Attractions & Activities/Tours and Excursions

American Sightseeing Chicago

17 E Monroe St Chicago, IL 60603 312-251-3100

Description: THE LOOP. If touring Chicago by luxury motor coach sounds like a lovely way to spend the day, this is the ideal outlet for you. Knowledgeable guides take guests on one of four comprehensive tours: North Side, South Shore, the Grand Tour (a combination of North and South), or the Grand Tour plus an extended stop at the Sears Tower. Periodic stops, such as at the Botanical Gardens on the North Side and Prairie and Woodland Avenues on the South Shore, are scheduled for clients to briefly explore on their own.

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Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise

224 S Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60604 312-922-3432

Description: DOWNTOWN. Seeing Chicago's architectural beauty from the decks of a river cruiser is a must. One of the city's most unique tours, the river cruise, hosted by the Chicago Architectural Foundation, takes you along the north and south shores of the lake. Tours are available late April through mid-November and run about an hour and a half in length. Purchase tickets at 224 South Michigan Avenue, and board at the southwest corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge.

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Chicago from the Lake

465 N. McClurg Ct Chicago, IL 60611-5319 312-527-1977

Description: STREETERVILLE. Chicago from the Lake offers a variety of tours along the majestic Chicago coastline, including immensely popular historical cruises and architectural cruises, which explore the Windy City's interior via the Chicago River. Make sure you bring your camera since views of the city from the river are simply unrivaled. The price of the tour includes Starbucks coffee, lemonade, muffins, and cookies. Tours depart seven days a week, and reservations may be made at the concierge desk at all downtown hotels.

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Chicago Neighborhood Tours

77 E Randolph Street Chicago, IL 60601 312-742-1190

Description: THE LOOP. What's it like to live in Chicago? Go on a Chicago Neighborhood Tour and find out. Area residents lead four-hour excursions into some of the city's most intriguing neighborhoods. You'll get a firsthand look at the museums, cultural centers, and "secret" dives that add to Chicago's ethnic makeup. Lunch is provided, and buses depart promptly on time.

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Chicago Trolley Company

4400 S Racine Ave Chicago, IL 60609 773-648-5000

Description: SOUTH LOOP. What better way to learn about a city than on a tour? Chicago Trolley Company offers an informative, entertaining method of experiencing Windy City history. Twelve stops are included, and sites feature everything from the origins of the Great Chicago Fire to current architectural wonders. Since trolleys pick up and drop off every 30 minutes or so, you can purchase an all-day pass and come and go as you please. The entire 13-mile loop takes two hours if you go straight through.

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Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio and Historic District Tours

951 Chicago Ave Oak Park, IL 60302 312-922-8687

Description: OAK PARK. The architectural genius of Frank Lloyd Wright is showcased on this variety of tours. Eager visitors learn about Wright's background and his design philosophies while touring the interior of his home and studio. Other options promote an exploration of Oak Park itself, which has a preponderance of homes that Wright designed. The historic neighborhood also showcases Prairie-style homes and Victorian structures. N.B. Tour times, styles, and offerings vary, so plan in advance.

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Northwestern University

633 Clark St Evanston, IL 60208 847-491-3741

Description: EVANSTON. Founded in 1851, Northwestern University is a private institution serving primarily Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota. The university offers undergraduate and post-graduate programs and has two campuses, including the 240-acre Evanston one. The latter is a lovely place, comprised of ivy-covered, historic buildings and wide expanses of well-manicured lawns perfect for an afternoon stroll. Tour times vary throughout the year; please call for specific information.

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Odyssey Cruises

600 E Grand Ave Chicago, IL 60611 866-305-2469

Description: STREETERVILLE. Up the ante on sightseeing with Odyssey's dinner cruise packages. The company offers yacht tours along the shores of Lake Michigan, and incredible views of the city are standard, especially at night. Lunch and brunch packages are also available on the vessel, which features three enclosed decks and an upper, open-air one. Live music adds to the appeal, especially during special-event cruises. Outings typically last two to three hours and should be booked well in advance.

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Pullman Historic District

11141 S Cottage Grove Ave Chicago, IL 60628 773-785-8901

Description: PULLMAN. Conceived of by George M. Pullman (of Pullman car fame) as a model neighborhood for his factory workers, this late 19th-century town originally featured residences, a school, a hotel, a bank, a church, and ahead-of-their-time conveniences like indoor plumbing. Having survived threats of redevelopment over the last century, the historic district now offers guided tours through the remaining public structures. The magnificent Hotel Florence and the Clock Tower are not to be missed.

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University of Chicago

5801 S Ellis Ave Chicago, IL 60637 773-702-1234

Description: SOUTH SIDE. Founded by oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller, the University of Chicago features 211 acres and 243 buildings on campus. The land for the school was donated by Marshall Field, founder of the department stores of the same name. Currently the school serves 4100 undergraduates and 8900 post-graduate students. The grounds of the school are well-manicured, and the campus boasts a number of historic buildings, such as the Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, and museums, including the David and Alfred Smart Museum and the Oriental Institute Museum.

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