep 2021

Thank you, April. 😃

Helpful

Amazing time

Myra_V

, Sep 2021

Scott the driver was awesome! He had us laughing the whole tour and also telling us history around chicago. My husband and I really enjoyed it! We were there visiting from Florida and absolutely recommend this tour for anyone visiting!

Helpful

Enjoyable and Informative

Srikar

, Sep 2021

Pretty enjoyable bus trip. The guide was very funny and Informative. Boat trip was excellent. Shout out to Victor—fantastic educator

Helpful

Informative Tour

Fred_N

, Sep 2021

Started with bus tour of sights in the city followed by Architectural Boat Tour. On the boat tour are guide was Jack who was extremely knowledgeable . One of the best guides I have been with. Highly recommend the combined tour.

Helpful

Fast, Fun and Interesting!

Richard_M

, Sep 2021

Chicago is a great town. It was my wife's first visit. This tour was great for both of us. It's a relatively quick way to get acclimated or re-acclimated with Chicago's Lakeshore and Loop area. Rick, our tour guide, is knowledgeable and funny (albeit a little corny). He keeps things moving along so the time is well spent. He dispenses a lot of facts but flavors them with interesting and often humorous anecdotes. Tour van is a nice size, big and roomy interior but small enough for Rick to expertly maneuver and park for several quick outdoor excursions. Highly recommended! PS: Tried to upload a few photos but wasn't able to.

Helpful

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