Illinois · 2026

Chicago Tours

There are so many fantastic attractions in Chicago that you may want to spend some time enjoying a few of the popular Chicago tours.

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Chicago Tours

There are so many fantastic attractions in Chicago that you may want to spend some time enjoying a few of the popular Chicago tours. Even if you are usually an independent traveler, taking a Chicago tour will help you get your orientation in the city. After your Chicago tour, you can return to the places that interest you the most.

Bicycle Tours of Chicago

If you enjoy biking, Bike Chicago has Chicago tours of the Lakefront. On these Chicago tours, you can ride through Lincoln Park and the Lincoln Park Zoo. You can also park your bike and visit the Conservatory, & Nature Museum, Millennium Park and the Adler Planetarium.

Walking Tours of Chicago

If you would prefer to take a Chicago tour by foot, there is a variety of walking Chicago tours available. For example, the Broadway in Chicago Theater Tour gives you a chance to explore the unique historical theaters throughout the City. This Chicago tour showcases the type of decor that was inspired by the exotic art of the Orient, along with the refined and graceful art of Versailles.

Chicago Map

Do you believe in ghosts and haunted houses? If so, would you like to do some investigation? Then you might enjoy taking a Chicago tour with Chicago Ghost Investigations. Twice a day, this Chicago tour company takes guests to conduct investigations at some popular and little known haunted locations. Additionally, you will be taught how to use ghost-hunting equipment, as well as a psychic technique which will enables communication between you and the spirits. Can you say "Ghostbusters?"

Chicago Boat Tours

If you enjoy being on the water, you will certainly enjoy taking one of the spectacular Chicago boat tours. You can try one of the Chicago boat tours from the docks along Navy Pier's Dock Street, the River or Burnham Harbor. There are a variety of Chicago boat tour choices that offer you everything from fancy dinner cruises that include dancing and live entertainment to exciting speedboat rides along Lake Michigan and water taxi rides between lakefront attractions. If you are interested in architecture, the Seadog Lake and Architecture Tour allows you to view Chicago's famous historical landmarks. These include the Willis Tower, The John G. Shedd Aquarium, the Civic Art Center, the John Hancock Center, the Buckingham Fountain and other famous buildings and monuments.

Any type of Chicago tour will allow you to get an overview of what this amazing city has to offer. Don't be surprised if you find yourself booking an additional trip to come back and see more.

Illinois is Chicago and what's around Chicago — a flat sweep of corn, rivers, and small Lincoln-haunted towns spreading three hundred miles south of the Loop.

Illinois: Must-See Experiences

  • See Chicago's skyline from Lake Michigan
  • Stand in front of the Bean (Cloud Gate)
  • Eat deep-dish pizza in the Loop
  • Take an architecture river cruise
  • Visit the Art Institute of Chicago
  • See a Cubs game at Wrigley Field
  • Drive Route 66 from Chicago to St. Louis
  • Tour Lincoln's home and tomb in Springfield
  • Walk the Magnificent Mile
  • See Starved Rock State Park's canyons

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Frequently Asked Questions

Late May through September. Fall is also lovely. Winter is famously cold and windy off the lake; January–February deters most travelers.
The Loop, Magnificent Mile, and lakefront are very walkable. Connecting between neighborhoods is best done with the L (subway/elevated) — it's one of the country's most extensive systems.
The Loop or River North for first-timers — central, walkable, and close to most attractions. Wicker Park or Logan Square for a more residential feel.
Springfield (Lincoln history), Galena (preserved 19th-century town), Starved Rock (state park canyons), and the Mississippi River towns are worth a road trip from Chicago.
Tourist neighborhoods are well-policed and busy. Use normal city precautions and check which neighborhoods to avoid late at night.