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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

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1 Adult2 Adults3 Adults4 Adults5 Adults6 Adults7 Adults8 Adults9 Adults10 Adults11 Adults12 Adults0 Children1 Child2 Children3 Children4 Children5 Children6 Children7 Children8 Children9 Children10 Children11 Children12 Children0 Infants1 Infant2 Infants3 Infants4 Infants5 Infants6 Infants7 Infants8 Infants9 Infants10 Infants11 Infants12 Infants
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more
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Safety measures
icon2 to 4 hours  (Approx.)
Pickup from select hotels
Mobile ticket
iconOffered 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

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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
NEW: Proof of full COVID vaccination required to board the mini bus.
Gratuities
Food and drinks

Departure Point

Traveler pickup is offered
Tour picks up from most downtown Chicago hotels.
We can return you to your hotel if you just take the Mini Bus tour.
For those choosing the Mini Bus and Boat Tour, your tour ends at the boat dock at Michigan Ave and Wacker Drive. You are responsible for finding your way back to your hotel after the river cruise.

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
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Pass By:  
Navy Pier
Popular tourist attraction
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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.
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Stop At:  
Chicago River
See the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, Marina City, the Chicago River and much more at this stop!
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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!!
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Duration: 10 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
Stop At:  
Museum Campus
The VERY BEST skyline view!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Admission Ticket Included
  • 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
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • 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.

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.

Traveler Photos

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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
star-5
458 Reviews
5 stars
387
4 stars
47
3 stars
13
2 stars
7
1 star
4

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 458 reviews
star-5
If you're looking for a tour, look no further.
Anonymous
, Jan 2022
This was an awesome tour. We would not have been able to see everything we saw on our own. Rick was great, very personable and knowledgeable. His sense of humor was a bonus. Thanks!!
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star-5
Great Tour!
nahrstedtl
, Dec 2021
Loved this tour....Rick was great! We saw so much in a short time. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Chicago!
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icon Response from Host , Jan 2022
Awe, thanks!
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star-5
Excellent tour
Zeyar_H
, Dec 2021
It was a great tour with my family . . The bus window is big so we were able to enjoy the city inside the bus too. we were able to take a few photos at nice spots . The tour guide is nice and knowledgeable . Overall it’s a good tour and we like it . Thank you .
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icon Response from Host , Jan 2022
Thank you, as well.
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star-5
On time with great...
Haley_F
, Dec 2021
On time with great narration. We enjoyed learning more about the buildings and seeing them from another vantage point.
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star-5
A great tour
Pat_T
, Dec 2021
Our driver and guide, Rick, was very informative and accommodating. I really appreciated that he called the day before to give us the option to reschedule due to projected rain … it worked out great! The mini bus was clean and comfortable, our stops gave plenty of time for photos, and we got a great overview of the city. Highly recommend.
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icon Response from Host , Jan 2022
Thanks for the very nice words, Pat!
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star-4
Our driver made the...
Andrea_D
, Dec 2021
Our driver made the experience memorable, fun and entertaining. He was very knowledgeable and gave some good advice. Had a great time.
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star-2
Very disappointing
Yudita_B
, Nov 2021
We were very grateful to the tour guide that he waited for us, since we were running about 10 min late. Unfortunately, the tour was much shorter than I thought it would be. It was only 1.5 hours and it was not very informative. It was: look at the right side, here is this building, look at the left, here is this building. There was basically no history of the city, other than 5 min combined about Chicago fire, Valentine's day massacre and how Chicago got its name. That was it. I was very disappointed.
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icon Response from Host , Nov 2021
We are sorry that you didn't like the tour. I refer those reading this review to read our previous reviews, to see how much virtually everybody else does appreciate and enjoy what we are doing.
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star-5
Perfect way to see Chicago!
Cheryl_G
, Nov 2021
Great van, great tour guide, great group! Saw so much in so short a time. Photo pops laid back and ample. Commentary knowledgeable. Wonderful!
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1 traveler found this review helpful
star-5
First time visitors!
Emily_W
, Nov 2021
Rick was a fantastic tour guide - very personable, knowledgeable, and super funny! The smaller van tour is great! We got to know the fellow passengers, and Rick managed to interact with all of us the entire time!
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star-4
Literally called me out!!
Kena_C
, Oct 2021
Tour was informative and guide knowledgeable however he shouldn’t call people out unless he’s positive about the accusation!! He asked that all passengers wear their masks on the bus which we ALL were, mine was a tan color so matched my face color possibly he couldn’t tell from the front of the bus to the “back right corner”…… The morning was cool and I was drinking hot chocolate but only pulled the mask down to take a drink & pulled it back up. It just was irritating and immediately started the tour off with a bad taste in my mouth!!!! I still gave the tour 4 stars but had he not embarrassed me I would have probably given it a 5.
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